Wee dram - spring/summer 2016

ISSUE 14

• Speyside

Lots to drink and lots to do.

• Alwynne Gwilt aka Miss Whisky

• Whisky Cocktails

Whisky Galore to premiere in Edinburgh

SPRING/SUMMER 2016

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND INDEPENDENTLY MINDED.

AWARD WINNING SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY FROM THE ISLE OF ARRAN.

www.arranwhisky.com

NEWS

W

elcome to our Spring and Summer Edition of A Wee DRAM. This issue we have an interview with the lovely Alwynne Gwitt aka Miss Whisky, who developed a taste for whisky and who is now a real ambassador for it. Another person passionate about whisky is Blair Bowman, and he tell us what he thinks whisky companies could be doing to get more people drinking our national drink. This month we explore the wonders of Speyside, the heart of whisky land, and we also take a look at The Spirit Safe in Rothes - one of Scotland’s newest whisky bars.

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News

The latest from the world of whisky.

We also have lots of news on new expressions and some great whisky cocktails for you to try too. There are some Father’s Day gifting ideas and lots more. You can also enter your favourite whisky bar in the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards… www.scottishbarandpubawards.com A Wee DRAM is for those new to whisky and for those who love it already. So if you would like to see us cover something in particular please let us know at dram@mail.com.

Slainte Susan Young, Editor

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15 Whisky and Coconut water

Youthful Whisky expert Blair Bowman gives us his new.

18 Alwynne Gwilt

Aka miss whisky has a new role at Wm Grants.

21 People

Whisky Awards at Oran Mor.

22 Bar Browser

The Station Hotel Rothes.

24 Speyside

There’s plenty to do in Speyside Susan Young reports

29 Fathers Day

Gift ideas for your whisky loving dad.

32 Tasting Notes 34 What’s On

Interview: Alwynne Gwilt Editor Susan Young Editorial Mairi Clark Sales Executives Lucy McGovern & Robert McManus Production Michael Rahme Dogs Tootsie & Lucy A Wee DRAM is published by Media World Ltd. Upper Floor, Finnieston House, 1 The Stables Yard, 1103 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8ND Tel 0141 221 6965 Email dram@mail.com The publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors/omissions. Any artwork will be accepted at owner’s risk. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. Articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. © Media World Limited 2016 ISSN No 1470 - 2428

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NEWS

Speyside Hat-trick for Glenfiddich Glenfiddich Distillery has become the first single distillery to scoop all three accolades at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards.

The Dufftown distillery swept the board after its malts were selected by the whisky-loving public in a series of blind taste tests.

Glenfiddich 12 year old triumphed over Glen Grant’s 10 year old in the 12 year or younger category, and also took the title for the 13 to 20 year old category with its 18 year old, winning over Glen Moray’s 16 year old.

The distillery's Glenfiddich 21 year old won the category for single malts aged over 21, beating the Cragganmore 25 year old 2014 Special Release.

Judging sessions were held across Speyside during the Festival, which closed on 2 May, with a one-off judging held for the first time abroad, in the specialist Scottish shop Scotia Spirit in Cologne.

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COVER STORY

Glenmorangie names Justin Rose as golf ambassador Justin Rose has become the global golf ambassador for Glenmorangie and will be the face of its campaign in the run up to The British Open, which has come back to Troon this year.

He will feature in a series of brand films and appearances in the UK and US. Ranked 7th in the official world ranking, Rose came to prominence as a 17 yearold amateur with a fourth-place showing at the 1998 British Open, and has held 19 world titles. He won the US Open in 2013.

A 75 year-old bottle of Generations Mortlach by Gordon & MacPhail has sold at auction for £17,800.

The whisky is thought to be the oldest ever bottled and was distilled on 17 November 1939, before being bottled at cask strength in 2015.

The bottle was sold in an online auction run by Perth-based Whisky Auctioneer, and the auction also involved what is thought to be the earliest known book on distillation. “The Practical Distiller” was first published in 1718, and is one of only 8 copies, one of which is held in Oxford University's Bodleian Library and another at Harvard University. Bound with a subsequent work, “A Complete Body of Distilling” published in 1725, the pair sold for £5610.

NEWS

Whisky Galore!

World premiere ofh Int ernational Film Festival remake to close the Edinburg

The much-anticipated remake of legendary film, Whisky Galore!, will make its world premiere to close the 70th Edinburgh International Film Festival, on Sunday 26 June.

Despite speculation that the film would launch at Cannes Film Festival, its Scottish heritage won. “It’s a Scottish movie, so it makes sense that its premiere is in Scotland,” said Iain Mclean, producer of the remake. He continues, “I remember watching the film many times, as a child growing up on the Hebrides, on television and of course in black and white.

“It’s wonderful to bring Sir Compton Mackenzie’s story about whisky and the islanders to a new generation of film fans through this year’s EIFF, in such a prestigious slot.”

Whisky Galore!, written by screenwriter Peter McDougall, has been shot on location entirely in Scotland and features a cast of well-known Scottish

actors, including Gregor Fisher (Love Actually), James Cosmo (Braveheart), Kevin Guthrie (Sunset Song), and Sean Biggerstaff (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). It also stars Eddie Izzard (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) who plays the uptight Home Guard, Captain Waggett. Gillies Mackinnon, the director of Whisky Galore!, said, “I am delighted that Whisky Galore! will close the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

“This feels like the perfect and most appropriate world premiere for a film which is the remake of a Scottish film classic.”

