Liz and Paul (owners of MCLEANSCOTLAND, WHISKY TOUR SCOTLAND & ANGELS WHISKY CLUB) spent their Christmas staff outing in Elgin and Kingussie, Scotland. 

The annual outing this year (2014) saw them driving up to Elgin, leaving Broughty Ferry at 07.45 on Thursday, via Aberdeen, Huntly and Keith, to arrive at Elgin approx. 11.30. Some local shopping (Liz) and lunch before dropping into Glen Moray distillery – as previously planned. Says Paul; A quick nose around the shop (for later), a cup of tea, then a wee chat with Iain, our friend and whisky man at GM. It was Iain who would take us both on a half day whisky school – I have to say, this was originally for the benefit of Liz, but I too learned a lot! Discovering all areas of the distillery, in depth knowledge flooded out of Iain, didnee know you were also a chemist Iain! It was a really grand time we had, both of us learning new things and some we hadnee come across before, superb! This was followed by a tasting, Iain did us proud here – as you can see by the photos, specially the one of Liz very content with a dram! There then followed what can only be called “a Liz shopping frenzy!” A nice bottle and glasses in a box (4 of these), a Chardonnay finish and two direct from the cask sherry finish, some wee goodies, all coming to a couple of hundred pounds lighter in the wallet! Paul’s wallet!!! “I’ll pay you back at home” says Liz, aye right, along with that other 14 grand you owe me!

Glen Moray Classic Single Speyside Malt – the aroma is fragrant with malty notes, butterscotch and shortbread.

Glen Moray 12 years Single Malt.

Glen Moray 10 Year Old Chardonnay Cask Single Malt. This is the brand new expression from Glen Moray. A 10 year old malt matured using Chardonnay Casks.

Glen Moray 16 Year Old Single Speyside Malt – fruit, chocolate and barley sugar, rich and mature with character.

Glen Moray – The Highland Light Infantry 12 year old Distillery Bottling –

Glen Moray Port Cask Finish This new small batch release uses Port Cask to finish the whisky in – a lovely richness, full-bodied, vanilla and subtle hints of oak, dried fruits and leather, dark chocolate and blackberries. A FAVOURITE OF OURS

GM use ex bourbon barrels sourced from North America to mature Glen Moray and these produce a rich and spicy whisky. These casks deliver a superior product that has a smooth and well-rounded taste. Being in the Laich O’Moray the distillery benefits from the milder climate as it is afforded protection from the Cairngorm and Monadhliath Mountains. The distillery’s geographic location and also sitting in a hollow below the water table, means that the warehousing has the perfect conditions to allow for the Angels to take more of a share of our whisky than they will of others (and, being Angels whisky club we did take a fair swish of the drams Liz and I). Glen Moray is available in a range of ages and vintages that will appeal to new malt drinkers as well as connoisseurs looking for something a bit more special. Readers, you just cannee believe how low cost GM bottles are, for a bloomin grand dram.

I must point out here, we were NOT driving, we left the car (and goodies) overnight at GM and took a taxi to our hotel. Where, a half hour later we started Christmas – in the bar. Drinks were followed by dinner, more drinks. To be honest, at 9.15pm I stopped drinking – new laws came into effect Friday, you could not have even ONE drink on your breath – so a bottle of non-alcoholic wine came oot – horrible, so bad after one glass it went down the pan. We laughingly tried to do some work – paperwork on forthcoming tours, 5 minutes in, we left it alone.

AFTER GLEN MORAY we called in at SPEY distillery, another story! to follow

PAUL CALLED INTO FAMOUS GROUSE SATURDAY …………………

Paul’s visit to Crieff – Saturday. 3 days, 3 distilleries. A big haul of whisky!!! Stopped in at whisky/grocery shop, bought Hepburn’s Choice Daluaine 8 year old, single cask @ 46%, one of only 393 bottles, 2005 bottling. Before calling in at Glenturret distillery, here I seem to come away with Black Grouse Alpha and a bottle of Black Diamond blend, these can be seen on the “December booty” story. to follow…

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