A MORAY DISTILLERY has come up with a unique method of rewarding drivers who visit their Aberlour premises but are unable to sample the final product.
It has been an issue for distillery tour visitors for years – someone has to do the driving, and as such cannot end their tour in the traditional fashion.
Now the Aberlour Distillery Visitor Centre supervisor Rikki Scott has come up with the idea of rewarding responsibility by producing a ‘designated driver’ kit that is proving so popular the original batch of 1000 were quickly snapped up.
“Our internationally-acclaimed distillery tours feature nosings and tastings of some of the most prestigious expressions of Aberlour,” Rikki said, adding: “It includes priceless drams ordinarily not available to the public.
“I did not want anyone to miss out on this experience so I went about developing and designing the kit.”
For just £3 drivers unable to take part in tastings can now wait until they get home or back to their holiday hotels. The kits consist of six bottles, a funnel and a carry bag – with distillery owners Chivas Brothers now putting an order in for 6000 kits to meet demand.
The move has been welcomed at a time when the lowering of the drink drive limit in Scotland has been shown to be particularly effective, forcing motorists to think again before taking any alcohol when driving.
Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart commented: “Educating drivers to take home samples after visiting distilleries is a win, win for all concerned.
“The driver of families, or groups visiting distilleries, can now enjoy and sample the iconic drinks once they are safely home. This innovative project is a perfect example of responsible drinking.”
As well as the Aberlour distillery Rikki’s kits will be available from all Chivas visitor centres at Stathisla, Glenlivet and Scapa in Orkney.