Explore The UK’s Unique And Idyllic Spirit Tourism Destinations

Bacardi Limited has today announced that its British distillery experiences will reopen to the public on Monday 20^th July with adapted health and safety measures in place in line with the current situation in the UK. 

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease across the nation, the family-owned spirits company will open the doors to its beautiful distilleries for the first time in four months. Both the iconic BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Distillery at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire and the DEWAR’S Distillery in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland are ready to welcome guests back for a socially-distanced experience. Located in some of the most idyllic settings in the UK, each destination celebrates the individual culture and character of its region and offers a day trip experience like no other.

Visitors to both destinations can once again enjoy whisky tastings and gin cocktail masterclasses as well as guided tours, now operating at a reduced capacity. With the health and safety of staff and visitors the top priority, facilities including the museum, bar and gift-shop areas have been carefully adapted with the addition of Perspex screens at till points, reduced door touchpoints and hand sanitisation stations throughout. Temperature checks will be conducted on arrival and facemasks will be provided and must be worn at all times when exploring the distilleries to help promote the safety of both staff and visitors alike. All visitors are asked to book in advance to avoid disappointment as tours and tastings are running at reduced capacity.

A video explaining the new social distancing and safety measures in place at both distilleries can be found on the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Laverstoke Distillery and DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery websites.

Anne Brock, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Master Distiller said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be reopening the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Distillery at Laverstoke Mill to the public. The health and safety of our visitors and staff are always our number one priority so we’ve been stringent about introducing new measures and procedures throughout the site to promote this. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the distillery and allowing people to discover more about our iconic gin in this idyllic Hampshire setting, right where we make every drop.”

So, with day trips finally back on the cards, why not explore these jaw-dropping locations and lose yourself in the culture and history of some of your favourite spirits…

• 

• 

• 

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Distillery
Hampshire, England

Located in a leafy conservation area on Hampshire’s River Test and within a day-trip’s distance of London, the state-of-the-art, sustainability award-winning BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Distillery will reopen on Monday 20^th July with new health and safety measures in place. Located amongst the breath-taking landscape of rolling Hampshire hills, it is hard to believe the distillery is just 60 miles from London.

Pre-booked guests can explore the stunning Heatherwick Studio designed botanical Glasshouses – a perfect juxtaposition to the surrounding Georgian and Victorian architecture. A selection of unique souvenirs and bespoke gifts are available to buy from the shop having enjoyed one of the pre-bookable experiences on offer.

Tours and masterclasses on offer at the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Distillery include: 

• The Discovery Experience – discover the ten exotic, sustainably-sourced botanicals in BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin and learn about the unique vapour infusion process on this guided distillery tour. Visitors will explore the distillery Glasshouses and Botanical Dry Room and see the Dakin Still House in action before enjoying a complimentary cocktail in the stunning outdoor grounds.
• The Gin Cocktail Masterclass – the perfect interactive session on cocktail culture providing the opportunity to learn and create cocktails with the specially-trained Gin Experts.

With local delights such as the Michelin Star restaurant The Black Rat and The Woodspeen Cookery School, it makes for an ideal daytrip or weekend away for those looking to escape the big smoke. Forest Holidays offer premium self-catering cabins in the nearby Blackwood Forest or for rooms with country style interiors, the renowned Watership Down Inn is situated just a stone’s throw from the distillery. 

The online shop remains open offering a selection of gifts including bespoke engraved bottles of both BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and new BOMBAY BRAMBLE™ to send a personalised message for friends and loved-ones along with a taste of the world-famous gin.

DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery
Highland Perthshire, Scotland

Nestled within a lush valley in the foothills of the Central Highlands of Scotland, DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery will reopen on Monday 20^th July with new health and safety measures in place. Though the distillery is a bastion of traditional whisky-making in a region where few distilleries remain, it is easily accessible from all major cities, from Edinburgh to Inverness.

In recent years, many of the traditional features of this beautiful and historic building – built by the sons of Scottish businessman and Scotch whisky pioneer, John Dewar in 1896 – have been brought to life in new, ingenious ways for whisky lovers to experience. The original Malting House, for instance, has been transformed into the beautiful Whisky Lounge and Bar, both of which will reopen exclusively to guests booked onto an experience. New social distancing measures and zones allow visitors to relax and raise a dram with one of the DEWAR’S or ABERFELDY® whiskies on offer in comfort. 

ABERFELDY whisky, expertly crafted on site, makes up the heart of America’s best-selling Scotch whisky, DEWAR’S which is expertly matured and blended by Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod. Just this month, Stephanie won ‘Master Blender of the Year’ at the International Whisky Competition. 

Pre-bookable experiences guests can enjoy at DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery include:

• Aberfeldy Tour – Join this distillery tour to discover how the beautifully balanced single malt at the heart of Dewar’s Scotch is made before trying a complimentary sample for yourself
• Cask Tasting Tour – Sample a rare and exclusively aged ABERFELDY single cask malt whisky from the cask in the warehouse. You will also receive a complimentary glass to take home.
• Whisky Connoisseur’s Tour – Take a guided tour of the distillery to discover how ABERFELDY Single Malt is created and finished with a tasting, of five its finest Scotch whiskies, in the whisky lounge 

The interactive heritage museum will also reopen with a reduced capacity. Visitors can access the experience via a dramatic ‘stave tunnel’ installation, made from oak casks and showcasing vintage memorabilia, signs and advertising campaigns – allowing guests to explore items from the archive and discover the story of the Dewar family and their pursuit of whisky perfection.

The Distillery Shop also offers pre-booked guests a unique opportunity to ‘fill your own’ bottle from the cask – including the ABERFELDY 40-Year-Old, the distillery’s oldest expression yet. Approximately 400 bottles are available and the ultra-premium, hands-on experience makes for a wonderful gifting opportunity or a whisky collector’s dream day. 

There’s plenty to explore in the surrounding area, including tasting velvet truffles at the Highland Chocolatier or hopping on board the Highland Safari where you can search for rare wildlife and marvel at the breath-taking scenery at nearly 3000 feet. Plus, for the adventurous during the summer months, there’s even white water rafting nearby! Mains of Taymouth and Aberfeldy Cottages offer luxury self-catering accommodation nearby, with further standard and deluxe hotel rooms available just a short walk away at The Townhouse Aberfeldy.

Those unable to make it to the Highlands, can order a taste of what’s available direct to their home via the online shop. Gifts include a Triple Tasting Pack of three remarkable Scotch whiskies from DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery, complete with an invite to an exclusive virtual tastings with the Global Malts Ambassador, Georgie Bell. 

ADDRESS: DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2EB, Scotland

HOW TO GET THERE: By car, Join the A9 to the Ballinluig junction and follow the A827 to Aberfeldy. By public transport, there is a bus service from Perth (number 23) which stops outside the distillery on request. By train, the nearest train station is Pitlochry where you can get a bus or pre-booked taxi. 

Source: Bacardi

  Anne Brock, Bombay Sapphire, Dewar’s, Experiential, Spirits