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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Royal Lochnagar Distillery
On our final day, we visited Royal Lochnagar Distillery for a warehouse tasting. While we expected a tasting straight from the cask, we were instead presented with four whiskies already decanted into carafes. The lineup included a 23-year-old Cragganmore, a 21-year-old Cardhu, and even a Lagavulin 21-year-old, though I found the latter to be somewhat out of place given our focus on non-peated whiskies throughout the trip.
The session ended with a distillery-exclusive 11-year-old Royal Lochnagar from a sherry butt, a delightful dram to cap off the tasting.
Conclusion: A Journey to Remember
As our whisky-filled journey came to a close, we reflected on the countless highlights—from tasting a 38-year-old Cragganmore straight from the cask to enjoying some of the finest whiskies Scotland has to offer.
Whether you're a seasoned whisky enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of single malts, Scotland's distilleries are an experience like no other.
If you've never been on a whisky tour, we highly recommend planning one. The memories you'll make—and the whiskies you'll taste—will be worth every moment.
Until next time, Slàinte mhath!
Pavel, The Whisky Game