Supermarket releases three new Scottish ice creams

Scottish summer ice creams have been launched at a leading supermarket. Aldi customers are set for a sweet taste of the warmer months ahead following the launch of the supermarket’s range of new ice cream flavours. Customers can pick and choose from three refreshing new ice cream creations as part of Aldi’s much-loved Strachan’s range:…

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Benriach secures its first whisky deal with Waitrose

Global drinks company Brown-Forman which owns Benriach Distillery, located in north Speyside, has secured its first whisky deal with supermarket giant Waitrose & Partners. Whisky lovers are now able to purchase the distillery’s new Original Ten, across 175 Waitrose stores throughout the UK. This follows Benriach’s recent unveiling of its new distinctive flavour-forward portfolio of…

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Honest Grapes: Blending wine with theatre

Wine retailer Honest Grapes has teamed up with theatre company Revels in Hand to mix virtual performances with wine tastings, writes Peter Ranscombe. SO MANY aspects of our lives have gone online during the past year. The trips to the virtual pub; the frustrations of online grocery shopping; the video calls instead of “just popping…

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New York, New York: so good, you’ll try its wine twice

Peter Ranscombe explores riesling, chardonnay, and other wine from the Empire State. THINK New York, think skyscrapers, think Broadway, think Sex and the City. But how about, “Think New York, think grapevines?” While Manhatten’s concrete jungle may not be the first place you’d look for vineyards, head inland from the city and there’s a further…

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Open the Hatch and enjoy small plates at new restaurant

Hatch, a new contemporary dining concept from the team behind The Adamson in St Andrews, will open on Monday, April 26. The stylish new restaurant on 129 South Street in St Andrews will offer a varied menu of modern cuisine with an avant-garde twist and an emphasis on unique small plate dining. To reflect the…

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Laid back Japanese dining concept restaurant to open

Japanese laid back dining concept restaurant Katsu will open in Glasgow later this month. The super-cool restaurant and curry shop will bring the flavours of Far East Asia to Glasgow City Centre. The new restaurant on West Nile Street will offer an upbeat atmosphere with a Japanese ‘Izikaya’ style of service so don’t expect any…

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What does ‘foraged’ beer taste like?

A brewery in Fife is creating beer from yarrow, sea salt, and even hogweed seeds, writes Peter Ranscombe. ONE of the most exciting aspects of Scotland’s craft beer scene is its creativity. Gone are the days of brews being made with just water, barleys, hops, and yeast. Instead, the sheer variety of ingredients that go…

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Four Corners of Scotland charity whisky tasting event

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association is organising a very special, hybrid, whisky tasting event later this month. It is taking place April 28 at 7.30pm in collaboration with Scotland’s newest whisky club, 1775 Whisky Passport and the award-winning bar and restaurant, the Mercat Grill in East Lothian. All proceeds will go to The Ben, the…

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Following the spice route to Azaline

Peter Ranscombe samples a pinot noir-driven vermouth that takes drinkers on a trip to the Orient. ONE of the most exciting aspects of tasting a new drink is pulling it apart to study its components. Why does this wine taste of lemons, and butter, and vanilla? Why does this whisky taste of dark chocolate, and…

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Huge sales rise thanks to virtual drinks events

A Scots distillery has seen online sales increase by 250% over the past year, thanks to the success of their virtual drinks experiences. When COVID hit in March 2020, the Stirling Distillery tour, shop and gin school were all temporarily closed, so the business had to rethink its approach and fast. Founders June and Cameron…

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