The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Inverness toasts a ‘Grand Dram’
The first-ever Inverness-based independent whisky bottlers, Grand Drams, has launched its inaugural bottling.
Founded and owned by Beau Wallace and Jane Manson, this new venture into the world of independent bottling comes alongside running one of the UK’s leading online whisky auction platforms, The Grand Whisky Auction. It sells thousands of bottles every month via its online platform and recently hosted an exclusive cask auction.
The inaugural release is a 15-yearold Bruichladdich from the beautiful whisky-renowned Scottish Island of Islay. The single malt has been matured in a first-fill sherry cask and it is a limited edition of only 280 bottles. The bottle is now available to buy from www. granddrams.com at £180, with only limited stocks remaining.
Beau Wallace said “We are delighted to release our inaugural bottling for Grand Drams. It is a fantastic opportunity for collectors and whisky enthusiasts to try the finest selection of limited edition whiskies from a local company.”
Since its release, the inaugural Grand Drams whisky has received industry commendation. Tasting notes from Jim McEwan, one of whisky’s most legendary figures and ex-master distiller at Bruichladdich Distillery, stated “The sweetness of sherry works beautifully with the malted barley providing a unique flavour that is balanced and held beautifully by the strong Spanish staves. To find Bruichladdich in a sherry butt is rare due to the shortage of said casks... It’s a rare and wonderful dram, enjoy!”
This special release is also the first of its kind combining whisky, artificial intelligence and art.
The label has been created using artificial intelligence. It is based on the 1990 TV series House of Cards where government chief whip Francis Urquhart offers reporter Mattie Storin a glass of Bruichladdich when she arrives for an interview, remarking, “Bruichladdich, if you know your malts.”
Since the launch earlier this month, the release has been very well received by local customers and international exports have already reached customers in Australia, USA, Europe, Taiwan and China.
Independent bottlers are a longstanding part of the scotch whisky industry and their releases are sought after as they offer a unique side to distillery offerings. Jane Manson said, “Grand Drams hopes to showcase ‘the quintessence of fine spirits’ by bottling incredible and exclusive expressions, from chosen distilleries.”
It is an exciting time for the company, as the next releases for Grand Drams will be revealed in early 2024. Originally based in Invergordon, the company is opening new premises on Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness.