THE SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT

A disappointing turn out for Sunday’s tasting, but I suppose since it was an experiment; it was a sunny day and there was World Cup football on the box, 10 like-minded souls was as good as we could expect. Those who couldn’t make it missed a lovely afternoon.

There is something special about having a pub all to ourselves and many thanks to Ken Storrie for his efforts.
Thanks too, go to Andy the Landy Forrester, who is the & in Jon Mark & Robbo, and who, as an Englishman, was assiduous in ignoring the televised antics of his team against Ecuador, to bring us a tasting that was, as promised, different, irreverent and totally without bullshit.

What there was were half a dozen cracking drams. We started with the new bottle – the Fresh Fruity One that did exactly what it said on the tin. Asked to guess the malts that made up this delicious drink, your tippling ten struggled though all corners of the whisky map. We were 100% wrong – there’s no malt in it, just 100% grain from all of Scotland’s grain distilleries. Try this in a tall glass over tons of ice on a summer’s evening.

The Smooth Sweet One – also known as the Breakfast Whisky – also known as the MickMack is unique. It’s the first malt to combine Irish and Scottish malts … 70% Cooley, 30% Bunnahabhain.

The Rich Spicy One is sherried with Macallan Gran Reserve, Tamdhu, Glenrothes, Bunnahabhain and Highland Park. It’s just as tasty as it sounds and was a firm favourite. The Smokey Peaty One is a complete revelation. It’s made up of Highland Park, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Laphroaig, Bowmore and Ledaig and had all the qualities of those quality drams. As part of the innovation that JMR preaches, Andy made up a special The Pot Still One, a stunning concoction made up with Elijah Craig Kentucky bourbon and the Smokey Peaty One. That one would walk off the shelves if it were ever bottled.

So, a good afternoon’s work, even if the attendance was low. It was encouraging, however, to see new faces. Andy Bell, our latest soul, was a welcome addition, as was Ralf Mitchell, who arrived, sampled, and joined on the day. Ralf, above left, and Andy, are pictured taking part in the Snozzle Challenge. Don't ask.....

Yacht to see where Sara's going

Glengoyne marketing manager, Sarah Bottomley is spirited off to New York next week to host a whisky blending at the prestigious New York Yacht Club.

The event, which has been organised by the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, is part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and is helping to promote Glasgow: Scotland with Style campaign. More than 150 guests are expected to attend.

The New York Yacht Club, whose members include the “movers and shakers” of Manhattan Society, are likely to get a pleasant surprise when they meet 26-year-old Sarah, as typically most whisky experts are middle-aged men!

She will talk the guests through the nosing of a range of different whiskies and will then help them to make up their own blend.

Every guest will have their masterpiece bottled in a 100ml personalised sample bottle for them to take home. A winning blend will be selected on the night with the winner receiving a Glengoyne Master Blender certificate and bottle of 29-Year -Old Glengoyne family reserve Single Highland Malt whisky.

Sarah said: “I am so excited that Glengoyne has been invited to take part in this event. Having worked for Glengoyne for the last eight years, I think I know all there is to know about the dram and can’t wait to share some of this knowledge with the residents of New York.”

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race takes 10 identical 68ft racing yachts, all backed by international cities, islands and countries, on the world's longest circumnavigation race. The Yachts will visit 12 international ports along the way including Singapore, Qingdao in China, Victoria in Canada as well as New York.

The Glasgow:Scotland with Style Clipper set off in September from Albert Dock in Liverpool and is due to return in July 2006 after sailing over 35,000 miles.

For further information on Glengoyne visit www.glengoyne.com

For further information on the Clipper yacht race visit www.clipper-ventures.co.uk

IT'LL BE ALL WHYTE ON THE NIGHT

It’s £32,000 a bottle, there were only 12 made, and Toshie has tasted it. The Dalmore 62 year old, the most expensive dram in the world, was the jewel in the crown when Glasgow’s Whisky Club organised a tasting night for Holyrood Magazine, the influential political publication that circulates among the good and the great in Scotland’s political village.

Richard Paterson, whisky legend and master blender for Whyte and Mackay, kindly agreed to host it at his brand new sample room in Glasgow. Apart from Glasgow’s Whisky Club members Alex, Toshie Andy and Ken, there were journalists from the magazine, other media representatives, local council politicians, press officers and public relations exectuives and even a Professor of Economics.

