Dram fine way to virtually socialise

Missing the pub? Gayle joins a live whisky tasting online and finds it’s a brilliant way to spend an evening

H anging out in the pub has become a distant memory.

The last time I was in such an establishment – in March – was to celebrate/commiserate the leaving do of two esteemed colleagues.

I’d been at the office all day (remember those things?) and had a jolly good evening clinking glasses with friends.

Since then, I’ve been indulging in the odd boozy beverage at home of a Friday, Saturday and Sunday night (and admittedly, on some week nights, too).

My top tipples are gin and whisky although wine and prosecco are also firm favourites.

I don’t know enough about whisky to call myself a connoisseur but I’m not one to resist a wee dram when it’s being offered.

So when I heard free live tastings of the golden nectar were being hosted online, I was in my element. Free whisky? Yes, indeed!

They’re held online on Friday nights at 7pm and give whisky lovers the chance to sample some rare and very special choices.

The sessions, which last around 30 minutes, are run by Georgie Bell, global malts ambassador for Bacardi and Dewar’s and promoter of the Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla and The Deveron distilleries.

I signed up for the Craigellachie tasting, which featured 13-year-old and 31-year-old whiskies.

The latter was voted best single malt in the world at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards and a 70cl bottle will set you back a cool £1,200.

Getting involved is easy – you follow @belleswhisky on Instagram and wait for Georgie to announce what’s going to be tasted the following Friday. Spaces are limited but if you’re lucky enough to have your named picked at random, you’ll be sent your two samples ahead of the tasting.

While these free tastings are on offer for 56 people, there’s a live “triple tasting” for £18 running every two weeks for everyone who buys a pack. This includes fantastic 5cl bottles of an Aberfeldy 12-year-old single malt, Craigellachie 13-year-old single malt and a Dewar’s 12-year-old blend.

Georgie leads the sessions via Zoom and special guests chip in with words of wisdom.

It’s all very light-hearted but it’s a chance to learn about the distillery and its drams and to meet new people, albeit online.

Folk are encouraged to chat, or if that’s too daunting, you can leave comments on the page, whether simply greetings like “hi there”, “love your wallpaper”, or your thoughts on the whiskies.

If you’re really shy, you can join the Zoom meeting by phone, rather than video, meaning you don’t have to show your face, or you can mute your audio.

The virtual atmosphere is very convivial and friendly and a bit like being in the pub with folk you’ve only just met.

I learn a lot about the history of Craigellachie within a short space of time thanks to Craigellachie distillery manager Keith Brian who cheerfully reels off a good few anecdotes.

Apparently it’s nicknamed the “bad boy of Speyside”, as its oil-fired, rich character defies the typical Speyside taste, which is known to be fruity and floral.

Keith also waxes lyrical about the squat worm tubs used at Craigellachie and how they bring about a more punchy, “meaty” flavour.

After chatting about the glorious aromas wafting out of the distillery, I’m more than ready to taste the 13-yearold, which is blooming amazing.

Because I’m live, in front of so many, I do this politely – nosing the glass first, and then sipping. We’re then asked to offer our opinions on how it tastes, either verbally or via typed comments.

Most folk agree it’s very smoky but other comments include: “super caramelly”, “peppery tingle on the tongue”, “sort of coriander/nutty spicy”, “pineapple notes”, “a slightly smoky, flat can of Lilt, “dried apricot and baked