Open again from 15th July

We are delighted to announce that the main business will be open from tomorrow (15th July). The business hours are as follows:

Filling Station – 7am until 9pm
Snack Stop Café – 7am until 8.30am & 3.45pm until 9pm
Main business – 8.30am until 5pm

Whilst it is fantastic to be re-opening, our Food & Beverage departments will have a restricted menu until further notice. We respectfully ask whilst in the restaurant queue that you keep your masks on until you reach your table.

We will have plenty of hand sanitising stations, please use them. We will also have clear signage to assist with social distancing.

If you have any comments to make to us, please come and speak to a member of our team directly. We want you to enjoy your visit and are doing everything we can to keep both our customers and staff safe.

We look forward to welcoming you back into our business.

#StaySafe #SoupsOn

Fiona Robertson, Partner, The Green Welly Stop

The Green Welly Stop

Tyndrum

CRIANLARICH, PERTHSHIREFK20 8RY

United Kingdom

TyndrumWhisky.com

Finally here!

Glen Scotia Campbeltown Festival 2020

Bottled before lockdown, and before the Campbeltown Malts Festival was cancelled, Glen Scotia have this lovely Tawny Port 14YO now available. Blackberry, floral notes and ocean spray on the nose leading to a silky mouthfeel, not to be missed!

It’s finally here!

From the cancelled Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020, we’ve got the Tawny Port Finish Peated 14YO

Matured in American Oak Barrels before being finished in Tawny Port Casks for 6 months, bringing dark fruit and berry flavours that complement the spice and tangy peat finish.

Official tasting notes:

Blackberry, floral notes and ocean spray on the nose, the palate has a wonderful silky mouthfeel and flavours of crisp green apple, peach syrup and vanilla with a honey sweetness. There is a gentle peat smoke with blackcurrant, raspberry and clove spice notes on the finish.

Distilled and bottled by Glen Scotia Whisky Distillery

Order Now:

Evan Williams Bourbon Announces 2020 American-Made Heroes

Select class of veterans chosen to be featured on special edition labels and receive $5,000 donation from American-Made Heroes Foundation to charity of their choice

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Evan Williams Bourbon today announced the veterans selected as the 2020 American-Made Heroes. Each veteran will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice through the recently launched American-Made Hero Foundation, as well as their picture and story on the side of the special-edition label.

As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams recognizes true American heroes through their exceptional stories of honor and bravery. This special edition label of Evan Williams Black Bourbon celebrates the heroic stories of military veterans, chosen for their selfless acts of service at home and abroad (bios included below). The 2020 Evan Williams American-Made Heroes were chosen from over 6,500 nominations and are featured on more than 360,000 bottles available nationwide.

The 2020 American Hero edition label features bold red and white stripes framing a blue background featuring subtle star imagery and “American Hero Edition” in bold red font on the face. Proudly displayed on the side of each bottle is one of the brand’s key taglines “American Owned, American Made, American Proud” signifying the brand’s American heritage as the second-largest selling Bourbon in the world. Each Evan Williams American-Made Hero is prominently featured on the side of the label with their picture, name, military title and distinguished story.

“We are proud to kick off the sixth year of the Evan Williams American-Made Hero program by lifting up these extraordinary veteran stories and support veteran-related causes through the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund,” said Julie Cole, Evan Williams Bourbon Brand Manager. “We are honored to celebrate veterans who uphold the American spirit.”

Evan Williams is honored to broaden its support of veteran communities across the country through the launch of the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund, announced in April 2020. Due to the national impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund focused its inaugural efforts with the COVID-19 Veteran Relief Grant, which awards donations to nonprofit organizations that serve the veteran communities negatively impacted by the coronavirus.

Media and advertising support for the 2020 program include national digital and social media campaigns, a website, off-premise display pieces, and point of sale featuring the veteran stories and the new American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund.

