When it comes to whisky tasting events, it’s always interesting to see how producers and brand ambassadors find different ways to engage their audience. After all, there’s only so many ways to tweak the tried and tested standard formula of ‘talk about the whisky, taste the whisky, and repeat’.
Pairing whiskies with food is one common concept, and some visitor centres engage their customers in a full-blown multi-sensory experience. Now a Lowland distillery have recently decided to introduce some drama alongside their drams.
Bladnoch are set to host an on-site theatre-cum-tasting experience this autumn entitled Bladnoch Tasting Notes. The show will chronicle over two centuries of whisky making at the Wigtown distillery. Visitors will be introduced to a raft of characters from Bladnoch’s bygone days, from founders John and Thomas McClelland to current owner and Australian yogurt tycoon David Prior.
The script for Bladnoch Tasting Notes was written by Debora Weston, who has previously worked on ‘Patriot Games’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’
Starring in the show will be actors Mark Kydd and Mark Rannoch, who have previously appeared in ‘Taggart’ and ‘Outlander’ respectively. Rannoch also serves as Bladnoch’s global brand ambassador.
Two single malts will be sampled during the show: Bladnoch Vinaya and their recently released 8 Year Old Double Matured. Vinaya is the Sanskrit word for gratitude and is made in honour of the distillery’s founders, making this a perfectly fitting dram for the history-themed experience.
The production will conclude with with a tutored tasting of the second malt by master distiller Dr Nick Savage. The 8 year old is the inaugural release of Bladnoch’s Double Matured Collection. This particular expression was matured in two different types of American oak wine casks and is said to showcase notes of strawberry jam, polished oak and nutmeg.
Speaking of the upcoming experience, CEO Glen Gribbon said: “working with Debora to develop Bladnoch Tasting Notes has been a wonderful experience. We have a rich and storied past here at Bladnoch Distillery, and Debora’s talent and vision for bringing history to life on the stage has helped us condense 207 years of whisky-making heritage and bold Galloway spirit into one spectacular performance.”
He continued, “Bladnoch Tasting Notes is one of the most significant events in our calendar this year, and we look forward to welcoming guests to the distillery to discover more about the people who shaped our early years.”
The show is scheduled to run for three dates in September - 27th, 28th and 29th. Tickets will be £25 and will go on sale 9th August.
Drams and theatre might not seem like natural bedfellows, but Scotch whisky’s long and interesting history there’s plenty tales to be told. And any good story will find a natural home on the stage.
So, if the Bladnoch show proves to be a hit, maybe keep an eye out for any whisky-themed stage show at next year’s Edinburgh Festival. Who knows - Bladnoch today, Broadway tomorrow…
