Rare Fayre and a new expression from Glen Garioch

The Glen Garioch Distillery is gearing up to launch its Rare Fayre event – and the launch of a new expression.

It comes on the back of being awarded the prestigious third spot in Scottish Field’s Whisky Awards for Scotland’s Distillery Visitor Experience of the Year nearly two weeks ago.

On Saturday, 1 December, from 10am, there will be free entry and a range of food and craft stalls from talented local producers, where visitors will discover some ‘rare finds’ and gift ideas this festive season, at the home of Glen Garioch Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

It’s a chance to enjoy a warming hot toddy and chat with the distillery team whilst sampling the honeyed sweetness and delicious creamy texture of the Glen Garioch range.

Visitor centre manager, Fiona Sanderson, said: ‘This is our third Rare Fayre event. After its success last year, where we welcomed over 700 people to our distillery, we felt we should create an even bigger and better Fayre this year.

‘We’ve really put Glen Garioch on the map this year with all the awards we have won and wanted to celebrate that with an event that will also raise funds for Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group.

‘They are a volunteer organisation which look to enhance the quaint, historic market town of Oldmeldrum with flower displays, festive illuminations and a community garden.’

The Festive Rare Fayre also marks the launch of a brand new expression, the Glen Garioch 2007. Distilled on 25 January 2007, cask 57 has spent well over a decade patiently maturing in first filled bourbon barrels.  Like pinecones smouldering on a fire, this lightly peated Glen Garioch evokes notes of lemon meringue, creamy, light vanilla, cinnamon and sage with a peppery mouthfeel for a long and memorable finish.

Handcrafted and nurtured by the people of Glen Garioch and aged exclusively in a single ex-bourbon barrel, this unique dram comes from single cask. Each bottle is individually numbered and personally signed by master blender, Ron Welsh.

The Fayre will also embrace the yuletide celebrations with a busy day of exclusive whisky tasting experiences, tours and masterclasses.

A spokesman said: ‘It’s true what they say – you can never fully enjoy a dram of Glen Garioch until you have seen how and where it’s made. Many of the processes at Glen Garioch, for example, are the same today as they were over 220 years ago but the journey never stops being fascinating.

‘Come and see time-honoured skills at work, touch and smell the natural ingredients used in its production, hear from the master craftsmen involved and, finally, taste the fruits of their labours.’

Sip Our Story – £30. The legendary Glen Garioch tale spans across 221 years. With the expertise of the team at 10 Dollar Shake, you’ll be treated to a range of cocktails in Glen Garioch’s private bothy (formerly the customs and excise office!) These cocktails will be cleverly crafted to tell Glen Garioch stories through the ingredients and inspiration behind them. What better way to spend your Saturday afternoon! Noon and 2.30pm, 60 mins, over 18s only.

Discover Glen Garioch Rare Finds With The Blender – £55. So, what is it that makes a good Blender? – a question posed to the Glen Garioch Blender. His reply, ‘an analytical mind and a good sense of smell, plus a really good memory.’ Join Olivier Fagnen from the Beam Suntory blending team as he uses his expertise in the whisky industry to guide you through a tasting of some of Glen Garioch’s artisanal small batch releases, including a preview of a brand new distillery exclusive release. 10.30am and 1pm, 60 mins, over 18s only.

The Founders Tour – £8. The perfect introduction to Glen Garioch’s Award Winning Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This unique distillery tour experience celebrates the Manson brothers who first established the distillery and the 220 years of craftsmanship that goes into every bottle that bears the Manson name. This one-hour long tour includes a dram of The Founder’s Reserve. 10.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm, 60 mins.

Tours and tastings must be pre-booked online. The Glen Garioch Distillery is based at Distillery Road, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, AB51 0ES.

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