The Isle of Arran Distillery has released the first of its limited edition Smugglers’ Series whiskies, which celebrates the distillery’s 21 st birthday.

The Smugglers' Series is said to "honour the tradition" of the illicit whisky trade that operated from Arran and up the Clyde to Glasgow.

Euan Mitchell, managing direct of Isle of Arran Distillery said: “We’re justifiably proud of the whisky-making heritage of the island. Visitors have long been fascinated in the illicit industry that ran between Arran and Glasgow in centuries past.

“With the distillery turning 21, it felt like the perfect time to commemorate that exciting time in Scotch whisky’s heritage with a series that pays homage to its ancestors whilst looking forward to the distillery’s future.”

The series’ packaging is designed to be “reminiscent of the hiding places used in the 18th and 19th centuries”. Smugglers’ Series Vol. 1, The Illicit Stills, is housed in a cut-out compartment of a would-be book.

The Illicit Stills has “a robust body and heavier peat influence, redolent of the whisky produced on the island in days gone by”. It has been matured in bourbon barrels and port pipes and is non-chill filtered, with no artificial colouring.

Bottled at 56.4.% ABV, The Illicit Stills is limited to 8,700 bottles worldwide and is priced at £84.99.