Cameron House Launches ‘Manly’ Glengoyne Whisky Afternoon Tea

Cameron House on Loch Lomond has partnered with nearby Glengoyne Distillery to offer a new Whisky Afternoon Tea. Created by new Head Chef Ryan Neill, the afternoon tea is designed to appeal to men, with a selection of savoury, carnivorous Scottish favourites served with Glengoyne whisky and a mug of tea on a slate spread.

This is a more masculine alternative to the traditional Champagne afternoon tea, which typically includes light, dainty sandwiches and sweeter treats arranged on a tiered stand with tea served in delicate bone china.

Dating back to 1840, afternoon tea has long been considered the preserve of women. Now men too can enjoy this tradition with a fine menu of Rare Roast Beef and Arran Mustard Sandwiches, Haggis Sausage Roll, John Ross Smoked Salmon roll, Mini Aberdeen Angus Burger, Black Pudding Scotch Egg, Glengoyne Whisky Fruit Cake and a 10 Years Old Glengoyne Whisky Miniature.

Served in the refined setting of the hotel’s Whisky Bar, the Glengoyne Whisky Afternoon Tea is available daily from 2-5pm for £26 per person.

Glengoyne is one of the world’s leading malt whiskies, distilled more slowly than any other Scotch and matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks. Its 10 Years Old, made with air-dried barley, is warming with a nutty aroma. The clean taste of grass and green apple with a hint of sweet liquorice gives way to linseed oil and almond, with a sweet and malty finish.

Cameron House is an ideal base for a visit to Glengoyne Distillery, which opened in 1833 – the same decade that afternoon tea was made fashionable by the Duchess of Bedford, and offers a wide range of tasting tours and masterclasses. The distillery is situated in a wooded valley with a picturesque waterfall that flows into Loch Lomond.

Cameron House is a five-star resort located on the bonnie banks of one of Scotland’s most famous natural attractions, with mountain views across the loch to the breathtaking Ben Lomond.

Just 30 minutes from Glasgow but a world away from the buzz of the city with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park unfurling on its doorstep, the resort offers luxury, friendly Scottish service and a variety of ways to enjoy a visit, including The Carrick on Loch Lomond, a 71-par championship course with nine holes in the lowlands and nine in the highlands.

The stylish interior combines contemporary design and quirky details with classic touches from Scotland’s baronial past.

To book a Glengoyne Whisky Afternoon Tea, please telephone the Whisky Bar at Cameron House on 01389 722 581.

For further information on Cameron House on Loch Lomond, please visit www.cameronhouse.co.uk

www.glengoyne.com

Purple Valley Imports Increases Distribution

Purple Valley Imports USA, the US importers of Amrut Single Malt Whiskies from India, Glenglassaugh Highland Single Malt, Blackadder Whiskies, Still Waters Single Malt Vodka from Canada, is pleased to announce the appointment of the following new distributors.

New York – Opici Wine Company of New York
New Jersey – American BD
Connecticut – Opici Wine Company of Connecticut
Maryland – Prestige Beverage Group
Delaware – Prestige Beverage Group
Minnesota – Vinocopia
Nevada – Pemberton Distribution Company
Texas – Rainwater Beverages
Washington DC – Ledroit Brands

Purple Valley Imports began importing into the US in April, 2010 with one brand – Amrut and distribution in 3 states. They now are the exclusive importers of 6 brands with distribution in 18 States. Purple Valley Imports USA is focused on identifying and bringing to market world class spirits.

Raj Sabharwal, Managing Director Purple Valley Imports USA, commented: “Our growth is largely driven by the interest American consumers have in world class spirits. Consumers today have a real desire to experience new products and appreciate that traditional old world spirits are being produced to world class standards in new world countries.”

“We are proud of the direct relationships we have with the distilleries we represent, this is reflected in the distributors we appoint and the relationship they in turn have with their accounts. For us it is important to understand, appreciate and believe in the brands that we import,” added Raj Sabharwal.

Whisky enthusiasts are being given a one off opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit as part of a special auction which includes a bottle of 10 year old Jura signed by (the actor who portrayed) Jesus Christ.

The heavenly bottle of Jura bears the signature of actor Robert Powell, who took on the role of Christ as part of the hit 70’s TV show Jesus of Nazareth.

