IT’S the oldest whisky festival in the UK, outside London – and next Saturday this day of the drams is back in The Ebor Stand at York Racecourse.

The Yorkshire Whisky Festival will feature dozens of whiskies from all over Scotland, along with those from slightly less traditional areas such as India and Japan. Visitors can sample all of the whiskies at the exhibitor tables at no further cost as well as receiving a whisky-tasting glass to take home.

York company The Whisky Lounge has been putting on whisky tasting events in York and all over the UK since 2008. Eddie Ludlow, the company’s founder, has been running the York Whisky Festival since 2001.

“Obviously we enjoy our home-town event and always look forward to it – bumping into friends new and old, said Eddie.

“We pride ourselves in our events and are always striving to make both newcomers and whisky nuts feel at home in a friendly setting. We are particularly excited that we are housed in the fabulous Ebor Stand this year, which provides fantastic views while tasting some of the best whiskies available. It is a great chance to explore a huge range of flavours in one room and one day.”

Distilleries such as Macallan, Glenlivet, Glen Garioch, Old Pulteney, Talisker and Johnnie Walker will all be there, along with whiskies from independent distillers and bottlers such as Berry Brothers, Douglas Laing and Kilchoman.

For those who are a bit more experienced, there are “Under the Counter” drams to look forward to – whiskies often well over the £100 a bottle mark, in exchange for a £5 token.

There will also be a free beginners’ guide class run early on to help newcomers get to grips with whisky and how to appreciate it.

The event starts at noon and finishes at 5pm, with “last pour” at 4.45pm. Advanced full-day tickets cost £30, with half-day tickets valid from 2.30pm costing £20.

• For tickets and further information visit thewhiskylounge.com or phone 01904 410841.