Scotch Whisky

Earlier this year I attended a splendid lunch at the private members club Oswald's, in the heart of Mayfair. Upon entry our phone cameras were taped over, ensuring we complied with their no photography policy. This is not something I mind, as it meant full dedication to tasting the whisky from our hosts, the Johnson family. It was a lavish luncheon with many of the whisky worlds great and good in attendance. Looking at the crowd, it was obvious the family were keen to impress and get their whisky in the hands of some fine writers. I like their confidence. 

I have written about the House of Hazelwood extensively before. On this occasion, I thought it would be interesting to interview Jonathan Gibson, a director of House of Hazelwood to find out how they curated this, their third, extraordinary collection of whiskies. My tasting notes are below the interview. 

Roughly how many barrels were tasted before selecting the whiskies included in this collection?

Old Pulteney, known as the "Maritime Malt," is located in the northern Scottish town of Wick. When I saw Northern I really mean it, being a mere 16 miles from John o' Groats. The distillery is deeply intertwined with the maritime heritage of this historic port, as I discovered on a recent visit.

Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts 2024 edition - £64.95 from Master of Malt

The Whisky Event

One of my favourite whisky events of the year takes place in The Great Room at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane on the 2nd June. Over 60 exhibitors will be present with over 600 whiskies to taste. Unlike other events, the quality of the whisky here is always exceptional, with many fine and rare bottles shared by the distilleries and Independent Bottlers. One of the highlights of the evening is the food - a lavish Kosher buffet that is included in the entry price of £100 (£180 for two people).

In the heart of Scotland's rugged northeast, the Cabrach distillery is breathing new life into one of the country’s most storied whisky-producing regions, 170 years after the last distillery here closed. Nestled within the wild, windswept landscapes of the Highlands, this distillery, with the legendary Master Distiller Alan Winchester, formerly of Glenlivet, at the helm, Cabrach Distillery is poised to make a significant impact in the whisky landscape over the coming decades.

The uniqueness of Glenturret and Last Drop Distillers lies in their unwavering commitment to quality over quantity. Glenturret, releases far fewer bottles than many of its contemporaries, and is now firmly positioned in the luxury end of the market. Last Drop Distillers, holds the philosophy that great whisky should be savoured like a time capsule. They source their spirits from the rarest stocks and most prestigious distilleries, unearthing treasures that might otherwise be forgotten. 

The global spirits industry is witnessing a significant shift towards premiumisation, with consumers increasingly seeking out unique, high-quality products with authentic stories. This trend is particularly pronounced in whisky, where there is a growing appreciation for craft spirits that offer something beyond the mainstream offerings. Arbikie’s launch of Scottish rye fits squarely within this narrative.

In the heart of the Scottish Highlands, beside the picturesque shores of the Cromarty Firth, is The Dalmore. It is a distillery I have driven past numerous times on my way to, or from, Speyside, but have been unable to visit, as timings simply have not worked out. When I received an invitation from them to come to Scotland and sample a new release, I thought this would be my chance. It turns out it wasn’t, it was in many ways even better - an opportunity to visit V&A Dundee, with whom they have partnered for the release.