Whisky
Aberfeldy picks Pauillac for Bordeaux cask finish
WINE casks from Pauillac in Bordeaux have been used to flavour John Dewar & Sons’ latest limited edition whisky. The Aberfeldy 18-Year-Old French Red Wine Cask is going on sale exclusively at the distillery’s shop for its first month, before being released in selected markets. The whisky spent between four and five months in the…
Read MoreFirst whisky from organic distillery
ORGANIC distillery Nc’nean launches its maiden whisky this morning, becoming the first British spirit to be sold in recycled clear glass bottles. The distillery, which is located on the Morvern peninsula, is powered by renewable energy. Nc’nean’s single malt was made using organic Scottish barley and was aged for three years in a mix of…
Read MoreA Week in Whisky: Is this the ultimate prize for a Scotch fan?
MEMBERS of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have the chance to win an entire cask of whisky from Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh. It’s the first time the society has given away an entire barrel from one of its partner distilleries. The prize is worth around £10,000 and includes duty and ageing for 10 years.…
Read MoreBenriach relaunch: Rachel Barrie makes her mark
Peter Ranscombe tastes his way through Benriach distillery’s new range, which was launched online today. I’LL always have a soft spot for Benriach. It was one of the first whiskies that I got to know when I was cutting my teeth as a reporter at The Scotsman newspaper. I remember meeting its then owner, Billy…
Read MoreJohnnie Walker centre back on track
WHISKY maker Diageo now expects to open the doors to its Johnnie Walker visitors’ centre on Edinburgh’s Princes Street next summer. The company – Scotland’s largest distiller and the owner of brands including Bell’s, J&B and Talisker – announced the revised timescale as it launched the attraction’s website. Construction work on the former department store…
Read MoreA Week in Whisky: Going, going, gone
THE Isle of Raasay Distillery has sold all its maiden single malt ahead of its release in November. Raasay, which lies off the coast of Skye, has sold 4,350 bottles through the internet, with the remainder of its 7,500-bottle run bought by retailers, restaurants and bars. The whisky is made with Scottish barley and is…
Read MoreA week in whisky: ‘I’ll have a pea, please, Bob’
THOSE enterprising souls at whisky distiller Arbikie have followed-up their carbon-negative Nàdar gin with its vodka twin. Both Nàdar spirits absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than is emitted over the course of the production process. The alcohol inside them is made by distilling peas instead of wheat. Master distiller Kirsty Black developed the…
Read MoreA week in whisky: Islay, islands and Ireland
Scottish Field drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe takes a look at what’s been happening in the world of whisky over the past seven days… CLYDESIDE distillery in Glasgow will host Scottish band Skerryvore’s first live performance in six months on 5 September. Fans will be able to “pay what you want” for the performance, which will be broadcast…
Read MoreA week in whisky: rum, oddities and the cask
Scottish Field drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe takes a look at what’s been happening in the world of whisky over the past seven days… AHEAD of International Rum Day on Sunday, Islay single malt whisky brand Smokehead has released “Rum Rebel”, which spent time in Caribbean rum casks. The latest incarnation follows on from “Sherry Bomb”,…
Read MoreArdbeg’s first beer supports clean water projects
ISLAY distillery Ardbeg has teamed up with social enterprise Brewgooder to create its first beer and raise money for clean water projects in Africa. All the profits from “The Shortie Smoky Porter” will support projects in Malawi. The beer – which is named after Ardbeg’s mascot, Shortie the Jack Russell – was created by flatmates…
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