Latest news with #RoyalMileWhiskies
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Ocean-rowing sons and whisky writer dad launch limited-edition charity whisky for Father's Day
A new limited-edition single malt from the Isle of Raasay Distillery is the latest charity bottling from The Maclean Foundation – and every bottle sold will provide clean water for life to a person in Madagascar. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This five-year-old single cask whisky, matured in virgin Chinkapin oak and bottled at a cask strength of 61.1% ABV, is the third in a series of single malt releases by the charity, which was founded by whisky writer Charles Maclean MBE and his three sons – world record-breaking ocean rowers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean. The launch celebrates a major milestone -- the Maclean brothers are now half way across the Pacific having spent 59 days rowing at sea. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Youngest brother Lachlan commented: 'On Father's Day, we'd normally enjoy a dram with dad. The thought of getting to enjoy our new whisky with him will make us row a little faster.' Charles Maclean Just 246 bottles are available, exclusively from Royal Mile Whiskies, Scotland's leading independent specialist Scotch retailer. As with previous Maclean Foundation whiskies – with Glen Scotia and Ardnamurchan– all profits will fund clean water boreholes in rural Madagascar through the charity's local partner, Feedback Madagascar. Charles Maclean MBE, who selected the cask at the Isle of Raasay Distillery, said: 'This partnership is rooted in gratitude — to the industry that's given me so much, and to a place with poetry and purpose in its bones. 'The island, the spirit, and the generosity of this cask reflect everything we hope to do – to connect people through whisky and turn drams into lasting positive impact.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The label, created by creative agency Contagious, features Maclean's own words and memories, written in a style that blends flavour notes with storytelling. It recalls a dram enjoyed at the summit of Dùn Caan – Raasay's flat-topped peak – with a nod to James Boswell's historic 1773 dance there. Ewan, Jamie, Charlie and Lachlan Maclean Charles added: 'It's a sensory time capsule. The smell of sphagnum moss, dry peat hags and distant sea mingling with mellow, savoury notes of the whisky. The taste is bracingly salty with a long, spicy finish to warm the heart.' The whisky is made using unpeated spirit and water sourced from the island's 'Well of the Pale Cow' – which runs through some of the oldest geological formations in the world, including Archean gneiss and Jurassic sandstone. It is matured in a virgin Chinkapin oak cask, air-dried and heavily charred to develop aromatic complexity. Isle of Raasay Distillery – the island's first legal distillery – was founded in 2017 by whisky blender and botanist Alasdair Day and entrepreneur Bill Dobbie. In the years since, it has won acclaim for both its spirit and its visitor experience, and now employs over 25% of the island's population. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alasdair Day, co-founder of Isle of Raasay distillers, said: 'We're honoured to collaborate with The Maclean Foundation, whose work is transforming lives by providing something as fundamental as clean water. That mission resonates deeply with us at Raasay, where water is at the core of our whisky-making, it imparts a purity and mineral richness that shapes every drop of our spirit. Matured in a bold, characterful Chinkapin virgin oak cask, this whisky captures the essence of our island and process, and we're proud that it will help bring lasting impact far beyond our shores.' Ewan, Charlie, Lachlan and Jamie Maclean The Maclean Foundation was established after the brothers' world record-breaking 2019/20 Atlantic crossing. It will be a few months before the brothers get to enjoy a dram of their new whisky – they're currently on a 9,000-mile row across the Pacific Ocean to raise £1 million for clean water projects. The Foundation works with Feedback Madagascar to fund the construction of boreholes in Madagascar, one of the country's most susceptible to the impact of climate change in the world. Each one costs around £6,000 and can supply clean water to 200 people for up to 100 years. So far, they've funded more than 20, helping thousands of people.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's top four 'best selling gins' and how much they cost
Whisky isn't the only drink Scotland is famous for. When it comes to spirits in Scotland, you mostly hear people talking about whisky. The amber distilled spirit is known as the country's national drink for a reason, with countless distilleries all over the country producing world-famous whiskies. However, there are also plenty of delicious gins that originate in Scotland. Whether from iconic distilleries or newer hidden gems, there is a wealth of Scottish gins waiting to be discovered. Online retailer Master of Malt has compiled a list of its best-selling Scottish gins. From Hendrick's to Blackwoods, there is a gin to suit every taste. Read on for the four best-selling gins on Master of Malt, and how much they cost. More information about each one can be found on the Master of Malt website. Hendrick's Gin Even if you are only a casual gin enjoyer, you will likely have heard of Hendrick's Gin. The popular gin is a mix of two spirits from two different types of stills. Hendrick's Gin includes notes of juniper, elderflower, lemon peel, coriander, and more. When making a gin and tonic with the spirit, it is customary to top it with a garnish of cucumber ribbon. As the moment, a 70cl bottle of Hendrick's Gin can be purchased for £30.90 from Master of Malt, down from its usual cost of £32.95. Elsewhere, you can buy a bottle for £33 from Sainsbury's. Isle Of Harris Gin Isle of Harris Gin is made on the Isle Of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. It is crafted with a mix of nine botanicals, such as sustainably harvested sugar kelp from local sea lochs. As a result, the gin has a maritime quality to it. Other ingredients include juniper, angelica, cassia, coriander, cubeb, liquorice root, orange peel, and orris root. A 70cl bottle of Isle of Harris gin can