Highland Rye Whisky launches its 1794 Signature Whisky

let’s begin

Highland Rye whisky, the world’s only Rye Scotch Whisky has launched its 2020 release as 1794 celebrating the Arbikie Distillery’s heritage back over two hundred years on the east coast of Scotland. Following the successful launch of limited editions of Highland Rye in 2018 and 2019, the distillery is now launching its 1794 Highland Rye, its signature rye that combines the unique use of rye with charred American oak.

Unlike the previous limited-editions, 1794 was not finished in a further cask, but matured in lively, virgin oak casks creating a whisky with a nose of fresh cloves, nutmeg, Christmas cake spices, creamy butterscotch and a taste of cinnamon and a spicy burst tempered by sweet muscovado sugar and fresh honey. As with any whisky, barrel type has a major influence on taste, and the new charred American oak imparts a rich colour and flavour to complement the selection of rye, wheat and malted barley grains.

When Arbikie launched their first, limited-edition Highland Rye in 2018 it saw the revival of rye whisky in Scotland, the first rye scotch for nearly two hundred years. Other distilleries, such as Bruichladdich and InchDairnie are expected to launch their rye whiskies soon resulting in the emergence a potential new rye whisky category.Having won ‘Newcomer Whisky Distillery of the Year’ in 2019, Arbikie Distillery recently won the coveted ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ at the Scottish Whisky Awards against fantastic competition in Diageo and Tomatin Distillery. This was a very significant award for the Stirling brothers who launched the family distillery business in 2014 with the aims of becoming one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries, and to distil one of the world’s best whiskies.

Arbikie Export Director, Iain Stirling commented: “We are delighted with the progress we have made with our Highland Rye Whisky. In a few years, from our launch limited-edition to expanding into major whisky markets, such as Canada and the US, to now launching our signature 1794 Edition, it’s a very exciting time at Arbikie as we look for further expansion in the Middle East and Asia.”

Highland Rye recently agreed a new distribution deal in Canada with Southern Glazer and is now stocked in British Columbia at BC Liquor Stores, the prestigious state drinks monopoly.

The Stirling family has been farming for over 400 years and brothers, Iain, John, Sandy and David carry on the Stirling tradition of being custodians of their lands by reviving their farm’s distant history of field-to-bottle distillation in 1794. Arbikie has capitalised on the rising demand for terroir, provenance-focused luxury spirits by using both the existing crops on their farm and by growing new crops to create unrivalled traceability in their products.

Notes

Arbikie Distillery is a unique, sustainable, field-to-bottle distiller as they grow, distil, mature and bottle their family of spirits at the Arbikie Farm Distillery. They distil the world’s only climate-positive gin & vodka, Nadar which remove 1.5kg of carbon for each bottle. They have won numerous world awards for their family of spirits and their AK’s Gin was World Martini Champion in 2018.

Arbikie’s customers include The Savoy, Oriole, Connaught, Aman Resorts, Four Seasons, Dorchester Collection, Rosewood, Soho House, Ennismore/Gleneagles, Whole Foods, Harrods, the Ritz, Harvey Nichols, The Gibson, The Fat Duck & Jumeirah Hotels.

More info on Highland Rye at www.highlandryewhisky.com & on Arbikie at: www.arbikie.com

Tags: 1794 Signature WhiskyHighlandRye Whisky

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.