The 2020 Evan Williams American-Made Heroes are:

• Robin Harder, Mico, TX, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (Ret.): As a Cryptologic Linguist, Robin’s 20-year career took her everywhere from Germany to Afghanistan. She is the founder of the Women Veterans of San Antonio: a non-profit group that serves, honors, and empowers women Veterans in her community. Robin has chosen to donate to ReGroup Foundation. To learn more about their mission, visit https://regroup4vets.com/
• John “JC” White, Martinsville, VA, U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms (Ret.): J.C. first served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Desert Storm and re-enlisted after 9/11. He went on to complete five more tours of duty. Over the years, he has volunteered as a Special Olympics coach, provided services to the homeless, and mentored at-risk youth. J.C. has chosen PAWS for Purple Hearts as his charity. To learn more about their mission, visit https://pawsforpurplehearts.org/.
• Jonathan Hiltz, Marion, IL, U.S. Marine Corps Corporal: Jonathan served as a Nuclear Biological & Chemical Defense Specialist in Iraq. Today, he serves other veterans as a Peer Support Specialist. He established two non-profits, the Arise Veteran Foundation and Love Goes, to help alleviate poverty and support the homeless. Jonathan has chosen Love Goes as his charity.
• Mary Tobin, Atlanta, GA, U.S. Army Captain (Ret.): Mary began her 10-year military career at West Point, deployed twice to Iraq, and was awarded the Combat Action Badge. As regional Executive Director of The Mission Continues, she helps veterans take charge of community service and revitalization projects across the U.S. To learn more about The Mission Continues, visit https://missioncontinues.org/.
• Eduardo “Eddie” Ramirez, Fairfield, CA, U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant (Ret.): Always driven to serve, Eddie capped off his decorated, 22-year military career by going to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs. His experience led him to establish OneVet OneVoice: a veteran advocacy group focused on healthcare, education, housing, and employment. Eddie has chosen OneVet OneVoice as his charity. To learn more about their mission, visit https://onevetonevoice.org/.

The American Hero Edition bottle is available nationally for a suggested retail price of $24.99 for the 1.75L and $12.99 for the 750ml, and is bottled at 43 percent alcohol by volume (86 proof). To learn more about each of the 2020 American-Made Heroes and to apply for funding through the COVID-19 Veteran Relief Grant, visit https://american-madeheroes.com/.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS: The flagship Bourbon of Heaven Hill Distillery, Evan Williams is among the leaders in the rapidly growing American Whiskey segment as the world’s second largest-selling Bourbon. Evan Williams is a proud sponsor of Major League Baseball and the World Series, first forming a partnership with the national pastime in 2016. As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams has recognized true American heroes through their exceptional stories of honor and bravery on special edition American-Made Hero labels for the past five years, now supported by the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor’s center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN-MADE HEROES FOUNDATION FUND: Evan Williams is honored to broaden its support of veteran communities across the country through the launch of the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund, announced in April 2020. The American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund was established to show Evan Williams’ pride in being American-made and owned, and to give back to those who served. Our purpose is: to provide a platform for sharing inspiring veteran stories; to raise public awareness for causes impacting the veteran community; and to support nonprofit organizations that help veterans and their families through a specialized grant program. Due to the national impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund will focus its inaugural efforts with the COVID-19 Veteran Relief Grant, which awards donations to nonprofit organizations that serve the veteran communities negatively impacted by the coronavirus.

We’re delighted to announce that this week we will be opening our doors to the public once again!

On Thursday 2nd July, we’ll be reopening our shop at the distillery in Stourton as well as our shop in Bourton-on-the-Water, and on Friday 3rd July our shop in Broadway will reopen. Head to our website to find the revised opening hours by clicking the button below.

Please note: our café and toilets are closed until further notice and Tour & Tastings are cancelled until the 3rd August.

VIEW OPENING HOURS

We want to assure you that we’re working hard to keep our staff and our visitors safe, and COVID-19 measures in line with government guidelines will be in place at all sites. If you’d like to visit us at one of our shops, here are a few things to bear in mind:

HELP KEEP OTHERS SAFE

Please do not visit us if you have COVID-19 symptoms. These include: a high temperature, new continuous cough and loss of or change to sense of smell or taste. All our shop staff will be wearing masks.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

We’ve added signage to help keep customers stay socially distanced. Please ensure you keep 2 metres apart from others at all times.

