Uisge Source

WaterGlam own acquisition

UISGE SOURCE HIGHLAND water, St Colman's well, Ross-Shire: St Colman was the founder of several churches in the Highlands of Scotland during the 7th Century. It must have been thirsty work, for there is a well that bears his name to this day. St Colman’s Well, close to some of the popular Highland distilleries, is where they take their Highland water for Uisge Source. The water is filtered through red sandstone and limestone rock strata. So it’s hard and rich in minerals, as is the water used by the nearby distilleries. The locals were frequent visitors to the well over the centuries. Here you can still see several rocks with cup marks in them. It seems longevity was commonplace too, with ages of 117 and 107 being recorded.

UISGE SOURCE ISLAY water, the Ardilistry spring, Islay: imagine you have been miraculously transported to Islay, the ancient stronghold of the Lord of the Isles. You are squelching across one of the great swathes of peat bog that typifies the landscape hereabouts. As the water wells up over your boots pay it a modicum of respect. For this is the very peat-filtered water used to make the famous Islay single malts. And the same naturally acidic water that feeds our very own Ardilistry Spring, making it the ideal companion to the aforesaid malts. The spring lies just a couple of miles from the main Islay distilleries. You’ll find it on a single-track road heading towards the historic 8th century Kildalton Cross. Perhaps this proximity to an ancient Christian relic is no coincidence. After all, when you add Uisge Source Ardilistry Spring water to Islay malt, the result is indeed very close to heaven.

UISGE SOURCE SPEYSIDE water the Cairngorms well, Moray: the date is 7th October 1859. A breathless Queen Victoria has just reached the summit of Ben Macdui, the highest peak in the Cairngorms. In her words “It had a sublime and solemn effect, so wild and solitary…I had a little whiskey and water, as the people declared pure water would be too chilling.” Well, that’s her excuse, as though any excuse is needed to enjoy a dram of Speyside Single Malt. Fast-forward to today and you don’t have to be Royalty to enjoy the right water in the Speyside malt. This water is from The Cairngorms Well, one of Scotland’s highest natural springs. Emerging from the River Spey catchment and flowing over hard rock strata the water is soft and low in minerals, like that used by many Speyside distilleries.

Most Spirits are enjoyed with a mixer and for many, whiskey is no exception. Whiskey is a complex spirit with a wonderful array of aromas and flavors which is why experts recommend opening up a dram with nothing more than a dash of pure spring water. Adding water removes the alcohol prickle and releases more aromas and flavors for greater appreciation. Waters with different chemistries will reveal different aromas and flavors in the same whiskey which is one reason why experts suggest that its best add the water that made the whiskey or water from the same source as the whiskey. Uisge Source waters come from specially selected private springs close to the leading distilleries in each of the main Scotch whiskey regions. The chemistry of Uisge Source waters matches the chemistry of the waters used in whiskey distillation in each region to make the ideal complement for your dream.