‘Exceptional’ whisky experience that pairs drams with places launches at luxury Highland hotel

House of Hazelwood and Bertie’s Whisky Bar at The Fife Arms in Braemar have partnered to create one of the world's most exceptional whisky experiences, inviting guests to explore some of the rarest and oldest Scotch whiskies ever released paired with the stunning scenery of the Highlands.

Drawing on House of Hazelwood's world-renowned collection of aged Scotch whisky and The Fife Arms' unrivalled location in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, the bespoke experience goes beyond the traditional tasting. Guests are taken on a curated whisky journey where each dram is paired not only with a story, but with a place.

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Available exclusively at Bertie’s Whisky Bar and under the guidance of their expert whisky team, guests can select from a range of House of Hazelwood expressions, including the 57-Year-Old Blended at Birth, the 52-Year-Old The Pursuit of Pleasure, and The Garden at Hazelwood, a 47-Year-Old Blended Malt inspired by the grounds of Hazelwood House itself.

Unlike a traditional whisky tasting, guests are invited on a fully curated whisky journey through the landscapes that define Scotland and travel between hand-selected locations, each chosen to complement the character and story of the whisky being enjoyed.

House of Hazelwood whisky and Bertie's bar collaboration takes guests on a tour of the Highlands with old and rare whiskies | Scott Remy. Scene IT Media

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A dram of The Garden at Hazelwood may be savoured within the hotel's beautiful gardens before the experience moves into a privately owned Highland estate, just minutes from the hotel.

Here, guests can enjoy rare House of Hazelwood whiskies against panoramic views across the Cairngorms, with iconic peaks including Ben Macdui and Braeriach stretching across the horizon. Along the way, guides share the stories behind both the whiskies and the landscape, bringing to life the history, wildlife, folklore and culture of this unique corner of Scotland.

Depending upon the chosen flight, guests may continue deeper into ancient Caledonian forest, pause beside the River Dee, and discover secluded locations rarely accessed by visitors before concluding their journey at the hotel’s Bertie's Whisky Bar.

Tom Addy, senior whisky bartender at Bertie's Whisky Bar said: “The House of Hazelwood collection represents some of the rarest and most fascinating Scotch whiskies in existence, and we wanted to create an experience that does justice to them.

“Rather than confining the tasting to a single room, we've taken inspiration from the landscapes around us. Each location brings a different perspective to the whisky, whether that's enjoying a dram overlooking the Cairngorms, beside the River Dee, or in the intimate surroundings of Bertie's. It creates a memorable journey that engages all the senses.”

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Guests can choose from nine House of Hazelwood expressions, spanning more than four centuries of Scotch whisky history and ranging from 33 to 57 years old. As the oldest selection of whiskies ever offered at Bertie's, and the largest House of Hazelwood collection available in any bar or restaurant worldwide, it presents a unique opportunity to taste some of the rarest and most extraordinary whiskies in existence.

Some of the House of Hazelwood whiskies at Bertie's bar in the Fife Arms | John Paul Photography

Jonathan Gibson, director of House of Hazelwood, said: “People often assume the world's greatest whisky experiences are simply about drinking old whisky. For us, it has always been about something much deeper. It's about stories, landscapes, history and creating moments that will never be repeated.

“Our partnership with The Fife Arms allows guests to experience these extraordinary whiskies in equally extraordinary surroundings. By pairing rare drams with remarkable locations, we've created something truly unique that celebrates not only Scotch whisky, but Scotland itself.”

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Guests can work with The Fife Arms whisky team to tailor their experience according to their interests, preferred whisky styles and desired duration, ensuring that every journey is bespoke.

Guests can choose from:

• Blended at Birth, 57-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, 192 bottles worldwide. One of the world’s first whiskies to be married as new make spirit. It is also likely to be the last whisky of its kind, as such practices are now prohibited by Scotch Whisky Law. Now sold out globally, this is a rare opportunity to taste this legendary expression, while stocks last.

• The Long Marriage, 56-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, 288 bottles worldwide. A single cask laid down in the mid-60s, it lay undisturbed for over half a century.
• The Cask Trials, 53-Year-Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky, 303 bottles worldwide. Matured in European oak, offering intense depth and grain character unlike any other.
• The Pursuit of Pleasure, 52-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, 72 bottles worldwide. Created in collaboration with Hedonism Wines, Berties is the first venue in the world to offer this whisky by the glass. Working hand-in-hand with the blending team, the Hedonism team produced a whisky that can only be described as “decadence decanted.”
• The Old Ways, 1972 Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky, 123 bottles worldwide. A rare glimpse into a lost distilling style—rich, aromatic, and impossible to replicate.
• The Garden at Hazelwood, 47-Year-Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 137 bottles worldwide. Inspired by the peaceful garden of Hazelwood House—fragrant, elegant, and fruit-forward.
• A Minute to Midnight, 45-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky, 154 bottles worldwide. A decadent, sherry-forward blend that offers extraordinary richness and intensity.