Distillery and Whisky News June 2022 - Blair Athol
Hello whisky lovers, and welcome to our June edition of Distillery and Whisky News. As summer beckons now is the perfect time to start planning a whisky adventure for the warmer months that lie ahead... The only question is, will you head to Speyside, the far north or maybe over to the Western Isles? Where will your tastebuds take you?
Wherever you fancy, remember to 'plan your trip' over at DistilleryTours.scot where you can select multiple distilleries and download a map and directions direct to your inbox. Visit the bars, accommodation and shops dedicated to whisky in the area, and navigate from your choice of starting point. It really is clever stuff. And useful too!
If you need some inspiration, our distillery of the month is Blair Athol in the Cairngorms. A beautiful setting, of that there is no doubt and The Manager's Tasting Tour sounds particularly tempting for any whisky aficionados!
DistilleryTours Podcast - Glen Grant
This month we spoke to Dennis Malcolm, Master Distiller of the Glen Grant Distillery.
Dennis tells us some fascinating tales about his 60 year career in scotch whisky, as you’ll hear he was almost literally born into the job and has seen huge changes since his first day as an apprentice cooper at Glen Grant in 1961.
Dennis also discusses what makes Glen Grant such a special distillery, being awarded the OBE for his services to whisky and what it’s like to have a 60-year-old €25,000 whisky named after you!
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: Kingsbarns
This month's competition is with the Kingsbarns Distillery to win a bottle of their Dream To Dram Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
This delightful dram is light, intensely fruity, floral and balanced with a rich colour coming from the high quality casks it has matured in.
And it’s an award winner too with plenty of accolades to its name including Best Scotch Lowlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky at this year’s World Whisky Awards.
Competition Time!
Want to be in with a chance to win a bottle of Dream To Dram Single Malt? Simply follow DistilleryTours.scot on Facebook and share our 'Date with a Dram' post dated 6 June. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced in our July newsletter!
And congratulations to John Anderson from Edinburgh who won last month's competition of a bottle of Arran Distillery's Machrie Moor Fingal's Cut Sherry Cask - enjoy John!
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.
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DistilleryTours Shop - Still Time For Father's Day
Head over to the DistilleryTours.scot shop for plenty of Father's Day gift inspiration - it's not too late to get him something he'll love!
There are still 12 days to go until Father's Day, so make the most of that time and check out the fantastic gift ideas we have over at the DistilleryTours.scot shop.
From high quality glassware to super comfy hoodies, we've got the perfect gift for your whisky-loving dad. If you're looking for something even more special then our cufflinks and hip flasks are guaranteed to make him smile.
We are proud of the quality of all the items in the shop, but rest-assured that we believe in value for money as well, so you can expect high-end gifts at prices that won't make your eyes water!
Venue of the month: Inverurie Whisky Shop
Inverurie Whisky Shop boasts an extensive collection of local whisky, gin and other spirits, and as such has become a magnet for connoisseurs of premium quality spirits from around the world.
At the shop (based in the heart of Aberdeenshire), highly trained and award-winning staff will guide you around its collection of whisky which included some of Scotland’s oldest independent bottlers and the newest, most sought after distilleries. The collection extends to over 500 whiskies from across the globe!
If you're looking for something a little more personal then immerse yourself in the world of Scottish whisky and join the Inverurie Whisky Shop team for an unforgettable week exploring distilleries. You'll learn from the masters of the art of whisky making, whilst unmasking secrets and stories from the Aberdeenshire and Speyside whisky communities.
Find out more about Inverurie Whisky Shop on its dedicated page on the DistilleryTours website.
Distillery of the Month: Blair Athol
Blair Athol Distillery
Blair Athol Distillery stands at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands in the picturesque town of Pitlochry. Set in open moorland south of the town, in the foothills of the Grampian mountains, Blair Athol’s ancient source of water – the Allt Dour – flows through the grounds from the slopes of Ben Vrackie, contributing to the whisky’s, mellow quality and smooth finish.
If you are an aficionado of exceptional whiskies then the Blair Athol Manager's Tasting Tour is the one for you. Immerse yourself in an in-depth site tour with focus on maturation and manager-chosen special direct from cask tasting.
The distillery promises great stories and adventure with an in-depth story tour of Blair Athol followed by an unforgettable curated tasting of old and rare whiskies (12-year-old Blair Athol, Distillery Exclusive Bottling, 23-year-old Blair Athol, two cask strength as well as a certificate of completion and a gift).
Find out more about Blair Athol, 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.