No age statement, the arguments go on.

NAS whiskies, so many of our whisky tour guests ask me on NAS and what it means? I thought to scribble doon some of my thoughts on this subject. NAS bottles I have tried … Talisker Skye is the third NAS Talisker in the same amount of years, after the Storm and Port Ruighe, all good (in my opinion), but is this a departure from age statement by them? By no means the only character in the Diageo stable doing this (Talisker distillery founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskil at Carbost. Port Ruighe is Talisker’s 2nd release bottled without an age statement (after Storm). Port Ruighe (pron. Portree), was finished in Port casks after an initial ageing process in refill American and European casks. The maturation in Port casks gave it sweeter flavour blending nicely with the peat/ smoke). Macallan, the third-largest single malt brand in the world is one of the leading brands behind NAS bottles. Macallan’s 1824 Series ended the 10, 12 and 15yo with “named” replacements. Is this a case of where Macallan go others follow? (Macallan’s 1824 series might have you thinking an old malt. Ah but hold on – the colour is the key here. Gold and Amber to the expensive Sienna and Ruby, rely on different ages and differing shades of caramel. Oh no, caramel!) The Glenlivet 12yo is to be replaced in the UK and Germany by Founder’s Reserve, a NAS. Arran have both NAS and age-statement whiskies. Aberlour A’Bunadh one of my own favourites, has been available as NAS since 1998 without complaints, in fact people seem to love it to death. J&G Grant (Glenfarclas) have one NAE. Just a quick selection of NAS from memory, there are many more out there, Tullibardine do a great NAS bottle (it’s a 12 year old by the way) Murray. If you’re spending £50 or so on a single malt, you want to know what’s inside the bottle, what use the well designed artwork/name on the label?   Or, like me (most of the time) trust the distillery, or maybe try before you buy.

Some distillers had to take 30/40 year-olds from the market for years until they recouped their stocks. There is no doubt in my mind that aged stocks have reduced over the years following the “cashflow”. I am reliably told, stocks of malt older than 11 years have been in decline by an average of 6% per annum since 2011. It is increasingly difficult to guarantee a supply of aged stock. Impossible? Then again, blended malts (90% plus) of single malts go into “blends”, Almost 80% of Scotch whisky sold around the globe does not have an age statement.’

Age isn’t everything and there are some grand young whiskies hiding out there. But what annoys me, are brands that are bringing out NAS whiskies, that are obviously younger than the whiskies they’re replacing, yet cost 50% more expensive (no names mentioned but they know who they are). The taste of a whisky matters more than its age to me. Age is only important as an indicator of the quality of the whisky. Some very old drams I have tasted were to be honest, a let down, are these older bottles aimed at show offs and collectors?   I have tried some 15 – 25 yo drams that I would say were terrible. Good whisky is possible without an age statement.

IF YOU LIKE IT, DRINK IT, NO MATTER WHAT AGE. Unsure? Well – do a blind tasting, pick out what you like, then discover – blend, single malt, NAS or aged, forget Bible Man, do the Charlie Maclean method, his books give you all you need to know, eh Charlie? He told me in an interview with him Charlie Maclean (Our whisky club Patron); his tipple of choice is a Johnnie Walker Black Label – a true icon, recognised as a benchmark for deluxe blends (what do you think?). Created using whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years from all over Scotland, Johnnie Walker Black Label has a smooth, deep, complex character. This DOES have an age statement. My own dram in my local pub Christies, Perth, is a Bushmills Black Bush; This Irish Whiskey combines a high amount of malt whiskey matured in Oloroso Sherry casks, with a sweet, batch-distilled grain whiskey. ‘Bush has rich, fruity notes and a deep intense character, balanced by an incredibly smoothness. I happen to drink it neat and aye, it’s a NAS. Two Maclean’s two different tastes, two side of this argument. But then again, isn’t this what drinking whisky is all aboot?

Paul Mclean of MCLEANSCOTLAND

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 154: Vote Mark for Whisky Ambassador Belgium 2017

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whisky blogger, wants your vote! That’s right, he needs your help. He has just been nominated for Whisky Ambassador for Belgium 2017 at the Belgian Whisky Awards. So please be so kind as to visit http://whiskyawards.be/ and cast your vote. You will find that you need to go through only 4 screens – very easy – and vote for four categories, including Whisky Ambassador. Check out this video to find out how to do just that and let’s get Mark that much coveted title! Much appreciated!