The holy water will be auctioned off as part of a special collection of whisky signed by well known celebrities, including Rory McGrath, Maureen Lipman, Larry Lamb and Tom Conti, who attended the Borders Book Festival last month.

The proceeds of the auction will be shared by Book Aid International and the Borders Children’s Charity, the two charities supported by the hugely popular literary festival.

The auction will run from 18 – 22 July. In order to gain access to the open auction entrants must:

1. Register as an honorary Diurach at www.isleofjura.com

2. Place a bid in the comments section of the blog where the auction is being hosted –

http://bit.ly/whisky-jesus

3. Honour their bid

To find out more about Jura whisky go to www.isleofjura.com

About Jura

Off the west coast of Scotland lies one of nature’s best kept secrets, the Isle of Jura.  Populated by a community of less than 200, known as Diurachs (the Gaelic name for the people of Jura), it is a place of myth, legend and intrigue – and an award-winning range of single malt whiskies, which hold the promise of good fortune for all those that believe.

There are four classic bottlings in the Jura Collection: Origin 10, Superstition, Diurach’s Own and Prophecy. Many of the Jura whiskies have their own distinctive drinking rituals, but one cuts across the range.  Islanders believe that it brings good fortune to knock on wood before they drink a dram.

WHISKY’S ANSWER TO THE WORLD CUP COMES TO A GLORIOUS CLOSE!

NEW YORK, July 2011 – The World Cup of the whisky world – also known as The Glenrothes Whisky Maker contest – reached its thrilling conclusion in June, with amateur whisky aficionados from Taiwan, England and the USA coming together in Speyside, Scotland, to tough it out in a series of challenges and tastings that would have tested the nerves of famed Scottish outlaw Rob Roy, let alone a malt expert.

The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky, one of the world’s top single malts and the pre-eminent vintage-distilled single malt, launched its quest to bring together top whisky enthusiasts from around the world 12 months ago. Following entries in the thousands, from as far afield as Albania to Zimbabwe, four finalists from Taiwan, England (where two hailed from) and Ohio, USA, were selected to go head to head, and nose to nose, in the glens of Speyside, the home of The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Finalists faced off in everything from gauging the purity of the water source at the distillery’s two springs to milling the malt to achieve the golden proportions of husk, grits and flour to making casks at the cooperage and rolling them into the warehouse. The contest culminated in a blind tasting, and individual blending and bottling, in the distillery’s fabled Inner Sanctum, where Eliott Edelstein, the American representative, remembers “sniffing and blending [our] way through three casks that had never been used for bottling before. We then took on the holy grail of taste-tests: every vintage whisky ever put out from The Glenrothes, from Vintage 1975 through to the new 1995; it was truly a religious moment.”

At the close of Whisky Maker, Ronnie Cox, The Glenrothes’ Global Brand Heritage Director and comedic star of the accompanying You Tube video reel on the contest, declared all the entrants winners, meaning this dual ended in more of a draw than an all out thrashing. “The Glenrothes is a whisky unrivalled in terms of heritage and uniqueness, from its distinctive vintage offering through to its commitment to unearthing the next generation of would-be master blenders, via programs such as Whisky Maker. Not only does something like Whisky Maker unite the passion felt globally by people for The Glenrothes, it ultimately invests in the quality of the dram in the bottle, to be enjoyed by enthusiasts of The Glenrothes for years to come.”

Find video recap of The Glenrothes Whisky Maker, featuring Ronnie Cox, as well as the four finalists on their Speyside odyssey. For more video logs from Whisky Maker, search “The Glenrothes Whisky Maker” on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3K4mgjSN4Q or www.theglenrothes.com

Notes:

1. The Glenrothes was founded in 1879
2. Little more than 2% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality
3. Of the 16 Vintages released to date, 12 have entirely sold out
4. The whisky is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds
5. The Glenrothes Select Reserve was voted Best in Class at the World Whiskies Awards 2008 and won two Double Golds at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2007
6. The Glenrothes 1972 was awarded a Trophy at the 2005 International Spirits Challenge
7. The Glenrothes 1978 was voted Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008
8. The Glenrothes 1975 won a Double Gold award at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008
9. The Glenrothes 1991 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
10. The Glenrothes 1994 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
11. The Glenrothes Alba Reserve won a Double Gold at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
12. “I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded…sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion
13. Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25

Early Times becomes official spirits sponsor of the ACO and ACO World Championships of Cornhole

Louisville, Ky (July, 2011) The American Cornhole Organization announces a partnership with Early Times Kentucky Whisky where Early Times becomes the “Official Spirits Sponsor of the ACO”.

