Other Things

Tullamore DEW Tweet Tasting

Wednesday March 7th saw a group of avid whisky fans take part in a tweet tasting with Steve Rush @TheWhiskyWire and @TullamoreDEW

From their website… “Tullamore D.E.W. is the original triple distilled, triple blend whiskey. Known the world over for its smooth and gentle complexity. Tullamore D.E.W. is named after Daniel E. Williams, the man who decided that true craft could only come from the True Character and insisted that his whiskey was made accordingly.” A tale of character.

And I love the quote too:

“SUCCESS COMES NOT TO THOSE WHO DESIRE IT MOST, BUT TO THOSE WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND FEEL COMPELLED TO CREATE”

So what treats were we about to partake in? The line up was as follows: XO Rum Cask, 14 year old, 18 year old and the Original.

The rum Cask XO was sweet with a bit of caramel and vanilla and a twist of citrus. The palate was sweet, but dark with treacle toffee. The finish was delicious with vanilla and spices.

We then moved onto the 14 year old. Initially pear drops but as it’s opening it’s turning towards warm apple cake with lovely caramel and sweetness. Very soft on the nose. I then detected a sort of hot chocolate powder too (before you add milk) then that hint of pear comes back. Well we all love a nice pear…don’t we? It had quite a light mouthfeel. Plenty of vanilla and still some fruity flavours. Smooth.

Add another four years and we then sampled the 18 year old, fruity and juicy. I’m thinking galia melon. Vanilla and a lovely almost talc like softness. Letting it open further, there was a nice caramel and a soft fleeting hint of worn / warm leather. Hmm I’m enjoying nosing this…

It has a nice rich feel on the mouth. It’s just teasing enough to make your mouth water a little…always a plus point with me. The fruit flavours remain with lovely woody flavours. A little pepper too.

The last dram of the evening was the Original, this is triple ditilled in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. This was very light on the nose as opposed to the others…caramel and vanilla a fresh scent on the nose.

The palate is delivering some spice and fruit now (cherry tunes?)

At this point I had to duck out, but what an interesting journey into Tullamore DEW.

I think my order of preference was: 14/18 then the Original/XO rum cask. Another insight into Irish whiskey that was fab!

Another lovely evening in the company of friends all delighting in this journey of whisky…

Thanks for the opportunity Steve and Tullamore 🙂

A Trip to Speyside

Sunday saw me taking a trip to Speyside…well it’s the right thing to do when it’s on your doorstep surely?

It really was a gorgeous sunny day and I doubt I’ll ever tire of the stunning views that greet you, as well as on the drive there.

It was supposed to be a quick bite of lunch, however if you have the chance to visit the visitor centres too, then this is also a must…

So, the first stop was at Glenfiddich (going back always makes me smile…) and they probably have the best ladies toilets…that Noble Isle whisky & water hand-soap is simply amazing too. I just love that fragrance.

Lunch was delicious, Cullen Skink (yet I like it more than it likes me (it’s a dairy thing)) however it was lovely. I’d toyed with a dram, but lunch appeared to be a hurried event.

I then went to browse around the visitor centre, glassware, frames, scarves and most importantly whisky. After having a little nose of the bottle your own Glenfiddich 15 year old, I decided to buy one. I always love the experience of being able to do something a little different…a little more special. These are the moments I recall…

So whisky safely stashed in the car it was time for a trip to Aberlour.

I’ll be honest, I was a little disappointed and will say I was a little lost for words when I found out I was unable to purchase the bottles I had gone there to buy…and I really do hope they have a change of heart. To me, the opportunity of buying a distillery own bottling is a pleasure…a treat, something special. But I do still love Aberlour as I left with a bottle of the A’bunadh Batch 60 (after having been offered a little taste.)

I must send them a box of Aberlour A’bunadh fudge… well without them it wouldn’t be possible.

Five minutes later saw a drive by visit to Glenfarclas, another favourite of mine. I’ll go back soon (when it’s open.)

Then it was time for home…but first a pit stop at the Malt Barn at Glenfiddich for coffee (and a dram for me…)

I opted for The Balvenie Single Cask 15 year old which was a tad sharp on the nose, but a lovely palate. I’d perused the whisky menu over lunch, and I’d said there were a few I’d really want to try, but I think they’d need to leave me the keys and see me in the morning… Real fire, sofa, whisky…and time. Perfect.

