WEST COAST WHISKY TOUR, MAY 2014 – Scotch Whisky News
WEST COAST WHISKY TOUR, MAY 2014.
Our friends from Finland (Malt Whisky Association of Finland) once again came on tour with us, this time for a scenic west coast whisky tour.
We started in Glasgow, driving to Oban, where the first distillery visit had been arranged; Oban distillery, a good tour and taste. At 5pm we had a whisky tasting at the Oban whisky/wine shop, 3 good drams including Tobermory, really good! Group dinner followed, a good first day!
Taking the 09.55 ferry to the Isle of Mull, first stop; Duart castle, home to the Macleans! A good and interesting tour here we had 7 in the group purchase the Maclean gathering special whisky; chosen by Charlie Maclean, and Adelphi 18 yo Tobermory. As Paul was on hand, he introduced his chief to the group, who signed the bottles! Nice touch, he has not signed that many, so a good keepsake. From here to Tobermory, our next distillery tour. We all stayed in Tob overnight, met up at Macgochans pub for dinner and drinks, many thanks Neil for the drams!
Day 3 we had to alter plans somewhat (in advance 2 days earlier) as calmac had changed the ferry to a much smaller boat, for the sail to Ardnamurchan, meaning we had sent our coach the night before on a round trip, to meet us at the ferry next day – it couldnee fit on this wee ferry! After a dram on the ferry, we met the coach and drove via tiny roads to Adelphi distillery, for a good tour and a great tasting. Not quite up and running yet, but we did taste two really good drams before sadly departing. From here to Glenuig and lunch! Before our next and final ferry to the Isle of Skye. First call on the island; Gaelic whiskies, a good range of whisky at this independent bottler. Highlight (for the very few) was a 30 year old, now no longer available – superb! From here the hour drive to our hotel, which by the way, had 400 whiskies behind the bar!
Day 4 we headed down to Talisker distillery – why are we here so early (09.30) Liz asked me, to get an early tour and a longer day I said, she didnee believe me – until we went in at 09.30!!! Lesley did a great job on our extended tour and extended taste! Many thanks Lesley, see you again soon. Leaving here for the road bridge and our lunch stop Eilean Donan castle. Through some rain we headed to Loch Ness, staying at Drumnadrochit, dining at Fiddlers. Jon did a great job, lots of great food and whisky, gin, wine and beers! Thanks for my aged drams Jon, went down smooth! A good night!
Leaving at 9am, we headed through Inverness down to Perth for lunch, followed by the visit to Scotland’s smallest distillery; Strathearn (not, as the signs says still, Edradour), here Tony took us through the processes he uses, very traditional, tasted many gins, took lots of photos, a farm setting, surrounded by horses and cattle (smells). Alas – from here we drove to Glasgow were there was a Scottish Cup Final being played at Parkhead – the Perth team, St Johnstone won! A final tasting at the hotel by a good friend of ours, with some very exclusive drams, we cannot mention – too exclusive! Then to waxy O’Connors pub for dinner. A grand tour, we hope all went back to Finland happy – we do know a lot of whisky bottles went back!
Message from Mika Jansson, Finland; What a fab tour it was, many many MANY thanks to Liz and Paul!!! We all had a grand time, and saw many a beautiful places!
The tour was worked with Mika Jansson in Finland, designed and operated by www.mcleanscotland.com
Story by Paul McLean
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