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Whisky lovers, mark your calendars as the long-anticipated four-part docuseries *Independent Spirits* will make its world debut on March 15, 2025, as part of Scotland’s inaugural Independent Spirits Festival, an event exclusively celebrating independent whisky bottlers.Created by the visionary team behind *The Water of Life - A Whisky Film*, this new series shines a spotlight on a lesser-known yet highly influential sector of the whisky world: Independent Bottlers. Initially planned as a companion piece to *The Water of Life*, *Independent Spirits* evolved into a comprehensive four-part series, capturing the creativity, passion, and craftsmanship that drive this sector of the industry. The series is co-directed by Greg Swartz and Guy Satchwell, and produced by Blacksmith & Jones, the production company that Swartz co-owns with producer Trevor Jones.
Swartz shared insights into the making of the series: “One of the greatest challenges—and joys—was defining in an accessible way what indie bottlers do, and why they are such an important part of whisky’s story.”
Satchwell and Swartz have spoken with more than 50 prominent figures in the whisky industry, from giants like Gordon & MacPhail, Cadenheads, and Elixir, to innovative, smaller bottlers such as the Thompson Brothers and Single Cask Nation. Both the festival and the docu-series are true celebrations—not only of the independent bottlers themselves but of whisky as an art form in Scotland and across the globe.
Originally slated to premiere at the Glasgow Whisky Festival, the team shifted course after a conversation between Swartz and whisky YouTuber Aqvavitae (aka Roy Duff). The two had a shared light-bulb moment: Scotland lacked a dedicated festival for independent bottlers. Along with whisky writer David Stirk, they created the first-ever *Independent Spirits Festival*, a unique one-off event designed to showcase this thriving segment of the whisky industry.
There are two available tickets:
220 tickets will include entry to the full screening of the new 4-part film series. This will be shown in the adjoining Morton Hall starting at 12 noon and finishing at 3 pm with a special dram and introduction. This ticket will also allow entrance to the whisky festival running from 4 pm until 8 pm. These are priced at £45 (+ £1.50 booking fee)
200 further tickets will be available for entrance to the whisky festival running from 4 pm until 8 pm. These are priced at £40 (+ £1.50 booking fee)
Tickets include access to all stands and free glassware. Water will be provided throughout the event.
www.independentspirits.co.uk
www.leiththeatre.co.uk
Exhibitors so far confirmed:
Adelphi
Alistair Walker
Brave New Spirits
Carn Mor
Claxton's
Crucial Drinks
Decadent Drinks
Dram Mor
Duncan Taylor
Elixir
Fib Whisky
Finn Thomson
Fragrant Drops
Hannah Whisky Merchants
Islay Boys
Little Brown Dog
Master of Malt
North Star Spirits
Saltire Whisky
Single Cask Nation
SMWS
Stravaig
Thompson Bros
Turntable
Uncharted Whisky Co
Vintage Malt Whisky Co
Watt Whisky
Wm Cadenhead
Woodrow's
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Leith Theatre, 28 - 30 Ferry Road,Edinburgh, United Kingdom
