Prince Charles enjoys Scotch tour

HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, paid a visit to a number of Scotch whisky distilleries today, marking the 200th anniversary of two.

HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay enjoys a dram at the Ardbeg Distillery with with Marc Hoellinger, president and chief executive of The Glenmorangie Company (right) and Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s director of distilling and whisky creation (left).

As part of the tour, the prince visited Laphroaig and Ardbeg on Islay – a region in Scotland renowned for producing a smoky, peaty style of whisky – to mark both distilleries’ 200th year.

During his visit to Ardbeg, which was licensed in 1815 and is owned by LVMH, the Duke learned from Michael Heads, distillery manager, how the distillery has been celebrating the milestone and shown its ‘Artbeg’ exhibition. At the end of the visit the Prince was presented with a bottle of Ardbeg Kildalton Whisky, launched to support The Kildalton Project – an initiative supported by Prince Charles to promote and strengthen people, places and products in rural areas of Scotland.

“Since the renaissance of the distillery in 1997 Ardbeg has acquired a hugely passionate following amongst malt whisky aficionados across the world”, said Marc Hoellinger, president and chief executive of The Glenmorangie Company. “This success and the hard work of all involved in Ardbeg means that today there are 38 full and part-time posts at the Distillery, making a valuable contribution to the community and economy of South Islay.”

The prince was also due to pay a visit to Laphroaig, which is also celebrating its 200th anniversary. Established by Clan Donald, Laphroaig, owned by Beam Suntory, is the only whisky to carry the Royal Warrant of the Prince of Wales.

The six other distilleries on the island are Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman and Lagavulin.

The trip will mark the end of a week of Scottish engagements for the Prince and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall.