Distillery and Whisky News May 2025 - The Borders
Hello whisky lovers, and welcome to our May edition of Distillery and Whisky News.
The sun is shining and looking ahead the month of May is once again shaping up to be something of a whisky-lover's dream!
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival kicks the month off in style - if you are heading to Speyside to enjoy the festivities then have a great time.
Another May event will be taking place on the 15th when you can join Bladnoch Distillery's Nick Savage for a rare opportunity to deconstruct The Wave I, the first release from the latest Master Distiller's Collection. In this live virtual deconstruction, Nick will explore the 11 whiskies that make up this signature release. Tasting packs will be delivered to your door - so you can taste alongside Nick as he unpacks the taste profiles and the decisions behind The Wave.
And then of course we have World Whisky Day on the 17th of May - a time to pour a dram and make plans for an exciting summer of 'distillery hopping'.
Until next time...
Distillery Of The Month: The Borders Distillery
The Borders Distillery opened in March 2018 – the first Scotch Whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837 and have since then been dedicated to capturing the true spirit of the Borders, and bringing whisky-making back to the region.
The riverside distillery in the heart of Hawick is an all-year-round working distillery, and so all tours are conducted whilst the distillery is in full use - you can watch the delicious spirits being produced right in front of your eyes.
During the whisky distillery tour, you will be guided through the production areas, learning the whisky making process as you go along. You will find out how we use local barley to distil Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Kerr’s Gin, and Puffing Billy Steam Vodka.
The distillery's spirits are made from seed to spirit, all within the distillery. This means your distillery tour will cover all that happens in between to create our drinks, including what is done to give it its unique qualities and taste. Of course, your tour will end with the chance to sample some whisky in the distillery bar.
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Find out more about The Borders Distillery at its dedicated pages on the DistilleryTours.scot website.
Venue of the Month: The Glasshouse Hotel
For whisky lovers looking to indulge in Scotland’s finest drams while enjoying a luxurious stay, Edinburgh’s Glasshouse Hotel is a dream destination. With its dedicated whisky-themed suites, a bar boasting hundreds of expressions, and specially curated tasting events, this five-star retreat offers the perfect base to explore the world of whisky, whether within its elegant walls or as a starting point for distillery adventures across Scotland.
The Glasshouse boasts 17 luxurious suites, each named after a renowned whisky or whisky region. These rooms are designed to capture the essence of Scotland’s most iconic whiskies, from the peaty notes of Islay to the rich, honeyed warmth of the Highlands. Each suite provides a unique experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the character and heritage of their chosen region without leaving the comfort of their room.
At the heart of The Glasshouse is The Snug, a whisky lover’s paradise. This cosy retreat is home to an extensive collection of over 200 whiskies, housed in a sleek, glass-fronted display. We were impressed with its intimate atmosphere that boasted a roaring fire pit and selection of board games - all of which make The Snug is a perfect place to while away the evening with a dram in hand.
Find out more about The Glasshouse Hotel on its dedicated page at the DistilleryTours website.
Date With A Dram: Bladnoch Distillery
For May's Date With A Dram competition we've teamed up with Bladnoch Distillery to offer you the chance to win a bottle of Vinaya Single Malt.
Competition Time
To be in with a chance of winning a bottle of Bladnoch's Vinaya simply follow DistilleryTours.scot on Facebook or Instagram and share our 'Date with a Dram' post dated 1 May. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced in our June newsletter!
Congratulations to Janet Cresswell from Derby who won April's competition - a bottle of The Balvenie's Sweet Toast of American Oak 12.
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 Podcast: Kingsbarns Distillery
In the May episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast we speak to Peter Holroyd, Distillery Manager at Kingsbarns Distillery.
Peter takes us behind the scenes at this stunning distillery in Fife, nestled in the heart of Scotland’s golf country just a stone’s throw from St Andrews.
Malt of the Month: Bholsa Islay Single Malt
For our Malt of the Month we learn more about Ardnahoe Distillery's Bholsa Islay Single Malt.
Sculpted by the elements, Islay’s breathtaking Bholsa Caves on its rugged north coast are a rich reward for those who venture off the beaten track. Inspired by these legendary caves, Ardnahoe Bholsa is a must-try for peat and sherry cask lovers.
Perfect Serve: Scotch 75
The Perfect Serve will titillate your tastebuds with a delicious whisky cocktail featured every month...
This month's Perfect Serve is a Scotch 75 which uses Table Whisky - a delicious dram that The Port of Leith Distillery has created with a nearby distillery while waiting for their single malt whisky to mature.
Scotch Whisky Experience in May
The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh has a number of distilleries joining them in the month of May to conduct whisky samplings in their shop. So far you can look forward to samplings with Ardnamurchan Distillery, Ballindalloch Distillery, Speyside Distillery, Old Pulteney, Balblair, Gleann Mor Spirits Co, Angus Dundee Distillers, The Clydeside Distillery and Speyside Distillers with more still to be confirmed.
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