Beam Suntory Signs Long-Term Distribution Agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

January 26, 2017,  MIAMI & DALLAS—-Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”)—the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company—today announced that it has signed a new 37-state corporate distribution agreement with Beam Suntory, the second largest premium spirits company in the U.S. market. With the new performance-based agreement, Beam Suntory’s leading portfolio of brands will be distributed across Southern Glazer’s U.S. network in 21 open markets through 2030. Southern Glazer’s, which also represents Beam Suntory’s brands in 16 control states, is Beam Suntory’s largest distribution partner in the world.

“Beam Suntory has had very long and successful relationships with both the Southern and Glazer’s families,” said Tim Hassett, President, Americas, Beam Suntory. “Working with the combined Southern Glazer’s organization, we are confident that we will continue building on our historical strong performance together with a common commitment to further accelerating the growth of our brands on- and off-premise.”

“We are excited to extend our business relationship and represent Beam Suntory’s world-class brands across our unmatched national network,” said Wayne Chaplin, CEO of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “This long-term strategic alignment will enable us to deliver even more value – with a more efficient and effective route to market and the most thorough data insights – so we can help drive growth for Beam Suntory’s brands for years to come.”

About Beam Suntory

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is North America’s largest wine and spirits distributor, and the preeminent data insights company for alcoholic beverages. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Canada, and the Caribbean, and employs more than 20,000 team members. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival toasts record-breaking ticket sales

85 events sold out in first 24 hours as ticket sale value increases by over £30,500 

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has cemented its position as one of the world’s best-loved whisky events after 24 hours of record-breaking ticket sales. Income increased by over £30,500; 794 additional tickets were snapped up; and 25 more events were sold out on the first day of the Festival programme being launched compared to last year.

Customers from all over the globe, from India to Italy and from Tanzania to Turkey, logged into the Festival website to buy their event tickets at noon on Tuesday (February 7) and in doing so also set a new record for the diversity of customers’ geographic locations recorded in the first 24 hours.

On the day of the website launching, tickets were sold in a total of 24 different countries compared to 22 in 2016, with the majority being for customers within the UK. However, Switzerland and Germany leapfrogged ahead of Scandinavian countries as the next biggest market, with the USA following very closely behind in fourth place.

Festival manager Pery Zakeri says, “After setting new opening day ticket sales records for the last couple of years, we didn’t actually think it was possible to achieve this scale of growth. The level of interest has been phenomenal: as more and more tickets disappeared we couldn’t quite believe what we were seeing before our eyes.

“All credit must go the many event providers for developing such a diverse programme of events that has captured the imagination of the whisky-loving public. I think this success underlines that we are a world-leading event and that for the true devotees – as well as whisky novices – it is a festival that they simply must attend.”

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place in a region of Scotland widely regarded as the spiritual home of Scotch whisky. Situated directly between the cities of Aberdeen and Inverness, Speyside has over half of all the nation’s distilleries and is the base for many high-profile international brands.

This year’s Festival runs from April 27 to May 1 and the programme comprises almost 500 different events. Organisers revealed that a staggering 85 events have already sold out – many of them offering the chance to see inside distilleries that have never before opened to the public or which only run exclusive tours during the Festival.

Ticket sale income generated in the first 24 hours stood at £121,683 and the number of individual tickets sold was 4,185. However, Pery stresses that there are still hundreds of tickets available for unique activities that will only take place during the five days of the Festival.

Pery adds, “We always knew that exclusive behind the scenes tours – and events where people get to meet the key players in the Speyside whisky industry such as master distillers and expert blenders – would prove to be the most popular.

“The limited tickets on offer for many of these events sold out within a matter of hours, but even though there is still an incredibly packed programme to choose from. The Festival is very much the gold standard for whisky connoisseurs, but equally we ensure there is plenty to attract those who are not as knowledgeable about Speyside malts or indeed who have never even tasted whisky.

“We are particularly pleased to see our international market growing. We are unashamedly passionate about our whisky, and for us to share that passion with visitors from so many different countries – as well as home-grown enthusiasts – makes all the effort that goes into organising the Festival so worthwhile.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, says, “It is great to see that tickets are once again selling at record rates for this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Speyside is the perfect stage for hosting this unique festival that attracts people from around the world and EventScotland is proud to be supporting them to once again delivery a fantastic event.”

Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place over five fun-filled days from April 27 to May 1, 2017. It comprises almost 500 events, taking place from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.

More information about the event is available at http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ and tickets are also available to buy on the website. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17

Caption: There’s whisky galore at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which has seen a huge increase in interest in the first 24 hours of ticket sales going live this week.

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from Festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Event Scotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

EventScotland  

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit http://www.eventscotland.org/. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see http://www.visitscotland.org/ or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see http://www.visitscotland.com/.