Inspired by Sir Compton Mackenzie’s iconic 1947 novel, Whisky Galore! is based on the true story of a shipwreck off the coast of Eriskay. The ship - sailing for America with a cargo of export-only alcohol during World War II – ran ashore off the coast of the Hebrides.

FANCY BEING A WHISKY TASTING GUINEA PIG?

‘more affordable’

If you fancy being a whisky tasting guinea pig, get down to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Edinburgh's Queen Street on World Whisky Day which this year takes place on 21st May. For the second year running, Edinburgh University is running its Project Flavour Behaviour event where participants take a written personality test and then taste several special samples of single malt whisky to discover what their personality traits are based on their taste. The findings from the event will be analysed by Dr Adam Moore from the University of Edinburgh’s Psychology Department and will be fed into the ongoing Flavour Behaviour experiment, which will be unveiled in more detail during 2016.

Glengoyne takes World Whisky Day to the top of the hill!

Glengoyne is planning on celebrating World Whisky Day with a whisky breakfast on top of Calton Hill, one of Edinburgh's most iconic locations. Award-winning chef Tom Lewis, from the Monachyle Mhor Hotel in Perthshire, will be creating a whisky breakfast for invited guests and the distillery will be sending a very special cask to make it a World Whisky Day to remember!

Haig Club

Diageo could be about to launch a new whisky under the Haig Club brand, the brand which David Beckham has Championed, which is aimed at a younger audience, new to whisky and who are looking to drink the spirit with a mixer.

Details are stretchy but it is rumoured the new whisky will be released later this year. The new whisky will be sold a lower price point, indicating that the original Haig Club’s £45 price tag had been identified as a barrier to purchase for some drinkers.

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NEWS

Wemyss Malts release six single cask whiskies

10 year old for The Dubliner The Dubliner Irish Whiskey is now available as a Limited Edition 10 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey, distilled in copper pot stills and 100% matured in oak casks that previously held Kentucky Bourbon.

Sinead O’ Frighil, Irish whiskies marketing manager at Quintessential Brands, owners of The Dubliner, said, “We are delighted to be introducing this limited edition expression to The Dubliner range. The Dubliner 10 Year Old captures the essence of Dublin and paying homage to the history of distilling in Dublin dating back over 500 years.

The Dubliner 10 Year old has a price tag of around £50 .

Independent bottler Wemyss Malts has released a collection of six new single cask whiskies comprising a selection of stock from the Highlands, Speyside and Islay. It also includes a single cask, single grain release named ‘Rosy Apple Brûlée’. The full list ranges from 18 to 35 years old. William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, comments, “Continuing on from the first single cask release of the year this second selection truly demonstrates the quality and magic of wellaged whiskies such as a thirty five year old Caol Ila titled “The Admiral’s Beacon.” Selected by whisky expert,

Charlie Maclean, each cask is limited to only a few hundred bottles, which will sell from £80 to £240.

A new premium expression Jim Beam Double Oak Jim Beam Double Oak, the long-awaited twice-barrelled whiskey from Beam Suntory, is launching in the UK. The expression is a new take on Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon crafted by maturing the signature whiskey, but two different American oak barrels. First matured in new charred American white oak barrels – as with all Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon – it is then transferred into a second freshly charred oak barrel for a further period of ageing. The twice-barrelled production process allows the product to have greater contact with the wood.

The result is a whiskey intense in flavour yet smooth in taste, which can be enjoyed on the rocks or in a Double Oak Fashioned. Drinkers will discover aromas of vanilla and hints of toasted wood that lead into deep char and oak flavours with rich caramel and toffee notes. The finish is notably balanced with a distinct spiced oakiness lingering on the palate. Jim Beam Double Oak has an ABV of 43% ABV and a price of £27.99.

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NEWS

New look Lochside Hotel

New ‘community-owned’ distillery to open The first community-owned distillery in Scotland is being planned for Dingwall. The Glen Wyvis Community Benefit Society, hopes to start construction this year, and as well as being 100% community-owned, it will also be powered entirely by green energy.

The firm is working in conjunction with lottery-funded body Community Shares Scotland (CSS), which offers investment opportunities for as little as £250 to people living in all the surrounding IV postcode areas – and between £750 and £100,000 to anybody, regardless of where they live.

John Mckenzie, founding director of Glen Wyvis Community Benefit Society and a local farmer, said, “Our aim is to make Dingwall the craft distilling town for Scotland.”

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Islay's Lochside Hotel has had a revamp and it is looking good. The whisky bar and Duffies Bar, dining room and other public areas have been transformed, while the bedrooms too have all been totally refurbished and each, and every one, now has a brand new ensuite.

The hotel owner by Neil Morrison, who also has McGochan's on Mull, entrusted Scottish designer Ranald McColl with the work. He told Wee DRAM, “For years people had been coming from all over the world to this bar, and they must have been disappointed when they got here. It may have been renowned the world over for its whiskies, but it didn't look the part. I didn't want people to be disappointed any more.”

They certainly won't be.

Check it out at www.lochsidehotel.co.uk

The Ballygrant Inn adopts Lochside gantry

The award-winning whisky bar at The Ballygrant Inn in Islay, has adopted the gantry that was previously in situ at The Lochside Hotel. The hand carved gantry now takes pride of place in the Inn’s function suite. Father and son team, David and Ewan Graham, have also put in new seating and refreshed areas of the main bar.

