MSP Mike Russell entered the spirit of a new campaign to promote Campbeltown as the “whiskiest place in the world” when he was presented with a unique bottling.
The Argyll and Bute MSP visited Glen Scotia Distillery ahead of the annual Campbeltown Malts Festival, which gets under way tomorrow.
During the visit the MSP, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, had an opportunity to see some of the oldest parts of the distillery, which date back to the 1830s, and to meet some of its staff.
He bottled his own whisky, choosing an 18-year-old single malt from Cask 560, a first fill former bourbon cask stored in Glen Scotia’s historic dunnage warehouse.
The one-off bottle is dedicated to the MSP and his visit to Glen Scotia, with Campbeltown described on the label as “the whiskiest place in the world” in honour of its illustrious past.
In the Victorian era Campbeltown was home to more than 30 distilleries and known as the whisky capital of the world.
“Whisky is in our DNA in Campbeltown,” said distillery manager Iain McAlister.
“After being at the forefront of production, distilling has become a way of life here and we’re looking forward to sharing our passion for whisky with visitors to this year’s malts festival.”
The 57.4% ABV Scotch gifted to the MSP is among several whiskies due to be sampled straight from the cask by visitors taking part in Glen Scotia’s dunnage tastings during the festival which runs until May 23.
“It was great to meet the team at Glen Scotia Distillery and learn more about their award-winning single malts,” said Russell.
“It’s very encouraging to see how Glen Scotia is helping to attract visitors to the Campbeltown and boost recognition of its role in Scotch. I wish it well with its new campaign.”
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