Game of Thrones stars launches whisky - calling it 'the ultimate Scottish toast to the world'

Scotsman

15-07-2025

SLANJ Spirits recently launched its debut SLANJ Whisky, a new blended malt from the owners behind the well known kilt shops and actor Rory McCann.
The new whisky is the brainchild of three long-time friends – Brian and Craig Halley, founders of SLANJ Kilts and Stuart Montgomerie – who have dreamed of launching a Scotch for over a decade.
The trio secured the SLANJ Whisky brand name nearly ten years ago and have waited patiently for the right moment and the right blend.
One of the brand's most recognisable investors is actor Rory McCann, best known for his role as The Hound in Game of Thrones.
A long-time whisky lover, McCann was closely involved in the final blend and development process, ensuring the result felt true to the brand's relaxed but quality-focused ethos.
He said, 'I've always loved whisky, but SLANJ hits different. It's smooth, no smoke, no fuss - just a bold, easy-going dram anyone can enjoy. I'm proud to back a whisky that's pure Scottish spirit, without the rules. It's the ultimate Scottish toast to the world.'
This first-edition blend is made from 70% Speyside single malt matured in sherry casks and 30% Highland single malt matured in bourbon casks.
Bottled at 46%, non-chill filtered and with natural colour, it delivers a smooth and rounded profile with fruit, subtle sweetness and gentle spice – while deliberately holding back on any smoke.
'Scotch doesn't need to be sacred to be exceptional,' said Brian Halley, founder of SLANJ Spirits. 'We've always loved the craft, but we wanted to create something that felt less like a ritual and more like a moment.
'Something people could enjoy instinctively, without second- guessing how to drink it. We've held onto the SLANJ name for nearly a decade, waiting for the right time and the right whisky.' He added, 'After years in the making, SLANJ feels like the whisky Scotland's been waiting for.'
With a strong background in retail, design and brand-building, the Halley brothers bring creative direction, while Montgomery, following a highly successful career in banking in London, brings strategic and commercial insight from his current role as an investor and adviser to several Scottish businesses.
To bring their vision to life, the founders enlisted the expertise of Douglas Laing & Co., Scotland's leading independent blender and bottler specialising the creation of artisan, small batch and single cask Scotch. Together, they developed a whisky with depth, balance and broad appeal.
With Laing's support, the team secured a sustainable and consistent supply of quality malt for future bottlings, ensuring the brand's longevity.
Renowned whisky writer Charles MacLean has given the whisky his seal of approval, saying: 'SLANJ Whisky has been years in the making and it has been especially rewarding to follow its journey and see what the team has achieved. We are all very proud of this moreish blend!'
The whisky is aimed at both seasoned whisky drinkers and those just discovering the category – a whisky with craft at its core, but no rules on how to enjoy it.
SLANJ is launching in the UK with ambitions to roll out internationally, as the brand looks to bring its modern Scotch sensibility to a global audience.
The team is already exploring future limited editions and special releases, with more to come from this bold new player in the whisky world – one pour at a time.
SLANJ whisky is available to buy from Master of Malt for £48. You can buy a bottle here.