The hugely successful Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – which has just ended – is to be reprised in September with a mini-fest called Spirit of Speyside – Distilled.

To be held at Elgin Town Hall, the three-day event will bring the region’s whisky producers under one roof on their own doorstep for the first time. It is hoped that the event will initially attract a more local audience. Festival chairman James Campbell said, “We chose Elgin for the location because it is the transport hub for the area, with excellent rail and road links. People can come for one session or the whole weekend but still enjoy the spirit – and welcome – for which Speyside is famous.”

Tickets will go on sale soon at www.spiritofspeyside.com

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NEWS

A remarkable blend Douglas Laing & Co has added to its Remarkable Regional Malts collection with the launch of The Epicurean Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, the Lowland addition.

A blend of some of the finest Lowland Malts, it brings together both the east and west of Scotland. Fred Laing, managing director and 2nd Generation in the family business, said, “Back in 1930s Glasgow, The Epicurean, as everyone knew him, was the life and soul of any party. Our new expression is in honour of that roguish character who never fails to deliver charm, charisma and just a little bit of cheek. The Epicurean, our Lowland “Vatted” Malt joins Timorous Beastie from the Highlands, Scallywag from Speyside, Rock Oyster from the Islands and Big Peat from Islay to complete our Remarkable Regional Malts collection.”

The Epicurean launches with a competition to win 1 of 4 limited edition gold bottles at Facebook.com/DLTheEpicurean.

Music-inspired 808 has ‘youth appeal’ A new whisky brand aimed at young, open-minded men and women, 8O8 Whisky, has been launched by a group of music and lifestyle figures. Music producer and DJ TommyD, businessman Paul Pullinger, Warner Music UK CEO Max Lousada, whisky expert Jonathan Driver and ex-Red Bull chief Harry Drnec have launched the brand – named after the famous Roland TR-808 Drum Machine – UK-wide after a soft launch in London nightclubs.

Blended at North British distillery, Edinburgh’s last working distillery and one of the largest and oldest grain whisky producers in Scotland, 8O8 works both as a smooth and delicious neat serve while is also perfect for cocktails and club serves.

Jonathan Driver said, “8O8 whisky is unlike anything else in the market. We weren’t just making a sensational whisky, we were creating an entirely new conversation with a new generation of whisky drinkers.”

Laphroaig introduces “Lore” Laphroaig has unveiled new single malt, Laphroaig Lore, inspired by the legend of Laphroaig. Drawn from a variety of casks including first-fill bourbon barrels, quarter casks and Oloroso sherry hogsheads, the new expression is described as the richest of the rich.

History has it that Laphroaig was crafted in 1800 by brothers Alexander and Donald Johnston, even before the distillery officially existed in 1815. As the name suggests, this new expression is inspired by traditions and tales passed down from generation to generation of Laphroaig’s Distillery Managers since 1815.

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NEWS

Jura’s Tastival showcases whisky and food

Diageo to launch ‘more affordable’ Haig Club version Jimmy Doherty Isle of Jura’s annual Tastival, its contribution to Islay’s Feis Ille, will showcase pairing whisky with food as well as craft beers and tours of the distillery.

Jimmy’s, the renowned London pop-up restaurant by TV farmer Jimmy Doherty, will be curating a special menu for a session called, Dine the Different Sides of Jura, showcasing the sweet and smoky sides of the island’s whisky. Craft beer brand, Fyne Ales, will also be pairing its own beers with food.

Second site for Isle of Arran Isle of Arran Distillers is planning a second site on the opposite side of Arran which will include a visitor centre, pot stills for distillation and warehousing. The new site is situated on the location of a 19th century distillery that closed in 1837.

Created by Ayr-based architects Denham and Benn, the new visitor centre will have floor-to-ceiling windows that will give visitors sweeping views of the island and its coastline, whilst the grass covered-roof will blend the structure into the landscape itself.

Euan Mitchell, managing director of Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd said, “This final application is the first step towards the next age of the distillery.

The past 21 years has seen the ‘Arran Waters’ flow around the world. We are relatively young compared to some other Scotch whisky distilleries and have a fresh, dynamic approach coupled with big ambitions to continue to expand our business. We intend to uphold the rich heritage of whisky making at Lagg and welcome many more people to the island to experience it for themselves.”

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Free minibus to Kingsbarns

Kingsbarns Distillery is hoping to welcome more visitors this May by running a free minibus between St Andrews’ Visitor Information Centre, the Fairmont Hotel and the Distillery. The bus service will run three times a day until the 31st May, picking up from the St.Andrews’ Visitor Information Centre at 10 am, 1pm and 4pm. It will stop 10 minutes later at the Fairmont Hotel on the way to the Distillery.

Visitors will join the one hour tours starting at 10:30am, 130pm and 430pm, before being returned to their starting point. Douglas Clement, founder and Visitor Centre Manager at Kingsbarns Distillery said, “Our Distillery and Visitor Centre opened on St Andrews Day 2014 and we’ve had nearly 11,000 visitors take the tour since we opened. We hope that our free minibus service will enable us to bring even more people here to enjoy a tour, a visit to our cafe and shop “ The minibus is free and has 8 seats for passengers. Spaces can be reserved on the minibus by calling the St Andrews Visitor Information Centre on 01334 472021. The Kingsbarns Distillery Visitor Centre is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with tours running hourly from 1030am to 430pm.

