200-year-old Highland distillery's whisky available first time in US
Fettercairn is celebrating a major milestone as it has announced it will be offering its collection of rare and aged single malt Scotch whisky to the American market for the first time.
Founded in 1824 and nestled at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountain range, Fettercairn is known for its signature copper cooling ring, an industry first that creates the distillery's distinctive light, tropical-style spirits.
READ MORE: Musician records album in historic Highland oil tank with record-breaking reverb
Stewart Walker, Fettercairn distillery manager, said he is proud to showcase what makes the distillery so 'distinctive'.
He said: 'Fettercairn has always been for those who embrace curiosity and appreciate exceptional flavours.
(Image: Fettercairn)
'As the appetite for characterful and rare single malts grows in the US, we're proud to showcase what makes Fettercairn so distinctive - vibrant tropical notes, elegant complexity and a heritage of boundary-pushing whisky making.'
Andrew Lennie, Fettercairn Brand Ambassador, said it is a privilege to see Fettercairn on the American shelves for the first time.
He said: 'This is an incredibly proud moment for our whole team, bringing 200 years of Fettercairn to the USA for the first time.
'Some of the range we are launching in the USA includes whiskies that Stewart worked on when he first joined the distillery.
'It is a privilege to see them on the shelves and in the glasses of the most discerning American whisky fans.'
Lennie added: 'The five expressions we're launching show the ways our whisky develops throughout the maturation journey, delivering an incredible depth of flavour. We're looking forward to sharing it with you.'
Fettercairn Single Malt Scotch Whisky's core range is currently available in more than 40 countries across the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
What critics think of F1 movie as they all say same thing about Brad Pitt
Formula 1 fans aren't sure what to expect from the blockbuster summer movie starring 61-year-old Hollywood star Brad Pitt as a driver alongside Britain's Damson Idris The first reviews are in ahead of the hotly-anticipated release of the new Formula 1 movie later this month. There is a lot of hope that the film, starring Brad Pitt, will further boost the popularity of the sport, particularly in the USA. Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, an American former F1 driver who is brought out of retirement by the team owner of APXGP, played by Javier Bardem, to race alongside talented young British starlet Joshua Pearce, portrayed by Damson Idris. It is directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer who last teamed up on Top Gun: Maverick. And Lewis Hamilton also served as a producer, providing Hollywood filmmakers with crucial details of what the F1 paddock is really like to help them make the movie as authentic as possible. Filmed largely on location at real-life races, Hamilton also features on screen alongside his fellow F1 drivers up and down the grid. They were all treated to a special screening of the movie at last month's Monaco Grand Prix and spoke positively about it afterwards. The F1 movie is in cinemas at the end of June, but the first reviews are now in from critics who have been given early access. And everyone who has posted online about it so far seems to have been left very impressed by the finished product. The film has received widespread praise from critics, with the main stars in particular getting positive reactions. That's despite concerns over the casting of 61-year-old Pitt in the lead role, given his age. READ MORE: Max Verstappen's Red Bull contract release, Helmut Marko clause, Ralf Schumacher theory READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas on Cadillac F1 talks and his 'plan B' which would involve shock switch Jazz Tangcay, an editor at Variety, wrote on social media: "WOW! F1 is an action-packed thrilling look at the world of F1 racing, with lots of grit. The sound, score and cinematography are flawless. Damson Idris and Brad Pitt are great! Absolutely obsessed." Maude Garrett, from Nerdist, said the film is "so freaking good", adding: "It has all the adrenaline, heart, pacing, story and character that completely fleshes out this movie into excellence. I can only imagine how much more I would love this movie if I was a fan of F1 racing. Maybe I am now?" And Erik Davis, a Rotten Tomatoes contributor, said: "The F1 movie hits the gas and doesn't stop. The races are epic, the sound design, editing, cinematography, performances and music are all top notch. You definitely feel shades of Top Gun: Maverick in that it plays like an old school summer blockbuster. What a ride." For Hamilton, the most important reviews were from his peers as he said: "I really care what the drivers think and I wanted them to think highly of it. I think the great thing is the sound is great, the image is incredible. It's something that's never been done in Formula 1 before, so it's something I'm really proud of."
