David Mundell sampled one of Moray’s famous whiskies on his visit – having originally been introduced to it by the first lady of China.
The Scottish Secretary visited Strathisla Distillery in Keith on his tour of Moray yesterday to sample some of its Royal Salute whisky.
He had initially come across the drink while promoting the whisky industry to the president of China, Xi Jinping, during the latter’s visit to Britain last year.
Mr Mundell said: “I came to Strathisla because, when the president of China was in London, I was at a reception and I met him and, obviously, part of my job is to promote Scotch whisky.
“So I was promoting it to him, he doesn’t speak much English, but he got the message about how great Scotch whisky is generally.
“And then I was in a conversation with his wife and she was very interested in whisky and spoke perfect English and she told me that her favourite brand is Royal Salute 21.
“So we managed to acquire a bottle for her in London and I handed it over to her at Chequers.
“So that’s what put Royal Salute into my mind to tell the guys here that the First Lady of one of the biggest countries on Earth is a fan.”
As for Mr Mundell’s own verdict having sampled the tipple over his lunch – “excellent”.