The world's first 100% community-owned distillery has launched its inaugural whisky, the first to be made in Dingwall in almost a century.
GlenWyvis Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the first whisky to be produced in the area since the last whisky distillery, Ben Wyvis, closed its doors in 1926.
The team at GlenWyvis Distillery said just 3,600 individually numbered bottles of their new three-year-old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky have been allocated to GlenWyvis Distillery shareholders, whose investment enabled the build and development of the distillery.
A further 2,000 bottles were available to pre-order in October 2020 and sold out almost immediately.
200 bottles will also be made available at selected local retailers and on-trade premises throughout Scotland.
Made from a batch of 18 casks, including 15 first fill ex-Tennessee whiskey (80%), two first-fill ex-Moscatel (15%) and one refill Hogshead (5%), the distilling team say the grain-forward whisky showcases the "unique fruitiness" of extra-long fermentation.
The new whisky comes in at 50% ABV, is non-chill filtered, and has no colouring added.
Describing the whisky, Distillery Manager Matthew Farmer stated that on the nose, the whisky is "light and floral with a hint of malty sweetness", while the palate brings a burst of "rich stone-fruit, giving way to brown sugar", with a finish of lingering vanilla balanced with ripe orchard fruit.
He added that they are excited to be launching their first whisky, he said: "Our journey over the past few years and the creation of GlenWyvis Distillery is thanks to our many shareholders so it is only fitting that they will be among the first to try our first whisky.
“The 2018 distillation of 18 casks has produced a delicious whisky. Young whisky brings you so close to the grain - this is the first step, and it is pure GlenWyvis. This first step is part of a long journey for GlenWyvis Distillery, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.”
Board Chairman David Graham added: “Present and past directors will join me in expressing real pride and admiration for the dedicated GlenWyvis team on reaching this significant milestone and producing Dingwall’s first whisky in almost 100 years.
“Our small team has worked with passion to produce a fantastic product for all our shareholders and customers, and I look forward to raising a dram to each and every one of them and to the future of GlenWyvis Distillery.”
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