Whiskyside

Whiskyside Celebrating the best of English spirits — whisky, gin, rum, and beyond. Home of the English Spirits Festival | Based in Scarborough.
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Ecommerce shop, tasting experiences, and curators of the UK’s largest English whisky collection.

A bit of a Whiskyside update.After some time away from the day-to-day of the whisky world, I’m very pleased to say I’m b...
07/04/2026

A bit of a Whiskyside update.

After some time away from the day-to-day of the whisky world, I’m very pleased to say I’m back in it.

I’ve recently stepped into a new role as Head of Private Sales for Ramskull English Single Malt Whisky at Yorkshire Dales Distillery , which feels like a natural step back into a space I’ve always cared deeply about.

Whiskyside has never gone anywhere, but this does mark a bit of a reset. A chance to spend more time around the thing that started it all… great English whisky, shared properly.

With that, I’ll be a bit more present again. Whether that’s conversations, the occasional tasting, or just opening up the world of English whisky to those who are curious.

And if anyone has ever been interested in whisky casks, how they work, or what’s involved, feel free to drop me a message. It’s something I’m spending more time around now and always happy to talk about.

It’s good to be back.

Matt

My first whisky tasting since the English spirits festival and it was certainly up there in terms of the most challengin...
19/07/2025

My first whisky tasting since the English spirits festival and it was certainly up there in terms of the most challenging… 😅

We started shortly after half five with a stag do group who have been drinking since half nine👀

As hard as it was to shout over the revellers, the laughs and jokes we shared more than made up for it 🫶🏻

Whiskies enjoyed:

Single Malt
STR Cask
OG Rebellion from OG Bankhall by and but I refuse to tag whatever Bankhall is now
Founders choice
barrel pick as a way to finish on a twist

I’ve found doing the private tastings as and when as a great way to fit Whiskyside into my new role and my family life 🙏🥃

This old girl has been through it all.She started life across the pond at the maturing bourbon beneath the Kentucky sun...
16/07/2025

This old girl has been through it all.

She started life across the pond at the maturing bourbon beneath the Kentucky sun. Eventually, she journeyed to the Yorkshire coast, helping shape some of the earliest English whisky at the

When she became unfit for purpose, I saw something else in her, not an end, but a new beginning.

Shortly after the first lockdown, we carried her, on a stretcher no less, to the top of Yorkshire’s highest mountain to raise money for the NHS. With wooden Whiskyside ends bolted on, she stood proud up there in the clouds, a symbol of strength and intention in difficult times.

Later, she became a landmark — transformed into a planter outside Orchard Farm, guiding people to our OG Whiskyside bar. She stood tall through wind, rain, and sunshine, welcoming guests without a fuss, embodying everything Whiskyside stood for.

When the farm was sold and we moved, from J&S Pub Co. helped me bring her home once more. And now, she’s found her final form — nestled into a rockery in our front garden, gently holding alpine plants that will grow slowly and resiliently, just like she has.

She’s not just a barrel. She’s part of our story. A witness to the early days, the challenges, the highs, and the heart behind Whiskyside. Like the alpine plants taking root in her care, she’s a reminder that even when things change, beauty and purpose can grow again.

Here’s to this old girl — and everything she’s helped build.

Topping off a great day at work with the revival release from the Their Renascence marks the new beginning for the dist...
10/07/2025

Topping off a great day at work with the revival release from the

Their Renascence marks the new beginning for the distillery under the watchful eye of Matt Mckay

A release of 410 bottles which weren’t available for long before selling out!

I’ve spent the last couple of days reflecting on everything that happened at the Whiskyside Festival. The sun, the smile...
01/07/2025

I’ve spent the last couple of days reflecting on everything that happened at the Whiskyside Festival. The sun, the smiles, the incredible spirits, but more than anything, the people. You great wonderful spirit drinking people.

I stood shoulder to shoulder with so many of you throughout the day and well into the evening at the after party, and I heard something time and time again that honestly caught me off guard.

“Please don’t stop.”

I’d said this would be the final festival. I meant it. And the decision didn’t come lightly. But I hadn’t accounted for how much support and encouragement I’d be offered, not just in passing, but in really meaningful ways. It’s pulled on the heartstrings, no denying that.

So I’m asking, gently, openly… if we were to do it again, would you come?

I want to be careful here. This wasn’t a stunt or some reverse marketing trick. I truly believed this would be the last hurrah. But if there’s a genuine appetite, if this event has become something special for others too, then maybe there’s more to explore and Whiskyside can carry on flying that flag and beating that drum for amazing English spirits.

Let me know what you think. I’m still in that tired, hazy space where you replay all the moments in your head, but hearing from you might help shape what’s next.

Cheers,
Matthew

Still taking it all in.The Whiskyside Festival was a roaring success — and to be honest, my biggest concern ended up bei...
29/06/2025

Still taking it all in.

The Whiskyside Festival was a roaring success — and to be honest, my biggest concern ended up being the sun. In the UK, of all places. Not something I thought I’d be worrying about… but the heat came in full force, and we soaked it all up in the glorious Sun Court at the Scarborough Spa in deckchairs with drams in hand.

We did it all outside. We did it together. And it meant the world.

To every guest who came along, thank you. To each distillery who made the journey and poured with passion, thank you. To my wife Charlotte, as always, thank you for helping make it all possible. And to Mel, Ed, Michael, and Grandad, your help on the day was everything. Thank you.

In spirits, time plays a huge role. In maturation, in moments, in memories. And I just want to say thank you to everyone who gave me theirs this weekend.

I’ll be sharing a few highlights throughout the week, but for now… I’m just letting the dust settle and sitting with a quiet dram grateful, exhausted, and proud.

Cheers,
Matthew

Done my bit now.Down at the Scarborough Spa all day. Tickets available on the door 😎🥃
28/06/2025

Done my bit now.

Down at the Scarborough Spa all day. Tickets available on the door 😎🥃

We’re one step closer to an amazing day of English whisky, gin, rum, sunshine and more 🌞🥃The countdown’s on, grab your t...
27/06/2025

We’re one step closer to an amazing day of English whisky, gin, rum, sunshine and more 🌞🥃

The countdown’s on, grab your tickets now before they’re gone.
📆 June 28 | 📍 Scarborough Spa
👉 https://loom.ly/MOYasaU

I’ve made a lot of difficult decisions lately about the future of Whiskyside, and it’s brought more emotion than I expec...
26/06/2025

I’ve made a lot of difficult decisions lately about the future of Whiskyside, and it’s brought more emotion than I expected. But sitting here in my favourite spot upstairs at the Distillers Lounge, one decision hasn’t been difficult at all — the choice of dram to enjoy in these final quiet moments before the weekend begins.

This Saturday marks the final Whiskyside Festival — and with it, a farewell to times like this. So I’ve poured something truly special.

It’s from my favourite independent bottler, and from one of my all-time favourite distilleries, . Together, they’ve created what might just be my favourite whisky of all time.

The VIP after party here at the will be a special one and I hope to see you there 🙏

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whiskyside-festival-english-spirits-showcase-2025-tickets-1028069161537?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

Scarborough Spa
All things Scarborough
fans
Whiskyside Festival 2025

26/06/2025

We’ve got whisky, gin, rum and more 🥃

Some of the best distillers in the country are joining us this weekend!

🎟️ final tickets https://loom.ly/aaqVTd4

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19 Aberdeen Walk
Scarborough
YO111BA

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