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Highlands

The whiskies of the Highland region differ as much as the region itself.

Scotland’s largest whisky region in terms of land mass, Highland whiskies tend to be more complex and smoky then their Speyside counterparts. Many Highland whiskies are located on the coast and have briny marine characteristics like Oban and Old Pulteney while interior whiskies tend to be smoother and more floral.

Aberfeldy

If Cardu is the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker and Strathisla is the home of Chivas then Aberfeldy must be the home of the famous Dewar’s White Label Blend. This distillery was built by Tommy Dewar, the son of the famous John Dewar. Aberfeldy provides the backbone for popular White Label blended whisky (our Grandfather’s favorite). The majority of the whisky goes into blends but a small portion is bottled as a single malt. The 12 year old is a medium bodied fruity dram with honey notes. As the bottle indicates, Aberfeldy is ‘the heart of Dewar’s’.

Name Meaning: Taken from the town the distillery is located in
Established: 1896
Pronunciation: Aber fel dee
Region: Highlands
# of Stills: 4
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01887 822010
Location: Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2EB

Style
Fruity, honey notes, some spice

Range
12 year old
21 year old

www.dewars.com

Watch Aberfeldy's Brand Ambassador discuss the Aberfeldy range.

Aberfeldy
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Balblair

Balblair is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and was built in 1790 but records indicate that a distillery may have been onsite since 1749. The air where the distillery is located is said to be the purest in all of Scotland. Coming in from the North Sea the wind picks up a fresh sent as it passes through pine trees on the coast. One of Balbair’s warehouses was used as a canteen during World War II. A nice single malt that can be had at a reasonable price.

Established: 1790
Pronunciation: Bal Blair
Region: Highlands
# of Stills: 3
Tours: By appointment
Location: Edderton, Tain, Ross-shire, IV19 1LB

Style
Dry, light

Range
10 year old
Elements no age statement
16 year old
31 year old cask strength

www.inverhouse.com

Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis sites at the foot of the tallest mountain in Scotland and was established in 1825 by 'Long John McDonald' of Long John blended whisky fame. Ben Nevis is unique in that it distills its own grain whisky onsite for its own blend 'Dew of Ben Nevis'. Ben Nevis makes well rounded, complex single malt that is unfortunately tough to find.

Name Meaning: Taken from the of the tallest mountain in Scotland
Established: 1825
Pronunciation: Ben Nevis
Region: Highlands
# of Stills: 6 (2 are Coffey stills used for producing grain whisky)
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01397 702476
Location: Locky Bridge, Fort William, PH33 6TJ

Style
Fruity, light peat, oily

Range
10 year old
Special Reserve Blend
Dew of Ben Nevis

www.bennevisdistillery.com

Ben Wyvis

A closed distillery that was only open from 1965 and 1977. The single malt is extremely rare and difficult to find. Ben Wyvis’ stills live on and are now part of the Glengyle distillery.

Gaelic Meaning: the terrible hill
Established: 1965
Pronunciation: Ben Wyviss
Region: Highlands
Tours: Closed / Silent Still
Phone: none
Location: Invergordon, Ross-shire, IV18 0HP

Style
Light, dry

Range
None from the distillery, try Signatory

Blair Athol

Blair Athol is an elegant whisky that is unfortunately difficult to find in the States. The distillery was built in 1798 and is one of the most beautiful distilleries in Scotland with its ivy coated walls. Blair Athol is a big component of the Bell’s blend which is the largest selling blend in the UK. The 12 year old Flora Fauna is a medium bodied fruity dram that is heavy on the sherry. We liked this smooth and balanced whiskey very much. You just can’t go wrong with anything from the Flora Fauna line.

Gaelic Meaning: Taken from the village of Blair Atholl
Established: 1798
Pronunciation: Blair Ath oll
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 4
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01796 482003
Location: Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5LY

Style
Fruity, sweet

Range
12 year old Flora Fauna
27 year old Rare Malts line

www.malts.com

Brora

Brora was originally built in 1819 by the Duke of Sutherland. The distillery was known as Clynelish until the present Clynelish distillery was built next door in 1967. The distillery was renamed Brora (Clynelish A for a time) until sadly the distillery closed in 1983. The stills remain at the distillery so hopefully the distillery will one day reopen. Brora was unique in that it was a heavily peated malt, more so than virtually any other Scottish mainland whisky. Brora is nothing like its neighbor Chynelish in the appearance of the distillery or the whisky it once produced. Brora should become very popular with collectors so it may be wise to obtain a bottle now.

