Whisky tour on Speyside with 3 New Yorkers

Another whisky tour been and gone, another great trip enjoyed by all. I had 3 lovely ladies from New York on a short whisky tour. Meeting them at a hotel in Edinburgh after breakfast, we headed north to Speyside, en route we pulled in at Ralia for the rest rooms. Upon leaving here, I pulled out onto the A9 and without noticing, became a part of a police convoy – blue lights winking away. With a car and motorcycle outrider in front (also blue lights) I looked in my rear mirror. A huge truck with an extra wide load coming up maybe 1/8 mile behind, with more blue lights. The cop ahead didnee notice us for approx. 2 miles, but other drivers did comin the other way! Police were waving everyone over, ours was a large white car, people were looking at us wondering who we were? Royals, celebrities? I told my 3 ladies to wave anyhow. Shortly the cop waved us past, goos fun while it lasted.

Our first distillery visit was The Glenlivet. While they took the tour I took time out to test the food and a cuppa tea, good, even managed a wee bit of work! They came back in enthusiastic and raving aboot the tour – a good start. This was followed by lunch at the distillery for them, and a wee drive (10 minutes) to Glenfarclas. Pre booked and sorted … they went happily on their way here, returning to a few drams. Both these distilleries give good tours and we drop by both of them often. From Farclas to Forres and their hotel, check in, and a walk to the pub for the girls. I hung about as I was meeting up with Derek Hancock, he is taking one of our tours later on, I needed give him all the tour notes and drams etc, Derek is ex G&M and a great whisky man, we like him taking tours we cannee do ourselves. As Derek left (he was on holiday the next day) Vic Cameron arrived. Another whisky man and friend, Vic had been “booked” to chat to the girls on his Diageo experiences, what he doesnee know will fit on a postage stamp. An hour and a half later they were called into dinner. They had raved again with Vic, really enjoying his banter. I bade him farewell and hit the bar for a well-deserved drink – research you understand.

Day 2 and an early start to get them to Balvenie distillery, David Muir took this tour, a 3 and a half hour epic, one of the best whisky tours that can be found, they thought so also, couldnee stop them talking about it. We travelled a short distance to Glenfiddich distillery, where I pushed them into the ladies bathroom – it has to be seen to be believed. Oh by the way, what did I do for those hours? Drove to Strathisla distillery, I had a tip off re a low cost dram, too true, I bought a case of 12 year old Tormore single malt whisky @ £20 a bottle, FAB! Last Christmas Liz and myself had stayed at the distillery in one of the cottages for 3 days – another story. Haggis, cheese board, and sandwiches later we left Glenfiddich for the Macallan, the girls were gobsmacked at all the work goin on, another 2 hour tour lay ahead of them, so I wandered off and spent some down time chillin out in church (now an antique/junk shop) in Rothes. Returning for them, they were dramming and happy as three birds on a tree. Before heading back to the hotel, I took them on a wee detour to the back of the Cooperage to see flat pack casks etc, more open mouths, which was handy as I had a dram for them again. They had supped drams in the car from day one every now and again, we like to keep our guests happy. I had also phoned and booked them a dinner in Findhorn; Kimberly’s, a great seafood place, a local taxi each way and they loved it all, the food, the taxi driver, the locals and the craic. Meanwhile, back at the hotel I had another meeting, Lewis Maclean (MD Maclean’s Bakery) who we shall be working with in June 2017 at the Clan Maclean Gathering (we have tours booked for approx. 90 Maclean’s so far), he will supply the butterscotch, cookies and shortbread etc www.macleansbakery.com/ Then off for a drink and food myself.

Day 3 saw an early start (or so I thought it was going to be) at 8.50, should have been 8.30 but och well. Cardhu called us, we arrived and to be sure fed the hairy coo’s, what a giggle, between laughs, frights and horns, we enjoyed putting digestive biscuits into the waiting mouths. Cardhu with tastings, then we hit the road – drams in car once again. We stopped at the House of Bruar for nibbles and shopping, before heading over to Broughty Ferry to pick up Liz. Now I had 4 women all talking at the same time! We eventually arrived at St Andrews, luggage in and a bar had our name on it. One round then away to another pub, the Keys, where many drinks followed, along with exhaustive conversation, my ears are still red. So well were we all getting on, Liz didnee want to leave, I gave her the option 1. Go after the next drink, as I was still driving and on juice! Or 2. Stay the night. After much discussions we left, but did much “research” back at the Ferry in Liz’s house – too much research for Liz.

Day 4 a hotel pick up at 10.45 then a dash to Edinburgh airport, the girls were going to Dublin for a few days. This ended this tour, but all are sure it will continue next year. Meanwhile I went to Dublin with a pal a few days later, that’s another story to be told – and it will be.

Written by Paul McLean www.mcleanscotland.com/   www.whiskytours.scot/