Noble plans
As the Gaelic whisky company hits the big 30,Ian Buxtontakes a trip to Skye to find out what’s next
Guests at the 30th anniversary party for Sir Iain Nobleâs Prà ban na Linne Gaelic whisky company enjoyed two birthday surprises: the sampling of a new 30 year Poit Dhubh limited edition bottling and a trip to the site of the companyâs proposed new distillery.
Prà ban na Linne was established in 1976 by landowner and merchant banker Sir Iain in order to promote the economic regeneration of the Sleat peninsula on Skye, then badly in need of investment and employment.
While other ventures such as a knitwear business and a fish farm have come and gone, Prà ban na Linne has prospered and the socalled âGaelicâ whiskies have proved an international success.
With labelling all in the Gaelic language, the whiskies proved appealing to the local market and subsequently found an enthusiastic reception from tourists and then further afield. France is now the companyâs largest market, especially for the MacNaMara blend, a light and floral blend also available in a rum cask finish.
At the reception the company launched their anniversary bottling â a 30 year old Poit Dhubh un-chill-filtered malt. This is a limited edition bottling, restricted to 720 bottles, all of which are numbered (though, disappointingly for collectors, the edition size is not shown on the label).
However, as Prà ban na Linneâs Sales Manager Gordon Hynd pointed out, this is whisky for drinking, not gathering dust in a cabinet.
âAfter trying various samples our tasting panel unanimously picked the st.....
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By Ian Buxton
Section : Gaelic whisky
Page number : 26
