View near Bonar Bridge.
Distilleries:
Balblair | Ben Wyvis | Clynelish/Brora | The Dalmore
Glen Ord | Glenmorangie | Old Pulteney | Teaninich
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| Balblair |
| Comments: |
The earliest records of distilling at Balblair date back to 1749, though the current distillery dates back to 1790. In the 1860's a new distillery was built near the original, then at the end of the nineteenth century the current distillery was built. The distillery was closed between the two World Wars, from 1915 to 1947, reopening as an independent distillery for a few years before being sold to Hiram Walker who used the Balblair product in their Ballentine blends.
In 1996 the distillery was mothballed but was soon purchased by Inver House with plans to reestablish distillery bottlings. While under the ownership of Hiram Walker, the distillery produced rich, malty whisky for blending purposes. The current plans are for Balblair to return to a more heavily peated whisky that was traditionally produced in the earlier years of the distillery.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
Elements: With no age statement it can be assumed that this is a young whisky. (Balblair released a 5-year-old in the past before purchase by Inver House in 1996). The color is a full gold. The nose has a cereal grain youthfulness, but it is tempered with a bit of fruit, spice, and a slight mashy sourness. The palate is sweet, with a brief spiciness which changes into a citrus-like tanginess in the finish.
There is also a 16-year-old available.
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
Balblair is currently available in 10 and 15-year-old bottlings from Gordon & MacPhail. |
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A 9-year-old Cadenhead (1990-2000, 62.9 vol.), is a pale gold color and has a malty, slightly grainy nose with a whiff of sea breeze and a little pine. The malty palate is sweet at first then becomes spicy and drier. The finish is slightly peppery. 72 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Inver House Distillers Ltd |
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| Link: |
www.inverhouse.com |
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| Ben Wyvis |
| Comments: |
Ben Wyvis was a short-lived single malt distillery, built in 1965 within the huge Invergordon grain distillery complex. It was established to produce whisky for blending and only existed for 12 years. In 1977 it was closed and dismantled. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
It's unclear if there was ever a distillery release during the lifetime of the distillery. In 1999 an Invergordon release of a 27-year-old, ( from a 1972 distillation), surfaced. The limited edition bottling was quickly bought up by collectors.
Will there be other releases in the future? Only Invergordon knows.
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
Independent bottlings have been extremely rare also. There was at one time a Signatory release. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: JBB (Greater Europe) PLC |
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| Clynelish |
aka Brora |
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Clynelish distillery.
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| Comments: |
The name was changed to Clynelish from Brora in 1967 when a new distillery was opened across the street from the old distillery. There is quite a bit of confusion as to the use of the names "Clynelish", and "Brora".
Basically, Clynelish was the name of the product from the old distillery until 1969, shortly after the new distillery was opened. A few years later the old distillery reopened and bottled product under the name Brora until it closed in 1983. All-the-while, product named Clynelish was being produced at the new distillery (and is still produced under the Clynelish name).
Whisky from Clynelish is a major factor in the Johnny Walker Gold blend.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
Released as a single malt as part of the Flora and Fauna line from United Distillers. To my knowledge, Clynelish is unavailable in the US in a distillery release. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
There are many excellent bottlings of Clynelish available, though releases of Brora are becoming somewhat scarce.
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A Cadenhead 12-year-old Clynelish (1982-95, 64.2 vol.), is very enjoyable. A slight saltiness and peatiness to the nose, with a hint of rhubarb. The palate is fruity, with a peppery spiciness. Sweet. 84 |
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A Cooper's Choice 12-year-old Clynelish is pleasant also, exhibiting the sea breeze saltiness with an underlying fruitiness. As with some other Cooper's Choice bottlings there is a flavor of melon rind that added to the mix -- in this case not unpleasant). 78 |
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A Cadenhead 13-year-old Brora (1982-95, 59.2 vol.) is very enjoyable. Bright gold, with a slight greenish cast, the nose carries a damp soil, peatiness, mixed with sea air. Sweet on the tongue, with the same salt and peat coming through on the palate, along with some fruitiness. 83 |
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A 16-year-old Clynelish from the Vintage Malt Company (1983-99, 43 vol.) has a full gold color. The nose is quite fragrant, with notes of raw sugar, honeydew melon, peat, and sea air. The palate is dry, clean, refreshing, but seems to disappear, then comes back in a very long, peppery, warm, and salty finish. 81 |
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An Old Malt Cask 19-year-old Brora (1981-2001, 50 vol., sherry cask) has a light gold color, with slight greenish highlights. The nose is rich and oily with a sweet nuttiness and a lingering sea-air saltiness. The palate is rich and thick with a fruitcake-like sweetness balanced by a dry earthiness and soft saltiness. the finish ia a lingering combination of a peaty-nuttiness and mild saltiness, A splash of water opens up a bit of oak in the nose but lessens the richness on the palate. 85 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01408-623000
