GlenWyvis launches first single malt whisky

GlenWyvis Distillery in Scotland has launched its first whisky.

The 100 per cent community-owned distillery has released its three-year-old GlenWyvis Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which the team says is a "pure" expression of distillery character.

Some 3,600 individually numbered bottles were allocated to GlenWyvis Distillery shareholders, by way of thanks for their investment and support. A further 2,000 bottles were available to pre-order in October 2020 and sold out in a matter of minutes.

For those who missed out on the pre-sale, 200 bottles will also be available at selected local retailers and on-trade premises across Scotland.

The grain-forward single malt whisky was made from a batch of 18 casks: 15 first-fill ex-Tennessee whiskey, two first-fill ex-Moscatel and a refill hogshead. GlenWyvis says the whisky - which is bottled at 50% ABV and non-chill filtered - has distinctive fruity notes from its long fermentation time.

While the distillery is remarkable for its community-owned structure, GlenWyvis' inaugural release holds its own accolade: it is the first whisky to be produced in Dingwall in almost 100 years, since the Ben Wyvis distillery closed its doors in 1926.

GlenWyvis distillery manager Matthew Farmer said: "We are so excited to be launhcing GlenWyvis Distillery's first whisky. 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."

David Graham, board chairman, 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."

10 December 2021 - Bethany Whymark