Kingscliff Outdoor Centre - a Whisky Embassy - gets a taste of Glen Garioch.

Full article originally published in the Press and Journal of 14th January 2009

METHLICK outdoor activities centre and pub that was last year awarded Whisky Embassy status will be staging its first whisky tasting this week.

Glen Garioch Distillery head brewer Kenny Grant will host Friday's tutored tasting of malts from the award-winning range produced at nearby Oldmeldrum. The distillery was started at Oldmeldrum in 1797 to take advantage of the fine grain grown in the farming area.

Mr Grant regularly leads tours of the distillery that is the closest to Aberdeen, with Glen Garioch having been put firmly on the tourist map three years ago with the opening of a £500,000 visitor centre created from a former cooperage.

The free tasting evening at Kingscliff will start at 7pm and the skilled brewer will provide an expert insight into the creation of distinctive malts ranging from eight to more than 40 years old. Kingscliff owner and event organiser Louisa Harry Thomas said the Whisky Embassy label involved specialist training for staff in Scottish whiskies and stocking a selection of premier malts, such as Glen Garioch.

"The neighbouring distillery has a wonderful range, and the pub is a perfect venue to introduce both private and corporate visitors to it as well as local customers.
"We hope this will be only the first of many events promoting Scotland's whiskies."

"The location of the distillery is of prime importance to the character of the single malt it produces," said Glen Garioch brand manager Mari Ann Laidlaw. She said the whisky tasting event was a perfect way of joining forces to promote the area's brands and businesses.

Places will be limited for Friday's tasting and talk, and should be booked in advance by contacting Kingscliff on 01651 806375.

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• Glen Garioch scotch whisky distillery