Alcohol is a true preservative in so many ways, isn’t it? I’m not just talking about that jar of cherries in brandy which magically appears at Christmas. The history of a nation, its culture, a whole way of life is so often captured within a fine glass bottle. And no, these aren’t the ramblings of someone who’s already had a few drops too many, at least not on this occasion.

Wine of course is the best-known example – the taste and character reflecting the country, the very soil, the workers, their methods and the love with which it has been made and stored.

The different rums of the West Indies tell a whole tale within each bottle, as do the home-made Rakias of Bulgaria and Czechian Slivovitz.

But closer to home we have our own custodians of tradition. What stories of hardship and survival in the Scottish Highlands or the Lowland moors are stored within a bottle of malt whisky? So many differing choices – their individual tastes reflecting the region, the local peat, the casks in which they’re matured, the pure Scottish air and the struggles of the people themselves.

So I was super excited to discover a particularly special blend of malt scotch whisky – The Guard Bridge, created by Eden Mill. Even the names conjure memories of a distant time.

The Eden Mill story started in1655, when Robert Haig of Throsk was summoned before the kirk session for the crime of distilling whisky on the Sabbath, on the banks of the Eden Estuary. By the mid-1800s this same site was home to the Seggie Whisky Distillery until it closed and was replaced by a paper mill. But now Eden Mill are continuing the tradition in this unique location, which is responsible for the gentle, light character of their single malt, Eden Mill St Andrews, described as having accentuating notes of citrus, honey and delicate spices.

Eden Mill have gone one step further however. By blending their own malt with at least ten other single malts from across Scotland, including an 8 year old, they’ve created The Guard Bridge. It combines the sweet, grassy, floral profile of the Lowlands with the robust, barley-sweet and dried fruit notes of Highland whiskies. It’s described as creamy vanilla with barley sugar leading to mellow oaky spice and finishing with sherried fruit and light warm gingerbread. I can only agree with all of this, I found it simply delicious – many layers of flavour and very smooth.

Even the name reflects local tradition, inspired by the 15th century Guard Bridge, said to have been used by both pilgrims and St Andrew’s University students. 

At £45.00 for a 70cl bottle in a beautiful presentation box The Guard Bridge would be a welcome gift for any devotee of malt whisky.

Unusually, Eden Mill also produces some rather good gins, using finest botanicals combined with traditional distillation techniques and modern innovation. I’m particularly impressed by their Passion Gin – a fusion of passion fruit, coconut and orange, which comes as a very attractive gift set with a beautiful hand-made candle for £45.

So I’m planning to have a very merry Christmas. How about you?

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

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Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.