LIMITED NUMBER OF SHOPPERS

We’ll be limiting the number of people in our shops to ensure people remain socially distanced.

NO CASH

We will only be accepting card payments and will no longer be accepting cash as a payment method for the time being.

CLEANING AND SAFETY MEASURES

We’ll be carrying out extra cleaning to keep our shops as clean as possible for you and hand sanitiser is available for you to use. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Kind regards,

The Cotswolds Distillery.

Introducing Virginia Distillery Co.’s Reopening Plans

Hello friends! We sure have missed having you at our Visitors Center and we are so excited to welcome you back. Starting June 19th, our Visitors Center will be on a reduced schedule, open for outdoor tastings Fridays through Sundays by reservation only. 🎉

GET THE DETAILS

A Perfect Gift for Father’s Day

Is whisky the best Father’s Day gift? We’ll let you make that decision. In the meantime, shop our selection of whisky, cocktail kits, glasses, and more on our website. 🎁

SHOP HERE

Defining American Single Malt Whisky

We’re proud to be the largest independently-owned American Single Malt Whisky distillery in the United States. But how does American Single Malt compare to Scotch and Bourbon? Read all about it in our complete guide. 📖

LEARN MORE

Find a Bottle Near You

From Fort Lauderdale, to San Jose, to Boston, and everywhere in between, Virginia Distillery Co. products can be found in 23 states across the country. Check out our new recently-launched store locator on our website and find a product on a shelf near you. 🥃

FIND YOUR BOTTLE

Our mailing address is:
Virginia Distillery Company
299 Eades Ln
Lovingston, VA 22949

Glen Scotia releases exclusive Dunnage Tasting Box following success of virtual festival

The Glen Scotia virtual festival has been heralded a huge success, after attracting over 8,000 visitors from all around the world.

Following the cancellation of the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020 which had been scheduled to run from 19-21 May 2020, the Glen Scotia Distillery announced it would bring its programme of events online for the first time at www.glenscotia.com/festival.

As part of the programme the distiller made its famous dunnage whisky tasting, which for many is the pinnacle of their Campbeltown Malt Festival experience, available for those outside the distillery for the very first time.

The theme for 2020 is The Casks of Campbeltown, featuring whiskies matured in casks from the town, and investigating the influencer they have on the modern Campbeltown style.

Only 200 dunnage tasting packs have been released in the UK, each containing five 25 ml samples along with password access to a specially created tasting video hosted by Iain McAlister. A further 1800 tasting boxes will be distributed to markets around the world.

In the UK, the Glen Scotia Dunnage Tasting Box is available to order from Dram Team priced at £55.99 (including postage).

The five samples will include:

• Glen Scotia Victoriana, 54.2% abv
• Cask 810, 2005 First Fill bourbon 60.1% abv
• Cask 486, 2002 Refill Sherry Hogshead 48.8% abv
• Cask 2/359, 2009 First Fill Bordeaux Red Wine 57.1% abv
• Cask 6/413, 2005 First Fill Tawny Port Hogshead 57.4% abv

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller at Glen Scotia, said: “We’ve been absolutely thrilled by the response we had to the Glen Scotia Virtual Malts Festival. We saw over 8,000 people join us from all over the world including Europe, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia – wildly exceeding our expectations!

“We’re now considering making some elements of the festival permanently ‘virtual’ going forward. We know Campbeltown isn’t the easiest place in the world to get to so this will be a great way to allow our global whisky fans the chance to be a part of the celebrations in future years.

“The dunnage tasting is one of my favourite events in the Campbeltown Malts Festival schedule and we’re excited to be able to provide those who had hoped to join us in person, and perhaps quite a few who usually wouldn’t have had the chance, the opportunity to take part in our special dunnage tasting.”