In the agreement, the ACO will help Early Times promote its Early Times Man Day platform throughout all events across the country, which culminate with the ACO World Championships of Cornhole. Select events throughout the American Cornhole circuit of tournaments will include both Early Times Man Day competitions and ACO sanctioned cornhole tournaments. These selected events will be leveraged as qualifying events into the ACO World Championships of Cornhole, held January 5-8, 2012 in Tunica, Mississippi.

“The Early Times relationship ties in nicely with the ACO and our events planned all around the country,” said Frank Geers, president of the ACO. “The Early Times Man Games are all about fun and we can certainly identify with that.”

Early Times secures the “Official and Exclusive Spirits” sponsorship of the ACO through 2014. At the ACO World Championships of Cornhole in January, there will be an Early Times Man Day Zone featuring Man Games competitions.

“Early Times is known as the ‘Workin Man’s Reward’ and the game of cornhole fits perfectly into that motto,” said Therese McGuire, Early Times brand manager. “We look forward to a long-term partnership with the ACO and to building a strong relationship in the years to come.”

About American Cornhole

Established in 2005 and headquartered in Milford, Ohio, American Cornhole Organization is the governing body for the sport of cornhole. Offering sanctioned products, official rules, and comprehensive information about cornhole events. For additional information, visit http://www.americancornhole.org

About Early Times

Early Times Kentucky Whisky is enjoyed in 28 countries around the world and the Early Times Mint Julep is the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby™.” For more information visit www.earlytimes.com. For over 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Canadian Mist, Early Times Kentucky Whisky, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.

SEPTEMEBER IS NATIONAL BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH

Visiting Maker’s Mark’s Kentucky Distillery Brings History of America’s Native Spirit to Life

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, an official observance declared by the United States Senate in 2007 to celebrate America’s native spirit. Bourbon whisky has been made in the U.S. since the late 18th century but only in the last few years has the market for bourbon dramatically taken off with new brands and special reserves being launched at a rapid pace.

Kentucky is home to the majority of America’s bourbon distilleries, with the most historic distillery belonging to Maker’s Mark, founded in 1953 by Bill Samuels, Sr. The Samuels family began making whisky in the U.S. in 1784, but, as Bill once said, the old family recipe was so harsh “it could blow your ears off.” Inspired by the desire to make an incredibly smooth sipping whisky and after much experimentation, Mr. Samuels created an innovative recipe that used soft red winter wheat instead of rye as the flavor grain to craft the world’s first premium bourbon.

Bill Sr.’s son, Bill Samuels, Jr., took over the distillery in the 1970’s. Growing up, he lived on Distiller’s Row with other famous whisky makers, including his godfather, Jim Beam. Today his son, COO and eighth generation distiller Rob Samuels, is in charge of the distillery which has been named a National Historic Landmark and declared by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest operating bourbon whisky distillery.

As part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (www.kybourbontrail.com), close to 100,000 visitors a year take advantage of Maker’s Mark’s free tours, which show how Maker’s Mark still crafts its bourbon the same way as Bill Sr. made the first batch. From using an antique roller mill and hand dipping and sealing every bottle in red wax to aging its bourbon to taste instead of an arbitrary date, Maker’s Mark has stayed true to its heritage and handcraftsmanship.

In honor of Bourbon Heritage Month, we at Maker’s Mark would like to encourage folks to come to visit our distillery to witness American craftsmanship at its finest or to check out the 20th Annual Bourbon Fest in Bardstown, KY (Sept. 13-18). And, for those who can’t make the trip, enjoying a Maker’s Mark on the rocks or in a cocktail is a good substitution. This recipe for a Whisky Smash from master mixologist Dale Degroff, is a real crowd pleaser.

