Whiskey anyone?
 

I'm planning a long weekend to Scotland for my husband. He is a huge Scotch drinker and so I'd like to take him through the whiskey trail. I'm looking for any advice on where to stay and where to eat, what distilleries to hit, and other fun activities in the area. Thanks!

Make sure he tries a little Sheep Dip. ((b))

Oh, by the way, where are you from, and what kinds of scotch is your husband used to drinking? He might not be used to single malt. ((b))

Not to be sniffy, but it's whisky (no "e").

The Whisky Trail is based round Speyside, and a really fine place to be is the Craigellachie Hotel. If you need to come downmarket from that, I can suggest some other nice places.

Probably the best whisky to try is the Macallan; but you may want to see if you can get a tour at Balvenie- they are only done by arrangement, but it's worth it because they still have a malting floor.

As I understand it, whiskey with an 'e' is reserved for Irish and American beverages, while Whisky without the 'e' is for Scottish.

The name comes from the Gaelic word for water, which is uisge (pronounced ISH-kay, I believe).

Depending on where the speaker was from, more like Oosh-ki

And, if you've had a few it could be "whif-hiccup-ski"....

In 1998 we spent three nights at the Craigalechee (sp) (darn I spell it differently every time!) Hotel. Their bar the Quaich (did I spell that right?) has about every variety of Scotch you could drink in a night. Two of the three nights we ate dinner--New Zealand venison--quite good.
One afternoon we did the (by appointment) tour of the McCallun (again spelling, sorry) distillery. I'm a white wine drinker, not Scotch, and even I enjoyed it.
Be sure to walk along the Spey River Trail.

I think hoping to travel had been at a nip or two before she posted. Most of the spellings she mangled:) are right in my post. She did spell Quaich right, and that walk is called the Spey Way.

However, what is keeping the grin on my face is the idea of ANYONE drinking their way round the Quaich bar in a night. It has over 600 malts on display!!!

I know, it's embarrassing. I won spelling bees as a kid.

Ah, but those were English spelling bees (or American). The Gaelic spelling, which these place names are mostly, is an entirely different kettle of fish! (or caetail of feis)

That would be "corrie nan iusk"

Hehe... I was just translating the sounds into Gaelic spelling... thanks for the true translation :)

Though the Whiskey Experience or whatever they call the thing by Edinburgh Castle is a fairly schlocky attraction - you ride in whiskey barrels through displays highlighting Scotch Whiskey's heritage, it was cute when the guide later, whilst offering a few samples, said that between the time the whiskey is put in the wooden barrels and then removed, a small portion of it has disappeared - 'tis the angels' portion' he explained!

We took the Glenfiddich tour, and were fascinated by their extraordinary commitment to detail and quality control. I still like the Macallan whisky better, but you could definitely do worse for a tour.

We stayed at an unusual B&B inn outside of Elgin, a converted village church. The Old Church of Urquhart is not luxury accomodation, and it's definitely not for everyone, but we found it comfortable and accomodating. Here's the appropriate page from our trip report (scroll down):

http://www.onelittleworld.com/scotland_6.html

I recommend the Edradour Distillery - the smallest in Scotland. It is in a very picturesque setting,(nice photo ops),on the edge of the tiny village of Moulin. sp? Anyway, it's north of Edinburgh & not far from Dunkeld. They gave a really nice, informative tour w/ tasting - great little gift shop too.

IMO,no matter how you spell whisky, the stuff tastes horrid!

Should anyone care about my opinion, I agree with the gos about Glenfiddich; and whilst RSTravelers is clearly not entitled to an opinion, he's right about Edradour too. It is not handy for the whisky trail, mind. It's at Pitlochry, on the A9, about 80 miles north of Edinburgh

Sheila, why am I <clearly not entitled to an opinion?> I am new on this board, (since mid- April, and just trying to "fit in". People like you make it rather difficult.

I was only attempting to give maddak a suggestion. My DH and I enjoyed the small Edradour Distillery and its' pretty setting. And yes, you were wrong with your snap judgment, I am not a HE.
Also, from my memory of our trip in 04', the distillery was not at Pitlochry. It was on the edge of the little village I mentioned, but gosh thanks for your comments.

Sheila has proven herself a bit of a "know-it-all".

Yeah, it won't be the first time Sheila has come across that way.

Anyway, make sure he tries Ardbeg, a very peaty single malt with a strong aroma and great finish.