A prerequisite for a Scottish whisky is that is has an interesting story behind it. In this regard, Pure Scot delivers.
David Prior made his fortune with five:am organic yoghurt in his native Australia. He sold it for a cool $80million and rode off into the sunset. Well, not quite. He then did what we all would do if we had such a sum of money, and surveyed the world for what he could spend his fortune on.
He decided he wanted to buy a distillery and make a new whisky, and that’s exactly what he did. He bought the Bladnoch distillery in Dumfries and set about making Pure Scot.
Bladnoch has a history, both distinguished and recently sad. As Scotland’s most southernly distillery, it was established in 1817 but the previous owners closed the business in 2014. Sad news for Bladnoch, but perfect timing for Melbourne-based Prior.
Here’s a little context. There are no shortage of distilleries in Scotland. Most, however, are now owned by multi-national companies. This doesn’t affect the flavour of the national drink but it does make it clear how unusual it is for an independent distillery to take on the big boys.
This is fine for Prior. He’s made it clear he’s looking to expand upon, not steal, the existing whisky market. It’s not even currently in shops in the UK. Pure Scot is being exported to Melbourne’s many bars and clubs to carry out the plan of rejuvinating, or even creating, a taste for whisky amongst twenty-somethings.
This can be seen in the marketing. Pure Scot is as far from Whisky Galore! territory as whisky can get. It’s about the cocktails, the night out and the party. This isn’t about competing with the malt market. It’s a sexy product which just happens to be a whisky and has identified a niche to be filled.
Review
The first thing that strikes you about Pure Scot is the bright brilliance of the bottle, containing references to the magnificent Scottish mountains on a broad shouldered, angular structure. The thick base makes the honey orange whisky look like it’s hovering in the bottle. The bottle isn’t a screw top. There’s a cork with the Pure Scot insignia. A lot of thought has been put into the presentation.
It’s noted as being a blend of “unique Bladnoch Single Malt, robust island malts, aged Speyside and Highland malts and select grain whiskies”.
For all that it’s being pitched as a mixer for sophisticated mid-20s on a night out, this 40-something sampled it with a drop of water and enjoyed it. It is what it is. It’s a stylish introduction to an idea of how whisky could be enjoyed by a new demographic. Purists may feel they have licence to moan but the truth is that products like Pure Scot could be a stepping stone for a lot of people to more ‘serious’ whisky.
Nose : Mildly floral, butterscotch.
Taste : Smooth, sweet, rounded.
Finish : Slightly dry, satisfying.
Disclaimer. Pure Scot sent me a bottle of Pure Scot to review. You may have figured that out from the article but I’m highlighting it all the same.
Getting your hands on a bottle
Pure Scot is not available in shops in the UK. Short of approaching the distillery direct, this competition is your best bet for getting your hands on a bottle. Or, you could fly to Melbourne and snaffle some.
I love the hills and valleys of Scotland, everything is so verdant and give you a sense of peacefulness.
Love the haggis
everything, the people ,the food the whiskey
Haggis, neeps and tatties followed by some cranachan at my local pub.
My wife has made cranachan for me. Delicious!
Love the scenery in Scotland and the wilderness. Great for some fantastic photos.
Apart from me? 😉 My favourite Scottish thing is the glorious scenery, the character of the population and the plane out of Edinburgh airport going to Benidorm for some sun!
I’m not going to argue about people from Scotland being awesome! 😉
Wow what a great prize ,fingers crossed.
The Broons 🙂
shortbread
Lovely warm, soft, tartan scarves. Perfect for the Winter!
Super giveaway, thank you x
And blankets too! You’re welcome 🙂
I love the accent! I had a holiday in Scotland and came home with the accent just after two weeks there!
Scottish breakfast – Square sausage the lot!
watching dolphins at the Moray Firth! Amazing experience
Scottish shortbread
Whisky ! and eh, oh aye, more Whisky !!! 😉
I love the hills and roaming them with a hip flask for a wee nip
Hip flasks are an essential, especially if they’ve got whisky in them!
haggis, i love it
My favourite Scottish thing is all the sweeties – especially tablet and Edinburgh Rock.
Scottish Shortbread
Apart from the worlds best whiskey but i love IronBru!! you cant get it down here.
My Mum!
Salmon. The wild variety.
I love the men inb in kilts!
I had a kilt on at my friend’s wedding at Christmas. Even I look good in them!
I like Bagpipes
I love Haggis <3
The stunning landscape!
Haggis on Burns Night
Love the scenery in Scotland
The lovely scenery in Scotland
Whisky
The wilderness and the amazing views, very photogenic. With the added chance of seeing a red squirrel, us southerners don’t have any!
The landscape (and a dram).
I love Scottish Oatcakes, with a generous spread of Crowdie.
apart from Nessie i love the proclaimers
Gretna Green, where I got married 🙂
Loving the haggis
My husband
Edinburgh
The West Highland Railway Line
shortbread biscuits and the scenery!
love the scenery ,esp in the Highlands
Lol can you make a special entry for your best American Friend?!
