Byron's poetry captured in a whisky bottle

Speyside Distillery has launched a limited edition release to commemorate Lord Byron’s 200th wedding anniversary.

Matured in port casks, just 200 cases – 1,200 bottles – have been produced.

The small distillery at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains claims an historic link to George Gordon Byron, who is said to have gifted a cask of his favourite Spey whisky to King George III to celebrate the occasion of his wedding in 1815 to Lady Annabelle Millbanke - a union that was to last less than two years.

Speyside Distillery chief executive officer John Harvey McDonough believes that Lord Byron - who was known to enjoy a dram - would have approved of the gesture.

He says: “It is a fascinating part of our history and one of which we are incredibly proud. It is understood that when Lord Byron wed at Seaham Hall in Northumberland, a cask of Spey whisky was sent down to Kew Palace in London as a gift for the King. A replica of the cask remains in Seaham Hall, where Spey has a mini museum in the cellar.”

“My wife Joanna and I, in collaboration with The Lord Byron Society, designed the Spey / Lord Byron pack to commemorate the 200 year Anniversary of Lord Byron's wedding to Lady Isabella Millbanke at Seaham Hall in 1815. My grandfather used Seaham Hall in the 1920's as a local Whisky trader and rediscovered the majestic history. We designed the bottle to reflect Lord Byron's livid and lovely eye catching poetry - captured in a whisky bottle.

Spey Lord Byron is 46% ABV, with an RRP of £95.

21 December 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor