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Indeed, it has been said that whisky - - uisge beathe in Gaelic meaning "water of life" - - had a lot to do with a golf course having 18 holes. Apocryphal or not, the story goes that during a St. Andrew's Club meeting in 1858, one of the members pointed out that it takes 18 shots to finish off a fifth of Scotch and that when the whisky ran out at the 18th hole the round of golf was finished.

Located near the small village of Ladybank in the Kingdom of Fife - - the county where golf was played for the first time in 1457, and, coincidentally, where the earliest recorded evidence of whisky production was in 1494 - - the Ladybank Company of Distillers is offering whisky lovers a chance of a lifetime: To become founding investors of a new private distillery with exclusive membership in the Ladybank Club, the most prestigious whisky club in the world.

Limited to 1250 members, the membership fee entitles investors to a reserved share of the distillery's future production of single malts, which will begin in 2005. And for those members who are also golfers, the Club facilities will, in essence, represent the classic 19th hole-after playing a round at the revered St. Andrew's Old Course or other nearby golf links (there are 40 golf clubs in the region), they can sit back in their own private club and sip whisky from their own private stock.

For more information on membership, please contact the Membership Director at The Ladybank Company of Distillers Club Ltd., 21-23 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JP, Scotland, UK: Tel: +44 (0) 845 450 1885 Email: or visit www.whisky.co.uk.

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The World’s First Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery to provide all the privileges of ownership through a membership club – A Unique & Prestigious Project for Whisky Aficionados and Scots abroad.

Private membership in the exclusive Ladybank Company of Distillers, in Fife, Scotland, is a breathtaking and enlightened lifestyle opportunity for those who appreciate the best spirits and the best amenities that money can buy

The Ladybank Distillery Club is a club unlike any other in the world. At its heart is the formation of a traditional craft-scale distillery near St Andrews in Scotland, an establishment that is set on producing some of the finest—if not the finest—single-malt whisky made in all of Scotland, from the best ingredients that can possibly be obtained.

Production here will be intentionally small—a fraction of that produced by Scotland’s existing and world renowned single-malt distilleries—so that meticulous care can be taken throughout the entire process. The whiskies are destined not for general sale but to become prized possessions and collectors items, available to those that take up ownership through the membership programme.

But it will be far more than just a world-class distillery producing the worlds rarest single malts. Its members are also its owners, and are therefore entitled not only to receive their allocation of whisky from each vintage, but only they can visit the distillery—which will be private and exclusive in its romantic setting amongst some of Scotland’s most beautiful and tranquil countryside—so they may, as owners, discover the magic and mystique behind the creation of Scotch Whisky and be kept closely in touch with the secrets of distilling that are rarely shared with other whisky enthusiasts.

With all the privileges of an owner, they can come to witness, and even assist, in the entire whisky-making process, have their visit personally organized by the distillery manager, and sample their whiskies from different casks as they mature over the years. They can bring their family and friends, and use the distilleries private rooms for lunches and private celebrations – as well as enjoying the myriad other activities that can be enjoyed in the surrounding area.

The many activities available here to visitors include golf (the venerable St. Andrews is easily accessible, as are some 40 other great regional courses), fly fishing on local salmon rivers, accommodation in romantic castles, horseback riding, exploring remote highland and island locations, and trips to Scotland’s nearby famous capital city, Edinburgh, with its numerous cultural and historical offerings as well as excellent shopping.

Members can use their distillery for special events, such as weddings or birthdays. The Ladybank distillery facilities—being created from historic stone farm and mill buildings—are to include special rooms for entertaining in the style of a wealthy distillery proprietor. Outside the hidden location is both magical and inspiring with its riverside setting and a Secret Victorian Garden that has lain forgotten over the years and will be carefully restored. All around are ornamental conifers, native trees, wildflowers and meadows..

Ladybank was founded in early 2003. Membership, which now stands at more than 300, will be capped at 1250 and thereby guarantee that membership value will increase in time. It is likely that memberships will be passed along from generation to generation within families.

Ladybank is the brainchild of entrepreneur James Thomson, who has been a communications consultant to some of the largest brands of Scotch, and has conducted distillery tours and whisky-tasting seminars. Seeing the need for people to go behind the scenes to enjoy the whole whisky experience, he decided that the only way for people to fully indulge their passion for whisky would be to build a distillery for a limited membership who would have the opportunity to be involved with the development.

Located on five acres of Sir Robert Spencer-Nairn’s estate in the lush rolling farmland of Fife, Ladybank is halfway between Edinburgh and St. Andrews. This ideal setting provides easy access to airports. Edinburgh is just 45 miles away, Glasgow and Prestwick airport about 90 miles, and there are several private airports and helipads in the area. A drive to the western seaboard, which is dotted with the picturesque islands of Gigha, Islay, and Mull, among others, is also within easy striking distance for a day trip.

For more information on membership, please contact the Membership Director at The Ladybank Company of Distillers Club Ltd., 21-23 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JP, Scotland, UK: Tel: +44 (0) 845 450 1885 Email: or visit www.whisky.co.uk.