Caledonian Sleeper marks 150th anniversary milestone with limited edition single malt whisky from Annandale Distillery
A DRAM fine milestone has been marked by the Caledonian Sleeper.
This year is the 150th anniversary of the first ever London to Scotland sleeper service.
And to raise a glass to mark the special occasion, the Caledonian Sleeper has launched a limited edition single cask single malt whisky to celebrate the notable milestone.
Only 200 numbered 70cl bottles have been produce of the self-named Caledonian Sleeper whisky, although 5cl miniatures can also be bought aboard the trains for a limited time.
Kathryn Darbandi, rail operator Serco's managing director for the Caledonian Sleeper, said: “When the North British Railway introduced the first regular sleeper service from Glasgow to London 150 years ago, they set the wheels in motion for a truly unique travel experience. Today, we’re proud to carry the torch. Whether you’re commuting, going home or exploring a new destination, our service lets you travel in comfort overnight and wake up ready to hit the ground running.
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“As an iconic Scottish brand, it’s only right that we celebrate this landmark anniversary with the launch of our very own limited-edition whisky.”
In keeping with the nature of the cross-border sleeper service, the distillery the rail operator has teamed up with to create the special anniversary whisky is the first people pass as they enter Scotland from England – the Annandale Distillery.
With creamy sweet toffee notes and added crispness from Granny Smith apples and Conference pears, the unique eight-year-old unpeated malt, bottled at 50 per cent ABV, was matured in an American oak ex-bourbon cask and hand-selected at the distillery by the Caledonian Sleeper team.
The 70cl bottles can be exclusively purchased online at www.annandaledistillery.com/caledoniansleeper.
David Hyde, commercial director at Annandale Distillery, said: “It has been a pleasure to offer our white labelling service and take this journey with the team at Caledonian Sleeper to launch this exclusive limited-edition Single Cask Single Malt. The smooth tasting spirit is a truly indulgent experience, befitting of the 150-year anniversary of Scotland to London sleeper services.”
Profits from the sale of the 70cl whisky bottles will be donated to Railway Children, the international charity working with street children in India, East Africa and the UK. One of the 200 bottles will also be donated to Give a Dog a Bone, the Scottish loneliness and animal charity, to be auctioned later in the year as part of fundraising efforts. Both Railway Children and Give a Dog a Bone are official charity partners of Caledonian Sleeper
Jack Miller, group director of fundraising at Railway Children, added: “We are thrilled and honoured that Caledonian Sleeper has chosen to donate the profits from the sale of its exclusive new whisky to our cause – all the money raised will go directly towards reaching and supporting children who have no one else to turn to, including right here in Glasgow. Their support will change the futures of children across the UK, India and Tanzania.”
To find out more about the service and Caledonian Sleeper’s anniversary celebrations, visit www.sleeper.scot.