Established: 1819 (known as Clynelish until 1967)
Region: Highlands
# of stills: Closed Silent Still / Stills remain
Tours: Closed
Phone: None
Location: Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6LR

Style
Firm, chewy, peaty

Range
30 year old (rare & released in 4 different bottlings)
Can be found in several independent bottlings

www.malts.com

Clynelish

A very modern distillery that lacks the charm found in older more traditional distilleries. Clynelish has a floor to ceiling glass front and is the last active distillery in Sutherland. The current distillery was built in 1967 next to the original Clynelish distillery that is now known as Brora and dates back to 1819. Clynelish is part of the Diageo family and the majority of the spirit goes into blends. The 14 year old is available in the States and can be found for a reasonable price. It’s a nice creamy sweet dram with a great long dry finish, we liked it. Diageo has started to promote the single malt similarly to what they’ve done with Caol Ila, on the fringe for now but ready to take on a bigger role.

Established: 1967
Pronunciation: Kline leash
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 6
Tours: By appointment
Phone: 01408 623003
Location: Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6LR

Style
Dried fruit, spicy

Range
14 year old
23 year old Rare malts

www.malts.com

Dalmore

Dalmore has grown increasingly popular in the states and holds the title for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold (£25,877.50 at Auction). Built in 1839, Dalmore was used by the American Army in the First World War to produce mines. Dalmore’s 12 year old is available at a very reasonable price, considering the complexity and character of the malt it’s a best buy. Dalmore’s older expressions are exceptional, the 21 is smooth and elegant and the 28 year old is one of our favorites.

Established: 1967
Pronunciation: Dal Moor
Region: Highlands
# of stills: XX
Tours: By appointment
Phone: 01408 623003
Location: Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6LR

Style
Dried fruit, spicy

Range
12 year old
Cigar Malt no age statement
21 year old
28 year old Stillman’s Dram

www.thedalmore.com

Richard Paterson Master Blender
The Dalmore
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Dalwhinnie

Dalwhnnie gained a great deal of notoriety by being included in Diageo’s Classic Malt line as their Highland representative. Dalwhinnie is a light gentle whiskey that’s a great choice for the beginner or for those that are turned off by heavy Island malts. The recent Distiller’s addition added some punch and has a good deal more character then the normal 15 year old. It’s an isolated distillery located in a sparsely populated area and was built in 1897 by Alexander Mackenzie. Dalwhinnie is also Scotland's highest distillery with an elevation of 1,073 feet. Even with its remote location, the distillery still draws over 30,000 visitors per year.

Gaelic Meaning: Meeting Place
Established: 1897
Pronunciation: Dal whin ee
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 2
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01540 672219
Location: Dalwhinnie, Inverness-shire, PH19 1AB

Style
Floral, light peat

Range
14 year old
Distiller’s addition
29 year old

www.malts.com

Deanston

Deanston is a fairly new distillery that was converted from a mill in 1965. Although a Highland malt, Deanston is more in the Lowland style and lies just north of the ‘Highland line’ that separates the Lowland and Highland regions. Pale gold in color the twelve year old has a young grassy nose but its body and finish are excellent. Deanston can be found in the US for a very reasonable price and we highly recommend their twelve and seventeen year old expressions. Closed for much of the 80s the still fired up once again when Burn Stewart bought the distillery in 1991. Deanston is also a component in the Scottish Leader and Black Bottle blends that are produced by Burn Stewart.

Established: 1965
Pronunciation: Dean Ston
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 4
Tours: Not open to the public
Phone: 01786 841422
Location: Deanston, Perthshire, FK16 6AG

Style
Light, grassy

Range
12 year old
17 year old

www.burnstewartdistillers.com/deanstondistillery.htm

Edradour

Every whisky lover should be required to own a bottle of Edradour just to help support the values and ideals that made Scotch whisky so popular today. Scotland’s smallest distillery with only 3 whisky producing employees, Edradour is a throw back to the small farm operated distilleries of the past. The distillery is now owned by the independent bottler Signatory who has increased Edradour’s bottling range from one to several. This distillery has the potential to become very popular over the next several years.

