Glenglassaugh Distillery has joined forces with the inaugural Cullen Skink World Championships to produce what is believed to be the world’s most expensive bowl of the famous soup. A large measure of Revival – the first single malt Scotch whisky to be produced by the distillery in recent times – is a key ingredient in a pot of the delicacy being produced especially for this weekend’s championships.

The whisky-laced version of Cullen Skink would normally cost £100 a bowl, but visitors to the competition on Sunday, July 22, will be able to taste it for free. Samples will be served up during the final round of the championships at the Cullen Bay Hotel, where chef Paul Buxton has worked with Glenglassaugh Distillery and local fish merchant Louie Paterson to create the perfect blend of smoked fish, potatoes, milk and malt. Revival is the first single malt Scotch whisky to be produced by Glenglassaugh since it’s reopening.

The distillery, which lies just a few miles to the east of Cullen, recommenced production in 2009 after being mothballed for 22 years.  Mr Paterson marinated the haddock in Revival before smoking it in his 100-year-old kilns in his smokehouse at Cluny Fish, Buckie. It was then up to Paul to find just the right measure of the amber nectar to add to his own traditional Cullen Skink recipe.

The Cullen Skink World Championships is being organised by the Cullen Voluntary Tourist Initiative. Dozens of recipes have been entered, but only the six best recipes have made it to the final and chefs will have just one hour to produce their own version of the world famous Scots dish. The only rule is that the recipe must use local produce and smoked Scottish haddock – the rest is open to interpretation. The final dishes will go before a judging panel which includes Diana Baxter – a member of the famous Baxter’s soup dynasty. The contest is being held as part of the Cullen Summer Festival, which runs from July 20-22.

The event features fun for all ages, from a gala day to guided walks – the full programme is available at www.discovercullen.com along with further information on holidays in the local area.

For more information about Revival and the distillery’s award-winning range of aged whiskies and younger spirit drinks, visit www.glenglassaugh.com