Outlander star Sam Heughan gets first UK listing for whisky brand

Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser in hit TV show Outlander, has joined forces with chef Tom Kitchin whose quartet of Scottish venues will be the first in the UK to house the actor’s single malt whisky brand.

Scottish Outlander star Sam Heughan lost a legal battle last year against a German distillery about the name of his whisky The Sassenach.

The Scotch expression is the first whisky launched by Heughan, and from 24 November 2022, the whisky will be available at Michelin-starred restaurant The Kitchin in Leith. Heughan’s serve will also be served at chef Tom Kitchin’s three other sites — gastropub The Scran & Scallie in Stockbridge, newly opened KORA by Tom Kitchin in Bruntsfield, and East Lothian restaurant The Bonnie Badger.

Heughan and Kitchin first met when filming the series ‘Men In Kilts’ which first aired in February 2021.

Commenting on the listing, Kitchin said: “Many of our guests across our venues enjoy a dram or two when they dine or stay with us. We are also seeing more and more guests exploring our whisky cocktails, as well as enjoying food and whisky pairings.

“We get such a sense of joy from introducing our guests to new, unique flavours and produce that they might not have tried before, so it’s great to be able to introduce them to The Sassenach – a new addition to our whisky collection. Our menus are all a reflection of the Scottish seasons and landscapes, so sharing a whisky that has been inspired by the Highland landscapes is a real marriage of flavours for us.”

Sam Heughan, co-founder of Sassenach Spirits added: “Chef Tom Kitchin has a shared respect, admiration, and passion for Scotland’s enviable larder so it feels fitting that The Sassenach will now be available at Kitchin Group venues. With many enjoying The Sassenach whisky at home, it’s wonderful to be able to bring it to the table at some of Scotland’s leading restaurants and bars.”

The whisky will now be on offer as a dram across all of Kitchin Group’s drinks menus ahead of the festive period, and in signature cocktail The Outlander Serve — a modern take inspired by a classic whisky sour.

This article was originally published by the drinks business and has been shared with permission.