Highland Whisky Academy
David Riddell spent a week taking part in Inverurie Whisky Shop's Highland Whisky Academy where he was rewarded with some fantastic distillery tours, many tasty drams and a well-earned qualification at the end of it all...
It’s a hard life but someone’s got to do it… that’s what I told myself as I headed north to take part in the third Highland Whisky Academy organised by Mike and Russell of Inverurie Whisky Shop. What follows is a day-by-day account of the week’s itinerary and my highlights (there were many!).
Highland Whisky Academy participants
Day one started with an introduction to olfactory with the brilliant Dr Paul McLaughlin who although based in Canada (it was 5am his time - I found that nothing was ever too much of a bother at the academy) provided us all with a fascinating two-hour lesson. It really made me think more about the way to taste, smell and interact with whisky.
Next up was a visit to Glen Garioch where we enjoyed a distillery experience and tasting with the brilliant Kwanele Mdluli along with our amazing tour guide Cat Housely. We even got to taste some of their New Make Spirit. That evening we enjoyed a sherry dinner experience at our lodge with several courses of food all paired perfectly with some delicious sherries, each explained beautifully by sherry sommelier, Anna Farrier.
Glen Garioch Distillery
On to day two and despite the distillery currently being closed to visitors, we were off to Glenglassaugh Distillery for a tasting and tour - being with the academy gets you behind the scenes access! We not only had a fascinating tour with Sandra Runcie, we also got to sample three exceptional whiskies with an average age of 41 years. It was a real privilege to be part of this incredible tasting.
Glenglassaugh's exceptional drams!
It was then off to a tour of Crisp Maltings to discover the science and passion that goes into the malting process. Thanks to Richard and his staff at Crisps for the tour and time spent explaining the many processes that go into this massive part of whisky making. And also for letting us eat our sandwiches in the boardroom! For those of us sitting the Whisky Ambassador Exam it was then back to Inverurie Whisky Shop for some training and studying.
Day three saw us visiting GlenAllachie Distillery, and what a tour it was! Thanks to Richard Beattie and Juliette Buchan whose passion for their whisky was displayed in abundance. We also got to taste five brilliant GlenAllachie expressions, my personal favourite was the 13 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish Distillery Exclusive. We also enjoyed an access-all-areas tour and met with the brilliant Lindsay Cormie in the GlenAllachie cask filling room who was only too happy to answer any questions we had (and there were a few).
Listen to whisky legend, Billy Walker, talk all things GlenAllachie on our podcast from April 2022.
David Riddell & Richard Beattie Operations Director of GlenAllachie Distillery
We were then off to view the work of the coopers at Balvenie Distillery where we were fortunate enough to see them repairing and charring the casks. After lunch we headed to a warehouse tasting at Coleburn in the company of ‘indy bottlers’ Murray McDavid with their head of whisky creation Dean Jode who was a brilliant host and poured us some amazing drams.
Balvenie Distillery
That evening we had a delicious meal at the Highlander Inn where there is an extensive collection of whiskies from all over the world to sample.
On our fourth day we enjoyed a private tour of Knockdhu Distillery with the man, the legend that is Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce along with his charming dogs (I will let Gordon tell you Tilly the dog’s other name himself!). This is a beautiful distillery, but you need to contact in advance as they don’t have an actual visitor centre. The product from this distillery is exceptional – I recommend you try their 18 Year Old Sherry Cask finish, it’s a great dram. If you would like to hear Gordon talking about all things whisky then go and give his Knock Tales Whisky Podcast a listen.
After lunch we headed to GlenDronach Distillery which really is a ‘must visit’ if you are in the area. Thanks to our tour guide Callum for looking after us and letting us try some of the amazing drams in what can only be described as a stunning tasting room - one of my favourites was the GlenDronach 12 Year Old. I also got the opportunity to hand-fill a bottle of one of their distillery exclusives - who could resist?!
Hand-fillling a bottle of one of GlenDronach's distillery exclusives
Day five, and we visited Ardmore Distillery for a tour and warehouse tasting in the company of Distillery Manager George and Cat Housely (who you will remember from Glen Garioch) who showed us around. There is something about tasting whisky in a dunnage warehouse that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end - it is such an amazing experience.
Ardmore Distillery
After lunch it was back to Inverurie Whisky Shop for some more training and to sit the exam… I am delighted to say that I passed which means I am now the proud holder of a Whisky Ambassador qualification. It is fair to say that I now have much more knowledge and a greater appreciation of Scotch whisky.
If you would like to know more about the world of whisky and would enjoy spending time in the company of other whisky lovers who are just as passionate and interested in Scotch as you are then I highly recommend this course. There are only two Highland Whisky Academy courses per year, and the next one will take place in September 2023 which is already filling up fast so if you want to take part then do act quickly. I attended alone and left knowing I had made some lasting friendships.