In recognition of the lack of available allotments The Balvenie is offering those who can’t get access to one, the chance to join its 'Sow the Seeds' scheme instead . The initiative involves distributing free barley seeds to 1,000 people to grow, be it in a small garden patch, window box or plant pot, between them creating the UK’s first virtual allotment plot.

Hand-crafted in Speyside The Balvenie is one of the few whiskies still to grow some of its own barley for malting and those taking part in the project will be involved in creating something very special. Not only will they be a part of the UKs first virtual allotment community, the crop they grow will actually be put to use in the making of a batch of The Balvenie single malt and in return they will receive a whisky sample from The Balvenie for their efforts.

All of those who participate will be sent complimentary barley seeds and growing instructions. Once their barley is ripe, The Balvenie asks participants to send a small sample of their crop back to its distillery along with the dimensions of their barley patch. The harvested barley will be added to The Balvenie’s own crop and used to create more of its fine single malt whisky. The dimensions will enable participants to discover just how big an allotment they created between them. Plus, in return for their efforts, The Balvenie will also send them a thank you taster of the spirit they are helping to produce.

Harriet Knight from The Balvenie said, 'We have already had a really good response to this initiative but haven’t yet reached our 1000 grower target. We’d therefore like to invite anyone who is interested in taking part to get in touch with us before the end of September. Our 'sow the seeds' project aims not only to provide the chance to grow something but also to be part of the creation of our hand-crafted single malt Scotch whisky as the barley we receive back from people’s harvests will join that from our Balvenie Mains Farm to be malted on our traditional floor maltings and used to make our award-winning single malts.'

To register an interest in 'Sowing the Seeds' email your details to info@thebalvenie.com marked 'Sow the Seeds' or post your full name and address details to Elizabeth Lafferty, The Balvenie Distillery, Dufftown, Banffshire, AB55 4BB.

One thousand people will be selected at random to participate. Closing date for registration is September 30th 2009.

http://www.thebalvenie.com/