The last couple of months have been constant and it’s quite a relief to finally get back behind the desk. May was officially Whisky month and I had the opportunity to work with BBC Radio Scotland’s Kitchen Cafe to produce a five part series discussing the different regions. Later in the month I had the chance to debut on BBC Breakfast which was focussing on food and drinks in Scotland and filmed at Peterhead Fish market. Naturally we had to include whisky although it may have proved too much for many before their breakfast! 

It was also a pleasure to be involved with the tantalising food pairings created by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society for their successful Clans and Drams celebration. The campaign was launched at Whisky Lounge in Edinburgh in great style and visitors were treated to buffalo burgers, haggis, sausages and smoked salmon to accompany their drams. 

The first weekend in May took me to the Spirit of Speyside Festival to take part in a variety of events and host the first collaboration between a bunch of great whisky girls. Johanne McInnes (Whisky Lassie) opened the day with huge style, followed by Alwynne Gwilt (Miss Whisky) who charmed her crowd with delectable chocolate and despite the warm room neither melted.  Angela D’Orazio from Mackmyra distillery concluded the day with a range of her bottlings, with a couple of malts from closer to home. 

Whisky month rumbled on taking in the Glasgow Whisky show and in between I squeezed in visits to Deanston, Glenrothes, Strathisla, Aberlour, Knockdhu, Glenfiddich and Ballindalloch.   

Tastings have included Iain Burnett chocolate and whisky at The Aviator Hotel in Farnborough, and a perfume and whisky adventure at Skene House in Aberdeen. A fund raising dinner took me to a fascinating exhibition event called ‘Scotland in Angola’ where I entertained an audience from the society of Luanda, including local artists and their work, the  British Ambassador and representatives from the Halo Trust. 

Like blended whisky, I really enjoy collaboration and I have teamed up with the Pommery Champagne Cafe Bar at the Signet Library for the month of August. On Sunday afternoon we are bringing together cocktails, chocolate and whisky. In the evening it’s officially single malt Sunday with Scottish tapas to compliment the experience. All the tickets are available through the Fringe office and I look forward to seeing your in this classic library space.   

Please contact me if you would like to discuss any ideas for tastings, events or anything in the good name of whisky. It’s still work in progress but I now have a dedicated page for The Whisky Belle on Facebook. Stay cool! 

Annabel

The Whisky Belle 

www.thewhiskybelle.com