MCLEANSCOTLAND recently hosted another whisky tour of Scotland, unknown to us at the time – until the final day – they were taking notes and voting on distillery visits, here are their results;

Dear Liz and Paul.  Warmest thanks also from me for an excellent arrangement and so many valuable visits. I have found my new knowledge about whisky much more fruitful than all the attended salsa- and tango courses. I would like to come back in order to visit Orkney and probably a revisit to Speyside including a few more distilleries. As Bjoooorn (Bo) indicated, I’ll give you the complete result of our Distillery evaluation, built on following factors:

1. Environment   B. Cleanness   C. Pot stills   D. Washbacks   E. Whisky Tasting   F. Logistics  we mean that it is easy to get around to the different parts of the distillery and it is easy to have an overview over different parts of the process. That things are not in a mess.

Here are the final results from the Swedish jury:

1. Gold medal! Edradour. 128 points.
2. Silver medal. Macallen. 118 points.
3. Bronze medal. Tullabardine. 109 points.
4. Strathisla. 101 points.
5. Strathearn. 97 points.
6. Aberlour. 82 points.

Mats Söderberg

A recent whisky tour with a wee group from Sweden; Bjorn, Bo, Matts, Bengt, Mats. The tour began at Aberdeen airport, where we met the guys from Sweden, all into the vehicle and away we went! North to Keith and our first distillery tour at Strathisla. A good private tour here followed by four drams; Strathisla single malt, a grain and two Chivas Regal blends of different ages. Liz joined in … while Paul (driver) sat doon with a cup of tea! Just a 100 yards away we stopped for lunch, grand food indeed and a beer for most. We then drove south again, stopping at Huntly, Duncan Taylor for a few drams with our friend Ronnie – some interesting drams here from their own bottlings, whilst Liz and the guys drammed, Paul had a chat with owner Euan – and – a cup of tea. Across country to Dufftown, then Craigellachie, where a visit to the Speyside Cooperage followed. Following this a 5 minute drive to Glenfiddich, a tour, 3 drams and a final visit of the day. Driving to Elgin and the hotel, more drams and beers (and a cup of tea) before Liz and Paul headed off to their apartment, Paul quickly caught up on the whisky!

Day two saw the group depart after breakfast for Glen Moray distillery and a brief visit to the ruined Elgin cathedra. Booked in for 11am, we then hot Macallan, Liz and Paul left the guys here whilst they did some work and visits locally (whisky industry friends). A dash to Aberlour and the Mash Tun for a pre arranged lunch of Cullen Skink and sandwiches, before the 2pm Aberlour tour, which we all did, great! At the tour end there were 6 drams (Paul had the drivers share; tea!). We then drove to Sandend harbour for sightseeing and Portsoy for a pub dinner and photos. Thanks Jimmy for your hospitality. Back to Elgin, arrived around 8pm, dropped off the group and headed back for a deserved dram or 6.

Day three a drive ahead, through Speyside stopping at Dalwhinnie distillery a while, to Blair Atholl and a visit to Blair Castle, lunch in Pitlochry and a visit (best of the tour the guys said) to Edradour distillery. While the group took a tour, Liz and Paul chatted and interviewed own Andrew – see other story, over a fed drams (Paul nosed, Liz drank, guess what Paul drank!), following their tour, they joined us for drinks, a good visit. Straight to Perth and 20 minutes on, Strathearn distillery to meet one of the owners Tony, a private tour and tasting of gins. A long day almost over, back to the hotel in Perth, Liz and Paul stayed at Paul’s apartment. We all met for dinner and drinks followed at Paul’s local pub Christies – until we were thrown out at closing time!

Day four; directly to Tullibardine distillery, another private tour, with Gavin our pal, Liz and Paul – aye you guessed, sat around with Liz dramming and Paul with tea! Three good drams and a whisky beer followed. Then to Edinburgh, a quick city tour, check in luggage, say goodbyes (the group stay in Edinburgh two nights) and we head home, reached it at 5.45, tired, so drams flared up! It was a good tour, lots of fun, even more whisky and 5 more Swedish friends to add to our growing list!

 A very good short tour, the guys are coming back!

Paul McLean  www.mcleanscotland.com   www.whiskytourscotland.com   www.angelswhiskyclub.com