From the US: 011-44-1408-623000
Tours: Visitor center with scheduled tours (March to October). |
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| Link: |
The official Clynelish distillery site is part of a larger site named Highland Escape. |
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| The Dalmore |
| Comments: |
The Dalmore is another distillery that tends to be vastly underrated by the casual single malt drinker. Due to it's low price (about $20 for the 12-year-old), and easy availability, there's a tendency to diminish it's value -- don't dismiss this whisky too quickly, it is a complex and thoroughly enjoyable malt. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
12-year-old (40 vol.): This is the most common and available of The Dalmore releases. The nose is deep and rich with malt and sherry. There's a pleasant and distinctive orange aroma. The palate continues the orange notes, bringing in complex notes of chocolate, licorice, peat, and a hint of sea air. 82 |
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Cigar Malt (43 vol.) Though there is no age statement, this release is said to be a mixture of 10 to 20 year old whiskies. The Dalmore signature flavors of oranges and chocolate are brought more to the front. It reminds me a bit of the flavors of Pimm's cookies, the ones that have a soft shortbread base, a dab of sweet orange jam, and a layer of chocolate on top. 84 |
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21-year-old (43 vol.): Deep amber and rich with sherry, this expression expands on the same flavors, adding the depth that only comes from many years spent in a sherry/oak cask (21 years is the youngest whisky in the release, my guess is there are whiskies that are much older mixed in). Outstanding. 85 |
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30-year-old, Stillman's Dram (45 vol.): This takes The Dalmore experience to a new level. It has a deep gold color with amber tints, and a big, powerful nose with orange, licorice, bittersweet chocolate, oak, and tobacco leaf. The palate is thick and rewarding with a slight burnt orange and sherry quality. The finish is a bit dry and smoky, with some salty notes. Very rich and luxurious. 86 |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
Many merchant bottlings of The Dalmore have been available.
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A Signatory 17-year-old (1978, 59.1 vol.) is full amber colored with a powerful sherry and peat nose with underlying notes of oak and orange. The palate is sweet at first then balanced with a peaty dryness. A slight orange zest tanginess. 80 |
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A 20-year-old Cadenhead (1976-97), and a 24-year-old Cooper's Choice (1971-95), both offer the opportunity to experience The Dalmore without the characteristic sherry cask flavor. Both are quite pleasant. More vanilla comes through from the bourbon cask, and a stronger, richer, smoothness from the oak is evident. The Cadenhead has a faint touch of bay rum in the nose. 82 |
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| Information: |
Ownership: JBB (Greater Europe) PLC
Telephone: 01349-882362
From the US: 011-44-1349-882362
Tours: By appointment in the off-season only (mid-September - mid-June). |
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| Glen Ord |
aka Glenordie, Ord, Muir of Ord |
| Comments: |
You have to admire a whisky that states on its label "I Shine Not Burn". Until recently it has seen limited release as a single malt. Most of the distillery output goes into the Dewar's blends. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
A few years ago I found a bottle of the 12-year-old in a duty-free shop in Bergen, Norway. I fell in love with the smooth, gentle, balanced quality. Finally it is being distributed in the US so I don't have to hoard the remaining few drops of my original bottle.
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The 12-year-old distillery release is quite rich and well-rounded. The nose is somewhat spicy with hints of green melon and a soft peatiness. The palate starts with a malty, sherry sweetness, but finishes quite dry with some peaty spiciness. Very enjoyable. 79
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
There haven't been a great many independent bottlings of Glen Ord. Currently there are some remaining bottles of a Cadenhead 10-year-old. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01463-872008
From the US: 011-44-1463-872008
Tours: Visitor center with scheduled tours. |
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| Link: |
www.glenord.com |
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| Glenmorangie |
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Glenmorangie distillery.
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| Comments: |
Though not as well known in the US as some other single malts, Glenmorangie is the biggest selling single malt in Scotland. Known as McDonald and Muir until 1996, the name of the parent company is now officially Glenmorangie plc. Glenmorangie plc also owns Glen Moray and Ardbeg distilleries.
One of the most often mispronounced distillery names. This whisky is so widely distributed, I've heard the name mangled in every corner of the world. The correct pronunciation rhymes with the citrus fruit, "orangey".
The distillery places a great amount of importance on the barrels that it uses. Glenmorangie oversees the selection of oak trees in the Ozarks of Missouri and the manufacturing of the barrels. The barrels are then loaned to the Heaven Hill Bourbon distillery until reclaimed by Glenmorangie. In addition to the attention given to the use of Bourbon barrels, Glenmorangie has led the industry in the exploration of the use of a variety of wine casks for "finishing" their whiskies.
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
There is an exciting variety of excellent distillery releases.