be purchased for £39.95 from Master of Malt, reduced from its standard price of £41.95. It is also available for £40.46 from Royal Mile Whiskies. The Botanist Cask Aged Gin Next up is The Botanist Cask Aged Gin, which is an offering from Bruichladdich distillery on Islay. The distillery created the concoction by treating its classic Botanist Islay Dry Gin with three years of cask maturation. The unique gin features a blend of oak and fragrant botanicals, as well as notes of fruit and vanilla. You may also taste hints of orchard fruits, buttery pastry, dried citrus, and more. The Botanist Cask Aged Gin is priced at £69.74 on Master of Malt, though the gin is currently out of stock. You can also order it for £62.96 from Royal Mile Whiskies. Blackwoods 2017 Vintage Dry Gin Finally, Blackwoods 2017 Vintage Dry Gin comes from the Blackwoods distillers in the Shetlands. Every year, the gin is made with botanicals that are available locally—giving each one its own unique flavour. This 2017 edition features notes of cassia and black pepper, as well as thyme, vanilla, and lemon zest. According to Master of Malt, it "ought to make for a fantastic Bramble cocktail". Blackwoods 2017 Vintage Dry Gin can usually be picked up from Master of Malt for £21.89, though it is currently out of stock. The gin can also be ordered from Drink Supermarket for £25.99.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Eight award winning Scottish whiskies you can buy for less than £100
You don't have to shell out a fortune for a quality dram. Scotland features countless whisky distilleries. Each one has its fans, but sometimes it can be tricky to know which is the right whisky for you. Unless you are a seasoned expert, you will pretty much be flying blind when it comes to choosing a whisky to buy. If you are stuck, it is always a good idea to see which whiskies have received official awards. Retailer The Whisky Shop has put together a list of all the Scottish whiskies for sale that have been recognised with an award. From iconic distilleries to newer and lesser-known ones, it makes for a great jumping-off point when deciding which whisky to purchase. Read on for eight award-winning whiskies you can buy for less than £100. The full list can be found on The Whisky Shop website. 1. Isle of Raasay Single Malt The Isle of Raasay Single Malt is the flagship whisky of Isle of Raasay distillery. The dram is a mix of peated and unpeated spirit, matured separately in first-fill Rye whiskey, fresh Chinkapin oak, and first-fill Bordeaux red wine casks—giving it flavours of dark fruits and spices. The whisky won a Silver award at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024. It can be purchased for £62 from The Whisky Shop, or £50.95 from Royal Mile Whiskies. 2. Arran Barrel Reserve The Arran Barrel Reserve is a non-age-statement expression that was matured in ex-bourbon barrels. It features a sweet and fruity flavour profile, with notes of orchard fruit, apple, pear, and vanilla. The whisky, which was awarded the Gold prize at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024, can be bought for £37 from The Whisky Shop. Elsewhere, you can order it for £36.50 from Master of Malt. 3. Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Cask Finish This double cask dram pays tribute to Campbeltown's amazing history, featuring Glen Scotia spirit matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished off in ex-Demerara rum barrels from Guyana. The result is a strong and exotic whisky that won the Single Malt 12 Years & Under Gold Medal at The W Club Members' Choice Awards 2023. If you want a bottle of Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Cask Finish for yourself, it is available for £61 from The Whisky Shop. It can also be purchased for £47.95 from The Whisky Exchange. 4. InchDairnie RyeLaw Fife Single Grain Scotch Whisky The striking-looking InchDairnie RyeLaw Fife Single Grain Scotch Whisky is the first release from the InchDairnie Distillery in Glenrothes. Known for its unique rye spice flavour, the whisky consists of 53 per cent malted rye and 47 per cent malted barley and was matured in newly charred oak casks. Claiming the Alternate Mash Bill Gold Medal at the The W Club Members' Choice Awards 2024, the InchDairnie RyeLaw Fife Single Grain Scotch Whisky can be purchased for £99 from The Whisky Shop. You can also buy it for £86.95 from Royal Mile Whiskies. 5. Glenglassaugh Portsoy Single Malt This heavily peated maritime malt was matured in a mix of sherry, bourbon, and port casks. Named after the harbour village of Portsoy near Glenglassaugh, it features notes of tropical fruit, liquorice, sea kelp, dark chocolate, and charred mango. The Glenglassaugh Portsoy Single Malt previously won the Silver prize at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024. It can be purchased for £75 from The Whisky Shop or the same price from Master of Malt. 6. Glengoyne 15 Year Old The Glengoyne 15 Year Old, which received the Gold prize at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024, took inspiration from North America. It was matured in a combo of first-fill bourbon casks and virgin American oak, and features notes of vibrant oak, vanilla, bright citrus, and sponge cake. At the moment, the Glengoyne 15 Year Old can be bought for £64 from The Whisky Shop. It is also available from Master of Malt at a price of £85. 7. Lagg Corriecravie The Lagg Corriecravie is known for being bottled in only limited amounts each year. First matured in bourbon barrels before Oloroso sherry hogshead casks, it was made with concerto barley and water from Lagg's own borehole. Winning a Silver prize at the World Whiskies Awards 2024, the whisky is being sold for £69 by The Whisky Shop. Elsewhere, it is available to purchase for £62.95 from Royal Mile Whiskies. 8. Port Askaig 8 Year Old Finally, the Port Askaig 8 Year Old is an Islay single malt that has been matured in American oak barrels and bourbon barrels. Winning a Gold award at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024, its flavour profile includes notes of charcoal smoke, lemon oil, and pine—as well as heather honey and ginger snaps. The Port Askaig 8 Year Old is available for £55 by The Whisky Shop. You can also pick it up for £48.45 from The Whisky Exchange. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
