"The Whisky trail

[smujsmith]

I absolutely apologise if I'm asking for something that has gone before, but, Mrs Smuj is expressing an urge to do a bit of Speyside Distilliary sampling (me too!). I did some time at Lossiemouth in the late 70's early 80's and remember having the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon tour of around 6 Distilliary's from there. Does anyone have any idea if such tours are still available, booking details etc ? Looking to do it in second half of May. Sorry if I'm infringing rules, scotch is a serious subject.:ok:

Smudge

[PingDit]

I guess you could do worse than start here:

Malt Whisky Trail | Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside, Scotland (http://www.maltwhiskytrail.com/)

Ping

[smujsmith]

Ping,

Thank you for that info, Its good gen, but, I'm looking to see if there are any actual "tours", transport, a few Distilliary's and samples. Hotel that does it would be a be a real bonus.

Smudge

[NutLoose]

Well simply googling whisky tours brings up the likes of

Whisky Tours Scotland - Home Page (http://www.whisky-tours-scotland.com/)

Rabbie's Scotch Whisky Tours of Scotland (http://www.rabbies.com/scotch_whisky_tours_scotland.asp)

scottish whisky tours | guided distillery tours | whisky ambassador | tour guide | scotch whiskey | islay campbeltown lowland highland speyside | scotch whisky distilleries, Ronnie Berri (http://www.scottishwhiskytours.co.uk/)

There are loads of them.

[smujsmith]

Nutloose

Sorry mate, I've done that lot. I suppose I was looking for recommendations from "like minds" as to how to do it properly. Perhaps I've posted this in error, I just thought that ex mates who had experience in the area may recommend an "itinerary". Maybe this needs deleting (wrong subject for thread) ?

[NutLoose]

Probably me misreading it, my experience was from Bushmills and one wasn't well afterwards.

[Kluseau]

Very much depends on what you mean by "doing it properly". With apologies for covering what might be obvious, there are a few things to bear in mind. The first is that although there is a distillery behind every bush, give or take, in the Speyside area, there is a much smaller number with visitor centres. There are illustrated features about most of them linked from this map: especially from the densely populated left hand side of the map:
North Eastern Index Page on Undiscovered Scotland (http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usmapindexes/northeastern.html)

You also need to think about "silent season". Most distilleries are shut down each year for a period for maintenance and/or deep cleaning. These periods can vary from distillery to distillery within an area. While some distillery visitor centres stay open during their distillery's silent season, you obviously don't get the full experience if you can't, for example, visit the stillhouse because of scaffolding, or you can, but the stills are cold and the stllhouse free of that distinctive smell of the process.

Then there's the question of what you get to see. Most distilleries now only have on site the stages in the process from milling the malt to bonded warehouse. Only a handful have maltings on site (including, only, Balvenie in Speyside) and an even smaller number have bottling plants on site (Glenfiddich have one, but it is no longer included in the norma distillery tour). Balvenie also has an on site cooperage, and if you are in Speyside and into whisky, then the Speyside Cooperage at Craigellachie is also well worth visiting.

Moving on, things are further complicated by the different tours offered by many distilleries. Typically most offer a cheap (or, occasionally free) tour for mass consumption, and many also offer varying degrees of more in-depth tours, which cost more, and take longer, and give those who are more interested far more in return.

Finally, transport. As has been noted in this thread, there are people who will help out with this in the form of organised tours. Otherwise, you have a problem. It's this: sampling is very rapidly going to make driving inadvisable, yet public transport, though it exists, is problably not to be relied on for a tour of sometimes remote sites...

[smujsmith]

Kluseau,

Thanks for that, I'm hoping to stay somewhere in the Lossiemouth area and I hoped to get some suggestions for fixed tours etc that might be available. Looking on line there are loads of hotels/guest houses advertising being on the whisky trail, but little info about "the whisky trail". I remember doing a trip, possibly organised by the Sgts Mess at Lossiemouth, where we did around 6 Distilliary's in an afternoon. I was rather hoping to treat SWMBO to something of that ilk. Is the easy answer, book a hotel and then get a taxi from place to place ? Perhaps that's the best way to do it.