Tours can be booked online at kingsbarnsdistillery.com or at the St Andrews Visitor Information Centre at 70 Market Street, St Andrews.

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FEATURE

Whisky and Coconut Water?

Whisky can be a very intimidating drink. So how can whisky brands make whisky seem less intimidating and get younger drinkers into the category? Blair Bowman invistigates.

I

have been on a personal crusade to recruit younger consumers to whisky since late 2008 and in this feature will share some insights from my nearly eight years of making whisky attractive for this sector.

Go into any whisky bar or whisky shop and just look at the sheer number of bottles on display. You could be standing looking at hundreds of bottles of whisky. The difference between each of these whiskies is not immediately obvious to consumers, especially younger consumers, and the prices can vary dramatically.

A lot of the names on the bottles can be, to the uninitiated, very difficult to pronounce and this can be an immediate turn-off. Younger consumers don’t want to look foolish standing at a bar, or in a shop for that matter, and fear they might mispronounce names like Ledaig, Glen Garioch or Abhainn Dearg.

The same goes for older consumers too who won’t risk mispronouncing something so will go for their ‘usual’ that they know how to pronounce correctly.

Another major barrier to entry for younger consumers is price point and the possibility that they may not like what they have ordered and feel that they have wasted their money. Price is a very big

Blair Bowm

an

factor for this group when considering a purchase.

Diageo and David Beckham’s Haig Club have announced that they are releasing a new version of Haig Club at a lower price point after consumer feedback noted that the £45 price tag for a bottle was a barrier to purchase for younger consumers. £45 could buy a lot of pints or any other drink for that matter that they know they like, so why would they risk spending £45 on something that they may not even enjoy drinking? Younger consumers are very savvy with their money and won’t necessarily go splashing their cash to try something new if they don’t know whether they will like it or not.

A new initiative that I highly commend is Moray Council’s new 10ml licence for whisky tastings and events. This allows people to try smaller amount of whisky, at a cheaper price, instead of having to have a full 25ml measure with the risk of not enjoying the taste of that particular whisky. I think this is an excellent idea and I hope it will be adopted by other licensing boards.

I see the new wave of non age statement whiskies as a ripe opportunity for whisky brands to recruit younger consumers with gateway whiskies. This particular group won’t be driven by age statements 15

FEATURE on a bottle, they will be driven by price and flavour.

So, if a brand can get the price right and get the flavour profile to be accessible to a younger palate but still work well with a mixer or in cocktails then they are onto a winner. Then some time later when this younger consumer has matured, read: earns a larger salary, and has a more discerning palate, they will remember the non age statement gateway whiskies that got them into the category and trade up into the more expensive aged whiskies within that stable.

The same argument can be made for blended whiskies being gateway whiskies into the category.

By far the most successful example of this is William Grant and Sons Monkey Shoulder. At between £25 to £30 a bottle, depending on where you buy it, and with a very accessible flavour profile, it has established itself as a cult drink within the global bar scene. Monkey Shoulder is not scared of pushing boundaries and does an excellent job at just having fun with whisky and its brand.

I also believe brands could do a lot more to promote long drinks with whiskies as the base in the drink as an entry into the category.

Short cocktails are great, like a Manhattan, Rusty Nail, Penicillin, etc., but to new consumers these can be very strong and expensive at bars. A softer entry into whisky cocktails would be with a long whisky cocktail like the Japanese style ‘highball’ (whisky with soda) or ‘mizuwari’ (whisky mixed with water and ice). With the Olympic games coming up in Rio de Janeiro this summer, I have predicted that whisky with coconut water will be the summer whisky serve of 2016. Then, after this introduction, consumers may wish to find out more about the base whisky and start to nose and appreciate whisky in, say, a Glencairn glass.

Another barrier to entry is the perception that whisky is a snobby, pretentious, old man’s drink. In the UK, in particular, a bunch of old ‘whisky rules’ still gets banded around: you must drink whisky neat, you cannot add ice, you must not mix whisky, and so on. In my eyes, these old school ‘rules’ have done more to damage whisky’s reputation and turn off consumers than anything else.

It’s barriers like this that make whisky seem elitist and that you have to be part of a ‘club’ to understand it or appreciate it. These barriers need to be broken down and quickly or whisky risks losing out with younger consumers going straight to rums and tequilas or other spirits that don’t have ‘rules’ associated with them.

I think more needs to be done to eliminate this old school mentality towards whisky and the old guard need to realise that if they don’t welcome new and innovative approaches to whisky recruitment then they will lose out in a very competitive spirits market. So remember, if you Blair Bowman are buying the whisky then it is yours and you can do whatever you like with it. The most important thing is that however you choose to enjoy it (neat, mixer, cocktail, or other), you enjoy it.

It’s a long term game but this is how I see it working.

If brands can remove the stigma and make whisky fun again then I think in the long term recruiting these new consumers via long cocktails, or non age statement whiskies will, in the long run, reap rewards in the future for these brands. In order to achieve this though we need to go back to basics.

At the end of the day we are talking about alcohol in a glass, so let’s make it fun and interactive, not elitist or intimidating.

I believe brands could do a lot more to promote long drinks with whiskies as the base in the drink as an entry into the category.

