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

CHRISTMAS OFFERS
AT THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

Get set with your Christmas shopping and grab a bargain at the same time. From stocking fillers and gift sets to classic single malts and a whole lot more, we’ve got your presents and serving bottles sorted. Our offers this month include a rich and sherried Dalmore, the iconic Johnnie Walker Blue Label, an eye-catching luxury Strathisla 2007 15 Year Old Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, and our newly appointed LOCH LOMOND 18 YEAR OLD Whisky of the Year 2024.

  DISCOVER NOW 

One last update – Friend at Hand – Barántúil

We had to make an exception to sending out a rare press release because we keep getting so much good news, this will be the last one for a while but should leave you in a high.

1. Frend at Hand Exclusive – Barántúil – The Silent Valley – Gleann An Chiúnais
2. Killowen wins Gold – Again

Friend At Hand exclusive Barántúil – The Silent Valley – Gleann An Chiúnais

The legendary Friend At Hand Belfast is a mecca for whiskey enthusiasts with so many brands hoping to have an exclusive bottling there, only a few are ever approached. As such Killowen are delighted to be among them.

Belfast legend Willie Jack who many see as curator of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter has been as a pivotable to the blossoming of the city centre in recent decades. The iconic Hill Street, Duke of York and her umbrellas are just some of these examples and this exactly why Killowen are delighted to have a cask here.

The cask pays homage to the men of Mourne who built the Silent Valley in 1923 a century ago, as a water source for the expanding city, Silent Valley has created a connection between Belfast & The Mournes which continues to this day; with people, culture, trade & especially whiskey. Made predominantly with oats originating where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, this bottling was slightly reduced in strength by Willie Jack himself using water drawn directly from Silent Valley on bottling day. Killowen has only produced three firkins of this incredible whiskey, each in a different cask. After years of contribution to Irish whiskey and to the city of Belfast, it is only fitting that the The Friend at Hand receive such a valued cask. The perfect spirit for Belfast’s most prestigious whiskey destination.

The small batch whiskey was then filled into a fresh Cabernet Sauvignon cask was reduced from litres to 70 litres, then re-charred to a medium toast before filling. This provides a red fruitiness that marries beautifully with the creaminess of the rare Mourne oats. This small cask only allowed us to fill 108 bottles of which only 50 are being sold by Friend at Hand – what’s more, they are only being sold to walk-ins.
Willy Jack and Jill went up the Hill

In order to fetch a pale of water Jack and I walked up the hill to The Silent Valley under the guidance of Joanne Jack. This wasn’t simply a fun excursion on a cold and wet November day but instead Willy was put to work to collect water so the cask could be diluted to his own desired drinking strength of 53.87% – unfortunately many bottles where devoured in the making of this decision. This symbolic gesture was an iconic one in cementing the link between the Silent Valley and the Belfast city Whiskey – watch the short clip here

Killowen wins Gold again

Killowen’s Peated Port Cask #KDC031 won gold at the Irish Whiskey Awards. Considering the consistent approach of all Barántúil releases this cask was particularly beautiful and we were delighted to receive Gold. Sadly these all sold out some months ago but there are other treats available on our webshop.

We wish you all a very happy Christmas!

Find Out More

The dark days of December have arrived but the low light of winter transforms our island in wonderful ways. Shadows lie long, and the stark landscapes are in high contrast making for many beautiful moments as the cold fronts and wilder weather rolls in.

It’s the season of light in so many ways, from the flicker of fires in the hearth to the first twinkles on festive trees. Our home village of Tarbert will soon come to life as the annual Christmas decorations appear along the main street, strung out like long fishing lines, linking all the small shops together.

And, our peat fire continues to burn guaranteeing a warm welcome always awaits those who come through our doors. Even if you can’t be with us here in Harris, there are many ways we can still stay connected.

Read on as we bring you this week’s island Journal to find out more!

Stay warm, stay well….

Le gach deagh dhùrachd,

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

VISIT THE DISTILLERY WEBSITE

As Christmas approaches, many here are eagerly awaiting the return of friends and family to our island shores. The population of the Isle of Harris has declined by almost 50% over the last 50 years as young people leave to seek work far from our shores.

These changes threaten local traditions, culture, and language as well as leaving schools and village numbers dwindling. The Isle of Harris Distillery was built to help address these issues by creating sustainable local employment and offer long-term careers for those who wish to stay and set down roots here.

