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.

It was pretty clear to me that Sheila was only joking. Her remark was faux indignation in response to your stating "the stuff tastes horrid."

Sheila, am I right?

RSTrav - I think sheila's comment about "not being entitled to an opinion" was just a tongue-in-cheek response to your comment that that whisky tastes "horrid." Since we all know you couldn't possibly have been serious, I agree that it was bad form for her to take you to task for it. 8^)

Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch lists Edradour as being located in the "hamlet" of Balnauld, above Pitlochry.

RSTraveler, I apologise. I am certain I inserted a smiley, but Fodors appears to have excised it. Mr go was quite right, I was kidding and that was why; and I try to be more careful on the web because of the inability to put expression in written words

As to the location, I was actually try not to be seen to be a smart ass, but to convey the impression that whilst 80 miles is not a big deal in many places, around here, I'd never describe the location in relation to Edinburgh, because it's a world away. It's a good 4 miles from downtown Pitlochry, which is a fairly large tourity place, and all I was trying to do was place it for those who might try to locate it on a large scale map.

Since clearly my opinion is unimportant, I will just mention in passing that in the hundreds of occasions I've passed the road end, I've never seen Balnauld mentioned.

And I hope I did not upset you nearly as much as jenabeat and Yawn_boring have upset me. Sorry again.

Sheila, do not despair.

Those of us who 'know' you and your sage advice through this forum, and understand your humour, will honour you with a dram (or three) of Glenmorangie this evening (maybe even Oban, seeing as it's for you).

And those who don't - well, too bad for them.

Bottoms up, and a great weekend to you (all).

My apologies, everyone have a great weekend. Cheers!

Sheila,
Let's start over - Hi, I'm Stephanie and I am sorry, too. I didn't realize you were joking, and probably because being new here I am not in tune yet with everyone's sense of humor. If I seemed a little upset, (just a tiny bit), it is only due to the fact that I love this forum and want to be accepted as a new member. I have read your posts on numerous occasions and know that you have much great info. to share.

I understand what you were trying to explain about the location of Edradour, but so I don't think I am losing my mental faculties - couldn't one say the distillery is somewhat near Moulin? I must have been partially out of it earlier today since I made reference to my trip to Scotland in 04', when actually it was 03'. Well, I hope we both feel better. :) I am looking forward to cooler weather for this weekend - enjoy yours.

It's miles away from Moulin:) At least 1 1/2miles. You were quite right about that. Too.

And I was drinking Lagavulin tonight. Good job it wasn't gin.

Whew, now I can go to bed knowing that I still have it together. :) Well, more or less together, it's been a long day.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Edradour, as they claimed to employ 3 guys who made the whisky and about 12 tour guides. It was very charming, and we still imitate the tour guide, who began every sentence with the words, "Roight, then..."

My husband is a huge single malt fan too, but we were satisfied with this one (albeit small) distillery tour and many samplings at the pubs and hotels we visited.

Oh, and Edradour is just a few miles from Pitlochry, where we also enjoyed our stay at Pine Needles.

Map searches may supply accurate location/travel information. Hotel bar in Edinburgh. I asked "What scotch should I try?". Hours later the barman brought out two bottles, one a 25 year old and the other a 40 year old scotch. We sampled. Question, "Which do you prefer?". Answers were the same, no one could taste any difference. World Almanac credits whisky as being Scotland's main export!

Use Search - Scotland Map. Locations of all distilleries.

GSteed, different malts taste very different and if you can't taste the difference then you have a tin palate.

Sheila, as my old mum used to say when a faddy child said that something tasted horrid.

"All the more for the rest of us!"

Cheers! The Balvenie is my favourite tipple at the moment.
I worked with a man who gave his dad six single malts for his sixtieth birthday and repeated this for each decade. The old boy lived into his mid nineties. It must have been the whisky keeping him going :-)

BTW - "Whisky" is also Canadian.

Gosh is it 15 years ago, my D(pre)H and I had a great trip circumnavigating the Cairngorms. The Whisky country was a highlight (along with castles, cattle and B&B hosts). We also stopped inat Glenfiddich. The distillery is beautiful. It was fun to see Douglas Fir timbers that were brought all the way form our neck of the (former) woods. The great thing to remember, Maddak, is that they gave the designated drivers a wee dram in a bottle to take with and appreciate once back at the B&B. I wish our Napa and Sonoma wineries could figure out a way to do that!