After a comprehensive history lesson, Richard showed us into his new sample room where the alchemy that is whisky blending is carried out.

On offer for tasting was the new range of Whyte and Mackay in its new packaging for a major brand re-launch. In addition to the well-respected standard bottling, now renamed Special, there were bottles of 13, 19 and 22. The magnificent 30YO capped the line up. The distillers’ single malts were also on show, including the Tamnavulin, Dalmore and Jura, which club members have already enjoyed under the expert tutelage of Willie Tait.

Richard’s talk was both all-encompassing and illuminating, but his fun side came to the fore when he invited Toshie to sample an unknown malt. This turned out to be the 62YO derived from 1868, 1878, 1926 and 1939 casks. Over the years it has been racked several times and finally finished in an Oloroso "Mathusalem" Sherry butt from Gonzalez Byass, Spain. Distilled and matured by The Dalmore Distillery, at Alness. It is bottled at natural cask strength of 40.5% volume.

It was a deep, deep colour, with a rich honey nose and Terry’s chocolate orange in the centre. The taste was sensational. Held in the mouth, it laid an oily coat over the tongue and when swallowed there was more chocolate orange with spices and a warm nutty aftertaste. Accompanied by a giant party popper, it ensured the night went with a bang

Sadly Toshie’s palate may never recover, rendering as mortal every other dram he ever sips. He’s prepared to battle through this disappointment, however.

Simply stunning.

A DRAM FOR YOUR DAD

Whyte & Mackay are in the process of rebranding, taking the well-loved whisky slightly upmarket. Whether it is its ‘Special’ blend or the luxurious 30 years old, each bottle is prepared using a double marriage maturation process.

This unique process not only guarantees a smooth, mellow and distinctive character but more importantly it guarantees consistency.

New to the range is ‘The Thirteen’. Matured for 13 years, instead of the standard 12, ensures that the whisky has extra time to mould and marry into perfect harmony, creating a truly velvety smoothness.

If your Dad prefers something more mature, why not give him a bottle of the award winning 30 years old. With its classic refined flavour brought about in its many years in wood, it must be drunk with respect - savouring each mouthful. If you wish to make the present even more special, why not team it up with a Don Ramos cigar, as the pairing were recently named the ultimate whisky and cigar combination at the World Whisky and Cigar Challenge.

Having just changed the design livery, the new packaging is luxurious and proud. The superb design, added to the great Scotch inside, would make a fantastic gift this Father’s day.

Hope my daughter's listening ....

WINNING BLEND IS NO TEA PARTY

In a whisky industry first, top tea and coffee tasters Tim Clifton, Michael Bunston and Angus Kerr have put their palates to the test to select The Balvenie’s latest Vintage single malt. The whisky, distilled in 1972, will retail for £300 and just 744 bottles are available. Its maker, family-owned William Grant & Sons, is confident the whisky will attract interest from collectors and follow in the award winning footsteps of last year’s 1971 Vintage which received a gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

To uphold the award-winning reputation of The Balvenie Vintage Cask, Malt Master, David Stewart, sought expert help from highly regarded selectors and blenders, but not from the Scotch whisky industry. Instead, the Malt Master has enlisted representatives from the tea and coffee industries to put their extensive nosing and tasting experience to an alternative use.

Michael Bunston and Tim Clifton, Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, of the International Tea Committee and Angus Kerr, Chairman of the UK Coffee Trade Federation, swapped tea leaves and coffee beans for malt whisky casks to grind through the tough single malt tasting session held at The Balvenie Distillery in Dufftown. Tea and coffee blenders are renowned for their vigorous selection processes, so they were well prepared for the job.

Commenting on his honorary role, Tim Clifton said: “More than two centuries ago, both tea and Scotch, with their colonial reputations, were regarded as evil drinks. I hope that The Balvenie’s loyal drinkers agree that the two industries, together with our coffee-loving friends, have combined to produce a truly wicked drink in this 1972 vintage.”

In January, five casks, which were filled in late November 1972, were chosen. They yielded 744 bottles, with the ABV reduced to 47.3% prior to bottling, and are non-chill filtered. The Balvenie Vintage Cask 1972 RRP is £300 for a 70cl bottle, complete with oak presentation box, and is available from June 2006.

