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A
dram for ye, traveller?
Again like wine, scotch whisky has distinct regional characteristics, so care has been taken to ensure a good mix of highland and lowland single malts, as well as good representation from the islands. Indeed, no list of malt whiskys could begin to consider itself complete without including some of the wonderful Islay offerings. Here you will find them all – including the wonderful ‘Port Ellen’ which ceased production in 1983. And they are all stunners! Certainly The Og thinks so… Slainte! 1.
Aberlour (est. 1879)– Single Highland (Speyside) Malt “Mouth of
the chattering burn” in Gaelic. Exceptionally pure spring water
from St Drostan’s Well is the key to this very well established
whisky. 5 times winner of the Gold Medal at the International Wine
& Spirit Competition. £1.45 a shot 2.
Ardbeg (est.1815) – Single Islay Malt The Islay heavyweight coming in at 46% alcohol by volume due to the non-chill filtering process that maintains the strength. Should be taken with a drop of water – which will cloud the spirit. Ardbeg demonstrates all the robust and earthy aromas associated with Islay malts. Described as having a hefty bite and a rich finish, flavours detected include peat-smoke, seaweed, sawdust and iodine. A bedtime malt. Night-night! £1.75 a shot 3. Ardnave – Single Islay Malt12 years old – 41.2% proof This young whipper-snapper has sold its’ soul to a supermarket group – and is only here to complete the Islay ‘collection’. However … Delightful nose – just a little peat smoke – and then straight in to a real heavyweight taste which, unlike its’ island cousins, has very little peat lingering. Rich and warm with a sniff of sea air. Will cloud if chilled or when water is added (which it should be) which is a feature of non-chill filtering. A notable malt. £1.35 a shot 4.
Auchentoshan (est. 1823)– Single Lowland Malt A lowland malt from the west (Dalemuir, Glasgow) that has a lot to commend itself. Fruity sweet and delicate with a warm, slightly spicy,
caramelly finish. Good value too! 5.
Bowmore (est. 1719) ‘Legend’ – Single Islay Malt This Inner Hebridean monolith markets itself as being the ‘best balanced of all the wonderful Islay malts – and I’m not here to argue! Aromas of burnt peat and chocolate. Balanced, rich and smooth with the characteristic peat and iodine of Islay. Smoky, with a hint of seaweed. Definite edge of salt, with a perfumey taste similar to rose water. Very distinctive – very Islay £1.45 a shot 6.
Bruichladdich (Est. 1881) – Single Islay Malt The only remaining privately owned distillery on the island.As light as its’ fellow heavyweight is dark (non-chill filtering enables 46% alcohol by volume) Bruichladdich is still classically Islay. Almonds and moss rather than peat – and you can taste the sea breeze. Closed down in 1994 and reopened on 25th May 2001 this is the ‘new kid on the block’ with a big attitude. This laddie is a HUGE malt. £1.85 a shot 7.
Bunnahabhain – Single Islay Malt Bunnahabhain's water is piped from streams in the surrounding
hills and is therefore less peaty than you may be expecting. It is a
little sweeter than the other Islay malts, with a smooth initial palate
and long full finish. Lighter than the ‘usual’ Islay style,
with a full round flavour. £1.65 a shot 8.
Caoll Ila (Est.1846) – Single Islay Malt Pale with a greenish tinge, this hidden gem tends to be one of the island’s secrets being not so readily available as some cousins (the Og buys it from those wonderful Gordon & McPhail people in Elgin), but it is well worth seeking out. Light and medium bodied with a rounded flavour, you will find seaweed, smoke and salt, all mixed in withsweet, dry pepper. A hint of iodine gives it a slightly medicinal quality. Go on – for the sake of your health … £2.00 a shot 9.
Glen Burn – Single Highland (Leith) Malt A modern addition to the ancient malt hierarch. 10 years in oak casks has left this modest sounding offering with a delightfully soft and fruity bouquet. Warm and rich on the palate and surprisingly complex; look for caramel, vanilla and a hint of pine. It’s in the air y’ken … £1.15 a shot 10.
Glenfiddich (Est. 1887) Special Reserve – Single Highland (Speyside)
Malt Savour the fresh and fruity aroma with just the merest dash of pear essence, then move on to the soft, rounded taste of rich fruit with a touch of pine, and a subtle hint of peat. An old favourite and richly deserving of its’ place here. £1.60 a shot 11.
Glenfoyle – Single Highland Malt The bouquet is so subtle that it appears almost shallow – but do not be misled! This is a ‘new boy’ but a very traditional one. Distilled exclusively in copper pot stills using purest highland water this is the sort of whisky that causes havoc at blind tasting. So keep you eyes wide, and prepare to be impressed by the quality and depth of a very fine whisky. £1.15 a shot 12.
