Balblair
Region: Highlands
District: Northern

The original Balblair Distillery was built in 1790 and claims to be the second oldest distillery in Scotland. It is located about five or six miles from Tain on the southern shores of Dornoch Firth. Many illicit distilling activities were conducted in this location forty or so years prior to Balblair's founding. The more than ample supply of choice "young" peat and excellent water supplies made the area ideal for smuggling (and Balblair) operations. In fact, the nearby village of Edderton is known as the "Parish of Peat." All of these factors contribute to the fast-maturing Balblair single malt.

5 year old

Proof 80
Color Light straw
Nose Aromatic. Sharp, with some sweetness and peat.
Body Light to medium.
Palate Some sweetness, peat and spice.
Finish Medium in length. Very light.

10 year old

Proof 80
Color Light amber
Nose A fruity aroma. Some sweetness and nuts.
Body Medium.
Palate Fruity. Some sweetness and light peat.
Finish Longer than the five-year-old. Some sweetness, becoming dry at the end.

Balmenach
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside

Although Balmenach Distillery was established in 1824, it has been available as a single malt, in official bottlings, only since 1991. It is located between Grantown-on-Spey and Bridge of Avon. It was closed during World War I and was utilized as a barracks for the Royal Corps of Signals during World War II. An interesting story has been handed down that shortly after the 1823 Excise Act passed, an excise officer visited farmer James McGregor's farm (present site of the Balmenach Distillery) and was given the usual Scottish hospitality, including several drams of his best illicit whisky. When asked by the excise officer what the structure with the mill-wheel was, McGregor informed him that it was a "peat shed." After several more drams, and as the office prepared to leave, he suggested to farmer McGregor that he "obtain a license for the peat shed." The astute farmer McGregor did just that.

12 year old

Proof 86
Color Full amber
Nose Full, with sherry, honey and floral notes.
Body Medium to full.
Palate Ample sherry, with honey and some spicy notes.
Finish Long, round and some sweetness

The Balvenie
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside (Dufftown)

The Balvenie Distillery is most unique. It grows its own barley, still does its own floor maltings, has its own cooper to maintain the barrels in which its whisky is matured and has its own coppersmith to take care of its stills. Balvenie Distillery was founded in 1892 near the ruins of the fourteenth-century castle by the same name. It is also located next to the famous Glenfiddich Distillery and, in fact, shares the same malt supply and water source. That is where the similarities end, because the whiskies are completely different in character.

10 year old, Founder's Reserve

Proof 86
Color Medium golden-dark straw
Nose Rich, full with some fruitiness. Light to medium sweetness and quite mellow, with some smokiness.
Body Full
Palate Smooth, medium-dry, with some malt and a trace of honey and oak. The sherry comes through to a slight degree.
Finish Maintains a medium, but rich, aftertaste with the light sherry notes persisiting.

12 year old, Double Wood

Proof 86
Color Medium gold or amber
Nose The sherry comes through due to the second
Body Full
Palate Mellow, rich and smooth. An interesting complexity that will make you pay attention to detail as you taste this very unique malt
Finish Warming. Long-lasting, with the complexity still getting one's attention. The sherry is evident, with a most interesting fullne

15 year old, Single Barrel, cask #8797

Proof 101
Color Medium gold
Nose Mellow, with noticeably more fullness. Some sweetness and a little smoke.
Body Full and rich
Palate Full, rich flavor. Very smooth and round. Medium-sweet, with some oak in evidence. Malty-sweetness comes through, also.
Finish Long and full.

21 year old

Proof 86
Color Golden amber
Nose Some cereal notes at first with the hint of port coming through a bit later. Quite full.
Body Full and rich
Palate Full and somewhat assertive. With some patience, a complexity of flavors will be forthcoming. Some fruit, slight sweetness and
Finish Long and lingering. Somewhat dry with some oak present.

Banff
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside

Banff Distillery is, regretably, no longer in existence. It was completely dismantled in 1983 and the entire whisky inventory of the distillery was sold, presumably to the blending trade. Fortunately, some of the casks were released to the independent bottlers, which enabled the single malt connoisseur to experience this, soon to be extinct, whisky in its original state. Banff Distillery was founded in 1824 by James Mckilligan and Company. It was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1877. As were some other Scottish distilleries, the Banff facilities were utilized by soldiers as billets during World War II. As pertains to "security", however, this was of no help as a lone German aircraft bombed the distillery warehouse and it was burned to the ground. A story in the local Banffshire Journal stated that "thousands of gallons of whisky were lost, either by burning or running to waste over the land." The highly detailed article by the apparant eyewitness reporter stated that "even the farm animals grazing in the neighbourhood became visibly intoxicated." Even the cows, it was said, could not be milked because they could not stand up and many ducks and geese in the nearby ponds and waterways were killed from alcohol overdose.

