Ardbeg, one of Islay's predominate distilleries launched The Rollercoaster last week. This two-bottle set comprises a 1981 and 1989 expression representing the years the distillery closed and then reopened.
The first ever bottle of serious whisky I purchased (that is non-supermarket) was a GlenDronach, so it holds a special place in my heart. In September I was able to visit the distillery for the first time and enjoy a tour and tasting, in a rather opulent room whilst sitting at a large round table.
Nestled behind the worn black doors of Duty Free Warehouse “No 3” lies a treasure trove of whisky barrels, meticulously stored over decades by the Gordon family. As proprietors of William Grant, the parent company behind brands such as The Balvenie and Glenfiddich, their 80-year legacy of astute laying down of casks has yielded an extraordinary collection of malt, grain and blended whiskies, notable for their high age statements.
Islay, the picturesque island nestled in the southernmost part of the Inner Hebrides, is renowned for its rugged beauty, rich history, and, most importantly, its whisky. Among the many distilleries that dot the island, the one name that has achieved mythical status is Port Ellen. I have yet to meet any lover of peated whisky who does not jump at every opportunity to taste the spirit from this closed distillery.
Tomatin Distillery: Bridging Tradition and Innovation
I typically abstain from writing about blended whisky, but it is necessary to change that stance given the resurgence the category is experiencing. Blended whisky, when crafted with care, can offer a delightful drinking experience, deserving far more recognition than it currently receives. Gone are the days of dismissive notions about inexpensive, characterless bottles; instead, we must shift our focus to the profusion of new premium releases that have emerged.
Readers may recall my enthusiasm for Glenturret, which I previously extolled in a prior article (accessible here). Thus, when an invitation arrived to return to this historic distillery and sample the newest entry in their Trinity series, Prowess, I eagerly cleared my schedule. As an added treat, I was also afforded the opportunity to dine at Lalique, the distillery's Michelin-starred restaurant - a long-standing aspiration of mine since my initial visit to Glenturret in 2021.
Sometimes an invitation arrives that I clear my diary for, such is my intrigue and thirst for whisky exploration. One such invitation was to attend an event at Canary Wharf where I would be afforded the opportunity to sample the rarest and oldest bottle of Highland Park whisky ever released. A 54 Year Old with a retail price of £39k.
Certain distilleries have become ubiquitous on the shelves of not only specialist whisky retailers but supermarkets. The Balvenie is one of them and with justification. For decades it has been a leading light in Speyside. Located next door to Glenfiddich, yet almost hidden away it is producing some of the most exciting whisky in Scotland, so much so that their Second Red Rose 21 year old was was favourite "normal" expression tasted last year.
I cannot recall my first experience of tasting Single Malt whisky, but there is a very strong likelihood it was Glenmorangie. Probably around the summer of 1988 before I was old enough to drive. A taste given as part of my wine and spirits course at college.
