The distillery comes of age
Cheers as book celebrates 21st
The Isle of Arran Distillery celebrated its 21st anniversary in style last weekend. Whisky enthusiasts from all over Europe and beyond converged on Lochranza last weekend to enjoy music, malt and masterclasses at the 7th Malt and Music Festival. The new VIP building and tasting room were also officially opened.
A special 21st anniversary book has been produced by the distillery to mark its coming of age. The book The Arran Malt – An Island Whisky Renaissance
was officially released at the distillery’s festival last weekend.
It is a complete account of the history of the distillery, from before it was even an idea in the mind of its creators to the present day.
The book is illustrated with archive and contemporary illustrations, including many from the Arran Banner, as well as stunning photography of the distillery’s island home.
Researched by Neil Wilson, the respected whisky writer and one of those who originally purchased a bond in Isle of Arran Distillers, it follows the growth of this island distillery from its founding directors, Hal Currie and David Hutchison, to its current status as one of Scotland’s finest malt whisky producers.
Along the way, Neil has interviewed many of the people who were involved in the company’s development, as well as current employees and enthusiasts of the brand, to create a true celebration of a the Arran Malt.
As the Isle of Arran Distillery looks forward to the next 21 years, and expansion with a second distillery site on the south of the island at Lagg, The Arran Malt – An Island Whisky Renaissance is an essential edition to the whisky lover’s bookshelf. Neil is one of Scotland’s most respected publishers and whisky writers. His food and drink imprint, The Angels’ Share, regularly releases new material on the subject. As one of the original investors he jumped at the opportunity to research and write a book on the company’s history when he was asked to do so by the distillery boss Euan Mitchell in March last year. The soft cover version of the book costs £19.99 and the hard case book costs £29.99 and is available from www.arranwhisky.com, the Lochranza Visitor Centre, Neil Wilson Publishing Ltd and Amazon.