The Queens Arms Bar is set to host an exciting affair, the Craft Distillers’ Event, on Thursday 28th January 2016 from 7pm. The Festive celebrations will be but a hazy memory and resolutions will be beginning to lose their shine, therefore the aim of our evening is to celebrate the thriving Scottish craft distilling industry. Attendees will get to taste a variety of some of the finest spirits being produced in Scotland today, as well as speak to the individual distillers and find out more about the brands and behind the scenes.

giltValtscreen1This promises to be a truly thrilling event with several of the distillers taking the opportunity to launch new drinks they have been developing. We are lucky to live in a country famed for its spring waters, with all their various mineral properties, an array of botanicals to help impart their flavours and a proud tradition in distilling. Whilst the triumvirate of whisky, gin and vodka will be well represented at the event, there will also be liqueurs and even a rum to try created from distilleries up and down the length of the country.

Tickets will cost £5pp and this will entitle the ticket holder to one drink from the bar (limited to the attending distillers’ products) and canapés throughout the evening, and of course the opportunity to sample any of the spirits on offer.

There will be seven distilleries taking part in the event. Most of them have several different spirits as part of their portfolio, so there will be plenty of flavours to sample. The Queens Arms have kept this event intimate so that attendees can meet the various producers and learn more about the craft distilling process. The distilleries involved are as follows:

  • Edinburgh Gin  Alex Nichol will be bringing along a demi-john with ‘fresh gin’ for people to sample, this is a one-off opportunity.
  • Fraser Liqueur John Smith, formerly Head Blender at Glenmorangie will be attending and is happy to talk to the attendees about the development of the brand as well as any aspects of his life as ‘The Whisky Man’.
  • Strathearn Distillery This is the oldest craft distillery in Scotland and Ricky Christie and Oliver Storrie will be offering their Valt Vodka and Gilt Gin as well as the possibility of launching some new spirits, if they are ready in time.
  • Electric Spirit Gin An exciting new distillery emerging on the Edinburgh scene, James will bring along their gin to be sampled. Based in Leith, Electric Spirit is representing the East to Edinburgh Gin’s West End, so both have Edinburgh covered!
  • Strathleven Distillers A fantastic distillery in Perthshire offering a selection of whiskies and gins.
  • Dark Matter Distillers Jim Ewen and his brother John set up this distillery with first production this year, 2015. It is Scotland’s first craft rum and being a spiced rum, it brings Caribbean flavours to Scottish shores.

For tickets, please contact:

The Queens Arms
49 Frederick Street . Edinburgh . EH2 1EP
0131 225 1045

[email protected]

Opening hours: 11am – 1am Monday-Saturday / 12:30pm – 1am Sundays