In 2014, a group of friends and I embarked on our first whisky adventure, and now, ten years later, we continue to explore the world of whisky with the same passion and curiosity. Despite a brief pause during the pandemic, our dedication to uncovering the beauty of distilleries and deepening our whisky knowledge remains strong. To celebrate our tenth journey, we returned to Scotland, the heart of whisky production. Scotland, along with Ireland, offers not only a rich history but also a relatively accessible destination for us Czechs. Over six days, we planned to visit 12 distilleries and had the unique opportunity to meet two of the most respected figures in the whisky industry—David Stewart and Alan Winchester.
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Our Sunday kicked off with a quick stop at Cardhu Distillery. The visitor center was as grand as you'd expect from a distillery that plays a key role in Johnnie Walker blends. After a tasting of their distillery-exclusive wine cask bottling, we moved on to Cragganmore Distillery for "The Pinnacle" tour.
Cragganmore Distillery
Cragganmore is known for its traditional approach, and our guide, Currie, provided fascinating insights throughout the tour. The standout moment came in the warehouse when we were handed a dram straight from a 1986 sherry butt—a 38-year-old whisky that left us speechless. It was one of the finest whiskies of the entire trip and a memorable part of the experience.
Ballindalloch Distillery & Glenlivet
After Cragganmore, we took a leisurely stroll around the picturesque Ballindalloch Distillery, which was unfortunately closed for the weekend, but the setting was beautiful nonetheless. We then made our way to Glenlivet—another iconic distillery with a stunning new visitor center. While we didn't take a tour, we spent time at the bar, sampling their 14-year-old Taiwan exclusive matured in Oloroso casks, a standout whisky that was well worth the stop.
Braemar and Bertie's Whisky Bar
The evening took us to Braemar, a quaint town that surprised us with its bustling tourist activity. After dinner at Farquharsons, we headed to Bertie's Whisky Bar at the Fife Arms Hotel. Tucked away in a cozy room adorned with whisky bottles, Bertie's provided a unique and luxurious tasting experience.
With no menu to guide us, the knowledgeable staff offered recommendations tailored to our preferences. I opted for a Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve, while my friends enjoyed other rare bottlings, including a 1960s King's Ransom blend. The atmosphere, the stories, and the whisky all came together to create a perfect end to the day. Before leaving, the staff generously gifted us a sample of their infinity bottle—containing whiskies as old as the 1960s!
Stay tuned for the final part of our journey, where we'll dive into more distilleries and share even more unforgettable memories from our whisky-filled adventure!
Slàinte mhath!
Pavel, The Whisky Game