Cheers! Tomatin Distillery and Cromarty Brewing Co celebrate Etape Loch Ness partnership with limited edition whisky and beer

April 17, 2018

Riders at this year’s Etape Loch Ness will be able to raise a toast to successfully completing the course with a limited-edition whisky being bottled by Tomatin Distillery. The release is being launched to commemorate the distillery becoming a partner of the event, which this year will see over 5600 cyclists take on the stunning 66-mile course.

And Cromarty Brewing will also be giving riders cause to raise a glass – the local brewery will have a pop-up craft beer bar at the event hub and will be providing all finishers with a complimentary beer after they cross the line.

Those taking part in Etape Loch Ness on April 29 – as well as those keen to bag a collectable whisky – will be able to order the malt in advance of the sportive or pick up a bottle from the event hub at Eden Court in Inverness over the course of the event weekend.

Jennifer Masson, marketing manager for Tomatin Distillery – just a few miles away from the route on the outskirts of Inverness – says they could think of no better way to celebrate the first year of the partnership with Etape Loch Ness than to create a limited-edition bottling.

Jennifer adds, “It is our first time involved with the event, so we’re excited to be the whisky partner. Completing Etape Loch Ness is quite an achievement and something that entrants will want to remember for many years to come. A commemorative bottle of whisky from the local area, customised to represent the event, is a great way to do this.”

The spirit selected for the limited-edition bottling is a rich and fruity 12-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, which has been matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. At 43% ABV, the whisky is priced £45 and comes in special edition premium packaging.

Cromarty Brewing, which has also joined as an event partner this year, will help riders quench their thirst with a complimentary beer after they cross the finish line. The brewery will also have a pop-up craft beer bar at the event, and also selling Etape gift packs which include a Cromarty Brewing cycle buff.

Craig Middleton from Cromarty Brewing says, “It’s great to be involved with such a highly regarded event. We’re hoping we can revitalise the finishers with a glass of our Happy Chappy pale ale at the finish line. Competitors, supporters and spectators will also be able to get our beers from our pop up bar based within the event village “

Event director Malcolm Sutherland says he is delighted to welcome on board two locally-based partners which are renowned across the country and beyond for the quality of their product. He adds, “We are delighted that both Tomatin Distillery and Cromarty Brewing have not only lent their support to Etape Loch Ness, but given their backing in such an incredible way.”

The whisky is available to order in advance via the Tomatin Distillery website at shop.tomatin.com up until April 23, and will also be available from the distillery’s pop-up bar at the event hub on April 28 and 29.

Cromarty Brewing and Tomatin Distillery will be among a number of food and drink vendors at the event hub, where riders and participants will also be able to visit stands from other partners, including official charity Macmillan Cancer Support, Cycle Republic, Muc-Off and Fuel 10K.

Starting in Inverness, the stunning Etape Loch Ness route follows the A82 along the northern side of the loch, before passing through Fort Augustus onto the south side.

It is there that riders will take on the most challenging leg of the course – the timed King of the Mountain stage – a 4.8-mile climb which rises to 380m in height.

The route then continues around the southern side of the loch before returning to the event hub at Eden Court in Inverness. The event takes place on traffic-free roads, giving riders a unique experience.

In all five years of Etape Loch Ness, general places have sold out within hours of going on sale. A limited number of places are then made available to riders who pledge to raise money for charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support.

For further information about the event visit www.etapelochness.com. or social media – Facebook www.facebook.com/etapelochness and Twitter @EtapeLochNess