Scotland's Most Dangerous Rum Just Got a Lot Easier to Find

Stirling Distillery, the independent craft spirits producer based at the Old Smiddy beneath Stirling Castle, has announced that its acclaimed Spiced Rum is now available in Co-op Local stores across Scotland.

The rum joins Stirling’s Classic Gin, crafted with Stirlingshire nettles hand-picked from the slopes below Stirling Castle, which is already stocked in a wide range of Co-op stores. This means shoppers across the country can now pick up both flagship expressions during their weekly shop.

The listing was facilitated by Select Drams, a specialist Scottish spirits distributor with deep relationships across the retail sector. Stirling Distillery extends its sincere thanks to the Select Drams team for championing the rum and helping open doors that would make even the Baobhan Sith herself blush.

The Legend Behind the Rum

The rum is inspired by the Baobhan Sith (pronounced 'baa-van shee'), a creature of Scottish Highland legend said to take the form of a beautiful woman who lures unsuspecting travellers into the wilderness before revealing her true, vampiric nature – seductive, dangerous, and impossible to forget. It's a fitting muse for a distillery that draws much of its product range from Stirling's history and folklore.

True to her character, the rum doesn’t announce itself quietly. Notes of orange peel and rich spiced fruit cake give way to a warm chilli heat and bright orange zest finish – fiery, layered, and lingering.

The Spiced Rum is best served over ice with ginger beer or ginger ale to complement its natural warmth, though pineapple juice offers a tropical twist, and apple juice brings out a softer, rounder serve ideal for cooler evenings.

June McCann, Stirling Distillery co-founder, said: “Getting our Spiced Rum onto Co-op shelves across Scotland is a huge moment for us and pairing it with our Classic Gin means shoppers can now take a little piece of Stirling Castle home with them from their local Co-op. We’re enormously grateful to Select Drams for making this happen; they’ve been brilliant to work with. Now, if the Baobhan Sith comes calling at your door, at least you’ll be well equipped.”

Stirling Spiced Rum (70cl, £40) and Stirling Classic Gin are now available in Co-op Local stores across Scotland. Both products can also be purchased direct from www.stirlingdistillery.com and from selected independent retailers throughout Scotland.