According to David Stewart “Our three guest tasters provided very apt descriptions on the nose and taste of each cask we examined, so agreeing on the final selections wasn’t too difficult. It just shows that although we are assessing very different drinks on a daily basis, we have great deal in common."

He added: “The trademark honeyed characteristics of the whisky are very prevalent, combined with a gentle nutty nose and creamy butterscotch flavour with a hint of spice. The finish is long, lingering and sweet, just what you’d expect from one of our vintage casks.”

The Balvenie Distillery, which is owned by independent family-owned distillers William Grant & Sons Ltd, is hoping the tea and coffee experts prove as successful as last year’s excisemen in selecting a winning dram. Their taste buds earned the Distillery a Best in Class Gold Medal at the 2005 International Wine & Spirit Competition for The Balvenie Vintage Cask 1971.

The Balvenie range of single malt Scotch whiskies includes The Balvenie DoubleWood^® 12 Year Old, The Balvenie PortWood^® 1991, The Balvenie Single Barrel^® 15 Year Old, The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old, which was voted the world’s best single malt aged 12 years or older at the 2004 International Wines & Spirit Competition, and The Balvenie Thirty – a gold medal winner at the same competition in 2005.

Tasting Notes: Rich and golden in colour, The Balvenie Vintage Cask 1972 is beautifully rich with citrus fruitiness. Gentle nuttiness and spicy wood notes, silky smooth on the palate, it has creamy butterscotch flavours mingled with honeyed orange and delicate spiciness and a beautiful lingering sweet finish.

www.williamgrant.com

The Mayor of Islay - Feis Ile 2006

Bruichladdich Distillery’s open day, Sunday 28^th May, will once again be an action packed day for islanders, whisky enthusiasts and visitors from as far away as Peru.

The day will be opened by the inaugural appearance of The Bruichladdich Dram-
busters acrobatic aerial display team and the Royal Navy bomb disposal team.

Chairman Sir John Mactaggart will officially open the private company’s new £350,000 bottling line required to meet increased sales growth

The high tech Italian-made machinery, part financed by AIE, is capable of bottling, labelling and packing 2000 bottles an hour. The original 2003 line has been retained.

Bruichladdich is the only whisky bottled on Islay. It benefits from the island’s legendary spring water that exploits a fissure in 1800 million year old Rhinns Gneiss.

Guest of honour will be Miguel Roman Valdivia, the Mayor of Islay. Not Argyll and Bute, but from the Pacific Coast of Peru - 7300 miles away.

Scot Professor Ian Dalziel of the University of Texas had already established a shared origin between the exotic rocks of Islay’s Rhinns peninsular and the Pacific Coast of Peru dating back 750 million years.

“Everyone thought it an April fool,” says Production Director Jim McEwan, pictured. “It seemed way too far-fetched: the same geological origin as Peru? And it’s called Islay? And they distil alcohol? Give me a break!”

“The Islay Peruvians were as astounded as I was. It feels rather like pulling a rabbit out of a bag, but the Mayor of Islay is as interested to learn about us as we are about him. He has after all travelled for 24 hours just to be here”

The Islay Community Council is exploring the possibility of formalising an association that will benefit the children of both Islays.

Both communities share surprising similarities. As well as their ocean locations, both economies are based on fishing, farming, distilling and tourism. Equally they are ignored by central government and hampered by poor transport infrastructure.

A special “valinch” bottling has been created to celebrate the Mayor of Islay’s visit, which will be available on the day to distillery visitors only.

BLACK BOTTLE BOOGIE

Black Bottle, named “Best Standard Blended Scotch Whisky” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible for 2005 and 2006 and described as “a blend that has to be tasted to be believed”, has received new-look packaging.

Since its creation in 1879, the brand presentation has been refined many times, sometimes with subtlety and on occasion substantially. Now Black Bottle has a new livery.

The new front label has been slimmed down. The Gordon Graham crest and signature have been redesigned. The label also features detailed tasting notes, providing more in-depth information about the whisky itself.

Commenting on the new packaging, Fraser Thornton, Marketing Director for Burn Stewart Distillers said: "The new look has been created based on substantial market research and is designed to reflect both the contemporary and hand crafted aspects of the brand. It represents the first step of a significant marketing investment."

Black Bottle uses only the finest grain and malt whiskies, including all of the single malts from Islay. It retails at £12.49.

GLENCAIRN AWARD

The Scottish company which introduced to the world a glass specially designed for whisky – the one given to Glasgow’s Whisky Club members as part of their welcoming pack – is to receive a Queen's Award for Enterprise, regarded as Britain's most coveted commercial award.

East Kilbride-based Glencairn Crystal has won the Award for Innovation, recognising the design and successful marketing of the Glencairn Glass, which is now used by all Scottish and Irish distilleries and many more worldwide.

The Glencairn Glass has a unique and stylish design, tapered for better 'nosing'. Crafted to be comfortable in the hand, the glass is designed to enhance the whisky drinking experience when being enjoyed neat or with water.

The family business, which employs 20 people, launched the glass four years ago, following collaboration between Glencairn Crystal and Scotland's Master Distillers, and the company now supplies more than one million units a year to a global market.

Managing Director Paul Davidson said: “There are specialist glass designs for champagne and brandy, but there had never been one for whisky.

“In a relatively short space of time, the glass has become established world-wide as the definitive whisky glass, by the industry and increasingly by consumers, and we are now looking at expanding further through a network of agents.”

LORD OF THE SMILES

There are some tastings that afterwards you think: Mmm, that was a good night. And there are some tastings that afterwards you think: Man that was a GREAT night!

Ardbeg Distillery manager Stuart Thomson provided one of the best tastings we’ve had - helped along by some of the finest drams we’ve experienced. There are some who can’t take the smoky Islay offerings, and there are others who consider their lives would be incomplete without a regular dram from that island’s great distilleries. I think club members who count themselves among the former would have been pleasantly surprised last night.

Stuart’s involvement came about because our advertised guide, Glenmorangie’s Master Distiller Bill Lumsden, had to call off at short notice. He sent along the Glenmorangie Artisan Cask to showcase the distillery’s wood management policy. The Artisan was matured in Ozark Mountain oak and designed to capture the young, female, market. It was a soft, fruity and floral dram and enjoyed last night by women and men.

Next up came the Ardbeg selection: the 10 year old, the Uigeadail, and the breathtaking 25-year-old Lord of the Isles – a dram of such beauty that even the £135 retail price tag didn’t appear to be outrageous! (Try telling that to the spouses though).

Stuart proved an immensely likable guide, taking us from his second day at Glenmorangie and confronted by a jet of 39-year-old malt, which had sprung from its cask and was arcing its way over neighbouring casks. Old Tommy showed remarkable presence of mind by stooping, mouth open, to capture the stream before it could go to waste.

He talked movingly of seeing the wreck of Ardbeg for the first time after Glenmorangie saved it from total closure and how he persuaded his wife Jackie that there was, actually, little needed to restore it to its former glory.

And if you ever get the chance to have a natter with him, ask Stuart about the time his two-year-old son Harry noticed there was no Ardbeg on the gantry of a VERY posh country house.

It'll be a long, long time, before the Thomson family can show their faces there again!

CLEAN SWEEP FOR THE SMOKY DRAM

Last year, Laphroaig cask strength was voted 'The Best Single Malt in the World'. No you might think that would be a tough act to follow, but at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition the distillery went one better … and then some.

The San Fran contest is considered by many to be the toughest and most prestigious of awards. The panel of judges ‘blind’ taste all the whiskies so that there is no bias.

Distillery manager John Campbell said: “We entered all our 5 main expressions: 30 year, 15 year, 10 year Cask Strength, 10 year and, of course, Quarter Cask. To give it away a little, there is a special award above the usual Bronze, Silver and Gold, known as Double Gold. This is reserved for when a whisky not only wins gold in its class, but also is voted first by the whole panel of experts.

Now the results:
30 Year old - Double Gold and winner of the of 'The Best Single Malt in the whole show'!
15 Year old - Double Gold!
10 Year old - Cask Strength - Double Gold!
10 Year old - Double Gold!
Quarter Cask - Double Gold!
And to cap it all Laphroaig was voted "Distiller of the Year" - one of the highest honours that can be bestowed.

