Falkland business unveils first single rare malts at renowned whisky festival

Saltire Rare Malt (SRM) introduced them at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival staged recently, and the limited editions are now on sale in the royal burgh as well as being offered to the domestic and international markets.

The business, run by the Falkland duo of Keith Rennie and Nigel Haywood, has a collection of over 250 handpicked casks stored in bond - and the Aultmore, Glen Moray and Tamnavuilin are the first to be released on the market. Each has a strictly limited number of no more than 350, and retail from £75 to £105 per bottle.

The business has appointed David McCallum as UK and Europe brand ambassador, and announced the internationally known Whisky Couple - Hans and Becky Offringa - as curators. Hans is an international author and whisky expert who has worked in the industry for 30 years, while Becky is a co-author of numerous whisky books and a judge at the Scottish Whisky Awards.

Hans said: “We have never before connected our name so clearly to a specific whisky company but really felt this is the time and the opportunity to do so. The stock is of excellent quality and from a wide variety of distilleries.”

The single rare malts are on sale in the town’s deli and also at the Covenanters Arms, and that local link is important - it comes 530 years after the official birth of Scotch in 1494, at Falkland Palace.Said Mr Rennie: “We thought it was the right time to release the first bottlings of Saltire Rare Malt, and in the Whisky Couple we have found the perfect team to curate our stock.”

Each bottle will carry a small statement about their involvement as well as tasting notes, and the response at the 25th annual Speyside festival was very positive.

SRM’s initial targets are the Scottish and UK markets, but the aspiration is to go into Europe and beyond in a big way. David’s role will be to focus on introducing it to consumers and the trade industry.

He said; “I am excited to join the project to bring a new independent bottler to the market with Saltire Rare Malt single cask bottlings released only when ready, at a minimum of 48.8% abv or higher, and at age 14 years or older.”