Caithness spirits waltz into Vienna

TWO local tipples were showcased at a major international market in Vienna.

Jayne Henderson from Thurso helped run a whisky stall at the annual United Nations Women's Guild International Festival Bazaar, situated close to the UN building in the Austrian capital, and was supported by friend and colleague Doris Parker from Edinburgh.

Jayne said: "The bazaar is visited by well over 20,000 people. It has been held for over 50 years and is comprised of some 30 national stalls represented by the member states of the UN and over 20 restaurant stalls selling food and drink unique to each state."

Jayne and Doris have volunteered to run a whisky stall at the event for several years. Both their husbands worked for the UN in Vienna and they joined the UN Women's Guild. This year they sold drams of Aurora, a whisky from the Wolfburn Distillery in Thurso.

"Aurora joined the ranks of the most popular whiskies and immediately became a firm favourite, with one of the first bottles to be consumed," Jayne said. "Donated by the Wolfburn Distillery, the whisky drew a great deal of interest among discerning tasters."

Jayne said: On an adjoining table, gin and tonic was sold as an alternative. "Caithness was represented yet again, in its unique Rock Rose gin from Dunnet Bay Distillers, which quickly brought many a gin enthusiast to the table, asking for more and taking away information provided by owners Martin and Claire Murray."

The UK/Scottish stall raised £2000 which will be distributed to various children's charities throughout the world.

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