Distillery and Whisky News July 2023 - Arran

Hello whisky lovers, and welcome to our July edition of Distillery and Whisky News.

Well, summer has certainly arrived these past few weeks. How lovely it has been to feel the sun on our faces and the heat on our backs! My garden's not loving it just so much though... never happy are we? 

If you plan to make the most of the weather and visit some of your favourite distilleries this summer, then make sure you check out the all-singing, all-dancing Plan Your Trip page at DistilleryTours.scot.

Here, you can tailor-make your own tour of Scotland's distilleries, and include whisky retailers, bars and hotels that take your fancy along the way. This can all then be downloaded to a device with directions and a route making for a pain free and well-planned trip. Sorted!

Until next time...


Distillery Of The Month: Arran

Arran has soaring hills and rugged coasts, rich farmland and dense forests, all concentrated into a compact parcel floating in the Firth of Clyde between the Ayrshire coast and the Kintyre peninsula. It’s known as ‘Scotland in miniature’, as it shares some of the characteristics of the Highlands and Lowlands, the mainland and the Western Isles.

As one of the few independent distilleries in Scotland - and one that proudly follows traditional practice - a visit to Arran Distillery is a particularly fascinating experience.

Looking to try something a little different on your visit? The distillery's Whisky & Arran Chocolate Pairing experience is always a good idea! Tantalise your senses with a selection of six chocolates from local chocolatier, James of Arran, paired with three superb and distinctive Arran Malt whiskies specially selected by the distillery's guides for a terrific tasting experience.

Find out more about Arran Distillery, their whisky and their tours on their dedicated page on the DistilleryTours.scot website.

Arran Distillery


Venue of the month: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bath Street

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is the world’s leading whisky club, offering members an ever-changing variety of rare and exceptional single cask whiskies.

At Glasgow's 40 Bath Street there are an amazing 670 bottles available by the dram, and more than 500 bottles in the shop - both growing all the time! Manager Calum Lawson promises some very special bottlings and harder-to-find older bottles that you won't see elsewhere.

The Snug at Bath St is a comfortable and cosy private space with individual tables of two that can seat up to 14 people - so perfect to pull up a chair and relax with friends.

Discover the world's widest collection of single cask whiskies, all lovingly selected for their exceptional quality and interest by an expert Tasting Panel. Unique, distinctive and strictly limited to a single cask, every one of their whiskies is a case study in the distiller's craft. 

The dedicated Tasting Room is the ideal place to sit and explore Society whiskies with expert ambassadors, or settle back in the dining booths at the rear of the Members' Room for either dining or dramming, whatever takes your fancy.

Find out more about the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bath Street on its dedicated page on the DistilleryTours website.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bath Street


Date With A Dram: Fettercairn

This month's competition is with Fettercairn Distillery to win a bottle of their 12 Year Old Single Malt. 

Competition Time!

To be in with a chance of winning a bottle of Fettercairn 12 Year Old  simply follow DistilleryTours.scot on Facebook or Instagram and share our 'Date with a Dram' post dated 1 July. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced in our August newsletter!

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. 

Follow and Share to Enter!



DistilleryTours Podcast - Luvians

This month we speak to Archie McDairmid of Luvians Bottle Shops. 

Archie tells us more about the history of Luvians and its journey from Fife ice cream parlour to award-winning bottle shop, with the St Andrews branch stocking more than 300 different whiskies and the ‘mothership’ Cupar branch, custodians of over 1000 varieties of whisky…

He also talks about Luvians role in the Fife Whisky Festival and the growth of the whisky industry throughout Fife and the surrounding areas.

Listen Here

Thanks to Angels' Share for sponsoring the podcast - if you're looking for some beautiful glassware to enjoy your favourite dram in, then visit our shop for some inspiration. 


Malt Of The Month - Glenturret 12 Year Old

Our July Malt Of The Month is now live on the DistilleryTours.scot website featuring Glenturret Distillery's 12 Year Old Single Malt. 

Fewer than sixty carefully selected casks come together to create The Glenturret 12 Years Old - crafted by hand and forming the heart of the distillery's range.

Find out more


DistilleryTours Shop - Scotland Is Whisky Country!

We love our Scotland is Whisky Country hoodies, because it's true! Everything we do at DistilleryTours.scot is about Scotland's amazing distilleries, so wearing our hoodie makes us proud. 

You can feel proud of our whisky heritage too, head over to the online shop today and treat yourself to one of our super-soft hoodies. Ideal for whisky trips this summer...

Find out more here


Looking for inspiration for your next Distillery Tour? Follow us on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and INSTRAGRAM to hear more, and subscribe to this newsletter at DISTILLERYTOURS.SCOT/SIGNUP.

Author: by David Riddell
Published: July 10, 2023