February Just Whisky Auction Live Ends Sunday 19th from 8PM

The 39^th whisky auction from Just Whisky is now Live. There are some jaw-dropping bottles available to place bids on, some of which are highlighted below.

Selling from 0%

Remember it is now absolutely-free to sell with Just Whisky on bottles that achieve more than £1,500 at auction, which may go some way to explain the plethora of high-end bottles available to bid on this month. We’re extremely excited to watch how the auction unfolds and can’t wait for the bids to roll in.

Glenfarclas 60 Years Old

J & G Grant were delighted to announce the launch of the 60 Year Old Glenfarclas. Only 360 bottles of this incredibly desirable, rare single malt whisky were produced offering a unique opportunity to acquire one of the oldest bottles ever released by this iconic family owned distillery.

Officially launched on the 3rd of April 2014 at the Nth Whisky Show in Las Vegas by George Grant, Glenfarclas’ Sales Director and 6th generation of the family, it was rolled out across other key markets over the following months.

Macallan 56 Years Old 1946 – Fine & Rare

An incredible 56 year old Macallan. Distilled on the 26th January 1946 and bottled at full cask strength without chill-filtration from a single cask in 2002 for the Fine & Rare range.

Johnnie Walker The Commemorative – Epic Dates 1920 Edition

An ultra rare bottle from the legendary blender Johnnie Walker, this Commemorative 1920 Edition is the 5th release in their Epic Dates Collection.

The 1920 Edition celebrates a landmark year in the luxury Scotch Whisky’s global adventure. It marked a milestone for Johnnie Walker & Sons,. Exactly 100 years earlier in 1820, a young John Walker set up his family business and by 1920 the company’s whisky blends had travelled from the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world and were available in 120 countries.

Only 540 bottles of the 1920 Edition have been produced and were exclusively available to extreemed guests of the Johnnie Walker House. Presented in a beautifully crafted lockable box.

View the entire auction and bid on more than 1,150 bottles here:

www.just-whisky.co.uk

New Cadenhead’s

40 new bottlings from Scotland’s oldest independent whisky bottler including Glen Grant 31 Year Old, Tomintoul 30 Year Old, Invergordon 43 Year Old plus Glen Ord, Arran and Glenrothes – there is something for everyone!

SHOP CADENHEAD’S NOW >

Anti-Valentine’s cocktails – don’t think pink

Not everyone likes sweet, pink and fizzy. Hallmark certainly isn’t my idea of a romantic sentiment, and it’s OK if it’s not yours, either. But it does make Valentine’s Day a tricky one to celebrate if you have someone in your life who genuinely prefers you to all other human beings they’ve met and yet you don’t want to drink Strawberry Bellinis or sit in a bar draped in love hearts. I will be especially avoiding waiters with cupid wings this year as well.

So, whether you’re staying at home and fancy yourself as a bit of a bartender or beelining for a bar that isn’t making anything pink and sparkling, here are some classic cocktails to know and order (or make) which won’t make you groan, cringe or run a mile from.

Diamondback

The Diamondback combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse

Less ring bling, more Luke Cage ferocity. This spicy, rich cocktail combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse to make a Manhattan-style drink which is perfect for an after-dinner tipple.

Make it at home: 60ml rye whiskey 15ml apple brandy 15ml Yellow Chartreuse

Penicillin

Smoky, spicy and sharp – everything a Hallmark card isn’t. The Penicillin is one of a bare handful of drinks considered a modern classic, and is credited with introducing peated whisky to the cocktail canon. Combining ginger syrup, peated Scotch, lemon juice and honey, it’s stunningly delicious and completely different from anything you’ll have tried.

Make it at home: 40ml blended Scotch whisky 10ml peated Scotch whisky 20ml lemon juice 10ml honey syrup 10ml ginger syrup

Jane Ryan is editor of DrinkUp.London – a daily-changing website showcasing the very best of the capital’s drinks scene.

THE WORLD RAISES A GLASS OF ITS FAVOURITE WHISKY TO INTERNATIONAL SCOTCH DAY 

LONDON, February 9^th, 2017. In honour of Scotland’s gift to the world, to the spirit that has long drawn people in through its status and style, this Friday February 10^th 2017 the inaugural International Scotch Day will be celebrated worldwide. The day invites people everywhere to raise a glass of Scotch to celebrate a drink that’s made to be enjoyed with good company, wherever and whenever.

