Visit to Strathearn Distillery

Tuesday evening 12th November saw some club members travel up to Methven near Perth for a visit to the newly opened smallest distillery in Scotland.

Club Member Bill Sharpe had arranged the visit with one of his neighbours Tony Reeman Clark, one of the directors at the distillery.

The distillery is a bit off the beaten track, which did cause Bill and his waggon train a wee diversion as they visited an adjacent farm for a 'U' turn.

The distillery shares premises with Blue Sky Thinking, an events company, where we were treated to an excellent buffet and Tony gave a brief history.

We were then taken on a guided tour both of the distillery and of the events areas, Blue Sky cater for outdoor activities and all were amazed at the size of the welly boot store, maybe 100 wellies.

Then into the Brew House where locally grown and malted barley are fermented in micro conditions, making a mash to be distilled in Portugese stills for setting down in 50 litre barrels.

It is planned that beer will be brewed and Gin is already been distilled.

Tony and Christian, the head distiller, explained the processes in fascinating detail and answered questions put by the Members, then it was back inside for the Gin tasting.

Strathearn have set down about fifteen 50 litre casks of whisky and are bottling two gins, one a Caledonian Classic which is clear with a hint of aniseed, the other is a faint whisky colour until tonic is added when it turns a pink colour, from its Heather Rose base.

President Colin thanked Tony and Christian for a great evening and wished them well with their venture.