The Scotsman

Smallest whisky region seeks ‘whiskiest place’ title

● Town distillery to launch move at three-day festival

- By ALASTAIR DALTON

A Campbeltow­n distillery has launched a campaign to label the town the “whiskiest place in the world”.

The Glen Scotia plant said it would hark back to Campbeltow­n being known as the whisky capital of the world in Victorian times, when it had more than 30 distilleri­es.

The campaign will be promoted at the annual Camp - beltown Malts Festival from tomorrow to Thursday.

Single malts have been produc eds ince1832at­G len Scotia, which was establishe­d four years after Springbank.

Glengy le, which was reopened in 2004, is Campbeltow­n’s third remaining distillery.

The town will be keen to highlight its heritage since Visits cotland describes it as “Scotland’s smallest whiskyprod­ucing region”.

Glen Scotia distillery manager Iain Mc A lister said: “Research suggests that Campbeltow­n was the pre - dominant Scotch whisky for almost 100 years.

“We’ re very proud of our exceptiona­l single malts and their contributi­on to both Campbeltow­n and Scotland’s world-leading whisky industry. Whisky is in our DNA in Campbeltow­n.

“After being at the forefront of production, distilling has become a way of life here and we’re looking forward to sharing our passion for whisky with visitors to this year’s malts festival.”

Argyll and But eMS P and constituti­onal affairs secre - tar y Mike Russell, who visited the distillery, said: “It’s very encouragin­g to see how Glen Scotia is helping to attract visitors to Campbeltow­n and boost recognitio­n of its role in Scotch.

“I wish it well with its new campaign.”

An 18-year- old single malt he helped to bottle from Cask 560, a first-fill ex-bourbon cask, describes Campbeltow­n on the label as “the whiskiest place in the world” in honour of the region’s long-standing associatio­n with the drink.

The 57.4 per cent ABV whisky is among several due to be sampled straight from the cask by visitors taking part in Glen Scotia’s dunnage tastings at the festival.

Other events include two whisky dinners, distillery open days, walking tours and other tastings.

Master blender Michael Henry will explore Campbeltow­n’s history in a Glen Scotia coastal connection tasting session, in which he will explain how it has shaped and influenced the town’s whisky developmen­t.

 ??  ?? 0 Glen Scotia’s assistant distillery manager Hector Mcmurchy is given a helping hand by the SNP’S Mike Russell
0 Glen Scotia’s assistant distillery manager Hector Mcmurchy is given a helping hand by the SNP’S Mike Russell

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