Chris Borrow, Founder, DramTeam added “I could not be more thrilled to be working with the fantastic team from Glen Scotia to put together this incredible dunnage tasting set. Some friends and I had the privilege of being utterly spoilt by Iain McAlister on our first ever visit to Campbeltown, when he very generously hosted us for a Glen Scotia dunnage warehouse tasting. To this day, the best tasting experience of my life – and one that I am very excited to put in a box for other people to enjoy. This is legitimately the best whisky-tasting-by-post we’ve ever done!”

Campbeltown was known as the whisky capital of the world during the Victorian era and was home to over 30 working distilleries. The annual Campbeltown Malts Festival is a celebration of Scotland’s fifth and smallest malt producing region and its whisky making heritage. This year’s event was set to take place from 19-21 May, however in line with Covid-19 government guidance, the festival has been cancelled for the first time since it launched in 2009.

Founded in 1832, Glen Scotia reflects centuries of craftsmanship and experience associated with the region and its award-winning whiskies are renowned for their distinctive maritime influence and Campbeltown character.  For those who missed out on the festival this year many of the tastings and tours are still available to watch www.glenscotia.com/festival.

Notes

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was awarded a Platinum medal at the prestigious 2020 San Francisco World Spirits.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was awarded a Gold Medal at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2019.
• Glen Scotia 18 Year Old won Best Campbeltown Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2018.
• Images and interviews with key staff from Glen Scotia are available upon request.
• www.glenscotia.com /Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

NINETEENTH ANNUAL GREAT BUFFALO CHASE 5K TO TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY OVER FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND

Race Proceeds to Benefit VFW Post 4075 

        FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (June 2, 2020) – Buffalo Trace Distillery’s 19^th annual Great Buffalo Chase 5K will be held virtually this summer for the  first time in order that we can continue to raise funds for charities.

Historically, this summer holiday classic has taken place on the Fourth of July, attracting top runners from across the United States and the world to the Distillery for the scenic run, but this year, with participant health and safety in mind, the race is coming to you!

Runners and walkers will participate in this year’s virtual 5K by running or walking in their hometowns and local neighborhoods wherever they are located during the period of July 3-5 instead of running at the Distillery as the grounds will not be open to participants. Runners will be mailed a commemorative T-shirt and race bib and have the option to record and submit their personal race time until 11:59 p.m. on July 5. Details for how to submit race times will be communicated following registration. Everyone is encouraged to use #ChaseTheBuffalo on social media and dress in their best patriotic or Buffalo Trace attire. Race times will be posted to the Buffalo Trace Distillery website on July 6.

Registration is $20, and all proceeds will again benefit the city of Frankfort’s VFW Post 4075. Registration for this virtual 5K opened May 20 at www.BuffaloTraceDistillery.com/events and will close at 9 p.m. July 5. Participants are encouraged to register by June 26 to allow race materials to be shipped and delivered in time for the race.

Due to the nature of this being a virtual race, and in the spirit of fairness, prizes will not be awarded to top runners this year. On behalf of all participants, and in commitment to supporting others, this Fourth of July Buffalo Trace Distillery will make a donation to God’s Pantry Food Bank to support the local Franklin County community. Participants are encouraged to take part in the virtual patriotic attire costume contest through the Virtual Great Buffalo Chase 5K Facebook Event on the Buffalo Trace Distillery Facebook Page for a chance to win a prize from the Gift Shop. Additionally, everyone who registers will be entered into a raffle for the chance to receive a hand-made American Flag made from bourbon barrel staves, which can be donated to the charity of their choice for fundraising.

For more information and to register go to www.BuffaloTraceDistillery.com/events.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

CAMPARI CANADA ADDS TO ITS ONGOING SUPPORT FOR HOSPITALITY WORKERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Premium Spirits Company Donates $50,000 to Canada’s Bartenders Benevolent Fund

May 14, 2020 (Toronto, ON) – Campari Canada yesterday announced a $50,000 donation to the Bartenders Benevolent Fund, a Canadian non-profit organization that is raising much-needed funds for bartenders, servers and other hospitality staff who have fallen under serious financial hardship. The hospitality industry continues to be one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

This latest donation is part of the #ShakenNotBroken initiative that Campari Group has undertaken globally during the ongoing crisis. Campari Group’s #ShakenNotBroken campaign has deployed various initiatives to support the hospitality industry around the world.

