Fife golf club and whisky distiller combine for cask to mark a special anniversary
Golf and whisky, two traditions deeply rooted in Fife, are coming together as Crail Golfing Society lays down a special cask of Lindores Abbey whisky to mark its 250th anniversary -a decade from now.
The whisky will mature over the next ten years before being bottled to commemorate the Society's 250th anniversary in 2036, creating a unique tribute to both the club's rich heritage and its future generations of members.
Founded in 1786, it is one of the world’s oldest golf clubs, dating back to the very origins of the game. Lindores Abbey is equally rooted in history, revered as the spiritual home of Scotch whisky, with the earliest known written reference to Scotch whisky, dating to 1494.
Society minutes from 1789 records that members who declined to partake in the post-golf punch bowl could be fined a ‘mutchkin of punch’.
The spirit of conviviality that characterised those early gatherings remains central to the Society today.
Derek Park, club captain, said: “When we came to consider how best to mark our anniversary, a cask of Lindores whisky seemed a fitting choice. We like to think those founders would approve of a fine Fife whisky being laid down for future generations to enjoy”
Working with Matt Hastie, Lindores’ cask custodian, the society selected an ex-Oloroso Sherry barrel, filled with Lindores Abbey New Make Spirit. Previously used for Oloroso Sherry in Jerez, Spain, the cask is expected to bring rich dried-fruit and chocolate characteristics to Lindores’ naturally fruit-forward spirit.
Matt noted: “Rich and spicy, both sweet and dry at the same time, with dried fruit, chocolate and wood all merging together. Perfect when it’s cold, wet and dark outside - or just when you need a comforting dram after a day on the course.”
The cask forms part of Lindores Abbey Distillery’s cask ownership programme, which offers individuals, families, businesses and organisations the opportunity to create their own whiskies. Owners can select their cask size and flavour profile, attend exclusive cask-owner events, visit their cask during maturation and ultimately create a personalised bottling.