Distillery and Whisky News May 2022 - Glenmorangie
Hello whisky lovers, and welcome to our May edition of Distillery and Whisky News. Over the last month it's been great to see distilleries able to celebrate a return to near normality. With the ending of all restrictions including mandatory face masks - things really are looking up as summer beckons!
Father's Day is fast approaching (June 19 in case you were wondering). But worry not, we have some perfect gifts for the fathers and grandfathers in your life over at our DistilleryTours shop. The organic hoodies and t-shirts in particular are a great price at the moment, and definitely worth checking out.
Our distillery of the month is Glenmorangie in Ross-shire and it reminds me that another great idea for Father's Day celebrations is a trip to a distillery. The Innovation Tour at Glenmorangie certainly sounds like something my dad would enjoy (and me for that matter). It's always a bonus to give a gift that you can enjoy too...
DistilleryTours Podcast - Caol Ila
This month we spoke to Jo McKerchar, Diageo Historian & Archivist and Sam Hale of the Caol Ila Distillery.
Sam and Jo discuss what makes the Caol Ila Distillery so special, from its unique and stunning setting to its role at the heart of the community that surrounds it. They also allude to the rich history of Islay and its enduring relationship with whisky - Caol Ila's 175th anniversary being a real cause for celebration this year.
The celebrations don't stop there though - with Fèis Ìle on the horizon, both Sam and Jo are looking forward to enjoying good food, music, cocktails and drams at the island's festival later this month and later in the year the distillery's brand new visitor centre will open its doors to the public. Listen Now
Thanks to CalMac for sponsoring the podcast - if you're visiting the islands this year check out calmac.co.uk for travel information and tourist inspiration.
Date with a Dram: Arran
This month's competition is with the Arran Distillery to win a bottle of their Machrie Moor Fingal’s Cut Sherry Cask.
Bottled at cask strength, this beautifully illustrates how a heavily peated spirit can be expertly paired with the best quality Oloroso Sherry Cask to create a delightfully memorable dram.
On the nose it offers an earthy smoke with notes of rich dark chocolate, candied oranges and crème brûlée while the taste is sweet and fruity with soft spices of cinnamon. Slices of dried orange and grapefruit complimented with notes of sticky toffee pudding. The finish is smoky, peaty, long-lasting and above all - mouth-watering.
Competition Time!
Want to be in with a chance to win a bottle of Machrie Moor Fingal’s Cut Sherry Cask? Simply follow DistilleryTours.scot on Facebook and share our 'Date with a Dram' post dated 2 May. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced in our June newsletter!
And congratulations to Pauline Bolt from Essex who won last month's competition of a bottle of Ardbeg Distillery's Arrrrrrrbeg Single Malt - enjoy, Pauline!
You must be 18 years old or over to enter. Please note, will never approach you for your credit card details or personal information, send you friend requests or ask you to click on a link. Please stay safe online.
DistilleryTours Shop - Mine's A Malt T-Shirt
These eye-catching t-shirts are made from organic cotton and come in a range of sizes and colourways.
With Father's Day fast-approaching you need look no further than the DistilleryTours.scot shop where you will find a number of high-quality gift ideas for whisky-loving dads and grandads.
With hoodies, t-shirts, glassware and hip flasks that really 'look the part' all at great prices - you'll not only be spoiled for choice, you'll be dad's favourite on June 19 as well!
Venue of the month: The Bon Accord
The Bon Accord began life as a pub specialising in real ale and pub grub, but it has since been carefully cultivated into a specialist whisky bar, it has even won UK Whisky Bar of the Year!
In fact, the venue has collected many such awards over the years including those for excellent beer and cider selection and is also proud to have received National Winner Independent Pub Category award 2015 for Best Bar None Scotland. A testimony to the safe and welcoming pub it is.
The pub sells more than 800 different real ales per year and there are more than 400 whiskies on the gantry, and yet the quality of selection does not suffer. There are many old and rare whiskies available to try, the pinnacle of the collection being a 70-year-old Glenlivet.
Find out more about The Bon Accord on its dedicated page on the DistilleryTours website.
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Distillery of the Month: Glenmorangie
Glenmorangie Distillery
By the tranquil shores of the Dornoch Firth, amidst the golden barley fields of Ross-shire, lies the Glenmorangie Distillery. Here you will find a warm Highland welcome from the legendary Men of Tain, the skilled craftsmen who ensure that Glenmorangie is made in the same unhurried and uncompromising way it has always been through its long and distinguished history.
All tours offer unparalleled access to the Distillery and its warehouses. With the help of expert guides you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation.
Within the Still House stand the tallest stills in Scotland. Their long copper necks are the same height as a fully grown giraffe! As a result only the lightest and purest vapours make it to the top, giving a smoother, more elegant whisky.
The Innovation Tour allows you to dive into the distillery's experimental side on an in-depth flavour adventure. Begin with a dram of Glenmorangie signature whisky The Original before exploring the distillery's relentless quest to create new flavours by experimenting at every turn. As you tour, you will enjoy three of their most ground-breaking single malts.
Glenmorangie Distillery
Find out more about Glenmorangie, their whisky and tours on their dedicated page on the DistilleryTours.scot website.
Looking for inspiration for your next Distillery Tour? Follow us on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and INSTRAGRAM to hear more, and subscribe to this newsletter at DISTILLERYTOURS.SCOT/SIGNUP.