Well I can dream.

I popped into a shop on the way home, looking for something entirely different but left with a bottle of Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask finish.

Then it was time for home, bottles and a couple of new glasses in tow.

The Last Day of the Year

Well here it is, the last day of the year. What a year… And I’ve got to say, it’s been a good ‘un. It’s been a whisky fuelled one, and I’m not talking consumption… though a few drops might have passed my lips…

From my first trip away in January (to York), right through to a busy December, it’s been a smile inducing year.

I’ve met lots of new people and I’ve had the opportunity to laugh with them. I’ve bitten the bullet at times, and I’ve conquered a bit of my shyness…(I’m sure we all have ooh heck moments in certain situations.)

Just gotta remember we all have that one passion…whisky.

Whether you are fortunate enough to work in the industry or are just a humble bystander (like me), the common denominator is whisky.

I think what I’m saying is “embrace the moments that make you shine & smile…” speak about your passion in whatever way feels right for you. Speak honestly and openly. Not all will agree, but someone somewhere will. We are all different, but in some situations the words just hit home…

Just be kind. Be down to earth. Be honest and open.

And feel free to buy some whisky fudge 😊🥃😋😘

And on that note…I’ll hush up.

Just a few thanks to the following for making 2017 a memorable year:

Dave W, Tom T, Jon, Adrian, Steve P, Steve R, Graham & Faye. The lovely Amanda and Eddie (TWL), and the hardworking Whisky Lounge posse (you know who you all are.) Jeanine, Jo, George K and Geordie. Billy Abbot, Colin Dunn (Colin; I hope we can catch up next year) and David Sinclair. Wim and Femke for reminding me of the Motherland (it’s a Dutch thang.) Sorren (ocdwhisky), Abbie & Chris (Cooper King.) Andy & Stu (TIMD.) Rob B. Percy. Oh and Elton too. Nichola & John. Martin and Anna. David & Wendy (WT.)

And new friends across the world too. Thank you.

And that’s a wrap… have a nice little something tonight, because there’s a New Year coming and it’s going to be a good one.

Slàinte

Sarah x x

Inside the Bottle: A Year of Smiles (and Whisky)

Well as another year draws to a close and we eagerly await 2018 and all the wonderful opportunities and moments that it will bring, it is time to have a little look back on this year…

And what a year!

I think I will do my review by month as I feel each month brought its own reward and experiences…and memories to look back on.

January saw me heading down to the Principal Hotel in York for the “Final Three Drams Live”. If you are not aware of what this was / is then Ben Bowers @adramaday is the man to look up, he reviewed 366 drams in 366 days and raised a staggering £7,000 for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (A Dram A Day Live Finale) whilst being a father / husband and working too!

It was a wonderfully fun night and the atmosphere was…well I guess the word is heartwarming to say the least. Whisky fans and whisky novices alike were there, Claxton’s Whisky were also there for the evening with Adrian and Sorren (ocdwhisky) pouring samples…Claxton’s had collaborated with Gauntleys of Nottingham to release a bottling with some of the proceeds going to two charities. Me? I brought whisky fudge to sell, and my trademark smile. I also had my first whisky discovery of the year. Yes, this was the Claxton’s Glenrothes 1997 – 19 year old Claxton’s Glenrothes 1997 – 19 Year Old It will always be a very special dram…

What happened in February? Well I guess this month was about iheartwhisky fudge. I already had my food training certification and was working on a logo. I had sketched up a design, and that with feedback from Twitter and a kind offer to draw up my design I was up and running with my wee heart floating in a dram. A logo was born and many thanks to John once more for the offer to assist me.

