A 'WHISKY legend' stopped by a Kendal pub to guide a lucky group through a bumper tasting experience.

Billy Walker talked the audience at The New Union through eight of his distillery's single malt drams on what was his first visit to the town.

"It was quite a challenging tasting in a sense," he said.

"It was eight different expressions [different versions of the same whisky].

"For the audience, there was quite a lot to take it. Generally it was a big tasting.

"I thought the evening went very well.

"I felt people beginning to engage better as the evening went on.

"It was just a nice experience, to showcase our brand and to talk generally about the whisky."

Billy, 76, is managing director and master blender at GlenAllachie, the distillery of which is based at Aberlour, Moray, Scotland.

Phil Walker, landlord of The New Union in Stricklandgate, said Billy was 'world renowned' and that hosting him at the pub last Friday had been 'a bit special'.

"I thought the evening went very, very well," said Phil.

"It was amazing to have people from all over the country there."

Billy said he had enjoyed his first visit to Kendal - including the drive in to the town.

"I love the fact that the road off the motorway is several levels below motorway standard," he said.

"It makes you drive slowly, and you can actually take time and see what's around you."

The event served as a prelude to Kendal's debut whisky festival later this year - which Phil, 34, has been involved in organising.

Festival bosses this week announced they would be raising money for Kendal Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT) during the event, which is taking place at the town hall on December 3 and 4.

And Phil is this weekend running a 'dramathon' - between the Glenfiddich and Glenfarclas distilleries in Scotland - to raise funds for KMRT.

Visit 'Kendal Whisky Festival' on Facebook to donate to Mr Walker's run or to book tickets for the whisky festival.