Ronan Beirne, Global Marketing Director from Diageo commented, “Scotch is the world’s favourite whisky. No other spirit can offer the same range of tastes, textures and flavours; made the same way for over five hundred years in distilleries small and large, the length and breadth of Scotland.  The introduction of International Scotch Day shows our confidence in the vibrancy of Scotch. We are proud of the heritage, authenticity and quality of the category but we are also continuing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship by adding a new cultural moment and occasion to the calendar to continue to drive and evolve the future of Scotch whisky.”

Official International Scotch Day celebrations are taking place all over the world, and fronting the proceedings is world renowned supermodel Coco Rocha and actress Freida Pinto.

To mark the launch Coco Rocha pulled her famous poses against a backdrop of casks in Scotland to capture a series of stunning photographs. “I loved this photo shoot as it playfully partners the swagger and style of Scotch with the craft and artisanship behind the whisky,” reflected Coco Rocha.

On International Scotch Day Coco Rocha will be enjoying a Scotch cocktail in some of Mexico City’s most vibrant bars and clubs. Across the globe Freida Pinto has already kicked off celebrations in the heart of Manila, having played host to a glamorous event alongside other notable names and faces, and on the day itself she will front celebrations in Mumbai.

Scotch is the very pinnacle of cool – loved in every corner of the globe.  It’s made to be enjoyed any way you like it.  In China, Scotch is often mixed with iced green tea; in the Caribbean it’s served with coconut water; and in India they like it straight.

“Personally, my favourite way to drink Scotch is a Johnnie Walker with ginger ale,” said Coco Rocha, “but I’ll mix it up depending on my mood or what I am doing. If I’m going to drink, I like a nicely made quality drink, versus drinking too many.”

People can join the movement and get involved by using #LoveScotch and #InternationalScotchDay. For more information visit facebook.com/LoveofScotch

Please drink responsibly.

NOTES  

Attachments:

Coco Rocha Scotland Image

#lovescotch video 

About #LoveScotch: #LoveScotch celebrates all that gives Scotch its unique swagger and style, empowering people over the legal purchase age to express their passion, embolden existing ambassadors and inspire those who are new to whisky, creating a movement across the globe for people to share their love of the world’s favourite whisky, made to be enjoyed whenever and wherever.  International Scotch Day shines a spotlight on the Scotch Whisky category on a momentous day in the Scotch calendar, the birthday of Alexander Walker. He was the son of John ‘Johnnie’ Walker, and not only a pioneering blender, but was also responsible for introducing the famous Johnnie Walker square bottle and slanting label, now an icon for Scotch Whisky all over the world.

About Diageo: Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

L-R Alison Connelly, Head of Funding Development at RSPB and Suzy Smith, Marketing Director for The Famous Grouse

THE FAMOUS GROUSE AND RSPB TOAST SUCCESS OF reaching £600k for Black grouse conservation 

The Famous Grouse is toasting the success of its partnership with RSPB which has reached a significant fundraising milestone of £600,000.

The money will help the much loved charity continue their vital conservation work supporting endangered grouse species throughout the UK.

The partnership dates back to 2008 to coincide with the launch of a new whisky by the No.1 selling brand – The Black Grouse. As part of the launch, The Famous Grouse pledged its support to RSPB to save the new whisky’s namesake.

At the time of the partnership, the iconic birds were on the UK Red List of Species of Conservation Concern and listed as a priority on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) as well as being included within the Scottish Government’s Species Action Framework.

Suzy Smith, Marketing Director for The Famous Grouse, commented: “We are proud of our partnership with RSPB and are thrilled to have reached this fantastic milestone allowing us to help support the terrific work the charity does for the UK’s wildlife.

“When we launched The Black Grouse whisky it was agreed that 50p from the sale of every bottle in the UK would be donated to the RSPB for the duration of the three year partnership to fund black grouse conservation across four reserves: Inversnaid and Corrimony in Scotland; Geltsdale in the North of England; and Lake Vrynwy in Wales. Over time more reserves also benefitted from the partnership support, including Abernethy near Aviemore, and The Crannach, on Deeside.

“It was a significant achievement to break the £100,000 mark by 2010 and we are proud to have continued to work with RSPB and to have now raised over £600,000.”

Stuart Housden, Director RSPB Scotland explained: “The primary cause of the decline in black grouse is degradation and fragmentation of their moorland and woodland habitats. Donations from The Famous Grouse have helped improve grouse habitats across 85,000 acres of nature reserve land, supported the planting of 185,000 native trees and the mowing of 30 hectares of heather.

“The fund has also helped purchase the Crannach nature reserve; a woodland and upland area on Deeside and within the Cairngorms National Park.

