DRINK : BONNINGTON CRABBIES WHISKY DISTILLERY, EDINBURGH
I’m not sure if whisky distillery bagging is a thing (like munro bagging) but if it is, then I have clocked up quite a few over the last few years, with my latest one being right here in the middle of Edinburgh, Bonnington Crabbies Distillery on Graham Street.
DRINK - TOUR AND WHISKY TASTING WITH CRABBIES WHISKY, LEITH
You’re more likely to recognise the Crabbies name from Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer and Ginger Wine. John Crabbie was an independent bottler, single malt producer and recognised blender in the 19th century and the brand was strong until the 1960’s when they were bought over by Diageo. A few change of owners later and it is now in the hands of Halewood Artisanal Spirits who’s brands you’ll recognise as Dead Man’s Fingers Rum, Whitley Neill Gin and J.J Whitley Vodka.
BONNINGTON CRABBIES WHISKY DISTILLERY
Bonnington Crabbies Distillery, a Lowland whisky, is a stone’s throw away from the original 1852 site that John Crabbie purchased. It’s a wee distillery tucked in at the very end of Graham Street, challenging staff and delivery drivers on parking and reverse driving. It’s also in the middle of a residential area which restricts hours worked and noise, but they’re such a fab bunch, that they’re quite happy to oblige the restrictions as long as the whisky can continue to be made.
The distillery is compact, with a small yard lined high with barrels. Inside you’ll find two stills, new make spirit and casks cocooning the water of life, waiting patiently on their three year incubation ending so they can then officially be a whisky!
Its a real working distillery who have big ambitious plans. Whisky making is in progress with a small tasting room and building refurbishment soon to be completed.
Dr Kirstie McCallum (previously from Chivas and Bunnahabhain) is Master Blender here. Kirstie likes to experiment, and this coupled with the versatility of the casks currently onsite, is going to be fascinating to watch what wonderful flavour profiles are going to develop over the next few years.
A TOUR WITH KASK WHISKY
After a wander around the distillery, we were off on a Whisky History tour with the great Justine Hazelhurst from Kask Whisky Tours and Tastings. We discovered the whisky world of brokers, blenders and bonders; finding ourselves down side streets and looking at office buildings with a greater understanding of their whisky bonding past. Justine has phenomenal whisky knowledge and is a perfect whisky tour guide.
You may recognise some of these buildings - Sugar Bond House on Anderson Street (location of one of the largest whisky bond warehouses in the UK) and the Yardheads flats on the corner of Great Junction Street and Cables Wynd is where the original Crabbies Ginger Wine HQ was located.
WHISKY TASTING WITH BONNINGTON CRABBIES WHISKY
Coming in from the cold after an hours walk around Leith soaking up whisky history, we headed to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at the Vaults for a Crabbies Whisky Tasting. Five glasses, four whiskies and ginger wine.
We tried
New Make Spirit which was really creamy and full bodied
New make with malt added, creating a sweet peaty whisky
A work in progress; maturing in a Ramandolo Cask, a 12yo Highland whisky. Light and very delicate, almost Summery with berries and vanilla custard coming through. Still got a wee while to mature yet though.
A limited edition whisky that will be released next month. An Orkney peated single malt, 22yo matured in bourbon. There is only one cask which will produce 200 bottles - so one to watch out for.
Not a whisky but Crabbies ginger wine!
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a great place for dinner too. Dishes that night included a starter of Crab with pancetta and samphire; mains of venison with charred leek and dessert of a very Chocolatey Cherry Tart.
Do keep an eye on Crabbies Whisky social media pages for updates on new releases and when the new distillery will be open for tours and tastings.
www.instagram.com/crabbieswhisky