THE SECOND TOUR OF 2023 WITH MY PAL Ingvar Ronde.

The last tour was back in April to Campbeltown, Arran and Islay. This one was Speyside again. Due to my ill health Marcus was driving both Ingvar and myself, made it easier to chat away as usual.

Ingvar arrived into Edinburgh late and stayed overnight, as did Marcus (ending another whisky tour) who met him 8am next day. They picked me up in Perth and we headed north, first stop Aberfeldy. Now I know quite a few folks there so no a new place to see.

INGVAR AT ABERFELDY DISTILLERY

Ingvar did his usual and we had tea and biscuits. Next up The Cairn Distillery in Grantown. Once again Ingvar did his research, we took the drivers share (tea and coffee) but also were given wee drams to take away, including a 70 year old blend! Last of the day; Dunphail near Forres, interesting wee distillery here, we all had the tour and chat with the guys there, before heading to our digs in Dufftown.

Ingvar and Marc

Staying with a friend of Ingvar Marc Pendlebury of whiskybrother fame, what a nice man! I had had email contact with him some years back, so nice to meet him in person, all the way from South Africa. He has a superb whisky bar/restaurant there.

Tuesday; away to Glendullan, no been there before, grand stuff. Then the newly opened to the public Speyburn Distillery, this will be on our tour list next year to be sure. Enjoyed drams and chat here a wee look around, thanks Alec. Linkwood – where the boys went in whilst I took time off. Benriach completed a busy day, again the boys went around, I chatted to a nice young lady in the bar, enjoyed a dram or two and a cocktail before they came back.  Back to Dufftown.  Marc’s bar was heavily hit by three visitors tonight, including complimentary drams  – much appreciated.

THE 1970

Wednesday; Tamnavulin, a favourite dram of mine. Toured with manager Leon, what a nice fella, good sense of humour, Ingvar and myself had a dram; Tamnavulin 1970, delicious, while Marcus was given a 1973 dram to take away!

Ingvar and Leon at Tamanvulin Distillery

Loved that visit! They plan a visitor centre, maybe 2025/6? Next, to Tormore, never been here either.   Sam was very nice, Weegie girl with the Glasgow humour, liked that. A tour and chat and teas, interesting, they too plan a visitor centre, maybe 2025?  Finally, after lunch we dropped in on Sandy at Tamdhu, as usual great fun and a few drams for us Marcus taking his away. Big developments there, hope to be back soon. Staying overnight in Elgin amongst antiques and five star comfort.

TORMORE STILL ROOM

Thursday we headed off to Glen Moray, been here so often seems like home. Ingvar went around while I chatted to Emma in the visitor centre, Marcus joined me later. We headed to Glenlossie/Mannochmore but the road was closed due to the rain, we drove plan B via BenRiach. Ingvar did both, we settled in the car to wait. A free afternoon, unlike Ingvar tours, we took our time in the rain and headed to Tarland Aberdeenshire, where we stayed overnight, a nice wee hotel for db&b.  This was day one of the storm and rain, it flooded a great deal of Aberdeenshire and Angus, rained all night, Angus (Brechin) saw a month of rain in a day! The hotel bar and restaurant was excellent, many thanks to all there, we enjoyed drinks and fun!

Friday after breakfast we had planned three visits; Fettercairn, Kingsbarns and Inchdarnie Distillery. Ingvar had been in touch the night before, and this morning, we dropped all three due to the weather conditions sadly, and drove west past Braemar to Dunkeld, avoiding the worst of the storm. From here to Edinburgh. Ingvar stayed here three nights, we came home to a waterlogged Perth and Carnoustie.

Another good, long, educational tour with pals.  Ingvar and myself are good mates, we take the Mickey out of each other, have lots of laughs and arguments (the nice kind, history and whisky), we are still working on his next tour for 2025, updates when we know more.

Thanks Ingvar, another excellent trip. A few pix to remember the tour.

PAUL MCLEAN, WHISKYTOURS.SCOT PERTH, SCOTLAND

Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Advances its Pursuit of Flavor Through Nature With the Filling of its First Certified Regenified Barrel

AUCTION ENDING SOON!

Our auction is almost at a close, finishing on Sunday 17^th December from 8pm GMT. Don’t miss out on your last chance to bid on some cracking drams, including a selection of Ardbeg bottlings.

We have a selection of Macallan bottlings on offer, including this Folio 5, released in 2020 as part of the hugely popular Archival Series.

Distilled in 1974, then bottled 23 years later for the Rare Malts series at a natural Cask strength of 61.2%abv, this wonderful Linkwood is one of several bottles distilled in the 1970’s on offer in this month’s auction.

Whatever your preference, we’ve got something we think will interest everyone and remember folks, if you want to place a cheeky late bid, you’ve got to be in it to win it! There’s still time to register at clickwhiskyauctions.com. Auction ends from 8PM GMT on Sunday 17^th December.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us through our first year at Click Whisky Auctions, not least Whisky Intelligence who do an awesome job, have an amazing holiday season and all the best for 2024 – Sláinte!

Laphroaig The Archive Collection: Register Your Interest Today

With only 400 bottles available worldwide, Distillery Manager Barry MacAffer could hardly contain his excitement at getting to taste The Archive Collection for the first time. This first release is a striking and refined tasting experience, with its sherry seasoning making for a hearty, rich depth of flavour.

Register Interest Today to secure one of only 400 bottles produced.

Register Interest Today

Laphroaig Archive Collection 36 Year Old

A decade-by-decade journey of flavour brought to life, The Archive Collection 36 Year Old is first in a new series of highly limited aged whiskies. This release is housed in custom-made, hand-blown glass bottles inspired by the sea glass found on the beaches of Islay.

