The Fascinating Scotches of Scotland

Tomorrow we expect to have a fine scotch tasting!

Amongst our scotches for this year’s tasting we have some interesting selections with some fascinating history. To start with, let us introduce you to some common scotch history.

Whiskey labels can be confusing, so it’s good for drinkers to understand a few common terms. While scotch is the most obvious example, the same distinction between single malt and blended whiskey applies anywhere in the world. The most significant factor is how many distilleries played a role in making the whiskey.

• Single Malt Whiskey: A blend of malt whiskeys produced at one distillery from one type of malted grain.
• Blended Whiskey: A blend of malted barley and grain whiskeys from multiple distilleries. This includes scotch brands like Johnny Walker and Chivas Regal.
• Blended Malt Whiskey: A blend of malted whiskeys produced at various distilleries (it does not include grain whiskeys).
• Single Grain Whiskey: Whiskey produced from more than one grain, including barley, corn, or wheat, at one distillery.

There are five Scotch Whisky regions – Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Each offers a different perspective on Scotch Whisky. The most densely populated Whisky region in the world, famous for fertile glens and, of course, the River Spey.

The Famous Grouse

To start with we have the Famous Grouse. The Famous Grouse is a brand of blended Scotch whisky produced by The Edrington Group in Scotland. While many sources claim the Famous Grouse story began in 1800, the story of Matthew Gloag & Sons didn’t start with the Gloags at all. Rather, it began with the Browns. John Brown established his Perth grocery business in 1800 before moving the premises to Atholl Street seven years later. It was his daughter, Margaret, who married Matthew Gloag. She took over the family business from her father in 1824 and ran it until Matthew took control a little over a decade later. It was in fact Margaret who acquired a license to sell wine and spirits (and snuff) in 1831; Matthew didn’t join the business until 1835 when the name was changed to Matthew Gloag. Margaret died just five years later. By the time Matthew Gloag died in 1860, the family business portfolio focused mostly on wines and his son, William Gloag, largely continued this trend. It wasn’t until Matthew Gloag III inherited the business from William in 1896 that the company registered its first blended Scotch, the Brig o’Perth. A year later, The Famous Grouse was released at the same time as the Grouse Brand.

The Famous Grouse is the highest selling whisky in scotland. A blended whiskey (or blended whisky) is the product of blending different types of whiskeys and sometimes also neutral grain spirits, colorings, and flavorings. It is generally the product of mixing one or more higher-quality straight or single malt whiskey with less expensive spirits and other ingredients. This typically allows for a lower priced finished product, although expensive “premium” varieties also exist. Our blend today includes Highland Park and Macallan

Glenkinchie

Produced in East Lothian, Scotland, it comes from one of the six distilleries of the Lowland Region. Glenkinchie is just fifteen miles from the capital, earning it the title “The Edinburgh Malt.” But it’s strange to think of that dark and distinguished city when you see fields of barley or the green Lammermuir Hills rolling north towards the Firth of Forth. Stranger still when you taste the subtle, floral flavor of this rare Lowland survivor. The Lowland distillery from the garden of Scotland. South and East of Edinburgh lies the farming country of East Lothian, its barley fed by water softly flowing down from the hills. Glenkinchie is the undisputed champion of the light Lowland style. With its interesting visitor center and charming setting, this also makes an ideal first distillery visit if you find yourself ready for a break from Auld Reekie. 

This whisky has the distinction of being a component of Johnnie Walker. It is matured in an ex-bourbon cask. We will be sampling an excellent 12 year. 

Caol Ila

Pronounced ‘Cull-Eela’, the distillery is situated on the North-Eastern shores of Islay with magnificent views across the Sound of Islay to the spectacular Paps of Jura. For some, the distillery’s pronunciation is as remote as its location, sitting as it does on the rugged eastern coast, where it has remained hidden from view since 1846. However you say it, the fine, smoky whisky produced by generations of islanders is worth exploring.

Caol Ila is the largest of the eight working distilleries on the island of Islay (situated off the west coast of Scotland), with a production capacity of 3 million liters per year. In the classic Islay style, Caol Ila is made predominantly with peated malt and the resulting phenols have a big influence on the final flavor of the whisky, as does the salty coastal air that the casks ‘breathe’ during maturation. One of the most approachable Islay malts. We will be sampling a lovely 12 year.

Glenrothes

A fine Speyside region scotch originating from the town of Rothes, the distillery founder was seeking to bring alive a single malt scotch in a way the world had never tasted before. Lighter, fruiter, creamier. And, most important of all, gloriously unhurried. 

Quietly and without compromise, The Glenrothes distillery has been creating some of Speyside’s finest single malt for more than 140 years. What began in 1879 continues in much the same way to this day: fine, artisanal Scotch whisky made with pride, passion and, above all, expert craft. These two selections are aged in seasoned sherry casks. We will be sampling a 12 year and an 18 year. 

We hope that this helps to get you ready for our scotch tasting this Sunday. We’re excited to see everyone again after so long apart.

Slàinte Mhath, Good Health to you and yours!