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
David Beckham to finally get knighthood as King Charles forgives explosive leaked emails
David Beckham to finally get knighthood as King Charles forgives explosive leaked emails The former England captain is finally set to become a Sir after years of waiting for the honour Beckham met with King Charles at the Chelsea Flower Show last month Football icon David Beckham is finally set to become a Sir and receive a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours list next week, according to reports. The England and Manchester United legend, who turned 50 earlier this year, has long been tipped to be awarded the honour after receiving an OBE back in 2003. However, while the likes of fellow footballers Kenny Dalglish and Trevor Brooking have since been knighted, Beckham has been repeatedly overlooked in the years that have followed. However, according to the Sun, the 115-cap England international's wait is set to come to an end next week, having struck up a firm friendship with King Charles. A major hint was dropped when Beckham met Charles and Queen Camilla at the Chelsea Flower Show last month, with the monarch heard asking the former footballer: "You got it, didn't you?". Beckham was then heard replying: "It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.' Over the course of his career, Beckham captained his country and won 19 major trophies with his clubs, which included Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. Article continues below However, he is also considered a British cultural icon, with his relationship with Spice Girls singer Victoria - who will now reportedly be known as Lady Beckham - seeing them become one of the most famous couples in the world. As well as 'Brand Beckham' sweeping the world, however, the former midfielder has also helped to raise hundreds of millions of pounds for charities around the world and is a highly active ambassador for Unicef. Beckham is finally set to receive a knighthood His reported knighthood comes seven years after he took aim at the honours committee in a series of explosive emails, calling them "unappreciative c***s" after he was overlooked for the honour again. The emails - some of which the former footballer later claimed had been doctored - saw Beckham allege that he "didn't care about being knighted" before branding the snub "a disgrace". "I expected nothing less," he is alleged to have written. "It's a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of (sic) got something like this 10 years ago." The former England skipper than took aim at the other big names that had been honoured by the late Queen that year, including Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins who received an OBE. "For what?," Beckham is alleged to have asked after seeing her name on the list. "Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops." While his heroics on the pitch and hard work as a philanthropist have seen fans calling for Beckham to be knighted, however, he has certainly not been free from controversy since retiring from football in 2013, which may have damaged his bid for the honour. That year, he was caught up in the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme, but was later cleared of wrongdoing and was added back to the official recommendations list. However, his role as an ambassador for Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup also led to uproar, as he was reportedly paid around £150 million to promote the Gulf state prior to the tournament. Article continues below That deal saw Beckham face widespread criticism due to Qatar's human rights record and strict laws around homosexuality, with it being illegal to be gay in the country.
The Courier
2 hours ago
- The Courier
Ged Grimes on life with Simple Minds: From Dundee and St Andrews busking to rocking USA
It's been quite a journey from busking on Dundee's Murraygate to gearing up for a 10,000-capacity show in Portland, Oregon – but Ged Grimes wouldn't have it any other way. Speaking exclusively to The Courier via WhatsApp from Los Angeles – where the weather, he laughs, is 'not quite taps aff' – the Dundee born and bred Simple Minds bass player is in the thick of the band's biggest North American tour in four decades. The iconic Scottish band, led by original members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, have just come off a rapturous run through South America, and the US and Canada leg is beginning in earnest. It's a packed 24-date schedule, taking in coast-to-coast cities and a mix of iconic outdoor 'sheds' and atmospheric indoor theatres. But as Ged reflects on his 15 years as Simple Minds' longest serving bassist, his 50 years as a musician and looks forward to Simple Minds playing to a 35,000 strong home crowd at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on June 27 which will be opened up by St Andrews singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, the passionate Dundonian takes none of it for granted. 'It's quite fascinating to be back in a hotel directly opposite where Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard used to be,' he says, looking out of his hotel window towards the former site of the music mecca he first stepped into as part of Dundee's Danny Wilson in the late 1980s. 