9:21AM, Fri Jul 27, 2012

Al Capone, Lord Byron And Prohibition: Spey Royal Choice Whisky At Seaham Hall

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Seaham

Look round the North East cellar where Spey whisky was stored

Smuggled out of the North East during prohibition, drunk by Al Capone, and a gift at Lord Byron's wedding, Spey whisky's colourful association with the region has earned a rare honour.

Seaham Hall in County Durham has been granted permission to serve the £100 a bottle Spey Royal Choice in honour of the tipple's centuries-old history with the venue.

The exclusive Scottish brew was previously only available in five London venues: the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace.

Sunderland businessman John Harvey McDonough, whose family they are heirs of the family which makes Spey whiskey, helped secure the licence for both Seaham Hall and for the Historic Royal Palaces.

The Royal Choice whisky is a replica of the casked whisky Lord Byron sent to guests following his wedding at Seaham Hall on January 2, 1815.

One bottle sent to King George III at his home in Kew Palace earned the whisky its royal heritage, and replica of the cask is still on display there.

The whisky has been made in Aviemore, Scotland, under the licence of the Historic Royal Palaces since 2010, where the unique flavour is achieved by allowing it to mature in Spanish cherry casks.

The cellar in Seaham hall contains memorabilia from the venue's history with the whisky, from replica barrels to photographs of Lord Byron.

The hatch through which Spey whisky was smuggled out of the venue to make its way to America during prohibition can also be seen.

It is rumoured to have been the tipple of choice of the infamous gangster Al Capone.