Old Perth Whisky Launch at Exel Wines

A couple of weeks ago we had a rather special event at Exel Wines. We were exceedingly proud to host the launch of the revived Old Perth whisky. This whisky has been recreated by local whisky blenders Morrison & MacKay modelled on the legendary whisky formerly produced by Perth vintners of old, Peter Thomson Ltd. They’ve done a fantastic job. Old Perth is a blended malt in the Speyside style, containing malts from the noughties, the nineties, the eighties and even the seventies! On Thursday 18th April our shop was full of whisky-lovers and local worthies to celebrate the return of Old Perth whisky, and taste a wee dram (or several!).

The evening was a great success. To commence proceedings, Peter MacKay of Morrison & MacKay, led a tasting of the Old Perth, explaining how his company had brought the whisky back to life. We were then honoured to welcome Michael Thomson, former director of Peter Thomson Ltd., who was responsible for blending and selling the old incarnation. Michael spoke engagingly on the heritage of this particular whisky and the history of blending in Perth. Michael brought a wonderful circularity to the evening as both Exel Wines, as a Perth-based vintner; and Morrison & MacKay, as Perth-based whisky merchants, have picked up where Michael left off. It was great to do so with his encouragement and support. The evening continued with a tasting of Càrn Mòr single malt whiskies led, once again, by Peter. 

A bit of history: Perth is a city with an unrivalled heritage of whisky blending. World-famous blends originated here: Bell’s, The Famous Grouse and Dewar’s White Label are all Perth blends. Old Perth Scotch sat comfortably among esteemed company. With the incorporation of Peter Thomson Ltd. into Haddows Old Perth was taken out of production, meanwhile the other Perth blends were gradually appropriated by multi-national drinks corporations and they became removed from their town of origin. Perth, once a centre of great whisky blending repute, no longer had a whisky to its name. It is, therefore, befitting that Old Perth has been resurrected in the year that Perth was granted its ancient city status, and that the company behind this renaissance is based locally.

We would like to congratulate Morrison & Mackay on their excellent whisky, and thank them for including us in their relaunch. We also deeply appreciate Michael Thomson joining us for the event.