18 years on you might say DramFest is having its coming-of-age year! It is of course much more involved however, I think we have managed to retain the most important aspect, the people that participate, the good folk that help, the visiting owner, brand ambassador, distillers, the fun (!) and of course the WHISK(E) Y! DramFest is a celebration that encompasses what we love - good whisk(e)y, great people and good times – long may it last” - Michael Fraser Milne
Reflecting on DramFest it started from humble beginnings in the Town Hall Limes Room in 2007, with just 100 different whiskies on offer and a handful of overseas guests. The next DramFest in 2009 saw the event increase to featuring 45 stands with 850 attendees. Due to the earthquake in 2011, DramFest was changed to 2012 and held in marquee in a carpark.
From these beginnings we are delighted that DramFest has grown to over 4,000 spirits enthusiasts descending upon Christchurch from across Aotearoa and the wider Australasian region, along with a huge number of visiting industry experts this year. Whist we will always be whisky focused, we have featured a guest spirit for a number of years, this year we welcome dark spirits including Rum and also Cognac.
Our visiting guests from all over the world make DramFest a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts to meet with overseas and local whisky experts including distillers, owners and brand ambassadors attending the event. These visiting experts are a special highlight of the event, offering the chance to interact with those who are directly involved with the creation, selection and promotion of some of the whiskies and rums on offer. We are always very proud and humbled to host these wonderful folk on behalf of New Zealand’s whisky imbibers.
Long may it continue. Slàinte