For what it's worth (if anyone is still reading this thread), the benefactor package was the best deal for my wife and I last year. This included pole-position parking next to the event, the whisky tasting, ceilidh, and many other cool tihngs. If you add up the cost of buying individual ticekts, you quickly realize that the benefactor package makes more sense, especially if you are staying for the full event (dont forget the sunday closing dinner as well).

The whisky tasting was indeed very good, but we sampled 9 and it was a bit much by the end of the evening. My recommendation for whisky tasting is to dilute the whisky like all the professionals do to at least 50/50 with water. Also, they always save the $300-600/bottle whisky for last, so taking only a sip of the first few whiskies and setting them aside will be well worth your time.