World of Patria International (WOPI) will introduce Uisge Source, a range of waters tailor made to suit the whiskies they complement, at next month’s IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas (Stand number: 1300).
The Uisge Source range, aimed at consumers who add a dash of water to their whisky, includes three waters sourced close to popular Scottish distilleries in Islay, the Highlands and Speyside. The brand was introduced to UK and European markets in 2012 and is available in travel retail through WOPI.
According to Uisge Source Managing Director Graeme Lindsay, formerly of The Glenmorangie Company and Whyte and Mackay, the same whisky can have a different taste depending on which water is added. He noted that some Scotch whisky distilleries used to sell small bottles of their water to loyal customers and host tastings next to the distillery’s water supply where the best water for the whisky could be collected.
Uisge Source waters are said to be tailored to the whiskies they serve: “By using Uisge Source waters you are adding “˜more of the same’. So no foreign elements are introduced that might distort the character of the whisky,” Lindsay explained.
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Uisge Source waters are tailored to the whiskies they serve, the brand says |
Lindsay added that each of the three Uisge Source waters has its own chemistry: the Ardilistry Spring on Islay produces a water with higher natural acidity through its filtration through peat, and is said to be the only bottled water from the Scottish Islands; Uisge Source water from St Colman’s Well in Ross-shire has a high mineral content and is the most northerly bottled water from the Scottish Highlands while the Uisge Source from the Cairngorms Well in Moray, one of the highest natural mountain springs in Scotland, provides a very low mineral content water like that used by most of the Speyside distilleries.
Each of the waters is presented in 100ml glass bottles; for travel retail a box containing one bottle of each variety will be offered.
“Too often, little thought is given to the water added to a great dram,” Lindsay added. “Often it is simply local tap water which in many parts of the world is very poor quality and adulterated with chemicals which taint the whisky. Whisky is a product steeped in heritage, provenance and ritual and this new product from Scotland gives connoisseurs the opportunity to enjoy the best of that heritage.
“The idea has really taken off and popularity is spreading fast. As well as the UK and Europe, we’re now opening up markets in Taiwan, Canada and Macau. There is also considerable interest from whisky enthusiasts in North America,” he said.
World of Patria International Managing Director Rob Nichols said: “We have an excellent portfolio of premium and super premium whiskies from across Scotland available to travel retail, so it makes perfect sense for us to additionally offer the perfect range of waters to go with the selection. We have already had great interest in the concept and are looking forward to introducing Uisge at the Orlando show this year.”
For more information, visit www.uisgesource.com.