Smudge

[NutLoose]

If it was previously a roaring success, even if you are no longer serving, could you not call the Sgt's mess, ask if they still do them and who through? Just a thought.

[longer ron]

Go to the 'Dark side' :)
Talisker (skye) is my overall fave
Or hop over to Islay where almost every roadsign is a single malt and you can do Lagavulin,Laphroaig and Ardbeg within approx 5 miles...forget the gay highland stuff :)

rgds LR

[minigundiplomat]

Agree with LR - though I'd have to do the Bowmore distillery last, as I may have problems moving on from there to another distillery.......

[enginesuck]

I'd steer clear of the 6 distilleries in one afternoon, you are rushed through given a dram then packed on your way, I'd highly recommend the Founders tour at Aberlour, which is a short bus/taxi ride from Elgin, 3 hours long and LOTS of drams, plus they sell A'bunadh - which is quite simply the best cask strength I've ever had. Aberlour is close to the highlander inn in craigellachie , which is great for food and more malt ( very comprehensive whisky menu )

Another good one is the Strathisla distillery Connoisseur tour which again is about 3 hours and involves a really good nosing and tasting of LOTS of drams.

IIRC they cost about £30 each and had to be booked in advance, just check out their websites it will tell you all you need.

[PlasticCabDriver]

Try one of these:

The Royal Scotsman - Scotland rail tours and train trips - World of Whisky (http://www.royalscotsman.com/web/rs/discover_scotland_world_of_whisky.jsp)

Absolute bargains...

[smujsmith]

Wow, some food for thought there chaps. Definitely some to chase up. Thanks to all for your input you are gentlemen all.

Smudge:ok:

[Kluseau]

"The Whisky Trail" is the tourist-driven construct that a previous poster linked to: Malt Whisky Trail | Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside, Scotland (http://www.maltwhiskytrail.com/)

It's an excellent starting point, but not the whole story as by no means all the Speyside distilleries with visitor centres are included (Cragganmore, Glenfarclas, Aberlour and Macallan, for example). It also excludes distilleries that are not, technically, "Speyside" but are not far away, such as Glenglassaugh near Sandend and Glendronach near Huntly.

More widely, Islay is a good alternative for someone wanting to see lots of distilleries (OK, eight), but the collection there are more similar to one another than Speyside's distilleries. With the exception of the new kid on the block, Kilchoman, they are all coastal, and mostly white painted with large black-lettered names. A plus point for Islay is that three of the distlleries have traditional floor maltings (Bowmore, Laphroaig and Kilchoman) and one has a bottling plant (Bruichladdich).

I'd strongly support the "don't do six in an afternoon" plea. You probably could, but even without the consumption of product, they'd blur into one another by the next day. If you are really into it, a couple of in depth tours would be better. But you need to know if the other half is likely also to be really into it: I suspect few things in life are less interesting than being dragged round a series of - let's face it - factories that happen to produce whisky (which is how our beloved distilleries must appear to many) when you want to be somewhere else.

And Talisker: yes, magnificent stuff, and everyone should visit Skye. But it's a long way from any other distillery (the next nearest is probably Fort William) and the actual place itself does not reek of romance in the way some distilleries do.

In terms of practicalities, you'd probably find clusters within taxi range of centres such as Aberlour and Craigellachie. And if you really want to sample a wide range, the whisky bar at the Craigellachie Hotel is said to be one of the best (ie, most widely stocked) anywhere.

[Rossian]

....just spoken to a friend who used to run the Strathmill distillery in Keith (where Strathisla is too). The latter is owned by Chivas and their "tours" tend to cover all the brands they are responsible for - ergo a wider selection of tastes.
Honestly, once you've been on one tour and been walked through the process, all you will get further down the valley will be a lot of repetition. If madame hasn't been to a distillery before go for it, but pick one where you will get a wider variety of tastes.
Or, having had one tour, select a hotel where they have a wide selection in the bar and sit in comfort and not have too far to wibble off bedwards at the end of the evening.
Next week I think is the Speyside whisky festival so the place is going to be heaving with tours from Asia, USA and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Accommodation will be at a premium and expensive etc etc.
My friend who is now out of the trade is consulting a friend who is at Strathisla and will have current gen.
I'll update when I get it.