'I have vivid memories of being there in 1987 when the first Danny Wilson album was on the outside of Tower Records. We were signed from '85 to '91 so that's a six year period that we were making records. 'But it's quite something when you think that I've now been with Simple Minds for 15 years. 'When you look at it like that, I'm a proud of every single thing I've done, and every single twist and turn in the road. To be doing this now at this stage and age is a privilege.' Ged's musical journey started as a school boy back home in Dundee. He met fellow musician Gary Clark at St Saviour's High School – the two were introduced through their shared guitar teacher, Paul Fitzpatrick. 'I was already playing with my family in The Grimes Folk Four – yes really!' says Ged. 'Around the age of 12, 13, we were doing the Five Ways Club, the Civil Service Club… it was this kind of variety concert party. There was a magician, country dancers, and us doing folk songs. God, it sounds like it's from another era!' he laughs. Soon enough, Ged and Gary were playing together and immersed in Dundee's thriving live scene – learning from local legends like Michael Marra and the Mafia band. 'They used to let us jump up at their gigs. That was our way in – and it really made us feel part of something,' he smiles. The duo would head to local studios in the evenings to record whatever they could, experimenting with sounds long before they were signed. In fact, before Danny Wilson became Danny Wilson, they were busking in Dundee's Murraygate – and further afield. 'We used to head to St Andrews and play for the American tourists – we called ourselves the Scots Porridge Notes,' Ged chuckles. 'We had a tea chest bass, accordion, guitar – doing Sinatra covers. Then we'd come back and spend the lot in the Tayside Bar!' That hustle paid off. After a tough stint in London – 'living in a terrible squat' – and after being inspired by Simple Minds' 1982 album New Gold Dream, Ged and Gary returned to Dundee, regrouped with Gary's brother Kit, and got signed shortly after. Simple Minds' album, New Gold Dream, wasn't just a Scottish success – it was a musical wake-up call. 'We were floundering a bit, then this incredible album came out – it sounded expansive, aspirational. It made me believe that Scottish bands didn't have to leave Scotland to succeed. And it was a huge influence on us heading back to Dundee.' Signed in 1985, and touring with Simply Red in 1987, Danny Wilson had their own success in the States – with hits like Mary's Prayer. 'The live band were from Dundee as well,' recalls Ged. 'So you can imagine eight Dundee guys in America for the first time. It was an absolute hoot!' Even now, US fans remember. 'People wait outside (Simple Minds) venues here in the US with Danny Wilson memorabilia. It's honestly touching.' Danny Wilson weren't primarily a live band – 'it was more a studio thing'. Never say never, but that's why realistically he doesn't think Danny Wilson would hit the road today. The entourage required would be sizeable. But the live experience changed drastically when Ged joined Simple Minds in 2010. Ged had crossed paths with Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill a few times when Danny Wilson were on Virgin. But it wasn't until 2008 when he was with Deacon Blue that he reconnected. Deacon Blue supported Simple Minds in 2008 on their 30th anniversary tour, and when Jim asked him to get involved with his solo record, the offer to join the band came from there. Fifteen years on, Simple Minds 'just feels like home'. 'They've always been known for the live show, and we wear that on our sleeve,' he says, describing the band's current line up as 'tighter than ever' and 'dynamite'. 'It's full-on, night after night, giving it everything. 'You don't just play the records – you give people an experience.' After the break-up of Danny Wilson, and before joining Simple Minds, Ged spent most of his time writing and producing music for computer games. The new venture started in Dundee through his friend Chris van der Kuyl. Eventually that led to material being produced in America and Japan. It's a venture he's still involved with today. 'I'm just finished a game for Microsoft I've managed to work in between the Simple Minds tours,' he says. 'There's a game called Clockwork Revolution, a big role playing game that's coming out later in the year. That keeps me on my toes, because I had to find opera singers I had to find string quartets. It's the antithesis of working in Simple Minds. But I'm lucky. I get to do both.' The music industry has changed – and so has Dundee. Ged is especially excited about LiveHouse, the city's new state-of-the-art venue promising to transform the local live scene. 'Dundee's often missed out on big tours,' he says. 'We'd see Glasgow, Edinburgh, maybe Aberdeen – but not here. A lot of that was down to a lack of suitable venues. Now, that's changed.' He's been in touch with LiveHouse director Gus Robb to help attract major acts. 'See the next time Simple Minds are planning a tour that involves Dundee, I'm sure Live House would be an amazing, Barrowlands style, classic venue for us to play. 'It's going to take time that is going to take time to build a reputation. But I'm sure it'll happen.'
