Diageo has launched the first International Scotch Day, a global celebration of Scotch whisky.
Taking place on Friday, 10 February, it invites people to “raise a glass of Scotch” to celebrate Scotland’s top export and aims to get more drinkers interested in Scottish whisky.
To mark the occasion, Diageo is opening the doors to its 12 distillery visitor centres across Scotland – Blair Athol, Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Glen Ord, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar and Talisker – with free tours available on Friday, 10 February. (Full details can be found at www.discovering-distilleries.com).
Diageo will also give lucky individuals the unique chance to visit its colossal global drinks archive, The Diageo Archive at Glenochil House in Menstrie – which will host its first ever public open day.
A true treasure trove for whisky lovers, the archive is home to over half a million items including documents, advertising material, bottles, books and memorabilia relating to global brands such as Johnnie Walker.
Ronan Beirne, Global Marketing Director from Diageo, said, “We have launched International Scotch Day to shine a spotlight on the Scotch whisky category, and to help raise awareness and deepen knowledge of Scotch around the world.
There can be over 100 different whiskies in a blended Scotch #LoveScotch #InternationalScotchDay pic.twitter.com/WshDt7DyJV
— #LoveScotch (@LoveScotch) February 3, 2017
“Scotch has been built on its integrity, quality and authenticity and no other spirit can offer the same range of tastes, textures and flavours.”
He added, “Trends come and go but Scotch has been cool since forever and we feel it’s time to properly celebrate that.”
The event takes place ahead of World Whisky Day, launched by Blair Bowman in 2012, which will be held 20 May this year.