Whiskey Smash

Recipe by Dale Degroff

RECIPE:

2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

4 mint leaves

¾ lemon

1 part simple syrup

Lemon wheel, for garnish

Sprig of Mint, for garnish

1. Muddle all ingredients except Maker’s Mark® Bourbon in a bar glass.

2. Add Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, and shake with ice. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel.

Dale’s other variation is a Whiskey Peach Smash. Muddle 4 slices of fresh peach with the lemon, mint, and simple syrup. Add Maker’s Mark® Bourbon and shake with ice. Strain over ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with a fresh peach slice.

THE AUCHENTOSHAN SWITCH

A unique mixology programme like no other with Auchentoshan – The only triple distilled Single Malt whisky

This summer, Auchentoshan, the only Single Malt that triple distills every drop, has launched a cocktail competition that will offer two outstanding bartenders – one from the UK and one from the US – a career-changing, 14 day switch across the Atlantic, to work in one of the world’s leading bars – The Auchentoshan Switch.

Rising to fame in the cocktail world, Auchentoshan Three Wood is quickly gaining cult status among bartenders globally due to its unique complexity, having been matured in three different casks. The Auchentoshan Switch competition will see the brand collaborate with the award-winning den for the thinking drinker, London institution 69 Colebrooke Row and New York’s Apotheke, who will act as the host bars for the winning mixologists. The winners will experience world leading molecular mixology as they work in one of the world’s leading experimental cocktail bars.

Auchentoshan is a brand that likes to do things differently, by being the only single malt scotch to triple distil its spirit to make it arguably the smoothest and most versatile malt. This ethos is carried through to the selection criteria for the competition. The judging panel will be looking for something different and extra special from contestants. Whilst much of the attention will be focussed on the drinks, service and theatre is of equal importance, so applicants will be judged on how friendly, approachable and charismatic they are as well as the drink itself.

With this in mind only video entries will be accepted for the competition. Contestants will be asked to film themselves making two simple yet integral drinks: firstly a lemonade from scratch and secondly an Old Fashioned made with the unique Auchentoshan Three Wood.

Individual competitions in the UK and US will run simultaneously to find a winner in each country. Following the initial entry process, twenty finalists will be invited to a one-day final round, which is set to take place in central London during October 2011. The switch itself will take place in early 2012.

Hannah Fisher, brand manager for Auchentoshan, commented; “As Auchentoshan Three Wood continues to grow in popularity with bartenders, it’s great to be able to give them something back. As the first whisky brand to offer an internship that crosses the Atlantic, we’re excited to see the results and proud to be working with two of the best bars in the world.”

As part of the transatlantic switch the US winner will work at 69 Colebrooke Row and learn first hand the world of cocktail and food science in the only bar related drinks lab in the World – The Drinks Factory. They will have the opportunity to work with this team of hand- picked, leading mixologists, in a lab dedicated to furthering the craft of the cocktail and fully realising projects as they filter into the bar. Importantly they will also become incorporated into the daily procedures ofopening-up and working in the bar at 69 Colebrooke Row, visiting producers and sourcing of quality ingredients.

Marcis Dzelzainis, Operations Manager at 69 Colebrooke Row, commented on the programme, “The Switch programme is a very innovative way of promoting a brand that really thinks outside the box. At the bar, we enjoy using Auchentoshan Three Wood as its flavour profile lends itself to mixability and that it would nice to see Single Malts used more in cocktails!”

The winner of the UK competition will head to Apotheke in New York City, the hottest cocktail bar on the underground scene. Managed under the watchful eye of bar manager and USA judge, David Clelland. The winner will be able to learn from and work side by side with highly experienced bar chefs. With no menus, bar chefs cook up individually prescribed concoctions for the taste of the cocktail enthusiasts according to their mood. At Apotheke, the presentation of the cocktail is as dramatic as the cocktail itself. The winner will be simultaneously part of both a theatre performance and a chemistry lab in the mixology heart of the USA – NYC.

Candidates will be able to apply online from 1st July – 31st August 2011 through www.auchentoshan.com/switch

A message from the UK…

We have a great new web video introducing a series of videos that we will have from the TED conference being held in Edinburgh which is sponsored by Dewars the whiskey brand.

TED brings together leaders in Technology, Entertainment and Design.

