Diary of a whisky lover, Paul McLean on a Wick Whisky Week.

Leaving Perth on the Wednesday morning, I headed north through typical Scottish weather – rain, wind, sunshine and snow – arriving for a late breakfast at Grantown on Spey, calling into Maclean’s Highland Bakery. A good start, beans on toast and tea. From here via B0102, following the River Spey on my right, passing Cardhu distillery and on to Craigellachie, a great road. From here to my first meeting, with Sandra yapping about a curling/whisky tour we are planning later this year. A quick lunch, called into Gordon & MacPhail to collect my three Paul John bottles, courtesy of Michael D souza in Goa (many thanks once again). Then dropped back doon the road to Coleburn and a look at their dunnage warehouse and filling hall, this is another story coming soon. On to Forres and another meeting, Vic Cameron this time, chatting on Spirit of Speyside festival and what he is doing for us there. Finally away to Inverness and my hotel, sitting on the river, a superb whisky bar and a good man there Robert Beaton. Dinner, drinks, bed.

Thursday saw me heading north, past the Black Isle, Dalmore and a quick call into Glenmorangie. Heading north again to Dornoch, a quick stop here then Brora, where I met up with Kate at Clynelish – a wee warning, this distillery is having major work and from late April will be out of bounds really for 10 months. Stopping here and there to admire the scenery I ended up in Wick, knocked on the door of Ian and Elaine (two wonderful pals o mine), big hello’s and luggage in, this was my home until Sunday morning. Was I made welcome you ask? Is the Pope Catholic I reply. Great to see them again. They took me to dinner, I supplied the whisky for later!

Friday and Ian took me out and about as only a local whisky/photographer/tour guide can do! Some great photos will appear from that morning. Afternoon we called into Mackays hotel to chat on my whisky tasting night, all good. More donderin aboot until 5.30 when we met up with a couple of their friends and all had a good dinner at Mackays, then set up for the tasting. Eight (10ml) drams with food and good craic with 21 people who bought tickets for the evening. I went through the drams, told a few whisky tour stories, enjoyed a question and answer couple of hours as I took them through the 8 drams … Tullamore Dew; Irish, Angels’ Nectar; a Scottish blend, Kavalan single malt from Taiwan, Old Pulteney 12yo local dram, Paul John Classic single malt; India, Stronachie 12 yo Scottish, another Indian; Paul John Peat finish, Angels Nectar blend Peat, which ended the drams, along with the food, 99% of everything had disappeared! The Tullamore surprised many people how easy and smooth it was, a good start, most have never tried the Nectar, Kavalan nor the Indians, all went down really well, especially the Paul John peat, which many likened to an Islay. The Nectar peat also drew applause. A couple of comments – “Cracking night, thoroughly enjoyed it as did my pals” and “Have to agree with Chris, never thought I would be drinking Indian whisky:-)” To end I asked if anyone would like another Indian? Of course, another peated dram, followed by a final introduction; Eden Mill distillery, St Andrews, new make spirit, I was taken aback by how many people loved it!  The evening ended as I wandered around the tables chatting, oh, I offered another dram to anyone who wished, the bottles on the table took a battering!  So I think it was a good night! Relieved, I went back with Ian, Elaine and a few friends to their house, where more drams were waiting to be tried! That was a late night.

Saturday, more travelling with Ian to places I hadnee been before in Caithness, I do urge all readers to explore this area well, or, ask me to take you, as we do arrange tours of all types here! It is full of old, wee harbours, great scenery and many historic landmarks and monuments, with a good herd of deer spotted up on the hills, a real good day, with a spot of gold panning also, honestly!  Ian and myself ventured out to the far distant paths of Dunnet Bay! Calling in (as you do) to meet Martin, Director at Dunnet Bay Distillers, where the Rock Rose is produced – it’s a local flower don’t you know. Also coming out of Dunnet Bay is the Holy Grass vodka, another local product. Now as I dinnae like gin I was reluctant to sample (Ian driving) but I went ahead, y’know I was totally shocked when I liked it! well there you go. So a good Scots drink produced as far north as you can go without falling into the sea. Martin is a nice fella, look out for expansion there soon. The evening saw us head into town for the Wick Pipeband Burns Supper, a week late aye, but many of the pipers in the band were working on Burns night, piping at other suppers, so this was their own night, and it was good. Another late night, hit my bed around 4am.

Sunday, left Wick mid-day, got 40 minutes down the road when Ian called, I had left my house keys at his! What a numpty, I turned around and Ian met me half way at Lybster. Atrocious weather hounded me all the (5 hours or so) way home. Home, tired but happy. The story ends with a comment from Wick; “will you come back and do another night?”  To be sure I will!

PAUL MCLEAN, OWNER http://www.mcleanscotland.com/  and http://www.whiskytours.scot/