‘Liquid Antiquarians’ Dave Broom and Arthur Motley will join Aberargie Distillery for an exclusive tasting event in Edinburgh this week.
The renowned whisky writers will preside over a tasting and Q&A at The Balmoral Hotel’s Scotch whisky bar this Wednesday, 9 September, where guests will be among the first to try two new whiskies produced using barley grown on the Morrison family’s 300-acre farm in Perthshire.
The two keenly anticipated new single malts are the two Aberargie Expressions Golden Promise and Laureate, named after the barley varieties used in their distillation.
Broom and Motley will be joined by Niel Hendrikz of Aberargie Distillery for an afternoon exploring Perthshire’s forgotten whisky history and the region’s links between farming and distilling.
Broom and Motley’s The Liquid Antiquarian project uncovers stories about whisky’s history, production and culture through original research and historical sources.
Their latest research explores the decline of whisky production in Perthshire and the distilleries, people and communities that once played an important part in the region’s industry.
The pair approached Aberargie Distillery as the starting point for their research because of its close connection to farming and its location on the Morrison family’s working farm.
That new research will shape the conversation at The Balmoral, with guests invited to learn more about Perthshire’s lost distilleries and how Aberargie could represent a new chapter for whisky production in the region.
Broom said: “Arthur and I have always been fascinated by the stories that lie beneath the surface of whisky history – the people, places and distilleries that have, in many cases, disappeared from view.
“When we began looking into Perthshire’s whisky history, it quickly became clear that the relationship between farming and distilling was an important part of that story.
“That is what made Aberargie such a natural place to begin. Here you have a distillery where the connection to the land is not simply part of the story; it is fundamental to how the whisky is made,” said Broom.
“The team are both farmers and distillers, growing the barley and following its journey through to the spirit. It provides a fascinating link between Perthshire’s distilling past and what could be its future.”
The event takes place just days before the official launch of Aberargie Expressions on 15 September. The new barley-to-bottle series explores how different barley varieties can influence a whisky’s flavour and character.
Guests will taste both Aberargie Golden Promise and Aberargie Laureate side by side, offering them the chance to explore the differences between the two single malts made at the same distillery using different barley varieties.