The Ancient Mariner

[L J R]

Whatever Dram you like, I recommend that you buy the bottle of it at the 'Buccaneer' Garage on the northern outskirts of Elgin, on the way to Lossie.....For reasons unknown, that garage has the best choice of Single Malts at a far far cheaper than I have seen anywhere in Scotland, and indeed duty free....

[Kluseau]

For reasons unknown, that garage has the best choice of Single Malts at a far far cheaper than I have seen anywhere in Scotland, and indeed duty free....

Now that really IS worth knowing! :)

[longer ron]

Yes being Jockanese myself...I do not usually buy whisky from the distilleries,although I have on a couple of occasions in the past :)
I usually stock up when they are on special offer in the supermarkets and end up with a cupboardfull sometimes :)

Echoes of ''Will ye no be havin a sale ?'' and

''Youll have had yerrrr tea'' :):):)

[longer ron]

Just to clarify that I love all malts (except glenfiddich :))...so was only joking about the highland stuff.

Here are a couple of snaps from Islay a few years ago

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/volvosmoker/islay%20whisky/IMG_0019.jpg


http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/volvosmoker/islay%20whisky/IMG_0027-1.jpg

[VMD+12]

Glenfiddich in Dufftown does an excellent tour for free with tasting of 3 different aged Glenfiddichs at the end. I think that it is the only free tour these days. The 36 bus which runs hourly from Elgin will take you there via Craigellachie (twice) and Aberlour.

I also recommend a visit to the Cooperage between Craigellachie and Dufftown where there is an excellent exhibition and you watch the skilled craftsmen on piece work repairing used barrels ready for their next fill with whisky. Well worth the entrance fee but only open Mon - Fri. The coopers need the weekend off when you see how hard they work most impressive and you would not want to arm wrestle with any of them.

[PhilipG]

The Sprinbank distillery in Cambeltown is well worth going to, they do everything on site, barley comes in, bottles go out. As far as I know it is the only fully integrated distillery left, all the others I have been to bring in and or ship out material or liquor. It is not that far from a favourite airfield either...

[NutLoose]

....just spoken to a friend who used to run the Strathmill distillery in Keith (where Strathisla is too). The latter is owned by Chivas and their "tours" tend to cover all the brands they are responsible for - ergo a wider selection of tastes.

Is that the one that flushed it all down the sewer?

6K gallons of scotch accidentally flushed down drain (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/02/28/scotch-flushed-down-drain/1955223/)

[smujsmith]

Again, thanks to all for the ideas. Phil, we did Campbeltown last year and, what a tour that is. It must be the last full process you can see. I think I have a few plans in my mind now. Thanks for all who proffered suggestions, I will use as much as I can to make it a decent week away. I'm hoping to at least anaesthasise myself at some point in the trip. :eek:

[RimBim]

I had my first 'trail' tour in the Benromach distillery in Forres. Good tour(free) - small group and a splendid dram. Hmm, I'm at Lossie next week and if it's raining praps a tour somewhere on Tues -thanks for the thought!

[Lancelot37]

VMD+12 posted and I won't apologise for repeating this but it's a must. try and build a miniature barrel yourself - it's not easy. But they also manufacture new barrels with wood imported from Canada and the U.S.

Glenfiddich in Dufftown does an excellent tour for free with tasting of 3 different aged Glenfiddichs at the end. I think that it is the only free tour these days. The 36 bus which runs hourly from Elgin will take you there via Craigellachie (twice) and Aberlour.

I also recommend a visit to the Cooperage between Craigellachie and Dufftown where there is an excellent exhibition and you watch the skilled craftsmen on piece work repairing used barrels ready for their next fill with whisky. Well worth the entrance fee but only open Mon - Fri. The coopers need the weekend off when you see how hard they work most impressive and you would not want to arm wrestle with any of them.

