GlenWyvis Launches The Baineach

Baineach Whisky taken at Knockando Woolmill

The Second Release in the Highland Legacy Series

GlenWyvis Distillery has announced the launch of The Baineach, the second release in its Highland Legacy Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies that celebrate traditional Highland occupations and the people who shaped the region’s heritage.

Following the successful launch of The Drover in summer 2025, the series continues with The Baineach, Gaelic for “weaveress.” The new bottling honours the historic craft of weaving and the women whose skill with wool and loom helped shape the cultural fabric of the Scottish Highlands.

The Baineach will be available from 28 March 2026, both through our website and from select specialist whisky retailers. Only 1,500 bottles will be released internationally, with availability across select markets including Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Japan.

A Whisky Inspired by Highland Craft

Wrapped in the GlenWyvis tartan, The Baineach is matured in a combination of Ruby Port and refill Oloroso sherry casks, creating a rich and characterful whisky.

Weaving was once central to Highland life, producing the durable tartans and timeless tweeds designed to withstand Highland weather while reflecting the colours and landscapes of the region. This release celebrates the women who carried forward that craft for generations.

Craig MacRitchie, Distillery Manager at GlenWyvis, said:

“The Baineach whisky is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the women of the Scottish Highlands, woven through generations and ready to be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Label Artwork Rooted in Highland History

The label artwork was commissioned from local artist Fiona Mackenzie, whose illustration depicts a traditional Highland weaver.

The artwork features a woman seated at an 18th-century loom inside a Highland cottage, accompanied by a loyal dog. The cottage doorway is framed with white roses, a symbol associated with the Jacobites, while the figure wears a Luckenbooth brooch, a traditional Scottish symbol often linked to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Speaking about the design, Mackenzie said:

“A figure at the loom was the starting point from the GlenWyvis distillery. The idea of having a woman inspired me; and made me wonder if there are many or any female figures on whisky bottles.

The drawings for the woman came from studies of my sister Sarah, and I thought with The Drover having a Highland bull on its label, another animal connection would have to be a faithful dog.

A common eighteenth-century Scottish phrase is ‘dreeing the weird’, meaning enduring fate, as it must have been a hard environment and time to live in. However, I wanted some joy with the figure and her companion, recalling a picturesque moment.”

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Milk chocolate, toffee pennies and beeswax
• Palate: Sweet orange creams, an oily texture and fizzy sweets
• Finish: Prunes and ripe pear developing into dark chocolate

Launch Celebration in Inverness

To mark the release, GlenWyvis hosted a launch event at The Highland Whisky Shop, where The Baineach will also be featured in the shop’s window display during the launch period.

With only 1,500 bottles available worldwide, whisky enthusiasts will need to move quickly to secure this latest addition to the Highland Legacy Series.