$20,000 DRAM

The world's oldest single malt whisky has been sold at auction for more than £11,000. A 750ml bottle of Glenfiddich, distilled nearly 70 years ago in 1937, fetched $20,000, during the sale in New York. It was bottled in 2001 after the distiller found it had the requisite amount of alcohol - 40% abv - needed for a single malt and had an "extraordinary" taste.

Glenfiddich said it was very unusual for a malt to retain enough alcohol for so long. The tasting notes describe it as being full of complex and subtle flavours, including a "wonderful toffee caramel and cinnamon nose, chocolate and treacle flavours and unique rich walnut colour."

One of a batch of 62 bottles, the rest of which were distributed around the world, the auctioned bottle was bought by New Jersey-based collector Dan Weiss at New York's Grand Central Station and was timed to coincide with the city's Tartan Week celebrations.

Glenfiddich said the proceeds would be donated to New York charity "City Harvest", which provides food and shelter for homeless people.

Glenfiddich director Peter Gordon, who is the great-great-grandson of distillery founder William Grant, said: "As this is the oldest single malt in the world I was delighted to see it safely in the hands of its new owner. It was a real responsibility to bring it from Scotland although we had it well packaged just in case of any mishaps.

“I am very fortunate to have been able to taste a tiny sample of the Glenfiddich 1937 before it was bottled and can report that it has a wonderful toffee caramel and cinnamon nose, chocolate and treacle flavours and unique rich walnut colour. It really is an extraordinary Scotch whisky, full of complexity and subtlety.

“Although, whether or not its new owner will ever discover this I'm not sure. Having paid $20,000 for it I imagine it will take a very special occasion for this single malt to be cracked open - but I'd love to be there if it is."

Mr Weiss, who has more than 250 bottles of single malt in his collection described the Glenfiddich 1937 as his "crown jewels" and confirmed that it would have to be a "heck of a special occasion" before his new purchase was opened and drunk.

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL

The 2006 Spirit of Speyside Festival kicks off with a packed calendar full of whisky, music, food and fun in malt whisky country. The event runs from April 27 to May 1.

Situated in the heart of Speyside, Glenfarclas – ‘The Spirit of Independence’ - has a feast of events planned to entertain guests.

To kick-start activities on Friday 28 April, Brand Ambassador George Grant, the sixth generation of the Grant family, who own and manage the Glenfarclas Distillery, invites visitors to join him as he shares some secrets of the distillery’s 170-year history. This event will include: -

• Masterclass featuring a selection of Glenfarclas’ oldest Highland Single Malts
• Personal tour of the distillery from George Grant
• Whisky Tasters’ lunch
• Fun 40-question quiz on the distillery and its famous malts
• The chance to win a rare bottle of 40 Years Old Glenfarclas worth £1500

The event lasts from 11:30am until 3:15pm and costs £40 per person.

Glenfarclas will be offering special tours around the distillery, during which guests can see the largest stills on Speyside before enjoying a complimentary dram of multi-award winning Glenfarclas Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky.

The Distillery visitor centre, which is open all year Monday to Friday, will also open on Saturday and Sunday during the Festival. Tours run from 10am – 3.30pm (11am - 3:30pm on Sunday), adult tickets are priced at £3.50 per person and under-18s can visit free.

Transport to and from Glenfarclas is available so there is no need to worry about having that last dram! Special extended transport has been arranged for the duration of the Spirit of Speyside Festival – a £5 day pass buys complete flexibility on the specially provided buses. Bus timetables are available on www.spiritofspeyside.com.

FREE DRAM AND A GOOD READ

Glenfiddich is hosting two events in Glasgow as part of its ‘Glenfiddich in Conversation with…’ author tour.

The tour is a series of free events that feature some of the country’s most talented new authors reading excerpts from their books and having a chat. All those who go along will also be invited to savour the banter over a complimentary taster of Glenfiddich Special Reserve 12 Year Old single malt.

The Glasgow events will take place in the Oran Mor on Great Western Road, on April 18 featuring author Alan Bissett, who will read excerpts from his latest book The Incredible Adam Spark, and in the Blue Dog, George Street, on April 24 with Michael Smith, who will read from his debut novel The Giro Playboy. Both events start at 8 o’clock and entrance is free

GOING FOR GOLD

Whyte & Mackay Master Blender Richard Paterson sets off on a trip that will see him go around the world to Melbourne, to pledge the distiller’s support for Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games bid.