Campari Canada’s first initiative to support the hospitality industry launched on March 27. The Campari Stir Crazy program, in collaboration with Bartender Atlas, engaged over 130 bartenders to create cocktails and content. Through this program, Campari Canada paid over $35,000 directly to some of Canada’s most creative bartenders. The company has also partnered with Longslice Brewery and The Aviary Brewpub to buy meals for those in need. With the latest donation, Campari Canada is totaling over $85,000 in support to the hospitality industry.

Campari Canada has also produced high-alcohol sanitizer at its Grimsby-based Forty Creek Distillery, which was delivered to local community organizations including the Canadian Red Cross and St Catharines Hospital Niagara.

“Our company, globally and locally here in Canada, has always made community involvement a core principle of our organizational efforts. Our #ShakenNotBroken initiatives around the world are meant to support our friends and peers in the hospitality industry who have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic,” said Melanie Batchelor, President, Campari Canada. “We understand that as the majority of bars and restaurants have been closed by order of provincial governments for safety reasons, the financial impact on those employed in this sector has been immense. We are also aware that even as some regions prepare to slowly and responsibly reopen, some of the challenges faced by these dedicated professionals will remain. Through this donation and other initiatives, Campari Canada will continue to do everything possible to support the Canadian hospitality industry in their time of significant need,” concluded Batchelor.

About Campari Canada:

Campari Canada serves as the nationally-focused extension of global beverage leader Campari Group. Designed to fortify the Campari Group legacy across the national landscape, Campari Canada serves as owner, importer and marketer of a diverse portfolio of over 30 internationally-recognized brands spanning across all fine spirits categories. Among them is Canadian spirits company, Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., known for its award-winning range of complex, yet approachable whiskies. With the Grimsby, Ontario-based Forty Creek location serving as the company’s bottling plant and warehouse, and corporate office headquartered in Toronto’s bourgeoning Liberty Village, Campari Canada continues in the Group’s steadfast commitment to building lifestyle brands and people with passion. Its portfolio of internationally-renowned brands includes Aperol, Appleton Estate, Bulldog Gin, Campari, Cinzano, Forty Creek, Grand Marnier, Glen Grant, SKYY Vodka, Espolòn Tequila and Wild Turkey.

For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/en.

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

About Campari Group:

Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group’s key focus, include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group’s growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand-building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group owns 21 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 21 countries. The Group employs approximately 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001.

For more information: www.camparigroup.com/en.

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

About the Bartenders Benevolent Fund:

Created in 2013, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a non-profit financial resource for bartenders, servers and front-of-house support staff working in the hospitality industry in Canada. They provide funding for those who have fallen under serious financial hardship, and their mission is to work in earnest to ensure that those in need can make ends meet. The Bartenders Benevolent Fund’s mandate is to offer support to the hospitality industry, by the hospitality industry: funds are awarded anonymously by local hospitality professionals from each market.

Bunnahabhain helps whisky lovers celebrate Fèis Ìle in spirit

Virtual ‘Feis at Home’ celebrations keep the festival spirit thriving for 2020

Tasting kits allow whisky fans to join in from the comfort of their own home

Exclusive distillery news and competitions revealed to those who tune in

It’s one of the most anticipated calendar dates for the whisky fans who descend on Islay’s shores years after year, but the cancellation of this Spring’s world-famous Feis Ile festival won’t stop Bunnahabhain from throwing its (virtual) doors open to all.

While physical celebrations are on hold due to social distancing guidelines, Bunnahabhain is inviting whisky fans from across the globe to ‘Feis at Home’ and transporting them to the shores of Islay via a special live tasting of not one, but two exceptional new festival editions.

Hosted by renowned whisky expert Dave Broom*, Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager Andrew Brown will be joined by Master Blender Julianne Fernandez, Master Distiller Stephen Woodcock and Visitor Centre Manager Dr Billy Sinclair for the live stream on Friday 29^th of May from 8pm (BST). The group will lead whisky fans through a tasting and take part in a panel discussion about the two limited-edition expressions being released to mark the occasion.