Banff

Proof 80
Color Medium to full gold
Nose Peat and smoke, with some oil.
Body Medium.
Palate Slight sweetness, becoming dry. Some smoke and a trace of spice.
Finish Medium in length. Some sweetness and spice.

Ben Nevis
Region: Highlands
District: Western

Ben Nevis Distillery is located about two miles north of Ft. William at the foot of the tallest mountain in Scotland. Ben Nevis Mountain stands 4,409 feet tall and from its summit one can view every mountain peak in the Western Highlands. It was founded in 1825 by "Long John" MacDonald, a well-known individual in the whisky industry at that time. Like many distilleries, it has had a very "erratic" history. One owner, a Canadian who had benefited financially during U.S. Prohibition with his illegal activities, operated an "American style" cattle ranch, complete with Stetson, spurs and chap-wearing cowboys. The distillery is now owned by Nikka of Japan and its whisky is becoming more widely available.

21 year old

Proof 111.2
Color Full amber
Nose Some sweetness and peat.
Body Full.
Palate Full and rich. Lots of malt and peat. A trace of sweetness and wood.
Finish Quite long, with some peat, smoke and spice.

Benriach
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside

The founders of Benriach Distillery could not have selected a worse time to build a distillery. Established in 1897 or 1898, the whisky recession was but a couple of years away. It closed operations in 1900, not to open again until 1965 when it was practically rebuilt by The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd. In 1985, it was enlarged to four stills. Its product is highly regarded by the blenders and has been available as an "official" single malt bottling only since 1994.

10 year old

Proof 86
Color Pale, straw-like gold
Nose Floral, fruit and honey, with notes of peat and malt.
Body Light.
Palate Medium dry, with cereal notes and a hint of spice.
Finish Medium in length. The floral notes come through again.

Benrinnes
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside

The Benrinnes Distillery gets its name from the 2,759 foot Benrinnes Mountain that rises above the mountain range that overlooks eastern Speyside. The distillery rests on its northern slopes. The exact date of the beginnings of Benrinnes Distillery is somewhat vague. A reference is made in 1826 when Peter Mackenzie was recorded as the licensed distiller. Major reconstruction was undertaken in the 1950's and the stills were increased from three to six in 1966. A "form" of triple distillation is practiced at Benrinnes.

15 year old

Proof 86
Color Light amber-brown
Nose Medium, with some light sherry, floral notes and smoke.
Body Medium.
Palate Well-rounded, with some sweetness, smoke and vanilla.
Finish Medium in length. Some honey sweetness and smoke.

Benromach
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside

Benromach was founded in 1898 and is located to the north of Forres, but was barely able to get into production before it was closed due to financial difficulties. It did manage to produce from 1909 until the war and has had several owners since. Its

has been available only through independent bottlers. It was purchased in 1992 by Gordon and McPhail and is expected to re-open at any time.

Proof 80
Color Medium amber
Nose Full. Floral and sherry notes.
Body Medium. Smooth.
Palate Some sweetness, with wood and sherry aplenty.
Finish Hint of sweetness with some smoke.

Bladnoch
Region: Lowlands
District: Borders

Scotland’s most southerly distillery nestles on the green banks of the River Bladnoch, from which it takes its name. Located in this beautifully remote area of Galloway, the distillery has been producing the “Spirit of the Lowlands” since 1817. The cluster of slate roofed stone buildings hold the promise of sights and smells that have enticed visitors to Scotland for many years.

Wander through warehouses steeped in the atmosphere of sleeping whisky. Experience the noise and steam of the Mash House. Inhale the heady vapours of the Tun Room. Soaring copper stills await you as you enter the Still House to watch the spirit flow like liquid crystal through the spirit safe. Meander through the distillery gardens and make your way to the Dramming Room to enjoy a dram of Bladnoch’s finest single malt whisky and appreciate our little corner of heaven here in Galloway.

