A200-year-old whisky distiller is to mark its birthday with a festival that will also celebrate the spirit of Glasgow. The “once in a generation moment” will take place on Saturday, September 2nd at the historic Auchentoshan distillery in Clydebank.

Featuring up-and-coming Glasgow musicians and artists, it will also see the launch of a 25-year-old Auchentoshan single malt Scotch whisky exclusively available at the Visitor Centre from the event day with packaging designed by Glasgow mural artist BOIIING.

This over-18s only event will be staged outdoors in the distillery grounds, with live music from fresh Glasgow talents kitti, Federation of the Disco Pimp and Rebecca Vasmant, DJ and the Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble.

The Herald: BOIIING, aka Lewi Quinn BOIIING, aka Lewi Quinn (Image: Auchentoshan)

To get everyone in the mood for a celebration, guests will be given one free cocktail from the new cocktail menu on arrival. Auchentoshan’s unique lowland range of triple-distilled, extra smooth single malts will be served neat, long, mixed and on the rocks, to complement the live funk and jazz sounds from local DJs and musicians.

Auchentoshan Distillery Manager, Susan Williamson, said: “We’re thrilled to have the chance to welcome our teams, the people who love us, work with us, and our fans together to share this once in a generation Auchentoshan moment. Auchentoshan is part of Glasgow’s history, and it’s exciting to start our next chapter by sharing our birthday with new talent and people from across the city.”

There will be food trucks and bars offering premium whisky cocktails and drams.

Visitor Centre Senior Operations Manager, Fiona Oliva, said: “We’ve been welcoming visitors from all over the world to Auchentoshan for almost 20 years to share our smooth triple-distilled whisky and we can’t wait to have a crowd joining us to celebrate our bicentenary with some of Glasgow’s best up-and-coming musical and artistic talent.”

kitti won “Best Female Breakthrough” at the Scottish Music Awards and was twice awarded “Best Jazz Vocalist” at the Scottish Jazz Awards in 2020 and 2022. She also supported the iconic Mavis Staples and Van Morrison in 2022 and Rod Stewart at his Edinburgh Castle shows in 2023. Her greatly anticipated debut album is set to be released later next year.

Fresh from the release of her successful new 2023 album, From Glasgow, with love, Auchentoshan LIVE @ 200 is also delighted to present the Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble & DJ.

The Herald: Rebecca Vasmant EnsembleRebecca Vasmant Ensemble (Image: Auchentoshan)

A Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award Best Album 2023 nominee, Rebecca went straight onto the International Official Jazz Album Chart Top 10 on release week and is nominated for a worldwide Best Album Award, securing Track of the Year (Timings End) from Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6 Music and Album of the Week on BBC Radio 6, Worldwide FM, Jazz FM and BBC Radio Scotland. This internationally acclaimed media sensation formed her eight piece ensemble, composed of world class Scottish musicians from the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Amanda Whiting of Jazzman Records/Gondwana.

Also taking the stage to bring legendary, endless energy and a blistering live set will be Federation of the Disco Pimp, the multi-award winning  seven piece band, and Scotland’s premier exponent of modern funk, disco, psychedelic and jazz. 

Auchentoshan has also commissioned BOIIING, aka Lewi Quinn, to create a colourful installation on the exterior of the distillery during the event to mark its 200th birthday, which guests will be able to enjoy when visiting the shop, visitor centre and tours throughout the year.

Said Quinn: “Colour seems such a major part of Auchentoshan’s DNA and I wanted to bring it to the fore with the 200Y Limited Edition Release and the mural at the distillery which celebrates their future, their colourful character, fresh ideas and – importantly – pays tribute to the iconic three stills used to make Auchentoshan’s whisky. It’s an honour to be invited to create something memorable for such a historic distillery as they turn 200 years old.”

Tickets are now available to buy online at skiddle.com/e/36485379

#Auchentoshan200

 

COCKTAIL RECIPE: AUCHENTOSHAN SAUVIGNON BLANC FRESH HIGHBALL

The Herald:

INGREDIENTS:

35ml Auchentoshan Sauvignon Blanc Finish
Premium Indian Tonic Water
Garnish: Stick of Fresh Lemongrass 
Optional: Raspberries

METHOD:

Bruise and brash Lemongrass to release oils
Fill a Highball glass with ice cubes
Add Auchentoshan Sauvignon Blanc Finish
Add Lemongrass stick into the glass
Fill up with Premium Indian Tonic Water
Optional: Garnish with Raspberries