Distillery and Whisky News April 2024 - Ardbeg
Hello whisky lovers, and welcome to our April edition of Distillery and Whisky News.
It's the first of April and we can finally start to look forward to the warmer and brighter days of spring and summer to come. Make plans to discover more about your favourite distilleries this summer by paying them a visit.
If you need help planning a tour around Scotland's distilleries then use our Plan Your Trip feature on the distillerytours.scot website. It has ideas of places to stay, tourist hot spots, whisky retailers and, of course, all you need to know about the distilleries themselves!
Until next time...
Distillery Of The Month: Ardbeg
Ardbeg Distillery
For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on the small, remote Scottish Isle of Islay. Some people travel to Ardbeg along the winding road from Port Ellen. Others follow their nose, their destiny or the advice of a good friend.
The fastest way to take yourself to Islay is to uncork a bottle of Ardbeg, standing on Ardbeg’s pier, enveloped in fresh sea breeze and Ardbeg’s peaty aroma.
Through the years, a warm welcome has always awaited the distillery's peaty pilgrims, notably in the form of a warming dram, as well as a friendly greeting from Jackie and Co. Whether you’re an Ardbeginner or a seasoned connoisseur, head to Islay and learn more about Ardbeg's wonderful whisky and explore the beautiful distillery on one of its fascinating tours.
Find out more about Ardbeg Distillery's whisky and tours on its dedicated page on the DistilleryTours.scot website.
Venue of the month: Johnnie Walker Princes Street
The experience at Johnnie Walker Princes Street takes visitors on an immersive journey through the 200-year old history behind the world’s best-selling Scotch whisky, as well as offering world-class food and drink, hosted across eight floors of the transformed landmark building on one of the Scottish capital’s most famous streets.
Guests can relax and enjoy the views from stunning bars and restaurants in the renovated building, which for generations has been a well-known spot in Edinburgh. Among them are the 1820 rooftop bar, offering breathtaking views across the city and Edinburgh Castle, and The Label Studio which will host a variety of live events and performances throughout the year.
The building also features an extensive retail space with an unrivalled selection of exclusive Johnnie Walker Scotch whiskies and merchandise, including limited edition bottlings.
On the Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour experience you will discover how, rather than settling for the status quo, Johnnie Walker's pioneering spirit, resiliency, and bold, aspirational creativity continue to set the brand apart as drivers of innovation, social connection, and downright delicious drinks.
The full-sensory adventure culminates in a flavour-filled celebration of the legendary Johnnie Walker taste and includes three personalised drinks.
Find out more about Johnnie Walker Princes Street on its dedicated page on the DistilleryTours website.
Date With A Dram: Bladnoch
For April's Date With A Dram competition we've teamed up with Bladnoch Distillery to offer you the chance to win a bottle of their Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter One.
This is the first of a new annual series created and inspired by the fans of Bladnoch, such as Mr. Arnold (pictured) who is a passionate, lifelong admirer of the distillery and who jointly selected the cask with Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage.
Chapter One has already sold out in the UK, so this is a fantastic chance to win a rare and special single malt. You can discover more about Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch here.
Competition Time!
To be in with a chance of winning a bottle of Loch Maberry: Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter One simply follow DistilleryTours.scot on Facebook or Instagram and share our 'Date with a Dram' post dated 1 April. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced in our May newsletter!
Congratulations to Liv Byrne from South East of England who won March's competition - a bottle of Strathisla Distillery's 18-Year-Old Distillery Exclusive.
You must be 18 years old or over to enter. Please note, will never approach you for your credit card details or personal information, send you friend requests or ask you to click on a link. Please stay safe online and remember to drink responsibly.
DistilleryTours Malt of the Month: Arbikie Highland Rye Batch 22
For our Malt of the Month we learn more about Arbikie Distillery's Single Grain 1794 Highland Rye Batch 22.
The distillery has combined its unique use of rye with new charred American oak and has left the lively new oak to do its magic. It is the first time in Scotland this combination has been created, and the result is a highly original whisky that fires the imagination and the senses with exciting flavours and aromas.
The Perfect Serve: Paper Plane
The Perfect Serve will titillate your tastebuds with a delicious whisky cocktail featured every month...
April's Perfect Serve is Speyburn Distillery's Paper Plane cocktail, a riff on the classic prohibition-era cocktail, The Last Word, which is an equal-parts-ingredients based drink.
DistilleryTours Shop: Mine's a Malt... What's Yours?
The clocks have changed, surely that means it is t-shirt weather now? If you are in the market for some new summer togs, then check out our offerings over at the distillerytours.scot shop.
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