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TM

SHUTTLE BUS FROM EDINBURGH Glenkinchie distillery will be running daily minibus services from Edinburgh city centre to the distillery.

TRANSPORT AND TOUR FROM £20

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Alwynne Gwilt aka Miss Whisky 18

INTERVIEW

Our interviewee this issue is Alwynne Gwilt, who was recently appointed whisky specialist at Wm Grants. She is now responsible for the companies Ancient Reserves Portfolio of whisky which includes the newly launched Ailsa Bay, The Girvan Patent Still, Kininvie and Wm Grant & Sons Rare Cask Reserves.

What brought you into the whisky industry?

I started out as a journalist, working in Canada in both print and broadcast. I came over to the UK in 2007, and after a chance whisky tasting at Milroy’s of Soho in early 2008, I fell in love with whisky and started to learn more about it on a personal level. I started my blog, Miss Whisky, in 2011 before finally moving full time into the industry in January of this year.

You now work with William Grant, what does a typical day involve?

My day can include everything from travelling to Scotland to visit our distilleries and accounts there, to visiting the prestige outlets in London or other main cities where we stock the Ancient Reserves portfolio of whiskies I represent. Some days I’ll be doing admin from home, while others I’ll be doing back to back training sessions with on-trade bar staff, off-trade shop staff, or wider consumer groups. It’s incredibly varied!

You’re obviously a whisky drinker yourself, what attracts you to certain whiskies? Do you have a favourite?

I love whiskies that really capture me at the first smell. I think our noses are underestimated when it comes to whisky, with too much focus being put on how the whisky tastes. I love sticking my nose in a glass of whisky and being hit immediately with a plethora of scents, often that bring up visual memories for me – a walk on a beach or through the forest, sitting by a fire in winter, the smell of freshly cut grass.

The evocative nature of whisky never ceases to amaze me. Favourite wise, that would be impossible!

With more women in the industry than ever, what do you think next needs to be tackled in the whisky market?

I think advertising should be more focused on the general enjoyment of whisky by a wide range of people – not just the masculine explorer type!

I think we are seeing that more. Additionally, the

industry can do more to educate people curious to get into the category on how diverse whisky can be – it doesn’t just need to be served neat, but can be enjoyed in numerous ways. We are doing that more with whiskies such as Girvan 4 Apps, which we love to see experimented with in cocktails, for instance.

What was it like coming from Canada to the UK? Is the industry different there?

I don’t know the industry well in Canada, other than hearing from friends who work over there. I didn’t drink whisky until I moved to the UK eight and a half years ago, so the vast majority of my experiences are tied up in that.

When we spoke, you’re just back from Speyside, do you spend a lot of time in Scotland?

I will spend a proportion of my time up there at the distilleries I represent – Girvan, Ailsa Bay and Kininvie – are all there, as are our blending labs.

We also have a lot of great people we work with in places like Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

I love it in Scotland, so I can’t complain and it’s a real treat every time I get to visit!

Is there a distillery that you’d really love to visit, but haven’t yet? Or have you a favourite to visit?

I would still really like to get out to Japan. I’ve managed to see some great distilleries in Ireland, Canada, South Africa and the US, but I’ve been a fan of Japanese whiskies for many years and somewhere like Chichibu is very high up on my to-visit list! I’m lucky in that one of my favourite whisky sites is the home of William Grant, where we have Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Kininvie distilleries. The Balvenie is one of the first distilleries I ever went to, so it’s close to my heart. But overall, the site has a bit of everything, from the malting floor at The Balvenie, to the cooperage on site, the reclusive Kininvie and the lovely Glenfiddich – all of which offers something different for the whisky lover.

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PEOPLE

Òran Mór, Whisky Awards Where Òran Mór, Glasgow The 2016 Òran Mór Whisky Awards took place recently with Colin Ross of Ben Nevis Distillery receiving the accolade Lifetime Achievement of the Year. The People’s Choice Award went to Aberfeldy 16 Year Old, and in the Experts Blind Tasting it was Spey Tenné that picked up the award. Glen Scotia was revealed as the Best Newcomer, while the Best Overseas award was picked up by Blanton’s Single Barrel. This year’s Whisky Rep of the year went to Michael Allan of Wm Grant & Sons. More than 150 people attended the awards from across the trade, with a good time had by all.

Below is a full list of the winners from the Oran Mor Whisky Awards – Best Overseas – Blanton’s Single Barrel Best Newcomer – Glen Scotia Double Cask Blind Tasting - Spey Tenné People’s Choice – Aberfeldy 16 Year Old Lifetime Achievement – Colin Ross Whisky Rep of the Year – Michael Allan

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Port Askaig ISLAY

Hotel

Port Askaig Hotel, Port Askaig Isle of Islay PA46 7RD Tel: 01496 840 245 Email: hotel@portaskaig.co.uk www.portaskaig.co.uk

Port Askaig Hotel is a picturesque, family run Highland Inn on the shores of the Sound of Islay, overlooking the pier at which daily car ferries berth on arrival from the Scottish mainland. Due to its proximity to the ferry, the hotel offers easy access to Jura, Colonsay and the mainland.

Port Askaig Hotel, located on the Harbourside, is open all year round to both residents and nonresidents and has eleven ensuite rooms.

The Hotel boasts the Old Port Bar and Snug Lounge which both serve a wide selection of local whiskies and ales. The Hotel’s Starboard Bistro specializes in fresh, locally caught seafood. In addition the Lunch and Dinner Menus offer a good selection of other dishes.