Tasting kits available to purchase from the Bunnahabhain website will allow people to follow along from the comfort of their home. And it wouldn’t be Feis Ile without a few surprises…with exclusive details on a new product to be revealed live during the tasting.

Ahead of the tasting, Visitor Centre Manager, Dr Billy Sinclair will take friends of Bunnahabhain on a Facebook Live tour around the distillery and island – a chance to get the full Feis Ile experience from afar. Eagle eyed viewers will also have the chance to win a trip to the world-famous festival in person in 2021, with competition details announced on the first ‘tour’ to go live on Bunnahabhain’s Facebook page at 10am (BST) on Friday the 29^th of May.

Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager, Andrew Brown, said: 

Our world famous ‘Music and Malt’ festival here on Islay is a pilgrimage for many a Bunnahabhain fan and we love greeting them here at the distillery. We’ll miss seeing some familiar faces in person, but Feis Ile is always warm and welcoming, so we’re embracing the fact that live streaming technology will allow even more people to join in this year.” 

We’ve got a great panel of experts on board to talk through our wonderful new festival editions, and anyone who’s visited Feis Ile before will know that’s not all we’ve got up our sleeve. You’ll have to tune in to find out more, but we can guarantee a memorable festival, even if it’s not running exactly as we had planned.” 

On sale information on Bunnahabhain’s new festival editions will be announced later this week. 

Bunnahabhain’s virtual ‘Feis at Home’ events will take place on Friday the 29^th of May 

A virtual tasting and panel discussion of two new festival editions will take place at at 8pm (BST) 

Live streams from the distillery on Islay will take place at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6.30pm (BST) 

Join in on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bunnahabhain 

Tasting kits can be purchased from, priced at £16.50: www.bunnahabhain.com/ 

Please ensure orders are placed by 25th of May (UK) or 18th of May (rest of world) to avoid disappointment

For more information please contact Fiona Hayes, WIRE: fiona@wearewire.co / 07837000900

NOTES:

About Bunnahabhain:

Established in 1881 and situated on Islay’s most northerly point, Bunnahabhain is the island’s most remote distillery, overlooking a notorious passage of ocean known by seafarers as the sound of Islay.

It has long established links to the sea, previously only accessible by boat – with ships loaded up daily before transporting their important whisky cargo back to the mainland for sale.

The word ‘Bunnahabhain’ is actually Gaelic for ‘mouth of the river’ referring to the Margadale River, its source of pure spring water which is distilled in the island’s tallest stills to create the renowned malts. It’s the use of pure spring water that is piped to the distillery which gives it its unique light colouring which sets it apart from other darker liquids on the Islay landscape.

The distillery goes against the grain – quite literally – with a portfolio made up of broadly non-peated expressions, however, its peated Toiteach A Dhà expression recently won in the Scotch Islay: No Age Statement category at this year’s World Whiskies Awards. Bunnahabhain took home a further four titles in the 2020 awards ranging from silver to gold certificates – showcasing the calibre of its range. 

*About Dave Broom:

Dave Broom was born in Glasgow and has spent the past 30 years writing about alcohol. He spent 7 years as features editor on a UK drinks trade weekly then, after working a stage in an Australian winery, returned to the UK to specialise as a freelance writer on spirits.

He has written 12 books, two of which [Rum and Drink!] won the Glenfiddich Award. ‘Whisky: The Manual’ was awarded Best Spirits Book at the Spirited Awards in 2015 and the ‘World Atlas of Whisky’ has been called “a landmark publication”.

His most recent book, “The Way of Whisky: A Journey into Japanese Whisky’ appeared in 2017 and was awarded the John Avery prize at the Andre Simon Awards in 2018.

As well as regular radio and TV work, in 2018/9, he wrote and presented the whisky culture documentary ‘The Amber Light’ (directed by Adam Park).

He has been contributing editor at both Whisky Magazine and scotchwhisky.com and continues to write for a large number of international titles. He launched his new website thewhiskymamual.uk in 2020

The other part of his life is involved with training and speaking. He regularly gives talks at international whisky events. He designs in-house training courses for distillers, and was one of the team which developed (and continues to maintain) the Single Malt Flavour Map.

He has been a tutor on Diageo’s influential Malts Advocates Course for 20 years. He also advises on spirit quality and new product development for a number of distillers around the world.

In 2013, he was awarded the Communicator of the Year at the ISWC awards and in 2015 was voted Best Spirits Writer at the Spirited Awards. He is a Master of the Quaich.

About Andrew Brown, Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager

Andrew Brown’s Bunnahabhain journey began in May of 1988, when the distillery found itself short staffed for unloading malt boats coming into its famous pier. After helping out on a few occasions, he was given a full time role as a warehouseman, and joined the small, hardworking team, of Bunnahabhain Distillery.

He quickly moved on to work in the warehouse and mash house, as the relief mashman, learning the ropes from the team around him on running the still house & boilers. In 1997 he took on the role of Assistant Team Leader, progressing to become the Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager in 2010

It’s a position he has proudly held for over 10 years and has seen the production at Bunnahabhain increase substantially in that time.

Finding it impossible to choose one whisky as a favourite, he opts for three, all Bunnahabhain (of course) – 40 year old, Auld Acquaintance then after this the 18 year old.

About Julieann Fernandez, Blender

Julieann Fernandez’ whisky journey started while she was at university with a placement at Chivas Brothers. Working in the Kilmalid lab doing analytical chemistry and new product development created a true passion for whisky and following her graduation with a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science, Julieann joined the Scotch Whisky Research Institute as an Analytical Research Scientist.

From there, Julieann returned to Chivas Brothers, moving around the business and learning all aspects of distilling; from grain and malt to developing her organoleptic skills.

She joined Distell in 2017 as Blender and works alongside Senior Blender, Kirstie McCallum, on the single malt, blend and limited-edition portfolios. Julieann is currently studying towards her Diploma in Distilling.

About Billy Sinclair, Bunnahabhain Visitor Centre Manager

Biologist, geneticist, conservationist, diving instructor and commercial coxswain – Billy Sinclair has packed a lot into life. He holds an honours degree in Biology and Biochemistry, and a PhD in Biochemistry and Genetics. He also has more than 50 scientific papers to his name. If you want to know about antibiotic resistant bacteria in remote Australian communities, the evolutionary history of Scotland’s pine forests, paternity testing in rare pigs, or survival strategies in ancient, deep-sea cousins of the octopus, Billy’s your man. In his 25-year career, he’s travelled the globe, working in Scotland, Ireland, England and Australia. He’s also led student field trips in Egypt, Australia and The Gambia. And in 2015 he embarked on a new adventure, when he moved with his family to Islay and added a new passion — serious Scotch whisky — to his long, long list.

His favourite dram (if he’s forced to choose) is the Bunnahabhain 18-year-old.

About Stephen Woodcock, Master Distiller

Stephen Woodcock started his career in chemistry, managing chemical plants to create coloured pigments for the paints, inks and plastic industries.

With parents working in the drinks industry, his father owned a pub and mother worked for Allied Distillers – so maybe it’s not surprising that he ended up there too. He joined Diageo in 2009 as the business leader responsible for pre-distillation. It’s a chemical process after all, just like any other. But a last-minute change of plan saw him take on the management of Dundashill Cooperage in Glasgow instead, where he simultaneously took on a General Certificate in Distillation. It wasn’t until the Dundashill site (sadly) closed in 2010 that he had the chance to put that knowledge into practice.

He moved to Speyside to take charge of the multi-million-pound upgrade and commissioning of Inchgower Distillery in Buckie. Following that Stephen worked in seven different Speyside distilleries, learning more about predistillation and distillation processes with each move. In a bid to understand this further from a more academic perspective he completed the IBD Diploma in Distilling in 2017, and in June 2016 he joined Distell as Distilleries Manager and Master Blender. His role is to protect age old traditions, while working to refine and improve the processes of the distilleries he takes charge of, so they can keep creating the finest whiskies in the world.