Posts Tagged ‘whisky’
Armchair exploring: Supporting South African wines
As South Africa lifts its ban on wine exports – again – Peter Ranscombe picks bottles to kick-start some armchair exploring. FEW countries have had such an intense rollercoaster ride through the lockdown as South Africa. First wine exports were banned. Then they were allowed again. Then they were banned again. Last week’s news that exports…
Read MoreA dram fine puzzle
With interest in puzzles and games at an all-time high, Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky have released a whisky-themed custom jigsaw puzzle that can be enjoyed with a dram. The limited-edition 500-piece jigsaw puzzle features artwork from renowned artist John Lowrie Morrison OBE (Jolomo) of Glengoyne Distillery in full spring bloom. The jigsaw will…
Read MoreSaved by their customers
An innovative campaign has seen Dornoch Castle Hotel raise ÂŁ54,000 in just one week towards the ÂŁ100,000 crowdfunding target that will save this Highland hotel. Over 200 customers and well-wishers have purchased “pay it forward” vouchers from the hotel, which cost from ÂŁ50. When the hotel re-opens guests will receive an extra 20% uplift which…
Read MoreGeorgia on my mind: wines for lockdown armchair explorers
Being stuck at home is the perfect time to try wines from Georgia, writes Peter Ranscombe. REMEMBER the days when we could just hop on a plane and fly around the world? Or catch a bus or a train? Or just leave the house whenever we fancied? Lockdown has definitely given me time to reflect…
Read MoreLoch Lomond and the Water of Life
In a welcome reminder that there will be economic life after the lockdown, Glen Luss Distillery has announced an initial round of crowdfunding for the company’s new micro-distillery at Luss on Loch Lomond. When it opens in May 2021, it will be the first distillery and brewery within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National…
Read MoreIt’s Bordeaux, but like you’ve never seen it before
Before the lockdown, Peter Ranscombe travelled to Bordeaux to visit winemakers who are caring for the environment as well as their vines. JEAN-BAPTISTE Cordonnier knew he was doing something right when the baby grass snakes started coming back into his kitchen. His father, Pierre, had farmed the family’s vineyards near Moulis in Bordeaux organically “without…
Read MoreHow one wine firm helps hospitality heroes in the lockdown
Peter Ranscombe reviews six bottles from Berkmann, a wine wholesaler that’s donating cash to help the hospitality trade. THEY’RE the unsung heroes who make our nights out really special – the waitresses, the waiters, the barmen, the barwomen, and all the other members of the hospitality trade. They were also some of the first casualties…
Read MoreRaasay Rising
The Isle of Raasay Distillery has launched an exclusive cask membership programme called the Raasay Rising. The first 45 casks ever filled at the distillery have been made available for ÂŁ4,000 each as part of the ’45 cask offering, in a nod to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s time hiding out on Raasay following the 1745 Jacobite…
Read MoreWhisky Unscripted
Ian Macleod Distillers are doing their best to lighten the mood during the lockdown with their new “Whisky Unscripted” podcast, which launches at 12pm UK time on Wednesday 8 April. Hosted by global brand ambassador Gordon Dundas and experiential ambassador Gordon Dallas, the idea is to offer a fun, informative guide to the whisky industry.…
Read MoreLockdown lamb: Five online ideas for wine pairings
As Holy Week continues, Peter Ranscombe picks five bottles to go with your Easter feast. IF YOU’VE managed to find yourself some lockdown lamb to celebrate Easter on Sunday then wine merchants from across Scotland and further afield are on hand with some perfect pairings. My go-to matches for lamb tend to centre around the…
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