Tel: 01496 840 245

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BAR BROWSER

The Station Hotel

51 New St, Rothes, Moray AB38 7BJ Tel: 01340 832200 www.stationhotelspeyside.com

The Station Hotel in Forres opened earlier this year and now offers locals, tourists and businessmen a great whisky bar called The Spirit Safe, Pagoda restaurant, Toots Cafe Bar & Bistro and first class accommodation.

The Spirit Safe has an actual spirit safe located in the bar, and the bar also features miniature copper replicas of Scottish whisky stills as well as being home to more than 300 different whiskies. It offers rare and limited releases and popular whiskies and spirits too. You can also sample the Station Hotel’s own limited edition 24-year-old single cask whisky, produced at the Speyside Distillery in Kingussie using Forsyths stills, and finished in a sherry butt.

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Activitie in T

he words ‘Speyside is famous for Whisky’ reverberate around travel and whisky magazines the world over. Because Speyside truly is one of the places on the planet where there are more whisky distilleries than any other. More than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries are situated in the area. Therefore it’s hardly surprisingly that one of the highlights of the year is The Speyside Whisky Festival, which attracts people from all over the world. It has just taken place, but that doesn’t mean to say there is not plenty going on over the next six months in the area.

Speyside for the unitiated is the area that extends the length of the river Spet. You hang a right just past the popular ski-resort of Aviemone and head towards Grantown-on-Spey. It is one of the the most scenic routes in the country.

The boundary lies beyond Keith, and Ardmore Distillery is right on the cusp. Drawing the water from the Spey.

While the distilleries are one of the draws for visitors to the area, its terrain and history lend itself to every excursion you could hope for. It also offers a range of activities for all ages and you can be as adventurous as you want. From 24

mountain climbing to surfing, fishing or cycling and there are are no shortage of walks in the area, which is also renowned for its mountains, forests, lochs and glens.

We’ve highlighted a dozen things to do in Speyside... that is when you are not visiting a distillery!

1. Visit Culloden moor If history is your thing then a visit to Culloden is a must. The Battle of Culloden remains one of the most significant battles in Scottish history, and the area where it took place is believed to be one of the most haunted. Despite the battle lasting less than an hour, it had around 2,000 victims, most of them Jacobites. You can visit the battlefield all year round, and the moor where it took place has been restored so that it replicates what it would have looked like in 1745. The Visitor centre is open usually from 9am – 5.30pm although it is open until 6pm during the summer months.

2. Explore the Clava Cairns.

These Bronze age burial chambers, standing stones and ring cairns are situated in a stunning setting and are famous, if a bit spooky, with

es galore Speyside some of the tombs having passageways leading to their centres. Information panels at the site explain all you need to know about the Cairns.

3. Visit a Castle There are also castles a plenty for history buffs.

Brodie Castle, in Forres, is a National Trust for Scotland property, and is considered a jewel in Speyside’s crown. It may be haunted but it does have a fine collection of paintings, antiques and porcelain. There’s also Ballindalloch Castle, owned by The Macpherson-Grants. They have opened their castle for visitors and it too is worth visiting.

4. View the UK’s only Polar Bear At the Scottish Highlands Wildlife Park you can see the UK’s only Polar Bear. There are plenty of other animals too ranging from Red Pandas to Amur Tigers.

5. Ride a steam engine The Strathspey Steam Railway winds through the Scottish countryside. If afternoon tea is your thing you can partake of it while enjoying sumptous views.

6. Go mountain biking.

Either bring your own bike or hire one. There are plenty of cycle routes for all skill levels. There are also purpose-built trails at the heart of the Glenlivet Estate set in the stunning scenery of the Cairngorms National Park. And closer to the coast, the Forestry Commission’s Moray Monster Trails. There’s also Culbin Forest and Roseisle Forest. Check out http://www.morayspeyside. com/mountain-biking 7. Visit a few whisky bars.

Why not try the Copper Dog at Craigellachie Hotel in Craigellachie – it’s where the likes of Kate Moss and Nick Grimshaw have hung out recently.

There’s also the Highlander Inn, just across the road from the Craigellachie Hotel. In Aberlour there’s the Mash Tun, and also in Aberlour there’s The Dowans Hotel which boasts a small glamourous cocktail bar and a whisky bar too.

Nearby in Rothes the Station Hotel also has two bars – a bar and bistro called Toots and a whisky bar called The Spirit Safe.

8. Go surfing/white white water rafting Apparently there is good surfing in the area 25

when the tides and wind are right. Lossiemouth is a favourite location, as is Sandend Bay. Or white water rafting. You can try see aceadventures.co.uk 9. Play around There are plenty of golf courses in Speyside, and there is nothing better than playing around when the scenery all around is wonderful. Try Boat of Garten Golf and Tennis Club, Carrbridge Golf Club and the Spey Valley Golf Course 10. Walk your wee heart out...

The Speyside Way is one of the best known walks that stretches some 70 miles from Buckie to Spey Bay and continues onto Tomintoul, before reaching Aviemore. There’s also the Dava Way, a beautiful walk between Grantown-on-Spey and Forres which covers 24 miles.

11. Attend a Highland Event/Games This month there is the Gordon Castle Highland

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Games and Country Fair which takes place on 20th May. From Highland dancing to piping, fiddlers and even a dog show as well as Archery Laser clay shooting and clay pigeon shooting.

