Edradour Caledonia Launched To Mark Year of Homecoming

[John]

A new whisky to mark the Year of Homecoming was launched by Alex Salmond at Scotland's smallest distillery yesterday.

The latest bottling from the Edradour Distillery, at Pitlochry in Perthshire, is a special limited-edition cask "Caledonia"? whisky.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotch whisky is an iconic symbol at times of celebration both at home and abroad - from toasting the Bard at a Burns supper to a dram at Hogmanay. It is a key part of our Year of Homecoming and I'm delighted to visit Edradour to celebrate the launch of this very special whisky to mark our celebrations."?

He was joined by singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean, author of the popular song and Homecoming anthem, Caledonia. Over a few drams one night, he and distillery owner Andrew Symington hatched the idea of a Caledonia bottling to celebrate Homecoming.

"It's very exciting to be closely involved with Edradour in the creation of this fine new whisky for contemporary Scotland and to have Alex Salmond, the first minister, here in Perthshire, to launch it,"? Mr MacLean said.

Whisky at Edradour is handmade today, the same way it was 150 years ago, by just three men. The distillery is only just capable of producing commercial quantities, on average just 12 casks a week.

John