A 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…

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A 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…

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A 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”,…

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Ardbeg’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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Doddie Weir’s whisky toasts medical research

RUGBY legend Doddie Weir has taken deliver of 378 very special bottles of whisky. The Scotch came from a cask that Weir selected when he visited Glenkinchie distillery in East Lothian earlier this year. Distillery owner Diageo has donated to bottles to Weir’s My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The foundation will use the bottles as prizes…

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Aston Martin and Bowmore launch £50,000 whisky

ISLAY whisky distiller Bowmore has teamed up with sports car maker Aston Martin to launch a whisky that will cost £50,000. Only 25 bottles of the Black Bowmore DB5 1964 will go on sale this autumn. Each bottle was formed from an Aston Martin piston by the Glasstorm studio in Tain. The year 1964 marks…

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How to enjoy professional cocktails at home

Peter Ranscombe puts Drinks-At-Home, a nationwide cocktail delivery service, through its paces. HATS off to wine merchants and bottle shops for helping us to enjoy our favourite vinous treats during lockdown, but there are still a few drinks that it’s hard to get right at home. Draft beer for one – no matter how good…

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Tullibardine launches first tasting pack

A DISTILLERY has launched its first tasting pack, featuring whiskies flavoured using different types of cask. Tullibardine has assembled 50 millilitre samples of the four whiskies in its signature range. Its “Sovereign” single malt is matured in former bourbon whiskey casks, while the other three whiskies in the pack spent time at the end of…

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Plans for Benbecula distillery unveiled

ISLANDERS could soon be sipping a locally-made whisky instead of collecting bottles from the beach if plans for a distillery on Benbecula are given the go-ahead. Father-and-son team Angus A MacMillan and Angus E MacMillan, who set up the Uist Distilling Company, will submit plans for a £6.5 million unit at Gramsdale. They say the…

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Organic distillery fills ‘Hope lies in dreams’ casks

A DISTILLERY on the Morvern peninsula is marking 2020 by launching 60 limited edition casks. Nc’nean, named after the Gaelic queen of the spirits, will stencil each of the barrels with the phrase “Hope lies in dreams” to mark the coronavirus pandemic and its impact. The casks will be filled with spirit distilled this year.…

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