There’s also Piping at Forres which takes place on 25th June – it plays host to the European Piping Championships.

12. And last but by no means least... Do the Whisky trail...

Visit Benromach, Cardhu, Dallus Dhu, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glen Moray, The Speyside Cooperage and Strathisla distilleries. You’ll be able to tell your friends you’ve done the only Scotch Whisky trail in the world.

Of course if you have any energy left there is always its wonderful beaches, sailing, bird spotting, sea life... Whew! I think I need a dram!

RARE, EXPENSIVE, HANDMADE. AND THAT’S JUST THE CASKS.

THAT’S THE GLENGOYNE WAY. glengoyne.com

GIFTS

Dartington Crystal

Islay Peat

Make every drink a true pleasure with Dartington Crystal. Hand-crafted in the UK from luxurious fine crystal, a gift of Dartington will always be admired and appreciated. The Connoisseur Whisky set of tumbler and jug (£60 shown here) or any of our great whisky options can be personalised with hand engraving when you order on-line.

Peat is the first ongoing release from Speciality Drinks’ Elements of Islay series.

A blend of single malts from around the island, this is a big, punchy ‘full-throttle’ dram with notes of roasted fruit, smoke and roasted spice. Beautifully sandy coloured, it has a minimalist design for non-traditional enthusiasts.

www.dartington.co.uk or call 01805 626221

£34.95 from www.thewhiskyexchange.com

50 year old Scotch whisky gift set This set contains a delicious 3cl sample of 50 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky from a secret Speyside distillery as well as a crystal tasting and nosing glass to capture every aroma. The whisky is extraordinary for being matured for half a century.

£38.95 from www.Masterofmalt.com

With Father’s Day fast approaching, here are some ideas for what to buy your whisky loving dad.

Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt

Isle of Jura miniature set

Stainless steel personalised hip flask

Master Blender Richard Paterson has taken the base of the first blend of Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt and made the finished product even more refined. The brand is inspired by Shackleton’s expedition to Antartica, where he took 46 bottles of Mackinlay’s malt. This bottle is special.

A trio of miniatures, known as The Collection, a lovely gift for a fan of Jura whisky. Contains a 10 year old Origin (40%), a Superstition (43%) and a Diurachs (40%).

This lovely personalised window hip flask has a glass front to ensure dad never runs out of his favourite whisky. Supplied in a sleek black presentation box, the classic round shape allows itself to be personalised or engraved with three of four lines of engraving.

£105 from www.thewhiskyexchange.com

£17.99 from www.giftsinternational.net

£26 from Www.notonthehighstreet.com 29

the

2016 incorporating the

DRAM AWARDS

Help put us on the map Nominate us now for an award at scottishbarandpubawards.com

21Years of celebrating excellence in the Scottish Licensed Trade

COCKTAILS

Cocktails to try Cider House Rocks

Ingredients: 25ml Red Stag 2 dashes angostura bitters Top with Perry Cider

Lore of the Land

Glassware Highball Garnish Cherries

Glassware coupette Garnish Dried Apple Ring

Method Fill highball to the top with cubed ice.

Add ingredients, Stir, Garnish and serve.

Method Shake all ingredients and single strain into rocks glass full of cubed ice.

Alcohol 2.5 units

Rob Roy

Ingredients: 50ml Highland Park 25ml Sweet vermouth 2 dashes Angostura bitters Glassware Coupette Garnish Orange zest and discard Method stir all ingredients with cubed ice and julep strain into chilled coupette.

Zest and serve.

Alcohol 2.5 units

Ingredients: 35ml Laphroaig 10 15ml Apple Liqueur 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice 10ml Sugar Syrup

Alcohol 1.8 units

Ward8

Ingredients: 50ml Jim Beam Double Oak 12.5ml Lemon juice 12.5ml Orange Juice 12.5ml Grenadine Glassware: Coupette/Martini Garnish: No garnish Method Shake all in ingredients with cubed ice and double strain into chilled glass.

Alcohol 2 units

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TASTING NOTES

TASTING NOTES The great thing about malt whisky is that people can taste a whole variety of flavours in the liquid.

Whisky connoisseurs have a whole host of descriptives, and on this page we give you some that are used to describe a selection of our favourite single malts. When we talk about nose we mean smell, and palate means the taste. The finish is the taste that remains once you have swallowed the whisky.

The Dubliner 10 Year Old

Colour Copper bronze Nose A sweet, slightly spicy aroma with overtones of vanilla, honey and perfume notes; characterful and complex.

Palate A rich, malty flavour with a smoothness and warmth at the end and a hint of chocolate and vanilla coming through.

Finish A long smooth, slightly dry finish with hints of toffee, chocolate and vanilla finish at the end.

The Epicurean Colour Sandy tone.

Nose Barley rich, citric, floral and herbal.

Palate Sugar, burnt citrus, mixed spices, thyme, peaches and hard candy.

Finish Herbal with almonds, cut grass and burnt sugar.

Laphroaig Lore Colour Deep mahogany.

Nose Rich and smoky with seaside minerals and a hint of ash and bitter chocolate drops. Vanilla follows with oily unroasted chestnuts and a hint of fudge with a malty sweetness.

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A drop of water adds a creamy clotted cream note with fruit appearing in the form of unripe citrus in a flan glaze.