In this video signature graphic artist Hugh MacLeod – who will be creating unique pieces of art each day to reflect his thoughts from the conference, talks us through what to expect over the coming days. Please see an example of one of Hugh’s graphics below.

The video is available to view/download/embed/ via:

http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/stories/5712-hugh-mcloed-introduces-the-ted-convention

Please also be aware that Hugh will perform a live sketch from the conference on Thursday 14th July which will be streamed on:

 http://www.facebook.com/dewars

Glengoyne Marketing Director Iain Weir, WWT Corporate Relations Manager John Creedon and Glengoyne Distillery Manager Robbie Hughes toast the opening of Glengoyne’s new wetlands area.

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt will become the exclusive whisky partner of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in time for the official opening of a brand new wetlands area onsite at the Distillery, which will help with processing distillery waste and make the area a haven for wildlife.

Glengoyne Distillery has invested £170k on the facility which deals with the effluent from the spirit stills called Spent Lees. This reduces waste by around 25% and deals with it in an environmentally friendly manner. The wetland plants were bedded in early May to acclimatise and have now begun processing waste liquid from whisky making.

As a further commitment to wetlands, the distillery has promised a minimum contribution of £5,000 to WWT in the first twelve months of the long term partnership, to be raised through contributions from sales of special bottles. Glengoyne will donate £3.00 on all personalised bottles and £4.50 on all standard bottles of the core range purchased online using a special code available to WWT members.

The agreement will also see other joint marketing and fundraising initiatives with the charity including limited edition bottlings, discount on WWT membership, on-pack promotions and joint events. The partnership kicked off in early June with a special Father’s Day promotion.

Robbie Hughes, Distillery Manager at Glengoyne said: “We are always looking at options for improving our waste management and wetlands seemed like the perfect solution. It allows us to reduce waste, cut down on waste transportation, be more environmentally friendly and will attract a huge range of wildlife to the area, which is already renowned for its geese.

“We are also investigating further environmental improvements including Anaerobic Digesters to generate gas for our boiler from another one of our effluent streams.”

WWT is a leading UK conservation organisation saving wetlands for wildlife and people across the world by creating, restoring and monitoring wetlands and the wildlife that depends on them. Wetlands are among the world’s most productive environments and support great biodiversity. They are, for example, havens for birds from storks to swans and ducks to divers.

John Creedon, WWT’s Corporate Relations Manager said “New wetlands like this quickly become home to moths and beetles and even water voles, which in turn start to support and attract birds and potentially larger mammals like otters. WWT were keen to link with Glengoyne because of their commitment to the environment and because the name ‘Glengoyne’ means “Glen of the Wild Geese” in Gaelic, and WWT’s Caerlaverock Wetland Centre in Dumfriesshire, within easy reach of the distillery, is the winter home of tens of thousands of barnacle geese from Svalbard.”

Glengoyne Distillery is situated just 30 minutes outside Glasgow, in the Trossachs National Park at the start of the West Highland Way and has been producing exceptional single malt whisky for nearly 200 years.

For more information on Glengoyne visit: www.glengoyne.com

For more information on WWT visit www.wwt.org.uk  

Only the slowest distillation process, untainted by peat smoke, creates Glengoyne THE REAL TASTE OF MALT.

Learning Manager at WWT Caerlaverock , Dumfriesshire Brian Morrell and Glengoyne Distillery Manager Robbie Hughes toast the opening of Glengoyne’s new wetlands area.

Glengoyne Distillery Manager Robbie Hughes and Learning Manager at WWT Caerlaverock , Dumfriesshire Brian Morrell toast the opening of Glengoyne’s new wetlands area.

Glengoyne Distillery Manager Robbie Hughes, Learning Manager at WWT Caerlaverock , Dumfriesshire Brian Morrell, Glengoyne Marketing Director Iain Weir and WWT Corporate Relations Manager John Creedon demonstrate the type of wildlife the new wetlands will attract with a giant Barnacle Goose.

Notes:

Glengoyne’s multi award-winning Single Malts are distilled at a slower rate than any other Scotch whisky using air-dried barley, untainted by peat smoke creating ‘The Real Taste of Malt.’

Glengoyne is a subtle, complex whisky in which all of the delicate flavours freely express themselves. Glengoyne 10 Years Old has a nose of toffee and a sweet, malty finish.