Glenkinchie (Est. 1837) – Single Lowland (Edinburgh) Malt A lowland malt from the east – dry and clean on the palate, and lighter in essence than it’s Highland brothers. Quickly matured courtesy of the extremely rich lowland barley, it develops green and summer fruit overtones and a very gentle – almost delicate – finish. £1.75 a shot 13.
The Glenlivit (Est. 1824) – Single Highland Malt Notable as being the first distillery in the Highlands to make scotch whisky (i.e the first boys to go ‘legal’!. A very mellow and well rounded offering that proves
every day of its’ 12 years maturation in the delightfully light
and fragrant bouquet. The hidden warmth doesn’t stay hidden for £1.55 a shot 14.
Glenmorangie (Est. 1843) – Single Highland (Ross-Shire) Malt The malt from the much advertised ‘Glen of Tranquility’ from the far north of Scotland. Pale and interesting with a hint of peat. The whisky’s complexity is down to the remarkably hard water that takes 50 years to filter through lime and sandstone to the spring where it is collected by the Men of Tain. An unusually rich flavour, and no serious malt collection could be considered complete without it. £1.60 a shot 15.
Highland Park (est. 1798)– Single Orkney Malt The naffest name for one of the best malts on the market. Overflows with earth, honey heather and salt – and that’s just the nose. As for the taste … well, that comes from somewhere higher up than even Orkney! £1.80 a shot 16.
Isle of Jura (est. 1810)– Single Malt This pale beauty hails from Jura, the wildest and most romantic of the Inner Hebridean islands. Still using the pure waters of bhaille mharghaidh which flows through quartzite and over heather on its’ way to produce this delightfully light and distinctive whisky. £1.50 a shot
Dark and mysterious this whisky has the slowest distillation of all the malts prior to spending 16 years in old oak casks before bottling. Lagavulin has been described as the aristocrat of Islay. It has an unmistakable, powerful, peat-smoke aroma, robustly full bodied, well-balanced and smooth with a slight sweetness on the palate. Absolutely top of the heap. £2.05 a shot 18.
Laphroaig (est. 1815)– Single Islay Malt 19.
Ledaig (est. 1897)– Single Isle of Mull Malt The illegitimate son of Tobermory; fresh and clean as the morning. Light amber in colour it gives off aromas of peat, chocolate and seaweed – and ginger if you’ve a mind to taste. A light finish leads to a lasting warmth from this wild, peaty spirit. £1.15 a shot 20.
The MacAllan (est. 1824)– Single Highland Malt An aristocratic and quirky malt that relies on Spanish sherry! By hanging on to the ancient tradition of aging the spirit in oak casks that have previously held sherry, the makers maintain a very distinctive colour and nose. More than just a gimmick – it really does work. And if you never have then you should! £1.80 a shot 21.
Oban (est. 1794)– Single Highland Malt One of the oldest and still one of the smallest distilleries (and definitely the smallest stills) the town of Oban grew up around the whisky. The rich, fruity Highland style is tempered by the sea air to give an ‘island’ feel to it. Ever wondered where the Highlands meet the Islands …? £1.95 a shot 22.
Old Pultenay (est. 1826)– Single Malt The most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland – Wick is home to the Pultenay thoroughbred. Taste (and smell) the sea in the red-gold nectar of this fruity, smoky, salty, sherry-laden gem. £1.65 a shot 23. Port Ellen (est. c1825)– Single Islay Malt This ‘ghost of Islay’ is a piece of history waiting for you to find it. Production was ceased permanently in 1983 – and as a consequence this whisky is getting more and more rare. Unmistakably ‘Islay’ with peat-smoke and iodine, Port Ellen is a gentle spirit with soft, mossy notes and a deep complexity. Oh, and yes – that really is the price! £5.75 a shot 24. Talisker (est. 1830) – Single Isle of Skye Malt Soft and strong, Talisker is the only malt distilled on Skye – on the western shores overlooking the ocean. A delightful whisky with a finish that glows so you could call it a sunset. £1.85 a shot 25.
Tamdu (est. 1897) – Single Highland (Speyside) Malt ‘Black Tom’ always gives a very good account of himself Pure heather-honey and a barrow load of un-smoked peat; what more is there? £1.15 a shot 26.
Tobermoray (est. 1798) – Single Isle of Mull Malt Light amber with a peated, smokey nose. A medium-dry, fruity finish and pure warmth in between. You have begun your island tour… or ended it ! £1.40 a shot |