A spiritual Sunday Whisky School

It was all a part of a long tour (16 days to be exact) that had been to the west coast, Highlands, Speyside and Edinburgh.

We had started a while before, as we met at Edinburgh airport (plane landed 4 hours late) and headed up to the west coast, a half hour south of Oban. On our second day we had arranged a private boat trip for all four of us, myself, Liz and 2 guests Julie and Chris. At high speed we went to Islay to visit Bunny Heaven distillery, which was good by the way. Sailing down to Jura and the distillery there, also good, then hit the Corryvreckan whirlpool with high seas, exciting stuff.

Anyhow, to cut a long story short, we visited Oban, Tobermory, Talisker, Macallan, Balvenie, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Cardhu (and fed the hairy coo’s), Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Edradour distilleries – amongst others, but staying in Speyside for 4 days/nights we arranged our friend Vic Cameron to take a whisky school. Now, apart from his whisky activities (with Diageo 25 years) now teaching, holding tastings etc, he is a Pastor with his own church. Our school was held in his own church on a Sunday, just the four of us again. This went on for several hours and all enjoyed the spiritual experience, tasting 5 drams and a follow up, Rebecca Creek from Texas, less said about that one the better. We had an almost black Glenmorangie which was really weird. With questions flying in everywhere Vic was kept busy, whilst telling us all about barley, and how Liz got upset that the barley is alive when processed! Vic had also done a whisky school for us at this years Speyside whisky festival, in addition to many tastings, talks etc with other guests of ours over the year.

Vic Cameron (BSc DipDist). Vic has over 25 years experience in the distilling industry, for the largest Distiller in the UK. Vic is proud to have been the 4th International Malt Whisky Nosing Champion. He is now on the organising committee for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival whisky school and also the Whisky Lecturer for the University of the Highlands and Islands. History; Distillery Manager, Maltings Manager, Laboratory and Cereals Manager Diageo plc. UK Malt, the Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain.

Sunday School was held in Lossiemouth near Elgin,

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