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The 10-year-old (43 vol.) is a light gold with yellowy highlights. The nose has a slight spiciness mixed with a flowery sweetness and light toasty notes. The palate has a delicious combination of sweet malty/flowery notes mixed with a slight spiciness and a creamy, buttery flavor. The finish is spicy, slightly salty, and has a lingering creaminess. 79 |
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Recently a 15-year-old (43 vol.) has been added to the Glenmorangie line. Instead of finishing this release in wine casks, a different approach has been taken and the whisky in finished in new American oak barrels (rather than the traditional use oak barrels that have previously held bourbon). It has a more golden color than the 10-year-old, with bright orange highlights. The nose has an immediate oaky presence, seeming much older than its 15 years. There's a dry, dusty quality to the nose, along with hints of salt air and a bit of smoke. The palate is malty sweet, with notes of vanilla and cream as it transforms to a toasty dryness. The finish is long, dry, with notes of oak, spices, and salt. A delicious malt. 83 |
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The 18-year-old bottling (43 vol.) has a slightly darker, fuller gold color with reddish amber highlights. The nose is aromatic, with sherry notes (the release is finished in sherry casks), mixed with oaky, nutty notes. The palate has a creamy, buttery richness balanced by a complex spiciness. The finish is spicy, nutty, a little oaky, and hints of salt. 82 |
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| Wood Finishes: |
Over the past several years Glenmorangie has added a selection of 12-year-olds that have been finished in Sherry, Madeira, and Port wood casks. All are very enjoyable, but I highly recommend the Port Wood Finish. It is quite subtle, but the port adds an amazing smoothness to the whisky. It's a quiet, contemplative dram, perfect for winter evenings by the fire. 84
Fino Sherry Finish (43 vol.): has a very delicate nose with soft elements of both a fruitiness and dry oakiness with hints of sea air and smoke. The palate is at first dry and fruity, then a mild undercurrent of citric sharpness comes forward. The finish is long, moderately dry, and a bit oaky and salty. 88
A Claret Wood Finish as well as a Tain L'Hermitage (Rhone wine), have been released in very limited quantities. Recently, a limited edition 25-year-old Malaga Wood Finish has been released, as well as a Cote de Nuit Wood Finish.
My personal feelings are that while these various finishing flavors are interesting (and sometimes quite delicious), perhaps Glenmorangie and other distilleries are beginning to lose touch with the whisky buying public.
Remember, blended whiskies were created because it was believed that single malt whiskies were too strong for most consumers. The whisky was softened by adding product from different distilleries and by adding large quantities (up to 40%) of neutral grain spirits.
We have come to a point where there is now a worldwide fascination with single malts -- and inexplicably, many distilleries are endeavoring to again soften the flavor of whisky?
Perhaps it's time to return to bottling whiskies that focus on the character of the individual distilleries rather than the external additive flavors.
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| Special Bottlings: |
There are many special bottlings from Glenmorangie., a few are:
Cellar 13: Bottlings from first-fill bourbon casks that are matured in the cellar that is closest to the ocean.
Millennium Malt: A limited edition 12-year-old from first-fill Bourbon casks.
Traditional: A 10-year-old cask strength release (57.2 vol.).
Vintage: A selection of whiskies that are of varying ages, selected by the distillery manager for their extra special characteristics.
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
I haven't encountered any merchant bottlings. To my knowledge all of the output of the distillery is bottled as Glenmorangie single malts or goes into Glenmorangie plc blends. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Glenmorangie plc
Telephone: 01862-892-477
From the US: 011-44-1862-892-477
Tours: Visitor center with scheduled tours.
E-mail: visitors@glenmorangie.co.uk |
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| Link: |
www.glenmorangie.com |
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| Pulteney |
aka Old Pulteney |
| Distillery Bottlings: |
A very exquisite 12-year-old bottling is available in the US. The color is amber-gold with a stimulating, spicy nose that hints at sherry, vanilla, oak and salt. The body is slightly thick. The flavor is rich with a raw sugar sweetness, then earthy undertones and pleasant sea salt notes emerge. An unbelievable bargain -- as low as $25.00 in some places. 80 |
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A 15-year-old bottling is available in the UK but hasn't reached the US yet.
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
An 8-year-old Gordon and MacPhail bottling is currently available. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Inver House Distillers Ltd |
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| Link: |
www.inverhouse.com |
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| Teaninich |
| Comments: |
Founded in 1817, the distillery was expanded several times, and a new stillhouse constructed in 1970. Teaninich closed in the mid 80's but was reopened in 1991. |
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| Distillery Bottlings: |
A single malt wasn't bottled at Teaninich until 1992 when United Distillers released a 10-year-old in its Flora and Fauna line. It is not available in the US. |
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| Merchant Bottlings: |
A 12-year-old Cadenhead (1983-95, 61.6 vol.), has a white wine color and an herbal nose with a fruity sweetness and some smoke. The palate is sweet and clean, with some smoky notes. The finish is light and soft, with a lingering sweetness. 78 |
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A 18-year-old (55.3 vol.) from D&M Liquors is currently available. Details to come. |
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| Information: |
Ownership: Diageo
Telephone: 01349-885001
From the US: 011-44-1349-885001
No visitors. |
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