Speyside Distillery launches ‘black’ single malt

Speyside Distillery has unveiled its new port cask-finished “black” Scotch whisky brand at Europe’s biggest Harley Davidson motorcycle rally.

Beinn Dubh is said to have a “black” colour resulting from its maturation process in toasted port casks

Beinn Dubh, meaning black mountain in Gaelic, pays homage to Ben Macduim, the highest peak in the Cairngorm mountain range. The peak was dubbed Beinn Dubh by Professor Norman Collie after his climb to the summit in 1891.

The single malt is created using locally sourced barley and is finished in toasted port casks from the Douro Valley in Portugal – resulting in a dark colour.

It was unveiled to more than 3,000 motorbike enthusiasts who gathered in Aviemore in the Cairngorms – the home of the Speyside Distillery – for the annual Thunder in the Glens event on 30 August.

“Like the mountain, the whisky is dark and mysterious. It is very much the whisky of the Cairngorms – the water used in its production is from the black mountain itself, and the malted barley is sourced locally,” said Patricia Dillon, managing director of Speyside Distillers.

“We are deeply passionate about the Cairngorms and our links to this area: the landscape, the history and the people are very much part of the distillery’s story.”

Described as having a flavour of rich fruits, currants and chocolate with a bitter and sweet finish, Beinn Dubh is bottled at 43% abv and carries an RRP of £50.00.

In June last year, Speyside Distillery recruited former Manchester United striker Michael Owen as its new global brand ambassador.