Distillery and Whisky News November 2020
Hello whisky lovers and welcome to our November edition of Distillery and Whisky News. We're a *bit* excited this month, with the launch of our brand new 'Date with a Dram' feature!
This is your chance to win an incredible bottle of whisky from one of our Premium Distilleries - check out our first bottle below from the Aberfeldy Distillery and follow us and share on Facebook to be in with a chance to win.
We're also back after a short break with our next episode of the DistilleryTours podcast - we loved speaking to Jenna Collins from the Strathisla Distillery - Home of Chivas - listen now, below.
With Thanksgiving tomorrow, we hope you'll join us in raising a dram with our American friends - may we see all that we're grateful for. Stay safe - slainte!
DistilleryTours Podcast: Strathisla
Jenna Collins at the Strathisla Distillery
This month we spoke to Jenna Collins, Visitor Centre Supervisor at the Strathisla Distillery in Keith.
Jenna tells us what it means to her to work at the Home of Chivas after spending most of her career working in distilleries, why she thinks everyone should get to write their own tasting notes, and news of their Distillery Reserve Collection for 2020.
And there’s even an interesting request from Queen Victoria!'
If you enjoy hearing about the Strathisla Distillery and would like to try a dram of one of their 2020 Distillery Reserve Collection for yourself, we’re delighted to say that their Visitor Centre and tastings are open to local visitors – please do book in advance and keep within Covid-19 travel restrictions. Find out more on their dedicated page.
Date with a Dram: Aberfeldy 15 YO
Aberfeldy 15 Year Old 43% ABV
"A blush of Pomerol elegantly entwines ripe cherries and soft notes of apricot around the signature honey and creamy vanilla notes of Aberfeldy."
We're delighted to say that the first whisky to feature in our 'Date with a Dram' is from the Aberfeldy Distillery in Perthshire.
The finest quality red wine casks from Pomerol were selected to finish this new limited-edition expression. Initially spending 15 years in a combination of Bourbon re-fill and re-char casks, the whisky has undergone a second maturation period of around 4-5 months, adding an extra dimension of flavour.
Aberfeldy's Malt Master Stephanie MacLeod says: “Pomerol intensifies Aberfeldy’s signature honeyed fruitiness with luscious layers of red berries and stone fruits.”
Competition Time!
Want to be in with a chance to win a bottle of Aberfeldy 15 Year Old? Simply follow DistilleryTours.scot on Facebook and share our Date with a Dram post dated 25 November. The lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced in our December newsletter!
Venue of the month: The Snug
Whisky tasting at The Snug
The Snug is Speyside Distillery’s Visitor Experience in the heart of Aviemore.
Speyside Distillery is a boutique, artisan distillery located on the outskirts of Kingussie in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains. Still hand-crafting spirits using time honoured traditions, the distillery is one of the best kept secrets in the Spey valley.
Built in a style to reflect the Distillery itself, The Snug has old wooden beams, stone walls and a hand-crafted bar made from their whisky barrel staves.
The Snug shop
Fancy a dram or two from the Speyside Distillery but not local to Aviemore? Their next online tasting is on the 27th November, with tasting kits including 30ml bottles each of:
- SPEY Tenne
- SPEY 12 year old limited edition tawny port finish
- SPEY Royal Choice
- SPEY Trutina Cask Strength limited edition
- SPEY Fumare
Hosted by Paul Dempsey and Allan Findlay from the Speyside Distillery, the event offers you the chance to ask questions, have a chat and talk over your thoughts on the drams being sampled. Book your tickets now.
Find out more about the Speyside Distillery's Snug, their tastings and their whisky at DistilleryTours.scot and, if you're visiting, please adhere to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Distillery of the Month: Lagavulin
Lagavulin Distillery
Situated at the picturesque Lagavulin Bay, the Lagavulin Distillery experience is not to be missed.
In 1742 there were at least ten illicit stills at Lagavulin, and it would be another 74 years until local farmer John Johnston converted the buildings into one distillery and named it Lagavulin, the first legal operation in the area.
The nearby bay influences Lagavulin’s elegant and smooth maritime flavours. This peated malt has a slow distillation in their pear shaped stills, and together with and long maturation, ensures Lagavulin develops a complex, rich, peaty character.
The Lagavulin Distillery is open for tastings and is part of our Southern Islay tour - take a look on our Plan Your Trip pages and please adhere to Covid-19 travel restrictions if you're visiting.
A tour with legend Iain McArthur
Find out more about the Lagavulin Distillery on their dedicated page on the DistilleryTours.scot website and, if you're visiting, please adhere to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
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