Promising to encapsulate Edinburgh’s ‘fantastic bar scene’ under one roof, the Drinkmonger Spirits Fair will be returning to Mansfield Traquair on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March.
Looking towards an audience with ‘evolving’ drinks preferences, the event’s organisers are putting a particular emphasis on cocktails, prepared by local bartenders, and an eclectic range of non-mainstream spirits, alongside the more traditional whisky.
Now in its third year, the event will bring together more than 30 producers and over 150+ spirits and mixed drinks, positioning it as ‘Scotland’s largest multi-category spirits tasting’.
Visitors will be able to taste gin, agave spirits, whisky and rum, alongside vermouths and liqueurs, with Japanese sake and shochu introduced as a discovery highlight for 2026.
This third iteration of the show has reportedly grown to reflect how people now discover drinks – socially, through bartenders and shared experiences – with bars reporting rising interest in cocktails, agave spirits and aperitif-style serves alongside established favourites.
Organised by the team behind Royal Mile Whiskies and the long-running Whisky Fringe, the Drinkmonger Spirits Fair promises to offer a balance of ‘specialist credibility with a relaxed, accessible format’.
Purchasing manager at The Dormant Distillery Company, Sam Brabbs, said: “We’ve worked hard over the last few years to make Drinkmonger Spirits Fair feel like the city’s fantastic bar scene under one roof.
“You can wander around, chat to the people behind the drinks, try some cocktails and explore an intriguing range of spirits you might never normally order, and leave with ideas you can actually recreate at home.
“It’s exciting to see it grow into Scotland’s largest multi-category spirits tasting, and we’d love anyone with an interest in spirits to pick up a ticket and come down.”
New for 2026, partner brands have been paired with award-winning Edinburgh bartenders across three sessions each day, including Port of Leith Distillery bar manager Robert Meek, and Uno Mas co-owner Sian Buchan.
Scottish producers including Pickering’s Gin and North Uist Distillery will appear alongside international brands such as Don Julio, Casamigos, Redbreast and Nikka, with rum producers including Black Tot and Doorly’s also featured, allowing visitors to compare styles across multiple categories in one place.
Tickets include tasting access, cocktail sessions, a branded tasting glass and a £10 voucher towards purchases at the on-site shop.