March was Newcastle Whisky festival and twitter tasting month with That Boutique-y Whisky Company where we enjoyed the Loch Lomond 19 year old, Secret Distillery #2 15 year old Batch 2, Mortlach 18 year old Batch 3, Glenrothes 25 year old, Batch 3 amd the Irish Single Malt #1 24 year old, Batch 1 That Boutique-y Whisky Company – Twitter Tasting. I really loved the Mortlach and the Glenrothes 🙂 The festival was good and as always it was nice to catch up with old friends Newcastle Whisky Festival

Ah…April and the official first batch of iheartwhisky fudge on the 7th April…this really does make me smile. A lot of hard work had gone into this, the checks and all the i dotting and t crossing done! What else? Ah yes, I buggered off to Bristol for the weekend for the Bristol Whisky Festival Bristol Whisky Festival This was to be an opportunity to meet some fellow tweeters and have a dram or two…I set off the day before the festival as for some strange reason Bristol is a total arse to get to. But thankfully the lovely Jo @alpacajo invited me to stay. It was a great day meeting new people and some that I had twittered with for a few years. Adrian being the oldest (in time) of those, then Jon and Chris (the Dram Team) and the lovely Colin Dunn and his megaphone antics. Of course there was the must-have Dave hug and the handing out of whisky fudge too! Then long chats in the pub or on the street with Jason B Standing and his now wife, apres the festival. A good day was had!

May was a chance to do a little something for charity. Bruichladdich were raising money for Marie Curie Scotland and a suggestion from a friend Sorren (ocdwhisky) to put my skills to good use (with support from Bruichladdich) I made Port Charlotte Scottish Barley (Heavily Peated) fudge and all the money (£200) raised was donated to the charity. I (we) also had a trip around the world with the Dram Team – Worldwide Whiskies, and the rather yummy Loch Lomond tweet tasting the Glen Scotia 25 year old was delicious Loch Lomond Tweet Tasting and the Balvenie one too 🙂 The Balvenie Tweet Tasting – The Craftsmen’s Dinner

June. The Other Side of the Table was the alternative title to the Edinburgh Whisky Festival blog I wrote… Edinburgh Whisky Festival I was off to sell my fudge at the Assembly Rooms on what was to be a swelteringly hot day! After the normal festival rituals had taken place – hugs from Dave and Paul and setting up my table it was time to dash off to meet another tweeter I had known for years but had never met, this was Tom. He let me try a lovely 25 year old Bunnahabhain and it tasted of sweet caramel and toffee with a deliciously smoky palate. I had the opportunity to meet Justine from Kask Whisky and Roy from Aqvavitae said hello too, Rob the Bruce was there and it really was fab to catch up with him.

Blair Bowman was there with his book and it was great to say thanks to him for signing my book! There were men in the street shouting “love your fudge” and also the gentleman towards the end of the day declaring “I love you – I’ll come back” and he did – all that from trying a piece of my fudge 🙂 and thankfully his wife smiled despite his declaration…

Afterwards we all went to the SMWS and I discovered another lovely whisky – namely Opera in Sequins 30.95 a 26 year old Glenrothes.

Hello July! July was Dramboree 5 and despite some hesitation on my behalf I decided to go ahead and buy a ticket and disappear for the weekend…armed with fudge and a bottle of Douglas Laing Old Particular Glenrothes 12 year old for the whisky table at the youth hostel. The group were to meet at the bus station in Edinburgh for the coach journey to Aviemore. Once I arrived in Edinburgh I met up with Jon, Jamie & Chris (2/3 of The Dram Team), Amy Seton and Tom (for a bonus dram.) It was a fantastic few days and hilarious at times too, and I am glad I swallowed my shyness and went for it Dramboree 5 – I blame Jon and The Dram Team

August was a quiet month, but I managed to get some blogs written under my “Inside the Bottle” theme…. Inside the Bottle – the Contents

September was festival month 🙂

First up was the Manchester Whisky Lounge Manchester Whisky Festival which segwayed nicely into Distilled 17… I was in Manchester for the Friday evening session and the Saturday early session. It was another good un, I met Greg from Great Drams and some other tweeter mates. Some lovely drams were sampled too! Yet, it was sadly too soon before I was being hugged and bidding “see you soon” before dashing off to the airport for a flight to Inverness. From Inverness it was a bus journey to Elgin for Distilled 17 Distilled 17 Had a wonderful tasting there with Graham Coull from Glen Moray Distillery to celebrate their 120th birthday celebrations and I sat alongside Andrew from Andrew’s Share. Oh and I was selling and delivering whisky fudge along the way.