There is also an extensive collection of Bladnoch Single Malt - including miniatures - on sale in the distillery shop.

Tours around the distillery are taken hourly and the Distillery is open Monday - Friday 9am - 5 pm

10 year old

Proof 86
Color Straw-like amber.
Nose Medium to full with some fruity and floral notes.
Body Medium-bodied
Palate Medium with some fruity sweetness. Some slight malty, citrus and spice overtones.
Finish Quite short in length with a trace of citrus and light sweetness.

Blair Athol
Region: Highlands
District: Midland

Blair Athol Distillery was originally founded about 1798. The present distillery, which is located near Pitlochry, off Highway A9, about eleven miles south of the town of Blair Atholl (spelled with two l's), was established in 1826. Closed shortly thereafter in 1832, with extensive reconstruction in the interim, it did not commence production again until 1949. It doubled its production capacity to four stills in 1973. The entire area around Pitlochry was once a thriving whisky production center of activity with over thirty distilleries in production at one time. The water quality of Allt Dour Burn has a great reputation for quality that was publically praised by none other than Alfred Barnard in 1887 in his book "The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom." Blair Athol is an excellent stop for the tourist. It has an excellent Visitors Center with a very educational media program that is part of the educational tour provided visitors.

12 year old

Proof 86
Color Light amber
Nose Medium to full. Fresh, or sharp, with some light smokiness.
Body Medium to full.
Palate Smooth, with some sweetness, spice and smoky notes.
Finish Medium in length, with some smoke, slight sweetness and spice.

Bowmore
Region: Islay
District: Loch Indaal

Bowmore Distillery has been nestled on the shoreline of Loch Indaal for over 200 years in the village by the same name. It was founded in 1779 by a local merchant by the name of John Simpson. Every town that has a distillery should be so fortunate as to have the relationship that Bowmore Distillery has with its host village, Bowmore. I have been told that the local townfolk have been known to wander into the stillhouse to warm themselves on some of those bone-chilling winter days that Bowmore can have. If they know you're coming, they just may have your national flag flying on the third flagpole beside the Scotland and United Kingdom flags. Bowmore is at the forefront with practical innovations that benefit the distillery and the community. Its heat recycling system has significantly reduced their reliance on peat. The "waste heat" is used to heat the village's swimming pool, which is located adjacent to the distillery complex, about one city block from the village center. In addition, all waste products are recycled into nutritious cattle feed and fertilizers. At any given time, Bowmore can offer at least six or seven single malts. They generally fall somewhere between the intense malts for which Islay is famous and the more subtle malts of northern Islay. With their variety, there may be one for most any palate.

10 year old

Proof 86
Color Medium amber.
Nose Light sherry. Trace of spice- maybe some salt.
Body Medium.
Palate Slightly sweet with some heather, smoke and spice.
Finish Quite long with some smoke and a trace of salt.

17 year old

Proof 86
Color Full amber
Nose Full and well-balanced, with some smoke and mild sweetness.
Body Full
Palate Complex, with peat, some sweetness, salt and citrus notes.
Finish Lingering, with a light touch of smoke and sweetness.

21 year old

Proof 86
Color Full amber
Nose Full, aromatic, and well-balanced, with some smoke, wood, seaweed and sherry.
Body Full and rich
Palate Complex, with sherry, nuts, salt and slight oiliness.
Finish Warming and lingering, with a light touch of smoke and sweetness.

25 year old

Proof 86
Color Dark amber
Nose Full and fragrant. Lots of sherry and some peat.
Body Full
Palate Lots of sherry. Quite warm, with some peat, wood and salt.
Finish Warming and lingering, with a light touch of smoke and sweetness.

Legend

Proof 80
Color Light amber
Nose Quite full. Youthful, with some pungency.
Body Light to medium
Palate Fresh, with some smoke. Dry, but rich, with some pungency and sweetness.
Finish Long. Some perfume and smoke.

Braes of Glenlivet
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside

Braes of Glenlivet, with its "church-like" architecture, is a relative newcomer having been built as recently as 1974. It is located near the community of Chapeltown, not far from Dufftown, in the heart of Speyside. Utilizing the most modern technology, all of the production was used for blending, primarily for Chivas, until recently when some bottlings showed up in independent bottlings, most notably Cadenhead and Signatory. It has been reported that this whisky is to be renamed "Breval" to avoid consumer confusion with "The Glenlivet. Watch for it.

