Category Archives: Whisky Wednesday

Whisky Wednesday – Cragganmore 12 yr old

Events, Whisky Wednesday

Cragganmore distillery, on the banks of the river Spey, is home to one of the most complex and characterful malt whiskies of the Speyside region. Laura Vernon is the current master distiller.
The distillery was founded in 1869 by Big John Smith on land leased from Sir George Macpherson-Grant. The site was chosen by Smith both for its proximity to the waters of the Craggan burn and because it was close to the Strathspey Railway. Smith was an experienced distiller, having already been manager of the Macallan, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas and Wishaw distilleries.
Cragganmore Scotch can count barley and Scotland’s fastest flowing river as two of its natural influences. In fact, Big John chose the location precisely because of the plentiful supply of spring water, and the connection to the Great Highland Railway line. In fact, Cragganmore was the first Speyside distillery to take advantage of railway transport as a means of bringing in raw materials, and sending out their delicious, unique malt.

Let’s raise a glass to one of the great drams of the Speyside region.

Whisky Wednesday – Balblair – 1999

DRINK, Whisky Wednesday

Every Wednesday we welcome a new Dram to our pages.
This week is Balblair, a Higland coastal Malt .  Located on the idyllic coast of the Dornoch Firth. This is a lovely dram that is getting harder and harder to get hold of.
If you go to The Haven in Boston they have the 1999.

With influence from both American and Spanish oak, this perfectly rounded Vintage is a true testimony to the craft of traditional whisky-making.

DISTILLERY RELOCATION

By 1895 the railway had come to Balblair bringing coal for the still and boiler and barley for the malting. To take advantage of the railway line the Distillery moved half a mile north to its current location.

Buy from the Online Shop (UK orders only)

Whisky Wednesday – Aberfeldy 16 yr old

DRINK, Whisky Wednesday

Aberfeldy is situated in the centre of Scotland and within the HIGHLAND designation for whisky, some five miles east of Loch Tay, it relies on the fresh water stream Pitilie Burn, which runs alongside the distillery. The area contains many landmarks amongst them the Kenmore Bridge, built by the 3rd Earl in 1774 and the view from it was the inspiration for Robert Burns’s poem on the chimney piece of the Kenmore Inn.
It is the largest malt whisky component of Dewar’s Blended Whisky.

Abefeldy distill the liquid in copper pots, handmade by the same family for over a century, then age it to perfection.
A light, pure single malt with heather honey and notes of pineapple, toffee and vanilla. With water, more honey appears plus a hint of apple.
Aberfeldy recently installed a wood burner to fire up the stills with green energy. One more reason why Aberfeldy tastes a little better.

The 16yr Old expression scored highly at the Whisky Trail tasting at The Haven up against stiff competition  6/18 gave it 5/5!
You can find Aberfeldy on the The Haven Scotch list. Summer/Fall