Heh. I’ll certainly raise a glass in your honour!
I love the accent!
people
I love the butteries in the mornings 🙂
The Cairngorms love it there
Cairngorms – we have friends that have a home there, so beautiful 🙂
Tablet, Mother’s Pride Plain Bread, Macaroon bars, Skirlie & Haggis, King’s Aromatic Sweets, black puddin’ suppers, Oor Wullie & The Broons, Lucky Tatties, Irn Bru, Corona Soft Drinks, Walls Rectangular Block Ice Cream, Stovies, The Sunday Post funnies. That should be enough to get going on!
Also known as ‘breakfast’.
I love Edinburgh, it’s a beautiful city
My favourite Scottish thing is my old Mother!
Scotch Whisky
I have recently become a BIG fan of single malt scotch….the expensive stuff !!…it’s really worth the money you pay, quality counts…When I was young my dad gave me something to eat and told me afterwards it was Haggis….I was hooked…glorious stuff…not just for Burns night !!!
Aberdeen Angus Beef
Shortbread.
Whisky and shortbread, but not at the same time 🙂
My Mum – she’s scottish haha
Celtic!
Love everything Scottish! Stovies and Baynes Pie on a roll 🙂
can only think of shortbread
The scenery and the biscuits.
Hogmany – I’ve been a few times now and nothing beats it for ringing in the New Year in terrific style. x
My favourite scottish thing is the male scottish accent.
Apart from my Scottish husband,he’s number one of course,I love the scenery.I’m Scottish too and we really are one of the most patriotic countries in the world x
the nature, the scenery, the distilleries!
My Gran. Her baking was amazing, but she’s 100 now, so doesn’t bake. At least I hope she doesn’t try, she’ll forget the oven is on. Her soup was the best.
Love the mountains and the people
Love Scottish shortbread biscuits 🙂
My favorite Scottish thing is my hubby Mr. Irvin and the castle that bears his family name in Scotland.
I like their shortbread
the scenery in the Highlands is breathtaking.
The people. Very friendly and nice.
Iron Bru
Shortbread x
Grouse Whisky
Tartan fabric
Caboc cheese.
SHORTBREAD!
The Bagpipes!
Scottish Shortbread
Sean Connery !!! 🙂
My husband.
Hi its got to be the Whisky for me. Cheers!
PS my tweet today 14/03 went here:
https://twitter.com/SmokinHerbz1/status/709386732542803968
Crabbies ginger wine – I remember passing the factory near the foot ‘o’ the walk shopping with my mum
Shortbread 🙂
Shortbread is my favourite scottish thing .
Edinburgh soft rock
Kitls
Shortbread
What’s not to LOVE?? Everything is awesome..country side..food..people..pubs 🙂
Potato scones
Got to be the Whiskey!
I love a good ceilidh
The beautiful scenery
The whisky – of course
My favourite Scottish things are my children! Love the highlands too x
I love the food
Men in kilts
I love it so much I married a Scot & moved to live in Gods green land
i love Scottish tablet!
My daughter of course. So many things – Haggis, shortbread, tablet, Black Bun, bagpipes, scenery, accents. people, salmon, historic buildings …..
Not much that instantly evoke an emotional response than a Scotsman in full kilt regalia playing the bagpipes – love the Scottish sports fans too as they always look and sound great.
The beautiful scenery x
Love the gold water with some alcohol, aged in barrels for many years 😉
Thanks for the chance to win a bottle of Pure Scot. We can’t afford to go to Austrailia, so would love to win this. Visiting distilleries is our passion, and we can’t wait to visit Bladnoch. Good luck in you’re venture David. Independance is something special.
Living in Scotland
i love everything about scotland x but i love visitng greyfriars bobby the most x
The beautiful scenery
Aberdeen Angus beef
Impossible to select one thing. I have a real love for John o’Groats, the people, the food, the wildlife, the boat trips. The Cairngorms for skiing, Edinburgh and Stirling for their architecture and history, the Tattoo that stirs my senses, Tablet because it’s naughty but nice and the traditions and tartans, especially mine-Armstrong.
They as a nation are so laid back.
The beautiful scenery,Scotch Tablet and Shortbread 🙂
My favourite Scottish things are Irn Bru and Tunnocks Teacakes
Got to be the Highlands for me
The accent!
My uncle!!
the accent
Love the scenery and the people.
the wonderful views with fine whiskey and haggis
great giveaway yet again
shortbread, whisky & the scenery
I love bagpipes! Thank you for the opportunity to win this fantastic prize! Good luck everybody.
easy — whisky 🙂 my cupboard is bursting!
love scotish whisky xxxxxxxxxxxx
i love sexy scotish men hehe
I love the accents 🙂
I love the Bagpipes ????
I love haggis! And Edinburgh! 😉
red squirell
Boating on Loch Ness, but I’d prefer to do it in the summer as it’s cold at this time of year.
Boating on Loch Ness, but I prefer it when the weather is warmer.
Breathtaking views and fine whisky