Distillery and Whisky News July 2020

- we rather like this one!

We're delighted to say that many distilleries are now open - hooray! - either to shop (remember the pleasure of in-person shopping?), take a tour, eat at their cafe (many are doing take away) or in the case of the Holyrood Distillery, creating a whole new offering - find out more below in our Distillery of the Month.

Every open distillery has PPE, social distancing and increased hygiene measures in place, so if you're planning a staycation this year do check out the individual distilleries and don't forget to book in advance - for most this is now essential.

And if you're shielding or have simply gotten used to enjoying your time at home, many online tours continue as a staple of each distillery's day-to-day activities - one good outcome from what we're sure you'll agree has been a very long four months.

DistilleryTours Podcast - The Borders

John Fordyce at The Borders Distillery

This month we spoke to John Fordyce, Co-Owner of The Borders Distillery in Hawick. 

John tells us why he chose Hawick for the site of the distillery, why both the refurbished building and their focus on sustainability are so important to them, and why he thinks the industry should market blends with the same energy they market single malts.

LISTEN NOW

If you enjoy hearing about The Borders Distillery and would like to try a bottle of their Lower East side or Clan Fraser whiskies, Puffing Billy vodka, or Kerr’s Borders gin, they’re offering no shipping charges for the duration of lockdown.

Find out more about The Borders Distillery, their tours and their whisky, at DistilleryTours.scot.

Venue of the month: The Bon Accord

The Bon Accord, Glasgow

Have you missed enjoying a dram or two at your local? We have! So we were delighted to hear that the award-winning Bon Accord is now open for business, with no need to book in advance. 

The world famous Bon Accord is an ale house, malt whisky bar and whisky shop, run by the McDonagh family for the past 17 years. As a family business they are passionate about their work and their ethos centres on excellent products and excellent service. 

Their whisky offering is substantial, with more than 400 whiskies on their gantry, plus more than 800 different real ales on offer per year. There are many old and rare whiskies - the pinnacle of their collection being a 70-year-old Glenlivet.

The Bon Accord recently decided to branch out and create their own online whisky shop, take a look at their collection on their website.

If you'd like to find out more about The Bon Accord, their whiskies and their food menu, take a look at their dedicated page at DistilleryTours.scot.

Distillery of the Month: Holyrood

Holyrood Distillery

Opened in 2019, the Holyrood Distillery will produce Edinburgh’s first malt whisky for nearly 100 years.

Housed in a historic B-Listed former railway building, the distillery has a focus on flavour, and visitors can enjoy a hands-on, sensory experience to guide them through both the gin and whisky produced.

But while restrictions remain in place around Covid-19, we think the Holyrood Distillery may have struck gold with their latest innovation - they've teamed up with Innis & Gunn and Pizza Geeks (what's not to love about that combination?) to create a beer garden in the courtyard of their Distillery - the 'Courtyard Bar'.

Open Thursday - Sunday, 12noon until 8pm, the Courtyard Bar is an amazing outdoor bar full of flavour focused-food and drink with plentiful seating. 

• seating for up to six people from one household/bubble, or up to four people from two different households/bubbles
• space for between 50-60 people
• table-service with payment by card only
• children welcome with their family group until 7pm
• tables protected from the good Scottish weather by parasols

Find out more about the Holyrood Distillery on their dedicated page on the DistilleryTours.scot website.

Looking for inspiration for your next Distillery Tour? Follow us on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to hear more.