April's Whiskies of the Month - The Spirit of the Unicorn
This month, our Whiskies of the Month are themed around The Spirit of the Unicorn.
Here at The Scotch Whisky Experience, we have been busy restoring our historic B-listed building which has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to preserve our two unicorn figures which crown the façade. With National Unicorn Day on 9th April, we thought it was the perfect month to showcase a number of whiskies, all with a link to unicorns!
(To find out more about our unicorns, visit our Spirit of Unicorn blog piece).
Port of Leith Table Whisky - Lowland
Port of Leith’s Table Whisky is a single grain Scotch that nods to tradition while embracing a fresh approach. Designed for any occasion – neat, on the rocks, or in a highball, it’s an easygoing whisky that invites everyone to enjoy.
As you walk from the city centre to Leith, unicorns appear at every turn – atop the Mercat Cross, hidden in the Victorian woodcarvings of St Giles’ Cathedral, guarding the North Gate of Inverleith Park, and standing proudly at the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Highland - Fettercairn 12 Year Old
Fettercairn Distillery embodies a balance of tradition and innovation. Founded in 1824, Fettercairn is known for its distinctive copper cooling ring, which helps create its tropical fruity character.
A lesser-known gem in Scotland’s whisky landscape, it continues to push boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in its heritage. A unicorn is proudly displayed on each bottle.
Speyside - Inchgower 14 Year Old
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, first fell in love with sailing along the rugged shores of the Moray Coast. This deep connection to maritime life is echoed in the legacy of HMS Unicorn, one of the world’s oldest surviving warships, now docked in Dundee.
Built in 1824, HMS Unicorn represents a time when Scotland played a crucial role in naval history, much like the Moray Coast shaped the Duke’s early years. A stone’s throw from where he embarked on his first voyage, is Inchgower Distillery. Situated just outside the fishing port of Buckie, Inchgower produces a defiantly coastal style of single malt, known for its distinctive spice.
Islay - Ardbeg Corryvreckan
One dark night after a fête at the distillery, the clip-clop of hooves echoed through the yard. Some say it was just Rory, the distillery’s ill-tempered Shetland pony with a notorious sweet tooth…but others believe something far more mysterious was afoot.
Curious distillery workers stepped outside to investigate. As they rounded the corner, they were met with a striking sight – a horse-like figure rearing up against the full moon, a single ‘horn’ casting an eerie shadow. By morning, whispers spread of a sighting of Scotland’s national animal… a unicorn.
Ardbeg sits just south of the Gulf of Corryvreckan, home to the world’s third-largest whirlpool. This swirling force of nature has inspired legends for centuries, much like the myths that swirl around the distillery itself. To celebrate its untamed spirit, Ardbeg Corryvreckan delivers a dram as deep and powerful as the whirlpool itself, where peaty, peppery flavours lurk beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
Blend - The Sassenach
The Sassenach Blended Scotch whisky, created by Outlander’s Sam Heughan, balances tradition with a modern twist. This high-malt blend features just three components; a 21-year-old grain whisky and two malt whiskies, keeping it focused and refined. Aged in ex-Madeira casks, it delivers rich, fruity and honeyed notes.
The bottle, inspired by a classic decanter, proudly features a Rampant Unicorn, a nod to Scotland’s heritage and the whisky’s bold character.
Luxury - Royal Salute
Royal Salute is a whisky rooted in regal tradition, created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. Its emblem, the lion, represents England’s strength and sovereignty, standing in direct contrast to Scotland’s unicorn.
The rivalry between these two creatures’ dates back centuries, famously depicted in the Royal Coat of Arms, where the lion and unicorn battle for dominance. Some say the lion represents power, while the unicorn, unchained in Scotland’s version, embodies freedom and wild spirit.