The story of whisky comes to the big screen

A new documentary film on how Scotch whisky became the spirit of choice around the globe is to be premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival.

Scotch: The Golden Dram, a revealing feature documentary, will also be released in UK and Irish cinemas on March 8 by Parkland Entertainment and Munro Films.

This follows the film’s European premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival on March 1 and Irish premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival on March 2.

The film journeys to the stunning Scottish countryside to uncover the history of the craft and to meet some of the biggest names in the industry.

Shot entirely on location in Scotland, Scotch: The Golden Dram tells the story of uisge-beatha, Gaelic for ‘water of life’, which is enjoyed in more than 200 countries, generating over $6 billion in exports each year.

The film charts the Cinderella tale of legendary master distiller Jim McEwan, a veteran with over 50 years standing in the industry, who takes on a dilapidated distillery on his home island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides and turns it into an award-winning blend.

Some of the other ardent enthusiasts featured include Richard Paterson, a master blender whose nose was insured for $2.5 million, as well as biochemist whisky-maker Dr Bill Lumsden, and master distiller Ian MacMillan.

The film marks director-producer Andrew Peat’s feature-length documentary debut, a passion project for the American filmmaker who studied at St Andrew’s University in Scotland.

Andrew said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to bring our film to UK and Irish audiences. The heart of our film is the characters, the men and women who produce Scotch whisky, from the barley farmers to the bottle makers.

Scotch: The Golden Dram tells the story of whisky

‘And you can literally see the passion and joy and pride they have in their work and this world-renowned product. They share their amazing stories, and some very humorous anecdotes.

‘It’s a very educational film -you learn the entire process of whisky making – but at the same time it’s a film of the heart. You will laugh and possibly cry by the time the credits roll.’

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, added: ‘Scotch whisky is a culinary and cultural
icon and one of Scotland’s most valuable commodities. Visitors from across the globe come to our
shores to experience an authentic Scottish dram, with one in five making a trip to a whisky distillery
while here. We’re delighted that the love and craft which goes into our national drink forms the basisof Scotch: The Golden Dram.

‘Combine that with the awe-inspiring beauty of the landscapes which shape the “water of life” and you have a film which we hope will leave viewers thirsty for more about Scotland.’

Scotch: The Golden Dram is on general release from March 8 and will be screening at Glasgow Film Festival on March 1, which includes a Q&A. The film’s Irish premiere with Q&A takes place at the Dublin International Film Festival on March 2.