London was my destination in the beginning of October for The Whisky Exchange Show The Whisky Exchange Show (TWE) I had secured a pass for the Trade Day on the Monday, but due to flight costs etc. travelled on the Sunday. It seemed the sensible thing to buy a ticket and go on the Sunday too… Thankfully I had Adrian, Jon and Steve Prentice to keep an eye on me. What’s the worst that could happen? Too much whisky? Me? I hardly touch it… Ha ha. Had a lovely little chat with Mark Gillespie from WhiskyCast where we had a fudge for Glencairn glass exchange and he interviewed me for his podcast (yes the one where I sound like a chipmunk on speed..) Met Emily Chappell 🙂 Oh and I had a hug and a chat with Charles MacLean… all photographic evidence has been destroyed 😉

Monday was fab too! the bloggers breakfast with Billy Abbott was fun! And it was nice putting faces to names again and let’s face it, whisky for breakfast is always a good idea! Glen Moray Iain and Emma were there at the event, and it was good seeing them both as well as friends from Dramboree 5 and new ones too! Fudge made an appearance once again…and I was handing out boxes with “nom nom…it’s all gone!!” in the bottom of them and this is bound to be lucrative for Sorren (ocdwhisky) and to note, Geordie owns the Twitter version 😂

We then enjoyed the rather delicious Happy 5th Boutique-y Birthday evening with Dave and some good friends…Happy 5th Birthday That Boutique-y Whisky Company

Then later in October I was off to York for the Yorkshire Whisky Festival and I was going to sell my fudge. I was really looking forward to this one, this was the first anniversary of attending festivals for me and it was York 2016 that did it for me… It was a fun day! It was also a bloody cold day…but some internal central heating was taken. Whisky.

Had some lovely drams, the Glen Moray 30 year old from Murray McDavid and also the Boutique-y Whisky Mortlach and a rather delicious sample of the Paul John Oloroso from Sorren’s personal bottle, and I am surprised he had time to stop as the stand had a really busy day! A Year of Festivals…and Friends I met the terrible twosome – Andy & Stu from This is My Dram and we sat and had a little chat about fudge and music and all that, and it was great to put faces to names, and I was recorded for a bit in their podcast. Lovely seeing friends again and sharing fudge and hugs and avoiding flying objects…and my absolutley gorgeous whisky tumbler was collected from David & Wendy. I love it! Especially with the 2017 hallmark “S”… Smiley Smoggy, Sarah.. Smiles… you get the drift! And of course the lovely and very hardworking Abbie & Chris from Cooper King Distillery – exciting times ahead for them and I wonder where in the world their still is at the moment?

November. Well I had a last minute “to hell with it moment…” as in a few days before the event I decided to go the the Birmingham Whisky Festival with the Whisky Lounge it was fab seeing lots of all friends and some newer ones too, all the lovely Whisky Lounge posse – Eddie, Gee, Guy, Vicky etc. etc. Jason B Standing and Ruaridh from Fentimans (he will forgive me one day.) Then I met Nichola and John from Newcastle who as they were leaving might have blamed me for their purchases from Whiskey Tumblers..ha ha! Birmingham Whisky Festival #SOS

And now it’s December and I was off to Glen Moray distillery for their first Christmas Fair and it was a lovely day. Graham and Fay were the wonderful welcoming hosts. In fact the whole team were a lovely bunch. It was lovely seeing Jeanine and her hubby again too A Day at Glen Moray Distillery

My Glenfarclas Advent Calendar is keeping me busy throughout December, a dram a day means a little blog a day, and I like doing that. Can’t beat looking forward to finishing the day with a whisky in your hand 🙂

I must say a big thanks to Steve Rush for the times I have been chosen to partake in tweet tastings. I feel very very lucky and I really do appreciate the the opportunities and the experiences of more than a few new distilleries.

Thank you to all of you who have bought whisky fudge from me…I appreciate it so much and your pics and comments really do make me smile!

If you have made me smile this year, then thank you. I hope I gave the same to you also.

George – thank you for being a friend.