£3500.00

REGISTER INTEREST NOW ❯

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

JANUARY SMWS OUTTURN TASTING 

Kick off the new year right! The January Outturn tasting at ARC Liquor will be here before you know it, so grab your spot now. This is also a chance to get some holiday shopping done: tickets to a tasting for a whisky lover in your life will make a great present or stocking stuffer!

SMWS JANUARY OUTTURN TASTING:  Registration is open for the January SMWS Outturn tasting at ARC Liquor in Kelowna. You can expect another great line-up of drams, including:

-two bottlings from the same distillery in polar opposite flavour categories – a great compare-and-contrast opportunity

-a new distillery code in the form of the 2023 Lowland Whisky Festival bottling with an interesting back story

-a smoky treat from our rarely seen “Heavily Peated” flavour category described as “mad and brilliant”

Bring a friend (or 2 or 3 or…) and enjoy a night of great drams and great company as you sample your way through January’s new releases.

This is open to members and non-members alike; contact ARC Liquor (Harvey Ave location) at 236-420-4060 or email ajay.s@armstrong.coop to get tickets or sign up below

SMWS JANUARY OUTTURN TASTING

at ARC LIQUOR – 1973 Harvey Ave. Kelowna

Friday, Jan. 5th  7:30pm

Please enjoy our products responsibly; no drinking and driving

SIGN UP FOR SMWS JANUARY OUTTURN TASTING

Ferg & Harris have taken a light and fruity Speyside, aged for 12 years in ex bourbon casks, and finished it for six months in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead. Producing a rich burnt umber colour, and lovely sweet and fruity notes. Bottled at cask strength of 55.7% with no chill filtering. Only 582 Bottles have been produced.

The independent bottler Ferg & Harris prides itself on being a luxury single-cask brand that pairs exquisite whiskies with different wood finished for truly distinctive drams.

3cl Single Cask Stocking Fillers

Still looking for the perfect gift? 🎁

Treat the whisky lover in your life (or even yourself) to a unique opportunity to explore the vast world of Wemyss Malts through our range of 3cl Single Cask stocking fillers. Each 3cl dram is hand-filled and wax-sealed, ensuring the integrity of the whisky is maintained from cask to glass. Choose your favourites, or collect the full range.

SHOP OUR 3CL MINIATURES

ralfy review 1007 – Craigellachie 13yo Armagnac finish @46%vol:

Douglas Laing Unveils Exclusive XOP Scallywag Tormore 35 Years Old: A Culmination of Craftsmanship and Canine Charisma

Douglas Laing & Co. is proud to reveal the latest limited-edition bottling as part of their 75^th Anniversary: the XOP Scallywag Tormore 35 Years Old. This special release marks a momentous collaboration between the family’s feisty fox terrier and the prestigious XOP series, creating a celebration-worthy Single Cask Single Malt that is sure to captivate whisky enthusiasts.

This exclusive bottling is a testament to Douglas Laing’s commitment to craftsmanship and a nod to the legacy of independent bottling that has defined the company for three-quarters of a century.

Tasting Notes are said to bring “A sweet symphony of vanilla essence, decadent dark chocolate, and spiced oak on the nose. The palate delivers a velvety journey where juicy red berries dance alongside warming cinnamon spice and candied orange peel. The grand finale is marked by an elegant and enduring finish, leaving lingering hints of zesty orange and the indulgent essence of freshly baked fruitcake soaked in sherry.”

With only 285 bottles available globally, each numbered and presented in the signature XOP glass bottle and black suede gift box with certificate of authenticity, this XOP Scallywag Tormore 35 Years Old is destined to become a cherished addition to any discerning whisky enthusiast’s collection.

Cara Laing, Director of Whisky commented:

“This limited-edition Single Cask Single Malt is a celebration of time, skill and the artistry of whisky-making. A toast to luxury, a nod to tradition, and the perfect embodiment of our 75th Anniversary celebrations—this exceptional bottling is a testament to our commitment to excellence and one we are extremely proud to share.”

Currently retailing for £750.00/€866.00 on douglaslaing.com and selected specialist retailers.

About Scallywag

Facebook: /scallywagwhisky
Instagram: @scallywagwhisky

A marriage of Single Cask Single Malts, only from the Speyside region of Scotland, Scallywag is matured predominantly in Sherry casks, affording the spirit a rich, dark colour and a deliciously fruity, chocolatey flavour profile. The multi-award winning Scotch Whisky belongs to Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts – “the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions” – also encompassing The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (from the Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

About Douglas Laing:
www.douglaslaing.com

Twitter/X: @DLaingWhisky

Facebook: @douglaslaingwhisky
Instagram: @dlaingwhisky

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distiller, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill-filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Islands (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and Xtra Old Particular, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

This highly limited release presents an exquisite single cask expression from the lost Imperial Distillery, distilled in 1998 right before the distillery closed its doors for good. While seeking solace in a single cask for 25 years, this well-rounded liquid has notes of heather honey, pear tart, orchard fruits, vanilla and toffee with a dose of earthiness. With only 200 bottles ever produced, each with its own unique design, these truly are a collector’s item. A lottery for which one you’ll receive adds to the personality that will sit upon your shelf.

The Bothy
£ 750.00 GBP
Description
The Liquid
1998 Imperial Single Malt Whisky
Unique artwork and handcrafted stone base by Jonathan Freemantle
Bottle, stand and presentation box included
70cl
47.6% ABV
(For UK delivery pre Christmas, orders must be placed before Monday 18th December)