Press Release
"Cabrach Distillery, which has just started operations in a forgotten corner of Scotland, is 100% owned by the Cabrach Trust and is registered as a CIC - Community Interested Company, the only one of its kind. Every penny earned is paid to the trust and used to revive the almost depopulated region of "The Cabrach", which comprises several isolated valleys.
The "Cabrach" was once the cradle of whisky distillery in Speyside with many illicit stills that were operated in secret, far away from larger settlements. They were the nucleus of the development that Speyside took after whisky distilling was legalized, leading to its current enormous concentration of distilleries.
But Cabrach could not take part in this, as this place is too remote and is regularly cut off from the outside world in winter.
The Cabrach Trust was founded in 2013 to preserve the region's cultural heritage and history and to create economic and social development potential and jobs. Under the leadership of Grant Gordon, a philanthropist and socially committed entrepreneur with a lot of whisky experience in his family's company (William Grants & Sons), the Trust developed into a dynamic community with a wide range of activities.
The high point of this development so far is certainly the commissioning of the Trust's own whisky distillery, which is wholly owned by the Trust, on the grounds of the 170-acre historic Inverharroch Farm. With grants and donations, the Trust succeeded in transforming the old farm walls into a craft distillery designed entirely according to traditional models.
On October 25, 2024, the time had come: the pretty distillery went into operation, with a 2500-liter wash still and an 1800-liter spirit still, as well as traditional external worm tubs. In addition, there is a small 1250-liter still, which is directly fired and reflects the type of distillation in the Cabrach in the early 19th century.
Of course, it is still too early to present a self-produced whisky, but there is still a first bottling from the Cabrach Trust to present - created by none other than Alan Winchester (ex Master Blender of Glenlivet Distillery) and actually with donated barrels from surrounding distilleries! A Speyside Blended Malt that is definitely unique in its composition
Whisky with distillates from four renowned distilleries and ideally suited to spreading the word about Cabrach Distillery and using the proceeds to help finance the distillery's production.
And so Alba Import is presenting exclusively for the first time outside Scotland:
The Feering "Early Harvest" Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% abv
A blended malt Scotch whisky, masterfully blended by a well-known figure in the whisky world, as smooth as butter, pleasing to the palate and very drinkable.
Bottled in natural color and without cold filtration, at 46% abv drinking strength.
The edition is 6000 bottles, some of which are now available on the German market through Alba Import, the very first international partner of Cabrach Distillery.
"The Feering" refers to the first furrow plowed into a field, which is the benchmark and orientation for all that follow.
With "Early Harvest", Alba Import is presenting the first of three planned The Feering releases. The distillery's plans include a second and third version for 2025 and 2026 respectively, and after that the first self-produced single malt is to be launched.
Dietmar Schulz, Managing Director of Alba Import:
"After the Isle of Harris Distillery with its drive to create as many jobs as possible on the remote island of Harris, "The Cabrach Distillery CIC" is going one step further with social commitment.
We are delighted that we can now contribute to this special story as a partner of the only distillery in Scotland registered as a Community Interested Company - a perfect match for our Vibrant Stills portfolio.
We have also known the Cabrach for many years, as we have always been attracted not only by the nature, but also by the "Grouse Inn", which is known far beyond the region's borders, with its spectacular whisky bar.
Closed today, it is waiting in a kind of Sleeping Beauty sleep for the revival of Cabrach and with the opening of the Cabrach Distillery there is now a glimmer of hope, because the distillery with visitor centre and community cafe will certainly attract new visitors to Cabrach."
The Feering will be available at German specialist retailers and online specialist retailers."
Contact
Corinna Schwarz
ALBA Import oHG
Alte Dorfstraße 33
D – 21640 Nottensdorf
e-mail: alba-import@t-online.de
web:Â www.albaimport.de
Impressions by Cabrach Distillery Trust
All Photos Courtesy of Cabrach Distillery Trust
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