If spending an evening with a whisky distiller, learning the secrets of their craft, while travelling on a boat, with cocktails, whisky and food, sounds appealing to you then you should seriously consider checking out Whisky on Water.
Running Tuesday to Sunday throughout August, the Fringe event is the result of a collaboration between Solid Liquids – who run regular gin cruises on the Union Canal – and the Dewar’s Whisky ‘Scotch Egg Club'.
transform . During a leisurely two-hour meander along the canal you get to sample various whiskies from Dewar’s stable, paired with everything from scotch eggs to cheese to chocolate. A perfect way to unwind after a day full of Fringe frivolity.
Whisky on Water transforms the Lochrin Belle narrow boat into a floating history of whisky, with a two-hour cruise (beginning at 7pm) along the Union Canal punctuated by Cocktails and whiskies matched to locally sourced Gourmet foods.
Join Solid Liquids Head of Drinks Education Jamie Shields and Single Malt Distiller Craig Johnstone (@WhiskyCraig) as they guide everyone through three Gourmet cocktails and three Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from the Aberfeldy, The Deveron and Craigellachie Distilleries, with each dram being matched to cheese, chocolate or a Scotch Egg.
Craig Johnstone said: "We explore the stories behind the Dewars blended whiskies, Edinburgh's lesser known history of whisky making and some of the tales and stories picked up from 14 years in the whisky industry."
The distiller added that the first set of cruises have been "great fun", he said: "Jamie and I get to share whiskies that were produced by combining the skills of hundreds of craftsmen and craftswomen and use them to bring together strangers from all over the world.
"It is also a very rare chance to speak to someone who has made single malt whisky and ask any burning questions about our national drink. No questions are off limit as we, the hosts, have nowhere to go. It is on a boat after all.
"Throw in some Gourmet cocktails and a leisurely cruise along the canal with a Scotch Egg in hand and you have a whisky experience like no other."
The Drinks Lineup:
• Dewars 12 and Ginger
• Aberfeldy 12 year old
• The Deveron 12 year old
• Craigellachie 13 year old
• Dramble cocktail
• The Deveron Old Fashioned
Tickets are priced at just £35 per person from the Fringe Box Office with the cruise leaving from the Basin of the Union Canal near Fountainbridge.
