Forward planning for our clients means that we have to think out of season, rummaging in the loft for christmas decorations in early October felt more than wrong!  A Christmas photoshoot for our client Arkwrights whisky shop  in Highworth involved creating whisky cocktails ready for the festive season.  A tasteful bauble here and a frothed up egg white there transformed into a tempting selection of cocktails which could grace any elegant christmas table.

Arkwrights' astonishing selection of over 800 whiskies (and we mean actually in stock, not on some virtual list) is a haven for the whisky lover and whether you're in a cottage in the Cotswolds or a pad in Paris, Arkwrights' international shipping service means the entire selection is just a mere finger click away!  Christmas is a busy time for Arkwrights as whisky fans from around the world flock to the website for rare, collectable or just downright drinkable whiskies.  However many people in the local area don't even know the shop exists.

Hence our PR plan for Arkwrights is focused heavily on the local region and a number of features will roll out over the next 3 months in selection of titles, making sure that the residents of the Cotswolds and Wiltshire realise they have such expertise on their doorstep. 

Expertise is one of the keys to Arkwrights' success. Owners Ken and Fran Thomas are passionate, knowledgeable and love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with the mystified shopper who is seeking the perfect present for the whisky lover who appears to have everything, the connoisseur seeking a dram with a difference or the 'whisky virgin' who is looking for a good starting point to explore the expansive world of whisky.

Fran has headed off to the Abhainn Dearg whisky launch this week, leaving Ken holding the fort.  Wish we were there!

A recent trip to Scotland by Media Eden's team captain, Jennie, promoted the perfect excuse to arrange a distillery visit on behalf of our clients Arkwrights, generating some video content for the forthcoming new website.  The Wiltshire based whisky shop boasts over 800 whiskies in stock but a trip to Oban Distillery unearthed a special Distillery Bottling that is only sold there - what a perfect excuse for a wee dram!

Distillery owners Diageo couldn't have been more accommodating and big thanks to the delighteful Frances who expressed terror at the thought of being filmed and then proved to be a pro!  The Sensory & Flavour tour is illuminating and the delightful little distillery is obviously run by people with passion about their brand, much like Ken & Fran at Arkwrights themselves.

It didn't take much persuasion to try the 14 year old single malt  and the distillers choice - then a nibble on crystallised ginger brought a whole new flavour to the whisky.  With distinctive notes of honey, smoke orange and sea salt, it proved the perfect panacea to a rather damp day in Oban.

Had we known we'd then have to take a 60 mile detour because 'the bridge was doon' then we may have come away with more than 3 bottles.....