15 year old

Proof 86
Color Dark amber
Nose Perfumy, full, and a trace of peat and spice.
Body Full and smooth.
Palate Full. Quite round and smooth, with some sweetness and floral notes.
Finish Long and quite dry.

Brora
Region: Highlands
District: Northern

Brora is a "new" distillery in name only. Founded in 1819 as Clynelish Distillery, it was given the name "Brora' in 1969. A new distillery was also built across the road by the same owners in 1967 and was given the name Clynelish. (It can, perhaps, get a wee bit confusing at this point for some of us). It seems, according to most of the literature, that after the "new Clynelish" was completed in 1968, the "old Clynelish" was returned to production in 1969, operating mainly out of the original, but rebuilt, mash-house. In 1975, the "old Clynelish" was re-opened under the name "Brora," but was again closed in 1983. So, in effect, the Brora one obtains could be whisky that was produced in the "old Clynelish" Distillery (here we go again) between 1975 and 1983. However, the Clynelish that we get could be whisky that was distilled in the "old Clynelish" Distillery before 1969 or after 1969 in the "new Clynelish." In spite of the historical confusion, the Clynelish and Brora single malts are well worth the "intellectual confusion." Depending on which bottling one samples, the tasting results can be dramatically different. Some of the independent bottlings by Cadenhead and the Rare Malts names are a special treat. The following descriptions are from an independent Rare Malts bottling of a Brora single malt and also an official Clynelish bottling of a Clynelish single malt.

22 year old, Single Malt (Rare Malt Bottling)

Proof 117.4
Color Medium Amber
Nose Full with heavy peat and smoke.
Body Full
Palate Full with some sweetness. Rich with obvious peat and a hint of spice.
Finish Very lengthy with spice and a sooty, burned peat character.

14 year old, Clynelish (Official Bottling)

Proof 86
Color Light gold
Nose A hint of the sea with some peat.
Body Medium with obvious oiliness.
Palate Cereal notes with spice, fruit and a trace of salt.
Finish Long and lingering with malt and spice. Perhaps a hint of salt.

Bruichladdich
Region: Islay
District: Loch Indaal

Bruichladdich Distillery was constructed in 1881 and was closed, unfortunately, at the beginning of 1995. It is an excellent introduction of an Islay malt to the novice due to the fact that it is a lighter and less peaty malt than one would normally expect of an Islay malt. The long-necked stills, spring water that is not exposed to so much peat in route to the distillery and the protection of its maturation facilities from the prevailing ocean breezes by the Rhinns of Islay Hills may account for some of the "abnormal" characteristics of this excellent Islay reprentative. Bruichladdich (pronounced Brew-ick-laddie) was one of the first to use concrete, which had only recently been granted a patent, in its construction. It was always an interesting distillery to visit because of the exceptionally old equipment, including an "ancient" rivited (as opposed to welded) still that was utilized and the traditional distilling techniques that were still in practice. With the recent increased interest in the single malt, it is most unfortunate that we may not have the pleasure of seeing this distillery in action.

10 year old

Proof 80
Color Light golden
Nose Abundantly floral, with some peat, salt and seaweed.
Body Medium and smooth.
Palate Assertive. Full, and more complex than one might expect. Some smoke and peat, with light oiliness present.
Finish Quite long, with all of the above adjectives having a part.

Bunnahabhain
Region: Islay
District: North Shore

Bunnahabhain (pronounced boon-a-hav-un) is sometimes referred to as "the Islay whisky without the Islay character." The abnormally light (for an Islay) whisky owes its character to the fact that the spring water is drawn before it runs "over and through" the well-known Islay malt. This quality is further enhanced by the distillery practice of taking only a very narrow cut from the second distillation. The distinctive oiliness of the Bunnahabhain malt is due to the short-necked stills utilized. It could be accurately said that Bunnahabhain was created from the geography upon which it resides. The entire area was very remote and desolate. Its founders quarried the stone for the buildings, constructed a road over a mile long and built a pier. From these beginnings the community, school and village hall grew up and around it. A most interesting story, indeed.

12 year old

Proof 80
Color Light golden
Nose Light and flowery. A hit of the sea is also present.
Body Light to medium, with some oiliness
Palate Smooth, with some sweetness and malt.
Finish Medium in length and full. Some oiliness is present.