Established: 1825
Pronunciation: Edra Dower
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 2
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01796 472095
Location: Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5JP

Style
Spicy, nutty

Range
10 year old
11 year old cask strength
1992 unchillfiltered

www.edradour.co.uk

Fettercairn

Fettercairn is a component of the Whyte and Mackay blend but can also be found as a single malt. An easy drinking whisky, Fettercairn is bottled under the ‘Old Fettercairn’ label. Currently owned by Whyte and Mackay, the Fettercairn was founded in 1824 and operates 4 stills. The distillery was at one time owned by Sir John Gladstone the father of William Ewart Gladstone who served 4 terms as Prime Minister. As Prime Minister, Gladstone abolished the dreaded malt whisky tax.

Established: 1824
Pronunciation: Fetter Caren
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 4
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01561 340244
Location: Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, AB30 1YE

Style
Spicy, nutty

Range
12 year old
15 year old cask strength
30 year old Stillman’s Dram

www.whyteandmackay.co.uk

Glen Albyn

Glen Albyn had an on and off again existence since it opened in 1846. The distillery was eventually closed in 1983 and can still be found in independent bottlings.

Established: 1846
Region: Highlands
Tours: Closed / No longer stands
Phone: none
Former Location: Inverness, Inverness-shire, IV3 5LD

Style
Light, Citrus

Range
None form the distillery but try Gordon & MacPhail

www.gordonandmacphail.com

Glenlochy

Glenlochy is distillery that didn’t survive the down turn in scotch consumption of the early 1980’s. The distillery was closed in 1983 and can be found in independent bottlings.

Established: 1898
Region: Highlands
Tours: Closed / No longer stands
Phone: none
Former Location: Inverness, Inverness-shire, IV3 5LD

Style
Fruity, light peat

Range
25 year old Rare Malts

Glencadam

Glencadam makes a rich nutty whisky that is a favorite of ours. Founded in 1825 the distillery is not widely known in the states. Much of the distilleries output goes into the Cream of the Barley blend and Ballentines. The distillery was mothballed in 2000 but was recently purchased by the independent whisky firm Angus Dundee.

Established: 1825
Pronunciation: Glen Cadam
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 2
Tours: By appointment
Phone: 01356 622217
Location: Brechin, Angus, DD9 7PA

Style
Nutty, creamy

Range
15 year old

www.glencadam.com (site not yet built)

www.angusdundee.com

Glen Deveron

Although, the distillery is named Macduff, the whisky is named Deveron after the River Deveron that supplies cooling water to distillery. Independent bottlers still use the Macduff name. The distillery which is owned by John Dewars and Sons, was built to the east of Banff in 1963 and operate 2 wash stills and 3 spirit stills. Glen Deveron is used in the Scottish Gold blends and William Lawson’s Finest Scotch Whiskey.

Meaning of the Name: From the River Deveron
Established: 1963
Pronunciation: Glen Dev er en
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 5
Tours: Not open to the public
Phone: 01261 812612
Location: Banff, Banffshire, AB45 3JT

Style
Sweet, malty

Range
10 year old

Glen Esk

Founded in 1898 on the River Esk, the Glen Esk distillery is also known by the name of Hillside. The distillery contributed greatly to the VAT 69 blend before closing in 1985.

Established: 1898
Region: Highlands
Tours: Closed / No longer stands
Phone: none
Former Location: Hillside, Montrose, Angus, DD10 9EP

Style
Light, dry

Range
25 year old Rare Malts

Glen Garioch

An old distillery that was founded in 1797, Glen Garioch is very under appreciated in the States. The ten year old can be had for under $20 and is a great dram. Light smoke on the finish, the whisky taste like it should cost much more. At least for now, one of the best values you’ll find. The smoky peatiness of Glen Garioch makes it unique to the typical Highland whisky. Glen Garioch used to do their own floor maltings but discontinued the process in 1997.

Meaning of the Name: From the valley of Garioch
Established: 1797
Pronunciation: Glen Gear ee
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 3
Tours: Not open to the public
Phone: 01651 873450
Location: Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 0ES

Style
Light smoke, floral

Range
8 year old
10 year old
12 year old
15 year old
18 year old cask strength
21 year old
27 year old
1986 individual cask bottled

www.glengarioch.co.uk

www.morrisonbowmore.com

Glen Grant

Glen Grant was founded in 1840 by John and James Grant and is currently owned by Chivas. Glen Grant is one of the largest selling malt whiskies in the world. Not only is Glen Grant a large selling single malt, it’s used in a number of blends including Chivas. The five year old expression is hugely popular in Italy but we didn’t like it at all during a recent tasting. Almost clear in color the five year old is tough stuff and taste like it wasn’t aged at all. Duncan and Taylor offers a 34 year old Glen Grant that is tremendous and one of our favorites. It’s pricy at about $200.00 a bottle but well worth it.