Whisky (life) should be fun, full of exploration, challenging tastes, sharing moments and light hearted banter and thankfully we have that – this is a journey…. and the odd hug will never ever go out of fashion 🙂

Big hugs – Sarah x x

A Day at Glen Moray Distillery

Well it wasn’t “just” a day at Glen Moray Distillery, it was a day at their first Christmas Fair…in the cooperage and yes I was delighted to have been invited up to it.

I was going up to sell and chat about my whisky fudge, seeing as I make it, and if you didn’t know that already, then where have you been?! I had made the following: Glen Moray Elgin Classic Sherry Cask Finish, Glenfiddich 12 year old, Laphroaig 10 year old #009, Caol Ila 12 year old, Aberlour A’bunadh Batch 57, and GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 5 or 6.4kg of the above.

So early-ish on Saturday morning (after sleeping in) I boarded the train to Elgin full of eager anticipation for the day ahead. A lovely journey on the train passing a fair amount of distilleries on the way…gotta love living in Scotland 🙂

Upon arriving at the distillery I was dropped off at the cooperage and I went to find my table to set up. I met and chatted with fellow stall holders (a lady who made yummy scented candles and the Rotary Club to my right.) I then popped round to the Spirit of Speyside stand to say hello and introduce myself to John Blyth – the new festival manager. I said hello to Graham and Fay as I went to get a coffee and a rather yummy pigs in blankets and cranberry combo… late brekky / brunch and bloody lovely! Drool!

Then the fair started.. What a setting! All adorned in festive decorations, with blues and golds and twinkling lights setting the scene for the day. The Angel’s Share hanging seductively in the air around the distillery…just wait, there are some delicious drams maturing.

I sold a lot of fudge and chatted and smiled the day away, I met the lady from Cairngorm Leaf and Bean and bought some Mountain Brew coffee. I also bought some of the latest Bottle Your Own from the distillery, this being the 2007 – 10 year old Port Finish (4 year finish) 57.1% abv. I think fate intervened as I realised I had bottle number 11 🙂 with bottle 12 being bought for a friend. Then another bottle to keep, the 1994 Sherry Cask Finish. You can hear a round the table tasting of it here…(click on the link) Podcast by This is My Dram. I have already had the pleasure of one bottle and this one will stay closed for now… and picked up the Marsala finish and Bordeaux finish paid samples too. I went to say hello to another face I recognised and who recognised me too, James Campbell – Chairman at the Spirit of Speyside Festival and had a lovely chat about..yes you guessed it, whisky! Hee hee. Who else? There was lovely Jeanine and her hubby and also Mr Distillery Bikes and his wife. Nice to see you all.

Then it was time to go and hear the choir sing carols and watch the Christmas lights being switched on. The local brass band and choir in perfect harmony.

I must add, that everyone who works at the distillery that I met were happy, funny and welcoming, so refreshing to see and so nice to be around for the day. A lot of local businesses enjoyed a wonderful day and so did everyone else, from very tiny babies to those of older years. A day for all.

So, I guess that all that’s left to say is this, there is a lovely distillery you MUST visit. It is in Elgin. It is the Glen Moray Distillery. They have some absolutely wonderful whiskies for you to fall in love with…

Sarah 🙂

A Year of Festivals…and Friends

Today I attended the Yorkshire Whisky Festival hosted by The Whisky Lounge.

Maybe this doesn’t mean a lot to anyone but me, but this is the anniversary of my first year of festivals. And it’s been a good year.

It has been a year that saw me setting up iheartwhisky fudge. It’s been the year I started to write and accept advice and support and the courage to just write what I feel. A lot of this is in the “Inside the Bottle” pieces. Glimpses of me. Glimpses of my insecurities and an insight into a new confidence that I’m slowly building. A year of discovering new whiskies through twitter tastings. And I’m so grateful & appreciative of that.

Today was a day of fun and laughter. A day of learning things that made me smile and a day where the friends I hold dear were.

From my first dram of the day the Ben Rinnes 21 year old… to having absinthe squirted into my mouth with an atomiser and then enjoying a “morning glory” cocktail with whisky, ginger and absinthe. The things that made today fun were paying penance at the Fentimans stand (it’s NOT coke it’s COLA) and a few other things (flying cork) that made me and others smile.

