How long is the event?

The program runs about two hours: arrival drinks at 7:30pm, tasting begins at 8pm and finishes around 10pm.

What is included with the ticket?

Tickets include an arrival drink, a guided tour of The Copeland Distillery and a tasting flight of five peated whiskies.

How old do I have to be to attend?

Guests must be 18 or older to attend; bring a valid photo ID for entry.

Is the event wheelchair accessible?

Structured description lists accessibility as 'Yes'; contact the booking provider for details on specific access needs.

What size are groups?

Group size is limited to 30 guests to keep the tasting intimate and interactive.

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets are listed at £25 per person for this tasting and launch event.

Peat, Smoke & Spirit: Inside The Copeland Distillery 26.2 Tasting

Peat, Smoke & Spirit at The Copeland Distillery brings a concentrated evening of peated whisky discovery. The Copeland Distillery, where this tasting takes place, offers visitors an intimate look at the distilling floor and warehouse; the event celebrates the launch of the 26.2 Limited Release and is led by Founder Gareth Irvine and Head of Sales Mick McKeown. For two hours you'll sample five peated expressions, enjoy an arrival drink and hear the stories behind the casks.

The tasting begins with an arrival pour and a short introduction to peat as a flavor agent: how preserved boglands and smoked barley influence spirit character. Highlights include guided access to warehouse racking where evaporative aromas hang in timber, close-up views of copper stills and a deep dive into maturation choices that shape the 26.2 release. The format—small group, 30-person maximum—means questions are welcomed and the evening feels like an insiders' session rather than a lecture.

What makes this experience special is the way it combines hands-on distillery detail with sensory education. You won't just taste peated whisky; you'll trace the elements that create it: barley, peat smoke and oak. The distillery setting lets you smell metal stillwork, see charred casks and understand the staging behind each glass. That tactile access turns a simple tasting into a memorable learning experience.

Practical details are straightforward: the two-hour program runs in the evening and is designed for adults over 18. Seating and tour flow are timed—arrival drinks at 7:30pm, tasting at 8pm and finish around 10pm—so arrive on time to make the most of the walk-through and flight. Tickets include the guided tour and the five-sample tasting; true spirit fans will value the warehouse explorations where older and experimental peated expressions are stored.

For visitors who pair outdoor exploring with culinary or craft-focused stops, this tasting is an efficient cultural add-on to a day of coastal walks, local food stops or museum visits. It offers concentrated, expert-led context for understanding peat influence and modern cask finishing, and affords the rare chance to celebrate a limited-release bottle with the people who made it. Whether you are a seasoned peat-head or curious about smoky whisky for the first time, an evening at The Copeland Distillery promises focused learning, convivial company and a direct line to the craft behind the pour.

Accessible for visitors, the venue accommodates up to 30 guests and offers accessibility features; ask at booking about specific needs. Booking early is advised—tickets are limited and often sell out for special releases. Bring curiosity, a notebook for tasting notes and an openness to debate nuance; leave with a clearer idea of how smoke, time and wood interact to make peated whisky a distinct and evolving craft.