“Additionally, this funding has enabled the RSPB to work in partnership with Scottish National Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland to review and provide best practice advice on the habitat requirements for black grouse to encourage private landowners to help this iconic species. This approach has enabled the prioritisation of conservation resources both on state-owned land and across the wider countryside.”

During the life of the partnership, there has been a welcome upward trend in population numbers of black grouse across RSPB reserves in northern Scotland and the focus is now on improving its prospects in southern Scotland where the black grouse numbers are in sharp decline and its populations are increasingly fragmented.

Housden continued: “A particular success story for the partnership is in Corrimony, in North Scotland. The lek count for 2016 at RSPB Corrimony was 45 males, up from 28 males in 2013. This was one of the original reserves to receive support from the partnership. This support allowed RSPB to undertake a range of management on the reserve including more than 40 hectares of woodland creation, 20 hectares of woodland re-structuring and several hectares of heather swiping.”

Smith added: “It is very rewarding to see the positive impact of our funding and we look forward to more success stories as a result of our partnership with RSPB.

“Last year our Black Grouse whisky received a makeover and was renamed The Famous Grouse Smoky Black and at this stage we extended our partnership to take in our whole portfolio of whiskies including the latest addition to the family, The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold.”

The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

• The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in UK and no. 4* standard blended whisky worldwide (*IWSR data 2014).
• The Famous Grouse has been the best-selling whisky in the home of Scotch whisky, Scotland since 1980.
• The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
• The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland.(www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience) 

About the RSPB and black grouse bird 

• The RSPB is the UK charity (England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654) working to secure a healthy environment by working for the conservation of wild birds, other wildlife and the places in which they live in a wide variety of ways. For more information see www.rspb.org.uk/.
• Over the last century in the UK, the black grouse experienced large declines in both range and numbers. As a consequence, the birds are UK Red List of Species of Conservation Concern due to their decline in range. RSPB is working with other partners in England, Wales and Scotland to reverse these declines in range and numbers.
• The primary cause of the decline in black grouse is fragmentation and degradation of their habitat. Non-native conifer plantations, for instance, once they mature and the canopy closes shading out ground vegetation, therefore no longer providing habitat for black grouse. A lot of plantations throughout the UK are now at this mature stage. Black grouse also die by colliding with deer fences and as a ground nesting bird species they can suffer nest predation by crows and foxes.
• Black grouse typically live at the edge of native woodlands where they begin to phase into moorland. This gives them a mosaic of both moorland and woodland habitats, important for their life cycle in terms of feeding, displaying, nesting and roosting safely.

Whisky sailing with Tall ship Thalassa 2017 and 2018

Make the once in a lifetime trip and sail with Tall Ship Thalassa! Sail along with us to the best single malt distilleries and visit the famous Islay Whisky Festival. During our whisky sailing trips you will discover Scotland’s coastal distilleries, enjoy the company of whisky lovers and learn from whisky professionals!

Would you like to experience such a special adventure in 2017 or 2018? Take your chances and make your reservation immediately!

Whisky sailing trips in 2017

In 2017 Thalassa will not only perform her Scotland journeys in spring but also during summertime she will make her presence there. Come on board of Thalassa and explore the nature of the Hebrides in all its beauty in. A summer that will never be forgotten!

Whiskytrip: 3rd of  June – 10th of  June 2017 Last places available!

Price: € 1,120 per person

This whiskyjourney starts and ends in Invergordon, at the eastern coast of Scotland. Orkney and Wick will be included in this voyage, various distilleries will be visited while we enjoy the beauty of the Scottisch nature simultaneously.

Whiskytrip: 6th of August – 13th of August 2017 Last places available!

Price: € 1,120 per person

This whisky tour starts in Troon, at the westcoast of Scotland and you will be guided to amongst others Islay, Jura, Ballycastle en Campbeltown. The holiday ends  in Troon.

For more detailed information please check this link.

Festivaltrip XL 2018

During spring 2018 Thalassa visits the annual world famous whiskyfestival of Islay. This edition is very special: its duration is longer than the previous journeys, in order to allow the guests to visit even more distilleries and enjoy the festival of Islay  in a extra large version! Be quick: fully booked = fully booked!

For more detailed information please check this link.

NB: All definite sailing routes depend on wind and weather conditions. Because of this the ships’s captain has the right to change this schedule if necessary , of course we will try to find an alternative route that is as attractive as possible for you.

Information and booking

More information about these whisky sailing trips can be found on our special website: http://www.whiskysails.com/. For further questions please contact us by email or phone: +31 – (0)10 – 4156600

For reservations, click here.

Welcome on board!

HOLLANDS GLORIE

Liesbeth Wammes – de Graaf

Brigitte Beckers