The Community Spirit: GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall

They're "fairly geeky" about the spirit at GlenWyvis admits Craig MacRitchie, Distillery Manager at Scotland's first modern day community-owned distillery.Established in Dingwall at the head the Cromarty Firth in north-east Scotland in 2016, GlenWyvis Distillery is unburdened by a traditional house style. So they do what they like - provided, Craig says, it makes good whisky and complies with the regulations set out by the Scotch Whisky Association.Such as?Longer fermentation than other more established distilleries - as much as six days; experimentation with barrels and single cask whiskies; and making classic eastern Highland-style unpeated whisky 11 months of the year and very heavily peated whisky for the remaining month.And the result?"A light, easy-going fruity whisky.""Fruity, malty, maybe a touch grassy with a wee bit of spice in the new make spirit."This week John chats to Craig and GlenWyvis's Chairman of the Management Committee, David McIntyre, about Dingwall's first legal distillery in over 100 years and the whisky it produces; the 3,800 members who make up the community enterprise behind GlenWyvis; and the community payback that supports among other things the young carers in primary school looking after a parent or the pupil who needs a laptop.GlenWyvis is about the community and the whisky, David says. It's made with love; "a distillery by the people for the people."So pour yourself a wee dram and listen in.Slàinte!-------Socials:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattie Creator & producer: David HolmesArt work & design: Jess Robertson Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)Vocals: Andrea CunninghamGuitars: John BeattieBass: Alasdair VannDrums: Alan HamiltonBagpipes: Calum McCollAccordion: Gary InnesMusic & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John BeattieRecorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, ScotlandSpecial thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, ScotlandFollow The Piper on Facebook to keep up to date about tastings and other events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.