Clydeside Distillery has unveiled a new Whisky Bar offering a broad selection of beverages. Guests can enjoy the distillery’s signature whiskies, Stobcross and Napier, alongside exclusive Voyager Club bottles. The bar also serves a variety of whiskies, cocktails, beer, wine, other spirits, hot drinks, and snacks.
The venue is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and welcomes both Whisky Trail visitors and the public. Bridgian Mullen, the visitor centre manager, said, “Our new Whisky Bar is a warm and welcoming place where visitors can sample our classic Lowland-style whiskies and exclusive releases, as well as whiskies from other parts of Scotland. We are delighted to share this news with Glasgow and the surrounding area.”
Last year, the distillery also offered visitors an immersive behind-the-scenes tour to meet the whisky makers. Alongside the bar, Clydeside runs the Voyager Club membership, which provides exclusive releases and special events for its members.
SWG3 Collaboration Marks 20th Anniversary with Velvet Odyssey Single Malt
In a special collaboration, Clydeside Distillery partnered with Glasgow’s event venue SWG3 to create a unique single malt whisky named Velvet Odyssey. This launch celebrates SWG3’s 20th anniversary.
The collaboration is especially meaningful as Andrew Fleming-Brown, SWG3’s managing director, and Andrew S Morrison, Clydeside’s founder, are childhood friends and now neighbours along the River Clyde.
Whisky Craftsmanship and Unique Aging Process
Velvet Odyssey is crafted using pure water from Loch Katrine and 100% Scottish barley. It is first aged in first-fill bourbon casks and then finished for five months in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The whisky has an ABV of 48.5% and offers tasting notes of tropical fruits, toffee, oak spice, and dark chocolate.
Morrison shared, “We had a fantastic Pedro Ximénez sherry cask and decided to refill the bottle after it had been aged in first-fill bourbon casks. The result is a unique spirit with real intensity, deep colour and natural sweetness. It’s very different to anything else we’ve made before and felt perfect for this project.”
Artistic Design Reflects Glasgow’s Creative Spirit
The bottle and packaging feature artwork by Jim Lambie, who designed a custom white Daimler limousine wrapped in his signature psychedelic vinyl tape. This design originally debuted at a Comme des Garçons pop-up store at SWG3 in 2006. Parts of the car are now on display at the distillery to mark the whisky’s launch.
Lambie said, “It was exciting to revisit the original design and think about how it could be brought back to life on the label and packaging. Memories came flooding back – the pop-up store, Daimler’s product line, and the idea of creating a Rolls-Royce inspired by John Lennon.”
He added, “I designed my own version of the paisley, something local and iconic, which became a visual focal point for the space. It was very special to see it come to life on a bottle produced across the street, almost 20 years later.”
The Meaning Behind the Name
Lambie explained the name Velvet Odyssey: “It symbolises smoothness and elegance, but also a sense of movement – taking you somewhere with every sip. It redefines whisky as an experience, not just a drink.”
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