In early 2023, we announced our partnership with luxury cycling tour specialist, LeBlanq as their official Global Whisky Partner for 2023/24. LeBlanq believe in rewarding life’s hard work with the ultimate escapism – indulgent weekends of eating and drinking all whilst joyriding in some of the world’s most beautiful cycling and culinary destinations.

Each weekend is tailored to the location and accompanied by some legendary cyclists (Sir Chris Hoy, Miguel Indurain to name but a few) and Michelin Star chefs (Ashley Palmer-Watts, Raymond Blanc). This ethos draws strong synergies with the approach we take with all our InchDairnie whiskies, particularly RyeLaw, whereby through pushing the boundaries of flavour and daring to be different with our innovative production methods, we have created some truly unique, flavourful expressions designed to be savoured with every sip. Similarly, LeBlanq have disrupted the stereotypical cycling holiday offering with luxurious weekend experiences centered around flavour, leisure and enjoyment.

Our first taste of LeBlanq joyriding was in April, when we joined their Rioja weekend at the stunning Hotel Marques De Riscal with cycling talent Miguel Indurain, Oscar Friere and Dan Martin. Michelin Star Chef Nieves Barragan and Francis Paniego created a beautiful menu for the guests alongside Marques de Riscal wines of course. RyeLaw was not yet released to the public, so the guests attending were some of the first in the world to taste it!

To drum up excitement for Loch Lomond, our lead partnership weekend, later in the year we got together with our customers Fortnum & Mason to host a preview, featuring not only a tasting, but also canapes from renowned Michelin starred chef, Nathan Outlaw, who created a Scottish inspired menu for the guests in September. Co-founder of LeBlanq, Justin Clarke, who organised the event gave the attendees an insight into what they could expect, all behind a backdrop of beautiful Bianchi bikes in the iconic Fortnum & Mason turquoise.

In July, a one-day Joyride experience exploring the stunning Yorkshire Dales alongside cycling legend Ben Swift was hosted at the luxurious Grantley Hall, rated as one of the top five hotels in the UK. With refueling stops along the way, the guests then returned to Grantley Hall to indulge in a gastronomic dinner where RyeLaw was paired with a delicious chocolate delice, chocolate sable breton and a caramel vanilla cremeux.

As summer continued, The Chefs’ Ride brought together a world-class line-up of Michelin-star chefs (who all happen to ride bikes) to celebrate the Michelin Green Star Awards at the world’s most sustainable restaurant, Silo. With an epic ride into Epping Forest, followed by a 9-course masterclass in sustainable fine dining, with pairings from Marqués de Riscal wines and RyeLaw.

Summer ended with a Tour de Vin at the new Raffles Hotel at The OWO in London. RyeLaw was featured as the whisky moment after a wonderful wine tasting. As the only whisky brand at the event, it was a rare opportunity to connect with our knowledgeable hedonist demographic at this luxury venue and we are delighted to have a listing in The Guards Bar and Lounge.

As we rolled into autumn, we were cycling through the Fjords of Norway with Nico Roche and Thor Hushovd. Henrik Orre created a stunning menu with local ingredients. It may have been a rain covered weekend but spirits remained high, in breathtaking scenery.

Loch side at the beautiful Cameron House hotel played host to LeBlanq’s annual Scottish joyride with legendary cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, as well as keeping great company with Bianchi bikes and fully electric Porsche cars. Guests were treated to fine-dining from Cornish chef, Nathan Outlaw who not only paired dishes with RyeLaw but also incorporated it within some dishes also. We were the lead partner at this event with press invitees, bespoke RyeLaw poses provided for all riders as a good luck charm, Old Fashioned cocktails, branded hipflasks, a demonstration from Speyside Cooperage and much more!

We picked up the tempo for four days in Ibiza with British cycling great Gerraint Thomas and Belgium cycling legend Johan Museeuw. Nieves Barragan created another fantastic menu for the guests, pairing the dessert with RyeLaw. World renowned DJ, Pete Tong, treated the guests to a private set in a stunning rooftop venue. Guests were also served RyeLaw Mule cocktails over the weekend as a refreshing drink, post ride through the rolling hills of the White Isle.

Sky News Sports broadcaster Orla Chennoui lead a ‘wellness’ program for the non-riding guests which included yoga, meditation and a hike.

The last tour of the year was hosted at the stunning Cellars-Hohenort in Cape Town. Cycling pros Daryl Impey and David Millar were in attendance, accompanying the guests on several rides along the stunning South Africa coastline. 

Kobus van der Merwe owner of Wolfgat restaurant – winner of the World’s Best Restaurant 2019 – created tantalising dishes over the weekend, with a Taste of Constantia Valley and the Tour de Feast, featuring locally sourced and foraged ingredients. RyeLaw was paired with the Tour de Feast dessert.

As we were unable to attend the weekend, David Hesketh, Managing Director for Laurent Perrier UK, introduced InchDairnie and RyeLaw prior to The Tales and was available over the weekend to indulge guests who wanted to learn more about our first release.

What an incredible year it was partnering with LeBlanq for some stunning weekends and we can’t wait to get on the road again in 2024.