The award-winning whisky expert is flying into Melbourne for a whistle-stop two days to conduct exclusive whisky sessions with dignitaries from the 71 Commonwealth nations voting panels.

Whyte & Mackay has already shown its support to the bid by producing 800 specially commissioned bottles for the Scottish Commonwealth Games Bid Team to distribute to key delegates from the Commonwealth Games nations in Melbourne.

However spokesman Richard, who will not only act as a representative of Whyte & Mackay, but for Glasgow and Scotland as a whole, is using his particular charm to reinforce the bid.

Working alongside Louise Martin, Chairwoman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, and Lynne McPhee of Glasgow City Council, Richard’s presentation will focus on the friendly and welcoming nature of Scotland and demonstrate the Scots’ pride in their heritage and their country.

He said: "I am very much looking forward to making a personal contribution to Glasgow & Scotland’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. We take great pride in Glasgow’s achievements from our sporting traditions to the arts, shipbuilding to Whyte & Mackay scotch whisky"

He added: "I am confident that were the games to be held in Glasgow, visitors would leave with lifelong friends and cherished memories. At Whyte & Mackay we are proud of who we are, where we come from and the kinship we offer; values we share with both the city of Glasgow and the Commonwealth Games."

Richard’s first port-of-call on the tour saw him depart from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to attend a whisky festival in Belgium, where he displayed the bid flag to the thousands of festival attendees. He will then fly to Melbourne to conduct his official Commonwealth duties, then onto the USA before heading back home to Glasgow on April 1 after a whirlwind 16-day trip.

I WANT TO BE FRANK ...

Let's face it, when you've won Whisky Pub of the Year as often as The Pot Still has, there comes a time when you want to do more than just pile the the trophies up behind the bar and let the customers gaze in admiration. Ken Storrie's plan for the latest award, from Whisky Magazine, was to fill it with water and make it a feature of it with the addition of a goldfish called Frank.
Shock horror from the staff forced a rapid change of plan, but with Frank swimming serenely in his wee plastic bag, a Whyte and Mackay ice bucket was pressed into service. The piscine seems quite happy, as are the staff.
We asked Ken why he called the fish Frank and were told something about fish having the same attention span as a certain member of staff, but we weren't sure just who he was talking about!

THE FAMOUS GROUSE 10-YEAR-OLD

FRANK HADDEN WITH THE CALCUTTA CUP

The Famous Grouse has a special offer for rugby fans this weekend. At TFG Experience at Crieff there’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see, touch and be photographed with the Calcutta Cup.

There will be various competitions over the weekend between 10am and 4pm each day – and the chance to try the new-ish 10-year-old blended malt.

The company’s tasting notes are as follows:

Appearance: golden, clear and bright
Aroma: soft, mellow with a ripe orange hint
Taste: soft, mellow oak with chocolate orange
Finish: long, rich and medium sweet

There’s a special offer on at the moment – order a bottle from the distillery at £19.99 plus p&p and get a free tasting glass for every bottle. Just call The Famous Grouse Experience on 01764 657025 or go online to www.thefamousgrouse.com

BARLEY'S DEATH SPELLS END OF AN ERA

Two centuries of tradition at Highland Park on Orkney have been broken with the death of Barley, the distillery cat, as it has been decided by bosses not to find a replacement.

However, staff at the distillery, established in 1896, are already making arrangements so that the last moggie will be able to keep a
watching eye over the Kirkwall site.

Barley, a 15-year-old ginger tom, was a fond favourite with locals and tourists and received a sackful of Christmas presents and cards. He passed away following a road accident this week.

Assistant brand heritage manager Patricia Retson said: "Barley was a real character and there are many tales surrounding his time at the distillery. He was very friendly to tourists, but this warmth did not extend to dogs - he was renowned for terrorising the former distillery manager's hound, which once had to be carried from the distillery, as he was too frightened to move.

"His favourite spot was on top of the money till in the Highland Park shop, and many tourists thought he was a toy, so they got quite a shock when they touched him on the back."

Always a great companion, in particular to the production operators on night shift, Barley was the last in a line of generations of distillery cats at Highland Park - his predecessor was Malt and before that the resident cat was Peat.