There was the fist bump off the chap speaking to Dave on the Boutique-y stand and having to do a typical me thing…walking off giggling and leaving the moment there, safe in the knowledge a smile was evoked out of a daft situation. Then a delicious dram that many crave yet so few taste… Sorren went the extra mile and shared whisky from his personal collection, not any old whisky though. This was Paul John Oloroso and 1906 casks…a real ambassador for Paul John!! A delicious treat indeed.

It’s been a day of new faces. Of well known faces, and the faces of friends. And an escape from egos and animosity and point scoring. Just stories and moments and kindness.

Lovely young Joe and the bottles of Salty Sea Dog. Selling fudge. Giving fudge to friends. It all made today special.

I could wax lyrical about the whiskies but this is to say thank you.

David Allison who makes the awesomely fab whiskey tumblers and his lovely wife. Great to meet you both. You have a very happy customer.

Vicky, Gina, Eddie and the rest of TWL crew, you were all on form and as epic as ever….

The ever so lovely Dave Worthington and his wonderful drams – thank you. Alex from Mackmyra – thanks for the hug. Dean from Murray McDavid…the Glen Moray was delicious. Meeting This is My Dram Andy & Stu and having a wee chat with them. Thanks both. Saying hello to Alistair. Meeting Edwin Milner and his friend too.

Then of course saying hello to Sorren – ocdwhisky and passing on his royalties for “nom nom…it’s all gone!!” lovely to see you and I hope you enjoy the fudge and the Paul John millionaires shortbread!

Abbie & Chris from Cooper King Distillery. Your enthusiasm and warmth is fantastic. You’re a lovely hard working couple who are heading into an exciting phase…I will come and see you soon!!

I feel sad there’s nothing on the horizon festival wise but I just have to wrap myself up in happy memories and hibernate till next year.

I travel a long way to spend time with friends. It’s worth every penny!!

Should anyone want a resident fudge maker to attend festivals…let me know.

“We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when…”

Hugs.

Sarah / Smoggy / Smiley x x

The Whisky Exchange Show (TWE)

Or of course I could go all youthful and say “Totally Wicked Event!”

My little fudge business gained me a ticket to the trade show on the Monday and I was really looking forward to it. Having a day free on the Sunday made one decision easy, buy a ticket for that.

So I did.

And this is how it went…

I headed for an early morning flight down to London and after getting off the wrong tube train (yep was going in the opposite direction) and on to the right one I was nearly at my destination. Thanks to Jon for keeping me right. I then quickly checked my bags in at the hotel and headed across the road to join the queue with a great deal of excitement.

And I was in.

First stop was Alex at Mackmyra – good to say hello to a friendly face and a kind offer of keeping an eye on my bags while I disappeared somewhere was kindly appreciated. I got my guv’nor hug and it was a good un. Said hello to the lovely Kat and met the ever so talented Emily Chappel.

Lots of familiar faces and lots of faces that recognised me…especially if they spot the back of my phone 🙂 thanks Christy (Bruichladdich) I enjoyed the Black Arts….but oops I forgot to come back for the Octomore…silly me!!

I had to head for the Elements of Islay stand to see what these little white boxes with hearts on contained having seen them on a photo. Yes of course these were boxes of Peat fudge and it was lovely to say hello to Myriam!

I finally had the chance to meet and say hello to Angela D’Orazio from Mackmyra. A wonderfully energetic, open & friendly lady.

I was lucky to have met Mark from Whiskycast who kindly gave me one of his Glencairn glasses, and I gave him a box of my fudge. Mark also asked me to say a few words for his podcast (and yes believe it or not I am quite shy..) So do feel free to have a listen to his Sunday show from the festival. Lots of interesting people. Then me…lol.

So the day went a bit like this…whisky, whisky, whisky…oodles of whisky…and I didn’t fall over once!! (Ignore what Twitter says..) So many delicious whiskies passed my lips.

Though I did nearly nod off in Wetherspoons as the clock tick tocked towards a late night…after a 4am alarm call it was bedtime.

What struck me about Sunday was the camaraderie of the whisky community.

So…yes. What a day! And guess what…there was Monday still to come.