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) www.wwt.org.uk

WWT saves wetlands worldwide – a critical habitat which is disappearing at an alarming rate. We act to identify and save severely threatened wildlife, such as the Madagascar pochard, which has been given a more secure future thanks to our decades of experience in conservation breeding.

Our researchers have been monitoring wildlife in the UK for more than 60 years, observing changes and finding solutions.

We put people at the heart of all our work, because conservation needs support to succeed.

And we share what we learn with experts around the world and with our 200,000+ members, the 60,000 school children who come on an educational visit to our nine wetland visitor centres in the UK, and the million people who visit us each year to enjoy a wetland experience.

We manage over 2,600 hectares of wetlands across the UK which between them support over 200,000 waterbirds and other wildlife.

WWT members enjoy free access to all nine visitor centres and are kept up to date with developments through an award-winning quarterly magazine, Waterlife.

och, another crammed packed tour; Three day express whisky tour – taken by Paul and Tim (Angels Whisky Club Moscow Ambassador). 3 days, 6 distilleries, 1 art studio, Duncan Taylor, Rosslyn Chapel, McTears and a Police station.

Thursday; met Tim at 08.30 Edinburgh airport. Immediately drove to Glasgow where we had an appointment with Stephen at McTears auction house. Er well, we got lost, my fault! Junction 23 on the motorway was closed off, we drove around a while looking for a way off, ended up at Junc 25, stopped at a police station and asked how to find McTears? as Junc 23 closed. We were no far away actually, there in 5 minutes. So in we go, looking around the new layout of whisky room and taking a closer look at many auction offerings for later in the month (Paul’s amongst them). We then headed off north to Loch Lomond distillery, where Gavin Durnin (Sales Director) took us around. This distillery is closed to the public. An unusual place this, it has grain and malt in one distillery, the stills use towers/columns for 4 stills and is really unusual, the SWA call them Lomond towers but we were assured they are not. A really good tour here of everywhere, distillery, cooperage, warehouse etc with a cup of tea!!! After this superb tour we had (I wont say enjoyed) a Big Mac each, eeek. Drove to the A9 and headed north. We were trying for Cardhu but ran oot of time. So at Findhorn (aye, that far north) we ate a hearty meal, then paid a visit to artist Jonathan Wheeler, where Tim enjoyed the artwork so much he bought some! Retreating to Banff now and our hotel, a pint of cider and bed to watch telly, knackered!

Friday; an early start again, first call Glenglassaugh. Tim has a cask here (so do other recent tour groups we have taken here) so we had to see it, in fact, taste it to see how it’s coming along. Graeme Morrison took us into the cask house, Graeme is now Maturation Manager and a grand man he is. A quick chat with Stuart and we departed to Sandend for a few quick pix, before heading to Duncan Taylor, Huntly, where Tim took samples for casks he is considering. I seem to be almost a local here, called in so many times recently. We then flew off to Cragganmore for a tour, a really lovely lass Claire showed us round, a typical Diageo place but nevertheless a decent tour here. Then another closed to the public distillery; Tomintoul, where Tom took us round, excellent! Really enjoyed this tour, many thanks to Tom, with a great look around and tasting, perfect! We headed into the village for some grub and a look at the worlds largest whisky bottle! Oh and a brief call in a Glenlivet. Then drove through thunder and typhoon like rain all the way to Perth. Checked Tim into the hotel and went home myself. Liz came through and we three went for a superb meal at Kerachers restaurant. Tim went back to his hotel, Liz and myself to my hoose for a few drinks and relaxing.

Saturday; oh did I enjoy my bed this morning!!! A lie in as I met Tim at 09.00, sent some whisky away via the post office before heading to Rosslyn Chapel, very nice! Then to Glenkinchie distillery. No the best tour to be honest. Then into the city and a visit to the Vintners Rooms where they have over 1300 whisky bottles. Finally to South Queensferry for a meal and check Tim into his hotel (pre next day flight). A short tour but crammed, drove home to Perth tired and knackered, had a cup o tea, saw some telly and hit me bed!

Tomintoul Stills

Tour designed, driven and guided by Paul McLean www.mcleanscotland.com and www.angelswhiskyclub.com