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| A Visit to Some of the Whisky Distilleries of the Scottish Highlands. |
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| Written by Rachel Wilson |
| Wednesday, 03 June 2009 02:07 |
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The spectacular scenery of the Highlands of Scotland are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful in the world, attracting thousands of tourists each year. The Highland's other great claim to fame are the many world renowned malt whisky distilleries to be found there. A holiday that combines the natural grandeur of the scenery with visits to some of the many distilleries open to the public will be the ideal break for most whisky connoisseurs. The Dalwhinnie Distillery, not far from Aviemore, is set at an altitude of 1,073 ft amongst some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the highlands. Dalwhinnie means "The Meeting Place" in Gaelic and was where the drovers would meet up before travelling with their cattle to the markets of Crieff and Falkirk. Dalwhinnie whisky is described as a wonderfully full bodied, smooth and warming malt. Its distinctive flavour can be ascribed to the very soft heather scented water of the Allt an t'Sluic used in its production. To the west of Dalwhinnie is the traditional coastal town of Tain, home to the Gelnmorangie distillery. According to the famous television advert Glenmorangie is said to mean The Glen of Tranquillity. The whisky is the most popular whisky sold within Scotland itself and the Scots know a thing or two about Scotch. The skilled Mashmen and Stillmen you will see at work on your tour of the distillery are traditionally known as The Sixteen men of Tain. Most of Scotland's distilleries use very soft water but Glenmorangie uses very hard spring water from the Tarlogie spring. It takes almost 100 years for the water to rise up through the limestone to the surface. This contributes to Glenmorangie's unique flavour. A high spot of the distillery tour are the huge, shining copper stills. At 16 feet 10 inches (5.14m) they are the tallest in Scotland resulting in only the most delicate, purest vapours condensing into spirit. Take the coast road south from Tain for a few miles and you will come to the Dalmore Distillery. Dalmore has been distilling fine, single malt whisky for many years but has not had the recognition it deserves despite being considered an exceptional whisky by the experts. Thankfully it has been gaining popularity in recent years. The distillery is located in some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland, looking out over the Cromarty Firth towards the Black Isle. Dalmore's still room is most unusual and forms the centrepiece of the distillery tour. The stills are unique in having cooling jackets around their necks to help conduct the spirit within. One of these jackets is probably the oldest part of any working distillery in Scotland dating back to 1874. In complete contrast the high tech still room control console looks like something from the control room at NASA! Take the road south to Inverness and you will find the Glen Ord Distillery. This distillery is one of Scotland's oldest having been founded 1838. The distillery has won many international awards including the gold medal for the world's best single malt whisky 1994-95. The distillery puts this award winning flavour, described as a flavoursome roundness, down to a combination of the soil, the sea, the barley and its soft water. The Northern Highlands have many other distilleries that welcome the public including Blair Atholl, Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Eradour, Glendronach, Tomatin and Glen Garioch. About the Author: Rachel Wilson is a travel writer with a liking for Dalmore whisky. She has written extensively about a whole range of scotch whisky varieties and distilleries. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites                             |