WHISKY firm Douglas Laing has announced The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch whisky will be supporting the on-trade workforce in two ways in the wake of Covid-19.
With immediate effect, for every litre of its whisky sold globally, The Epicurean Lowland Malt is committing to donating £1 to The Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland.
The BEN Society delivers financial, social and emotional support to those who have committed more than three years to working in Scotland’s licensed trade – and thousands of bartenders are expected to benefit from the partnership.
Douglas Laing has additionally announced that it will be recruiting mixologists with a passion for whisky to develop innovative new perfect serves to be replicated at home, in a bid to reduce the immediate financial pressure on bartenders facing reduced hours during the virus’ outbreak.
Dubbed “The Epicurean’s Cocktail Quarantine”, the idea is intended to economically support on-trade members, while bringing some of the best bars to everyone’s homes via social media.
Chris Leggat, Douglas Laing CEO, said: “The spirits category is in the thick of an exceptionally challenging period and we want to do what we can to support and give back. We’re acutely aware of the harsh reality that jobs will be affected, which is why our Epicurean Lowland Malt is looking to the future whilst also striving to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressure on some of the great people within our great spirits industry.”
Stephen J McGowan, president of the BEN, added: “What a fabulous gesture from the good people at Douglas Laing. This is a period of extreme difficulty for staff working in the hospitality industry and the monies raised will go straight to our lifeline fund for staff affected by this pandemic.”
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