Monday had me arranging to meet Adrian, Jon and Steve for breakfast…then Jon had kindly enquired with Billy if I could join them for brekky number 2. The real one. The wet one. The whisky one.

Upon arrival at Old Billingsgate Market we queued for The Breakfast Club or the Bloggers Breakfast… chuffed to bits to see my name Sarah…was in fact Fudge Queen. I liked that a lot.

A thoroughly enjoyable breakfast of; an Irish Single Malt – 27 year old bottle by The Whisky Agency and The Whisky Exchange. Have to say I enjoyed this again having sampled it on the Sunday. We then moved on to the Frapin Cognac – 22 years old and again rather yummy. We finished brekky with a 40 year old Strathisla from Gordon & McPhail that was distilled in 1977 when I still ran about in short dresses and pigtails… a lovely chance to meet new friends…friends from Dramboree and some old friends too. And apparently I saved someone’s night… I won’t elaborate, but it was a nice story and I passed them another box of fudge for supplying breakfast. And thanks again Billy!

More hugs. More fudge & goodies handed over to a friend and off downstairs for the trade day.

This was to be another fine day of delightful & delicious whiskies. Some teased the palate deliciously. Others were sipped and forgotten (Starward on Sunday.)

Awesomely good Tomatin… deliciously divine GlenDronach Kingsman (sip of.) Tantalising Tomintoul 40 year old. Brilliant Boutique-y offerings… amongst others. I enjoyed spending time at the GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh stand too!

Then it was time to bid folks a “see you later”…

Dare I say it, “roll on next year!”

And in case I’ve not mentioned you above it was lovely meeting Steve Prentice, meeting old chums Jon and Adrian. The lovely Dave Worthington. The cheeky Colin Dunn, always makes you feel welcome and David too of course. Lovely guys.

Nice to say hello to Sorren again.. nom, nom…it’s all gone!

The Brum posse…Chris, Jamie and Amy.

Who else? Mark (Whiskycast) and Angela D’Orazio and Alex at Mackmyra.

Eddie and Amanda and other happy faces from The Whisky Lounge.

Anna and Martin – and a big thanks to Anna (you know why 😊)

Jeanine – great to see you there and meet your hubby. Hope to catch up soon.

Also Andrew from andrews_share – nice to say hello and hand deliver a fudge order too!

Emma and Iain from the utterly fab Glen Moray distillery and the sofa mouse…

Who else? Shilton and Stewart – thanks for the drinks and nibbles. Stewart you’re a blast! Bumped into Craig and Jason too. And of course there was Kieran…who I abandoned mid sentence to rush back to my hotel. I’m sure I’m forgiven 😊

Ah yes, Andy Purslow had me laughing and thanks for that dram 😋

Team Bruichladdich were fab as well.

And I think that’s a wrap.

Sarah x

Gin. To love or not to love?

Well that’s certainly a question that I’ve been considering of late. Do I like gin? Or possibly it should be, do I like the new breed of gin? Maybe?

I imagine if someone had asked you a few years back if you fancied one, then it probably would have been Gordon’s Gin.

However, these days I’ve seen my local shop going from perhaps stocking half a dozen varieties to now having a “wall of gin”. And I have to say it’s big! I’ve tried a few varieties at festivals – but perhaps not alongside whiskies (induced squiffiness) but I have tried them. I like the fresh lighter ones that’s for sure, nothing too heavily flavoured. Edinburgh Gin have a delicious elderflower one. I’ve tried El:gin who do a gin with berries – the “Moray Berry”, bright and cheery and I dare say over ice would be a good summers drink. I’ve also sampled Darnley’s Gin, the Original and the Spiced were good. Not overly scented or flavoured. Last weekend I tried Eden Mill Oak Gin, and I do like the taste of oak / wood so that’s a plus!

What I think this shows is that there is obviously a call for these new spirits, and as new distillleries have started to produce them while their first whisky comes of age then I think it’s time to see what else appears. At the end of the day it’s for us to remain “old school” and stick to what we know best or perhaps to have a tentative sip of something new… not being an avid gin drinker if I see something that takes my fancy I’ll have a sip. I’m sure there’s a little something for all palates. Especially if you fancy a bit of gin fudge…