Angus distillery Gin Bothy has launched its first ever whisky, after unveiling a brand new production facility believed to be one of the most remote in Scotland.
The Gunshot whisky range — an eight-year-old blend and a scotch liqueur — is the first in a proposed set of releases by the Glamis firm.
Ultimately, the distillery will produce a 12 year aged single malt from Gin Bothy’s new site, nestled between Munros Driesh and Mayar on the old smugglers road in Glen Prosen.
It follows significant financial investment into Bothy Trading by Dundee FC owners Tim Keyes and John Nelms, and fellow American John Neace announced earlier this month.
Gin Bothy whisky
The new distillery lies on land managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).
Bothy Trading director Kim Cameron, who started off making jams and preserves, said keeping the distillery as environmentally sustainable as possible was key.
The distillery will be powered eventually by hydroelectricity and the materials used to make the award-winning gin and new whisky will be sourced locally.
“This is an amazing opportunity for Gin Bothy and the team. We are super excited to bring this to life at Glen Prosen,” Kim said.
“All of our drink products will now be made in our new distillery. The gin stills move in over the next few weeks and we get the keys to the rest of the site on February 1.
“We then will start production on our single malt whisky in 2025.”
Bothy Trading also owns Jam Bothy and the Bothy Experience in Glamis.
Scottish whisky worth billions
Scotland’s whisky industry boosted the country’s economy by more than £7.1 billion, most recent figures show.
Kim said the recent investment provided by Dark Blue Property Holdings allows her to explore routes into the country’s burgeoning Scotch market.
Around 300 barrels of the amber bead will be produced a year from the Glen Prosen site.
Kim’s bid to turn the distillery into a top visitor destination are under way, including plans to build an immersive whisky retreat and start guided walks and foraging events.
“Whisky has been something I’ve always been keen to do, but I didn’t have the knowledge or the team or the financial investment required to do it,” she said.
“But now that investment has been secured, we have pulled together our whisky project team with some of the finest whisky minds in Scotland.
“And it has given us the confidence and the ability to drive this project forward.
“The whisky will be aged to 12 years, which is what we have forecast currently. So this is a long term, sustainable investment for the glen.”
Angus Glens opportunity
The distillery forms part of FLS’s wider strategy to create new jobs and bring economic benefits to the Angus glens.
FLS programme manager Christine Reid added: “We are excited to welcome The Gin Bothy into Glen Prosen.
“The business has strong local roots that will only be enhanced by moving to the glen and we anticipate this new venture will support existing and new jobs in the area as well as fostering sustainable tourism.
“Discussions with several other interested parties keen to set up in FLS Glen Prosen are at an advanced stage and we look forward to connecting more people with the evolving landscape restoration here.”
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