Together with other like-minded island enterprises we seek to act as a catalyst of change and a symbol of promise for this generation and those still to come that Harris can always remain their home.

DISCOVER OUR PURPOSE

We make The Hearach single malt whisky in batches of around 12,000 bottles, each to the same recipe. However, there will be subtle, natural variations between them which reflect the casks chosen and the length of time we ‘marry’ the vatting.

There’s a special combination of letters and numbers on every stopper seal which helps you to learn more about the dram in the bottle you’ve bought or plan to buy. Each code has an accompanying ‘batch sheet’ to help you learn about the way your whisky was made, read tasting notes from an islander, and enjoy a short story from Harris…

DISCOVER YOUR BATCH

We want everyone who enjoys The Hearach single malt whisky to take some time to connect with us here in our Outer Hebridean island.One of the ways we can help you do this is through sound and a sense of quiet ceremony.

So, light the fire, put life on pause, pour a dram, and press play on our specially created immersive soundscape by young island audio artist Fraser MacBeath. Fraser recently won the RSA Benno Schotz Prize at the Royal Scottish Academy 197th Annual Exhibition, and spent much of 2023 traveling around Harris, speaking to local people and exploring hidden corners with his recording equipment.

The resulting piece of work weaves past and present, the noises of the natural world, and the lyrical melody and music of the men and women who call this place their home.

PAUSE, POUR, AND PRESS PLAY

BESTSELLING WHISKIES OF 2023

Here are some of our most popular whiskies of 2023, all reliable choices for impressing a whisky lover this Christmas or finding inspiration for a gift from you to you. The bottles our customers couldn’t get enough of this year include the first official bottling from Dalmunach distillery bottled exclusively for us, the 100th Anniversary release of Yamazaki 12 Year Old and ever-popular drams from the Macallan and Blanton’s.

  SHOP CUSTOMER FAVOURITES 

Winners Revealed in 5th Annual Scottish Whisky Awards 2023

The winners in the national awards programme for Scotch whisky have been announced following a St Andrews Day dinner and industry celebration held in Glasgow the evening of November 30th. The 5th annual Scottish Whisky Awards revealed the winners from its comprehensive competition that included the blind tasting of over 200 Scotch whiskies produced by over 60 Scottish distilleries and independent bottlers.

Maureen Robinson Receives The Dr Jim Swan Award For Services To Scotch Whisky

One of the whisky industry’s most accomplished master blenders has been announced as the recipient of the 2023 Dr Jim Swan Award for Services to Scotch Whisky. Maureen Robinson, who retired from Diageo earlier this year, was celebrated for her 40 year career developing and curating Scotch Whisky for in the Diageo portfolio at the 5th Scottish Whisky Awards held in Glasgow on Thursday 30 November 2023.

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LOCH LOMOND 18 YEAR OLD

Our Whisky of the Year 2024 is the full-bodied and fruity 18-year-old single malt from Loch Lomond. Matured in three types of American oak casks, this whisky is the perfect representation of the distillery’s signature style, with layers of rich fruit, sweet honey and subtle warming smoke.

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ROYAL SALUTE

LUXURY SCOTCH WHISKY

First created as a gift for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her Coronation in 1953, Royal Salute 21 Year Old is a fantastic blend of grain and malt whiskies that adds a touch of luxury to a whisky collection.

The decadent whisky range features Royal Salute’s classic 21 Year Old Signature Blend, the Jodhpur Edition which has been finished in virgin oak casks, and limited-edition releases made in collaboration with acclaimed fashion designer Richard Quinn. It’s a cracking whisky to gift an avid Scotch fan or show off at Christmas celebrations and special occasions.

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Wild Turkey 12 Year Old 101 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

(Japanese Export) (700ml)

$200.00

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Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Glen Grant 1966, Gordon and MacPhail

Since 1895 Gordon & MacPhail has worked with the majority of Scotland’s distilleries and today, matures, selects and bottles some of the world’s finest and rarest Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. Glen Grant Distillery was the first of five stills established in the town of Rothes. Built by brothers John and James Grant in 1840, today Glen Grant is one of the world’s biggest selling malt whiskies. The whisky has sweet vanilla aromas with rich, baked fruits – apple pie. On the palate there are green, leafy flavours laced with fruity notes, and a subtle peaty influence.

£800.00

£915.00

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom