Six decades after Stewart Laing first learned how to make whisky on Islay, he has realised a lifelong dream with the launch of ‘Inaugural Release’ – the first whisky from Ardnahoe, the distillery he and his sons Andrew and Scott opened on Islay in 2018. Hitting the market on 10th May, Ardnahoe Inaugural Release is a limited edition 5-year-old Islay single malt Scotch whisky, shaped by the experience of three generations of the Glasgow-based Laing family since the 1940s, when Stewart’s father began working in the industry. Stewart travelled to Islay in the 1960s to learn the rope ..read more

Highlighting the uncomfortable fact that the 2015 to 2019 gin boom left a vast stock of old and open gin bottles languishing behind the UK’s bars, Paragon Brands has hit upon an excellent ruse to promote its own premium gins – The Big Gin Swap. Under the Paragon scheme, leftover and half-full bottles can be swapped for new bottles, completely free of charge. Bars partaking in The Big Gin Swap can exchange their forsaken spirits for one of three gin brands on Paragon’s roster – premium French gin G’Vine Floraison, Irish-born Dingle Gin and traditional English Gin Martin Miller’s. The offer ..read more

Premium vodka brand Desi Daru has won further awards at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024. In a blind-tasting competition against over 300 vodkas, Desi Daru took a Gold Medal for its Mango Vodka and a Silver Medal for its Original offering. Founder Mohit Singh shared: “We are absolutely delighted and humbled by this result at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Crafting the recipe for our vodkas has been an exciting challenge, and we have been dedicated to using only the highest quality ingredients to deliver the best possible product. “Our Alphonso mangoes ..read more

Sitting on a prime spot on the banks of the River Tay at Grandtully, Pitlochry, The Inn on the Tay is popular with locals and visitors alike – and is now on the market. Selling agents Christie & Co described the Highland Perthshire restaurant and bar with rooms as an opportunity that required no capital expenditure as it is currently in ‘outstanding condition’. The Inn on the Tay is approximately an hour-and-a-half drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and is easily accessible from the centre of Pitlochry. The business benefits greatly from its location, which attracts walking and water-sport ..read more

Speyside is buzzing with excitement this week, as record numbers of visitors arrive for the 25th Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Ticket sales are up by over 20% on last year, with the Festival promoting just over 700 events across the area’s 51 distilleries, five of which are themselves celebrating their 200th anniversary. The record-breaking sales have exceeded £425k for the first time with four days of the festival still to go, up more than £75k on last year. More than 7500 tickets have been bought for an array of events including distillery tours, whisky train rides, cask building and ..read more

Foods and Wines from Spain and Alimentos de España will be presenting a new trade event –Taste Spain Edinburgh – on Monday 20th May at The Balmoral Hotel. The event, funded by the Spanish government, will be a showcase of Spanish gastronomy featuring artisan cheese, jamón-dry-cured ham, chorizo, olive oil, canned fish, beans, honey, apple paste and craft ciders. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet producers, sample products, and learn about the diverse range of foods produced in the regions of Asturias, Andalusia, Castile and León, and Castilla-La Mancha. All the companies involved are ..read more

Highland Coast Hotels has launched a series of travel itineraries to help visitors plan their ‘trip of a lifetime’ on the famous North Coast 500 route around the Scottish Highlands. A choice of 7, 10 and 14-day bespoke itineraries will allow travellers to explore the coastal route starting from Inverness and going right round the top of the country, with guidance provided by the team of experts at Highland Coast Hotels. That booking team can arrange an entire NC500 itinerary in advance, including dining options, outdoor activities and visits to local attractions – and of course overnight stay ..read more

There is an opportunity to acquire a luxury hotel, plus additional accommodation, on the Isle of Arran.  The four-star Douglas Hotel is located on the seafront with views over Brodick Bay. The distinctive red sandstone hotel building offers 21 luxurious bedrooms, along with a 50-cover restaurant, a bar and a large outdoor terrace. The current owners have invested £8 million in refurbishing the building to ‘an exceptional standard’, helping it to secure the title of Scotland’s best boutique hotel in 2020. Crucially for an island business, the hotel also includes staff accommodation ..read more

A Bill making it unlawful for businesses to hold back tips from their employees has today (May 2) received Royal Assent, and is expected to come into force nationally on October 1st. The Department for Business and Trade estimates that workers will take home an estimated £200 million more as a result of employers being banned from withholding tips under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023. The Act not only covers cash tips controlled by employers, but those paid via credit or debit cards as well. UK Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “As people face rising living costs, it is no ..read more

This summer Kevin Dalgleish, chef-patron of Amuse in Aberdeen, will be going beyond his restaurant’s doors with the launch of Bespoke Catering by Amuse. Dalgleish’s plan is to bring the same level of excellence he’s achieved at Amuse – one of only three restaurants within Aberdeen to achieve two AA Rosettes – to private catering for special occasions and events. Since opening on Queens Terrace in July 2022, Amuse is said to have been showcasing the best local and regional Scottish produce available from land to sea, with a touch of classic French flavours. As well as its Rosette ..read more