HARD-DRINKING detective John Rebus has had a malt whisky named after him.
It is not unusual for the detective inspector to be propping up a bar, whisky in hand, after a hard day solving crimes in Scotland's capital.
Now the tough-talking, nononsense character is to get his own single malt.
Best-selling crime writer and Rebus creator Ian Rankin has teamed up with distillers Highland Park to create a fitting drink to celebrate the forthcoming 20th anniversary of the first Inspector Rebus novel.
The Scots author visited the Orkney-based distillery yesterday to choose a cask of single malt from a selection provided by Highland Park.
The whisky, which is 20 years old, will be used to create Rebus20, a single-cask limited edition malt.
Since first appearing in print in Knots and Crosses, the Edinburgh detective has had a taste for whisky.
The books have also been made into a successful TV series.
Mr Rankin said: "I'm a keen whisky drinker and Highland Park is one of my favourite malts so I was thrilled they were keen to get involved.
"I discovered Orkney a few years ago and was really pleased to go back, however this is my first visit to the distillery.
"Rebus has never been to Orkney before so who knows what this might inspire for the next book?
"In terms of whisky, Rebus would go for something traditional like the Highland Park 12-year-old which he would be more likely to find in the pub."
Jason Craig, global controller at Highland Park, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer Ian Rankin a single-cask whisky to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his famous detective."
The bottles will be available exclusively through activities surrounding the Rebus20 anniversary year of 2007.
Meanwhile, two Scottish businessmen and lifelong friends are launching what they claim to be the world's first single-malt Scottish vodka.
Lawrence Craig and Ricky Christie say their innovative and distinctive new breed of vodka, named VALT, will be one of the purest super premium spirits in the world.
The 40-per cent proof vodka, costing about GBP30 for a 70cl bottle, will be created through a unique batch distillation process using Scottish malt barley, normally used for the distillation of whisky, and soft Highland water from the River Spey.
The idea for the new vodka was conceived last year in a New York bar by the two men, who have been friends since meeting at Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow, 42 years ago.
Mr Craig said that VALT will have a distinct, mellow taste that will appeal to all markets but is aimed specifically at the 21-40 age group.
The product will go on sale in the UK from January and in other key marketplaces in the US, Russia, Asia and Europe soon afterwards.
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