Meaning of the Name: Named after the distilleries founding family
Established: 1840
Pronunciation: Glen Grant
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 8
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01340 832118
Location: Rothes, Morayshire, AB38 7BS

Style
Sweet, nutty

Range
5 year old
Glen Grant (no age statement)
10 year old
Also offered in numerous bottlings from Gordon & MacPhail

www.chivas.com

www.gordonandmacphail.com

Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie is most famous for its unique wood finishes that other distilleries have quickly copied. Glenmorangie offers several wood finishes that are in wide release besides the typical sherry which are port, burgundy, and medeira. The distilleries expressions aged entirely in oak tend to be very spirity due to the old growth tight grain wood that is used. The distillery was established in 1849 by William Mathieson and currently operates the tallest stills in Scotland. The tall stills and tight grain bourbon barrels that are used produces a sophisticated dram that has an untamed character. Glenmorangie is a huge seller in Scotland and the distilleries wood finished whiskies have become very popular Stateside.

Gaelic Meaning: the Glen of tranquility
Established: 1849
Pronunciation: Glen Mor angie
Region: Highlands
# of stills: 8
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01862 892477
Location: Tain, Ross-shire, IV19 1PZ

Style
Light, whiney

Range
10 year old / $30 to $45
15 year old / $65 to $80 | Tasting Note of the Week 4/15/07
18 year old / $100 to $125
30 year old / $250 to $300
Port Wood / $50 to $65
Madeira Wood / $50 to $65
Sherry Wood / $50 to $65
Burgundy Wood / $50 to $65

www.glenmorangie.com

November 2007 Journey of the Month

Watch David Blackmore discuss the Glenmorangie range.

Click Here to Watch

Dr Bill Lumsden
Glenmorangie

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Glenugie

Officially established in 1873, Glenugie dates back to as early as 1830. Glenugie was converted into a brewery in 1837 but converted back to a distillery in 1873. Glenurgie was a coastal distillery that has an assertive but floral character. The whisky has become very collectible due to its lack of availability and assertive nature.

Meaning of the name: named after the Ugie River
Established: 1873
Pronunciation: Glen ugee
Region: Highlands
# of stills: Silent still
Tours: Closed in 1983/ Demolished
Phone: None
Location: Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, AB42 OXY

Style
Full, floral

Range
Closed distillery, try Signatory

http://www.whiskyguild.com/whisky_distillerys_silent_stills.htm

Glen Ord

Established in 1838, Glen Ord is located just south of Inverness at Muir of Ord and is now owned by Diageo. The distillery also is located by the ‘Black Isle’ which know for growing exceptional barley. Glen Ord had their own floor maltings until 1961 then it was converted into a Saladin Box malting that supplied the distillery until 1984. The distillery is now supplied by the company owned mechanical maltings at Muir of Ord. The majority of Glen Ord goes into blends but is now be readily available as a single malt.

Gaelic Meaning: the moor next to the hill
Established: 1838
Pronunciation: Glen Orrd
Region: Highlands
# of stills: xx
Tours: Open to the public
Phone: 01463 872004
Location: Muir of Ord, Ross-shire, IV6 7UJ

Style
Full, spicy

Range
12 year old / $45 to $55
28 year old / $250 to $300

www.malts.com

Glenury Royal

Founded by Captain Robert Barclay in 1833, the distillery was granted the right to use the Royal suffix by King George IV. Unfortunately the distillery was closed in 1985. Glenury is now a collector’s item and has become increasing hard to find.

Meaning of the name: Named after the Ury Glen
Established: 1833
Pronunciation: Glen Uree
Region: Highlands
# of stills: Closed / Silent Still
Tours: Demolished
Phone: None
Location: Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, AB3 2PY

Style
Fruity, Nutty

Range
Try Diageo’s Rare Malts line
Binny’s has a rare Duncan and Taylor bottling in the $100 to $150 range

www.binnys.com

http://www.whiskyguild.com/whisky_distillerys_silent_stills.htm

Glenturret