[chinook240]

Depending on how energetic you and the misses are feeling, here another way of doing Speyside without driving:

http://www.fullonadventure.co.uk/adventure-journeys/inland-kayakcanoe/canoe-trips/canoe-and-whisky-tour-of-speyside/

[AR1]

I went to a fair at Inverary Castle last year where they had a whiskey tasting tent and reps from a lot of the distilleries to offer advice as you attempted to drink everything in sight, which wasn't possible. I vaguely recall Heather, peat, quince Oh, and a pipe band doing some green day songs, before falling into a deep sleep

All the taste - None of the travelling.

[Capetonian]

Someone else has mentioned Benromach at Forres. They are an old fashioned traditional distillery with a good range of malts. I spent a lovely few days there (not the whole time at the distillery!) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nairn and Elgin, Findhorn, Inverness, and Aberdeen are nearby and worth visiting.

I stayed at the delightful Ramnee Hotel in Forres and used that as a base for seeing the area. A very civilised part of the world.

[Akrotiri bad boy]

Myself and Mrs Akro walked the Speyside way last year from Aviemore to Spey Bay. The rules of the holiday included an evening tasting session of the products from each distillery we'd passed during the day. Needless to say there were one or two "fuzzy" mornings as we set off along the trail. The best night by far was in Craigellachie where we hosted by a Japanese whisky sommelier.

If you've the time, and energy, I recommend walking the trail, it follows old railway tracks for the majority of the walk and isn't that strenuous. Whisky and salmon each night culminating in watching an Osprey make light work of it's prey at the end of the trail..... superb.

[OutlawPete]

Quote:

Is that the one that flushed it all down the sewer?


Nutloose, it was the same whisky, Chivas make it and store it in Keith. For some reason they transport it to Glasgow to bottle it. Imagine all those weegies throwing themselves into the Clyde when they heard about the spillage!



Posted from Pprune.org App for Android

[60024]

How about the Speyside Whisky Festival 2-6 May? Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (http://www.spiritofspeyside.com)

[smujsmith]

60024,

Now that sounds good. Thanks to everyone who has advised/recommended and generally ensured that I will find something. Maybe in the future others may find some use in it. I just knew that you boys would know.:ok:

Smudge

[sisemen]

You could try a meal at the Muckrach Lodge just outside Grantown and during the after dinner drinks at the bar casually suggest that you might know a bit about malt whisky.

I can just about remember an evening when the landlord/owner tried to impress us with his superior knowledge of the stuff and kept getting us to taste the various tipples - without charge. We bowed to his superior knowledge :E and everyone had a great time. :ok:

[Capetonian]

A very smart tactic. I was in a bar in Edinburgh with some locals, and told them (untruthfully) that I didn't like whisky. I was promptly offered a selection of Scotland's finest, and they just kept coming .....

I must say I didn't much like whisky for the next couple of days! I was a write-off at work the next day, I must have drank a gallon of coffee, and that's something I genuinely don't like.

[Al R]

Gets my vote.

Talisker (skye) is my overall fave or hop over to Islay where almost every roadsign is a single malt and you can do Lagavulin,Laphroaig and Ardbeg within approx 5 miles

[AR1]

Just to reinforce the Springbank option - The Royal hotel has been renovated- very nice it is too but its now part of Mac' golf club. Whiskey AND golf. Ok - that's divource territory..

[Sandy Parts]

don't get lured to the 'Roseisle Distillery' (Diageo) near Forres. It is Scotland's biggest producer but all the product is driven away in tankers for blending down south. No visitors allowed. Try Glen Moray - Elgin's local distillery, right on the edge of town. They do some fantastic limited editions in various casks (port wood - mmmm!) and the shop prices are cheaper than Tesco. Agree re the Buccaneer - think the prices are due to there being only small numbers of bottles so the distributors can't sell them through the normal outlets? They also used to have cheap beer that was always close to expiry date but who really looks at that?! Can't stand the Island malts myself - Laphroig smells like Germolene to me!!

[OldAgeandTreachery]

If you do visit Ben Romach in Forres you'll be in good company:most of the tour guides are ex Linies from ISK.