All of the cats were named by workers to reflect key ingredients that go into making "the best spirit in the world."

"As a mark of respect to three of the most recent cats at Highland Park, we have plans to commission a local artist to make a statue which will be displayed in the courtyard, as they will always be part of the distillery's heritage," added Patricia.

"But we have decided not to replace Barley due to health and safety regulations, though we are sure such a 'feline friend' will be sadly missed by visitors. The decision was not taken lightly as it is two hundred years of tradition that will be broken."

DISTILLER OF THE YEAR

Glenfarclas has been named Distiller of the Year at the whisky industry’s Icons of Whisky dinner.

The award, now in its fourth year, was organised by Whisky Magazine and announced at an industry dinner held on the eve of Whisky Live in London. The prestigious award was presented to the company that has shown the most commitment to the development of whisky at all levels.

The magazine selected a shortlist, which included nominations from across the world. The list included Chivas Brothers, Diageo, Glenrothes, Inver House and Nikka, as well as Glenfarclas.

Key personnel from within the industry were invited to vote for the company they thought most deserved the award. Glenfarclas scooped it 'for being consistently good and staying true to its core values'.

Commenting on the win George Grant, Brand Ambassador for Glenfarclas said: “I am delighted. Having produced our whisky for over 170 years, we are not a new kid on the block and it is fantastic that those within the industry recognise that we have continued to produce consistently good quality whisky.”

www.glenfarclas.co.uk

THE PEAT CUTTER THE UNEXPLODED BOMB AND THE SEA-SICK BARLEY

It was a night that will be spoken about as long as like-minded souls gather for a dram. Glasgow’s Whisky Club’s first tasting of 2006 was a memorable event. From tall tales to ice cream toddies, it was an evening that crackled with surprises, laughs and of course, some of the finest drams we’ve yet tasted.

Ably led by Gerry Tosh, HP’s Brands Ambassador, club members were taken on a tour of arguably Orkney’s finest export, taking in along the way, a history lesson, a geography lesson, a chemistry lesson and a social commentary on the Orcadians and their unique way of life.

We heard of Cyril, the distillery peat cutter since he was seven, banging the hell out of a heavy metal object on the peat field at Hobbister Hill … only to discover it was an unexploded bomb! And we were left wondering if Gerry Tosh was a spinner of yarns when he told the story of the malted barley, which gets such rough treatment on the ferries bringing it across the storm-tossed Pentland Firth, that it needs to lie down quietly for three weeks before it has settled enough to be used!

Those who were there will need little reminding of the quality of the drams tasted, but for those who couldn’t make it, the offerings were the 12YO, 15, 18, 25, and 30, with a single cask laid down in 1991 and destined for the Swiss market. Only 494 bottles were produced. It was drawn from the cask last week and was dark with hints of brine and chocolate. ABV was 56%.

For many the highlight of the night – and the feature that reflects the fun and informal nature of our whisky tastings – was the incomparable pairing of 25-year-old Highland Park and a loving spoonful of Mackie’s finest Scottish ice cream. A few purists raised their eyebrows when this concoction was produced, but changed their minds when the ice cream wrapped itself around the malt in a delivery system that perfectly married the vanilla ice cream with the soft and sweet taste of the malt. Chust sublime, as Dougie would say!

And as Gerry and the rest of us said at the end of the evening: Skol!!!

Stop Press: On Friday, March 3, at Whisky Live! in London. Ken Storrie and his team learned the Pot Still had been named Whisky Magazine's Whisky Bar of the Year. Yet another accolade, and yet again, well deserved.

toshie

http://www.highlandpark.co.uk

HIGHLAND PARK TASTING

A full report of the proceedings will appear in Still Life as soon as work and hangovers permit. In the meantime, one of my colleagues at work has a selection of whiskies he's selling off. No prices as he's not sure what they're worth, but if anyone's interested, let me know and I'll pass on your details.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18YO
Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21YO
Dunhill Hyperion (De Luxe blend)
Black Bottle 15YO
The Famous Grouse 'Bill McLaren' Rugby Special Edition RRP £85
Glengoyne 21YO RRP £49.99
Dimple 43%
Glenrothes 12YO Vintage
Lancelot 12YO (50cl)
Cutty Sark 25YO RRP £105

slainte mhath
toshie