As the spirits trade faces mounting challenges from the impact of the Coronavirus crisis, Douglas Laing & Co has today announced The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky will support the on-trade workforce on two fronts.
The plans confirm that with immediate effect, The Epicurean Lowland Malt is committed to donating £1 for every litre of The Epicurean sold globally – to The Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland on a long-term basis.
The BEN Society delivers financial, social and emotional support to those who have committed three years+ to working in Scotland’s licensed trade – and thousands of bartenders are expected to benefit from the charitable partnership.
Douglas Laing & Co also announce, in a bid to reduce the immediate financial pressure on bartenders faced with reduced hours, they will recruit talented mixologists with a passion for whisky to develop innovative, new perfect serves for the award-winning Epicurean brand at home.
Dubbed The Epicurean’s Cocktail Quarantine, the activity is intended to economically support members of the on-trade whilst bringing some of the best bars – and indeed bartenders – to everyone’s home via social media.
Chris Leggat, CEO of Douglas Laing & Co, said: ‘The spirits category is in the thick of an exceptionally challenging period and we want to do what we can to support and give back.
‘We’re acutely aware of the harsh reality that jobs will be affected, which is why our Epicurean Lowland Malt is looking to the future whilst also striving to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressure on some of the great people within our great spirits industry.’
President of The BEN, Stephen J McGowan, said: ‘What a fabulous gesture from the good people at Douglas Laing. This is a period of extreme difficulty for staff working in the hospitality industry and the monies raised will go straight to our lifeline fund for staff affected by this pandemic.’
Cara Laing, director of whisky at her family firm, added: ‘The Epicurean, if he were a “real” person, stands for community spirit, humanity and social good. Whilst we are under no illusions about the scale of the impact of COVID-19 on the on-trade – both now and for a long time to come – we are committed to making our contribution, however slight, towards looking after our passionate, motivated bartending community.’
For further details visit www.douglaslaing.com
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