Scotch Whisky in Pictures: The Balvenie Distillery
If you travel to Dufftown, the centre of the (whisky-) world, you cannot avoid noticing the whisky behemoth, Glenfiddich Distillery. Its smaller cousin, The Balvenie, is much less conspicuous although it is practically next door and not exactly a small distillery either. With 5.6m litres of alcohol distilled per year The Balvenie is currently ranking 10th among the Scotch whisky distilleries, but hidden away behind … Continue reading Scotch Whisky in Pictures: The Balvenie Distillery
Whisky Regions of Scotland Explained
As it seems, there is much confusion out in the blogosphere and on the likes of Facebook and Twitter about the whisky regions of Scotland. Many people seem to think that it is a matter of choice whether a whisky is declared a ‘Highlander’ or a ‘Speysider’, some feel that the Islands deserve the status as a distinct region, etc. However, the situation is quite … Continue reading Whisky Regions of Scotland Explained
WhiskyPics goes to Norway…
…well, at least temporarily. During the last week of October I was invited to take part in the first ever distillation of Norwegian whisky at the world’s most northerly distillery. As a teaser, here is the link to a report about this memorable event that was aired on Monday, 31 October on the Norwegian TV station NRK (forward to 06:00 min or click on ‘5. … Continue reading WhiskyPics goes to Norway…
10 Tips To Get A Better Whisky Distillery Visit
Need a definition of a whisky nerd? I am a whisky distiller and distillery tour guide in Scotland and in my spare time I visit distilleries. Hope that helps… Joking aside, since I moved back to Scotland in early 2015 I have explored over 70 whisky distilleries all over the country and joined about 30 distillery tours. The quality of these organised visits ranges from absolutely … Continue reading 10 Tips To Get A Better Whisky Distillery Visit
Gallery: The Wood, That Makes The Whisky
Arguably the single most important contribution to the character of Scotch whisky as we know it comes from the maturation. Here is a tribute to the often overlooked oak cask… (All images Copyright Johann Brandstaetter, for terms image use please click here) Before the middle of the 19th century whisky was by and large drunk unaged. Later, wine merchants began storing their precious booze in … Continue reading Gallery: The Wood, That Makes The Whisky
Pic of the Month: Making Whisky at the Speyside Distillery
A distiller at the Speyside Distillery is explaining the workings of the spirit safe during the Spirit of Speyside Festival. (Image Copyright Johann Brandstaetter, for terms image use please click here) The Speyside Distillery is hidden away in the Glen Tromie near the hamlet of Drumguish. Not even Googlemaps has an idea of its exact whereabouts, as several visitors found out to their dismay during the … Continue reading Pic of the Month: Making Whisky at the Speyside Distillery
Visiting Scotch Whisky Distilleries: Dewar’s World of Whsiky – Aberfeldy (Highlands)
If we follow the ‘world’ analogy, then visiting Dewar’s World of Whisky is like ignoring Europe while briefly looking at one highlight on every other continent. That is not to say that the Aberfeldy Distillery is not worth a visit, but being advertised as it is, you would perhaps expect a little bit more than what you get. Entering the visitor centre, you are greeted by … Continue reading Visiting Scotch Whisky Distilleries: Dewar’s World of Whsiky – Aberfeldy (Highlands)
Pic of the Month: Warehouseman handling casks, Deanston Distillery
Inside the former spinning room, now bonded warehouse, Deanston Distillery (Image Copyright Johann Brandstaetter, for terms image use please click here) The Deanston Distillery near Doune in Stirlingshire is unique in more than one way. First and foremost, I does not look like any other distillery in Scotland because it is housed in a converted cotton mill. Deanston also continues to generate its own power, … Continue reading Pic of the Month: Warehouseman handling casks, Deanston Distillery
Whisky, that was – Coleburn Distillery
Founded in 1897, during the boom years of the late Victorian age, the Coleburn Distillery quietly produced a largely unremarkable malt whisky until the mid-1980s. (All images Copyright Johann Brandstaetter, for terms image use please click here) Almost all the output went into blended whiskies and it is quite rare to find a Coleburn bottled as single malt (for example in Gordon & Macphail’s Connoisseurs … Continue reading Whisky, that was – Coleburn Distillery
Pic of the Month: Bung and Bung Cloth
Bung and bung cloth in a disused whisky cask at the Coleburn Distillery. (Image Copyright Johann Brandstaetter, for terms image use please click here) Traditionally and up to the 1980s whisky casks were closed with soft bungs, stoppers made from cork. Since they were not only prone to leakage, but also made it very easy to nick some of the contents from the casks, they have … Continue reading Pic of the Month: Bung and Bung Cloth
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