Palate Richly peaty with a spicy chilli bite.

Finish Short dry finish and a long sweet aftertaste.

citrus and orchard fruits combine with milk brioche and dark chocolate.

Finish Luxurious finish with the delicious aroma of orange fondant creams.

Big Peat’s Feis Ile Limited Edition

Colour Gleaming harvest gold with a burnished copper edge.

Nose Sweet toasted oak spices are interwoven with roasted orchard fruits and dusted with cracked barley.

Black vanilla pods, desiccated coconut and a gentle floral note add complexity to the ripe, fruit-laden nose.

Palate Creamy heather honey pours over a medley of apples, pears and apricots. Subtle notes of candied peel and fresh ginger give a delicate warmth.

Finish A luscious, velvety finish with a classic combination of vanilla, toasted coconut and sweet barley.

Colour Natural colour.

Nose Fresh, salty and clean, and develops to malted barley dried over peat. A damp, earthy character that’s immediately punchy.

Palate Ashes, sweet tar, beaches and smoking chimneys Finish Salty, tangy liquorice, smoke and yet more bonfire ashes.

The Arran Malt 18 Year Old Colour Gold Nose Caramelised citrus and tropical notes mingle on a background of toasted oak.

Palate Classic Arran flavours of

BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1

THAT’LL DHU NICELY. Debate rages over the distiller’s art but one name unites devotees and dabblers alike: Tamdhu.

Arguably the world’s finest 10-year old single malt whisky; established on Speyside 1897, reborn on Speyside 2013 (in hand-selected sherry casks no less).

So, once more, all can enjoy Tamdhu’s fresh, rich, spicy notes and pure natural colour.

Go on, carpe dhuem.

Rediscover Tamdhu at tamdhu.com

Enjoy your dram responsibly.

WHAT’S ON

WHISKY WORLD...

Until 29th May

History, Whisky and Chocolate The Real St. Mary King’s Close 2 Warriston Close, High St. Edinburgh EH1 1PG 21:30 - 23:00 In partnership with Royal Mile Whiskies, this tour allows guests to explore the streets beneath the Royal Mile and gain an insight into the varieties of whisky available in Scotland.

Each dram will be accompanied by a specially selected sample of organic craft chocolate from local suppliers Chocolate Tree.

Tickets cost £35 and are available from realmarykingsclose.com Until 31st May

Dramble Tours Start from St George’s Tron Church, Nelson Mandela Place Glasgow, G1 2JX. 13:00 - 18:00

These five-hour whisky walking tours involve comprehensive whisky tasting in some of the city’s best bars.

Tickets from £85, more info dramble-tours.com 14th May

Smuggler’s Whisky Tasting, Kirkoswald A. D. Rattray Whisky Experience & Shop 32 Main Road, Kirkoswald, Ayrshire KA19 8HY 12:00 and 14:00 A guided tasting of three scotch whiskies. Costumed characters will be holding informal whisky talks, tours of 34

the Cask Room and the chance to bottle your own whisky.

You will also get the chance to see artefacts from the Robert Burns Museum archives from when Burns worked as an Exciseman.

Tickets £15, call 01655 760308.

20th until 26th May

The Islay Festival of Malt Now in its 32nd year, this is a festival not to be missed. Featuring a diverse programme featuring traditional music, ceilidhs, Gaelic lessons, golf, bowling and, of course, whisky tasting.

Tickets from £10. Islayfestival.com 25th until 26th May

Isle of Jura Tastival

The festival is looks at new and exciting ways to enjoy whisky.

Pairing sessions are held with Jimmy’s Pop Up restaurant and Fyne Ales, matching its hoppy IPA’s with Jura’s whisky. There will also be a talk from whisky legend Richard Paterson, and you can also have the opportunity to savour a Jura dram on a cruise around the island.

28th until 29th May

The Whisky Stramash The Surgeon’s Hall, Edinburgh 13:00 - 16:00, 17:00 - 21:00 Sunday: 12:00 - 16:00 Two days of sampling some great whiskies, this event runs in three different sessions from 1pm to 4pm, 5pm to 9pm on the Saturday and 12-4pm on the Sunday. There will also food and other drinks available. Tickets cost £29.15 and are available from thewhiskystramash.com 4th until 25th June

West End Festival Masterclasses Bridie Library, Glasgow University Union.

These masterclasses are for both the whisky connoisseur and the novice. The Glasgow Malt Whisky Company is offering tastings of six different whiskies from around Scotland. Run on four different dates, you should be able to make one.

Tickets £23 available from glasgowmaltwhiskycompany.com 9th June

27th May

Casks, Coats and Chemistry

George Square Glasgow 06:30

Kelvingrove Cafe, 116 Argyle St. Glasgow, G3 8TB. 19:00

If you can’t commit to the full weekend on Islay, Bunnahabhain is running a day trip from Glasgow. A full Scottish breakfast on The Finlaggan, tasting at the distillery, access to the open day, dinner and a drink at The Pot Still on return. Tickets cost £95 and you arrive back in Glasgow at 11pm. Bunnabhain.com

As part of the Glasgow Science Festival, discover the story of Harris Tweed, interwoven with whisky chemistry. Includes four whiskies with molecular paired canapés, blindfold Date: experiments and music pairing. From 7pm, tickets cost £25 and are available from scotchbrothevents.com

Bus, Boat and Drams

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Whisky retailers since 1974