Somtimes you find inspiring businesses in the most unlikely of places - and thanks to the Saltire Fellowship I now tend to notice.  In this case, the unlikely location is Altbea - most of you will have to zoom out a LONG way on the Google Map to see anywhere you recognise.

The Loch Ewe Distillery has uniqueness built in.  The general rule for decades has been that that only industrial scale distilling is allowed in the UK, but this distillery was set up using a loophole allowing it to use "illicit still" type methods behind the original " Uisge Beatha", or Whisky to you and I.  That loophole is now closed, so no-one else is likely to be able to set up an operation like this without an act of parliament.

The distillery attracts many overseas visitors, which presents a problem with the current ban on taking liquids in large containers on a flight.  Do you trust your precious liquor to the mercy of the baggage handlers?  The Loch Ewe Distillerry solves this by selling its output in 100ml bottles, of which you can fit 4 in the regulation "clear plastic bag" at an aiport.  It has the added advantage that it's a non standard size which makes any price comparison difficult, and it helps maximise revenue from the relatively small output.

I suspect the real revenue comes from the "stay for a week and make your own whisky" for £1000 package.   Maybe one day...

In the meantime, I enjoyed my £5 tour, and I have a £15 100ml bottle awaiting me at home - a 10 day old port-wood finish (yes, that is the equivalent of £95 for a full-sized bottle).  I also have a £5.95 sampling glass, which is shaped to be perfect for nosing and tasting and has the added benefit that if you knock it over, it won't spill a drop (if filled with no more than 2 Scottish measures!).  Some party trick.

They did a pretty good job of parting this fool from his money - and I admire that!