Last month, the incredible team at RAER Spirits hosted the grand opening of their Jackton Distillery, and our Whisky Ambassador (and all-around spirits afficianado) James Gillies had the pleasure of joining them.
Upon arriving at Jackton Distillery, it felt celebratory right away, as the East Kilbride Pipe Band were creating a wonderful atmosphere by welcoming the VIP guests with airs and marches.
Jaynie Kean, one of the directors, greeted the guests outside the new Tasting Bar, checked everyone in for their allocated distillery tour, and then insisted that we enter the new premises for free food and drink, and an opportunity to relax either within the bar or out on the patio – yes, it was actually warm and sunny!
Just prior to each tour time, Max McAneny, Director of Operations, gathered the relevant guests together, and Katie O'Brien, Sales & Tourism Director, led the group towards the production building – whilst being piped-in by a solo bagpiper.
The tour began in the Milling Room, where Matthew Harkness, Brewer/Distiller, explained the process of converting the malted barley into grist.
Katie then led us back to the production area, where she explained the Mashing process, and then handed us over to Colin McLean, Key Account Manager, who took us through the Fermentation process, whilst showing us the six washbacks used to do so.
Katie then led us down to the stills, where Marc Macleod, Production Manager, explained both the Distillation and Maturation processes. At this point, the guests were then provided with a sample of new-make spirit; which is deliciously fruity.
Next up was a visit to the Blending Lab – which very few distilleries ever allow visitors to see – with a run-through of what happens in there by Katie.
Finally, the group were led out of the production building, and taken across to the Bonded Warehouse, which contains an amazing assortment of cask types, and houses the maturing spirit which will, eventually, become RAER's Lowland Single Malt Whisky. As Katie explained that the very first cask was filled on the 12th of February in 2020, those original casks already contain 'whisky', seeing as the spirit has been maturing for more than three years.
At the conclusion of the tour, which was exceptionally well presented, the guests were encouraged to re-visit the Tasting Bar, where fresh food was being laid out, and the bar staff were more than happily providing RAER spirits and cocktails for consumption in, what is, a fantastic venue.
If you, too, want to experience the delights of RAER Spirits at their home in Jackton, you can book tours on their website. And if you'd like to sample their spirits in your own home, you can shop their RAER gin, vodka and blended Scotch Whiskies online and in-store at Geraldo's.
