The Drama of the Dram
On a distillery tour of some of the most legendary whiskies from around the world
As the Indian summer raises its torment quotient, it’s time to retreat to more hospitable climes. Align imagination with itineraries that offer bespoke programmes. We recommend a walk through a few iconic, “spirited” experiences, visiting some of the world’s finest distilleries to discover first hand the magic ingredients that make your tipple sparkle and your palate hum.
Glenmorangie, Tain, Scotland
The Distillery, sprawls by the tranquil shores of the Dornoch Firth, holding its own among the fields of barley gold that border Tain in the Scottish Highlands. Glenmorangie has been creating single malt Scotch whisky since 1843, when William Matheson, a farmer and his wife Anne purchased the ‘Morangie’ Farm to set up the Glenmorangie Distillery. Their vision was to craft an exceptionally smooth yet wonderfully complex single malt whisky, using what are the tallest stills in Scotland, focussing on exclusively using Scottish barley. Even if the story or the spirit doesn’t hold you in its thrall, the 17th century Glenmorangie House, overlooking the shores of the Moray Firth and nestled among the ruins of an old castle will. Walk along the beach, play a round of golf, visit the distillery and then head to the house and enjoy awardwinning food cooked by the Glenmorangie House chefs. Word to the wise Purchase options include whisky, “finished” in a variety of casks, such as Fino Sherry, Ruby Port, Dry Oloroso, Malmsey Madeira, Claret, and even Cote de Beaune red wine. Needs url
Bowmore Distillery, Islay, Scotland
From the Highlands to Islay, home to Bowmore—one of the world’s oldest whisky maturation warehouses: The No. 1 Vaults. Crafted to perfection in this legendary
warehouse, Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been meticulously matured by master distillers for over 240 years to acquire a distinctive flavour profile. 1779 marks the first recorded mention of the Bowmore distillery on Islay making it the oldest Islay Scotch Whisky distillery. Not only is the whisky admired among connoisseurs, the distillery also hosted a royal guest: Queen Elizabeth II in 1980. Needs url
Michters Whiskey, Louisville , USA
Located in the heart of downtown Louisville, Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery is just across the street from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Bat Factory and down the block from the Frazier History Museum, which serves as the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery is home to the legendary pot still and cypress wood fermenter system from Michter’s Pennsylvania, which traces its history back to 1753.
Visitors will discover the extra mile Michter’s trudges throughout the whiskey production process to pursue the goal of producing the greatest American whiskey—from barreling at a lower entry proof, to toasting their barrels before charring and heat cycling their warehouses.
It’s not just educational; where is the fun in that? Guests over 21 can enjoy a guided tasting. The Bar at Fort Nelson features classic cocktails curated by cocktail historian David Wondrich as well as modern creations by the bar team.
Word to the wise Online reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are allowed on a first-come, first-serve basis. https://michters.com/tours/
Yamazaki, Kyoto, Japan
The Yamazaki Distillery is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery established in 1923 by Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii. Torii envisioned creating the perfect Japanese Whisky by choosing a unique terrain and climate. Referred to as the birthplace of Japanese whisky, the Yamazaki distillery proudly nestles on Kyoto’s periphery. This region is where the Katsura, Uji and Kizu rivers converge, providing a unique misty climate and one of Japan’s softest waters.
The diversity of this region’s temperature and humidity creates ideal conditions for cask ageing, known as the signature ‘Suntory Maturation’. The Yamazaki distillery is distinguished by its uniqueness: It produces a variety of whiskies in a single distillery. The name ‘Yamazaki’ thus celebrates the birth of the Japanese Single Malt. Known for its heritage and signature refined yet complex taste of Japanese Single Malts, it is aged in Yamazaki’s Sherry Casks and aged
Mizunara (Japanese Oak) Casks, which lend a multi-layered, fruity sweetness and Mizunara aromas. https://www.suntory. com › factory › yamazaki
Cooley Distillery, Louth, Ireland
Cooley Distillery is an Irish whisky distillery that inhabits a beautiful corner of Southern Ireland close to the northern border on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, Ireland. Formerly, a government-owned distillery, turning potatoes into industrial alcohol, it was designed by Czech architects to resemble a beached battleship. Unlike most other Irish whiskies, which are usually distilled thrice, Cooley’s products are generally distilled twice, as the third distillation is believed to remove some of the flavour components. The Cooley Distillery itself has no visitor centre. If you want to know more about the art of distillation and the history of Kilbeggan and the other Cooley labels, visit the Kilbeggan Distillery Experience in Kilbeggan. https://irishspirit.com
Sullivans Cove, Tasmania, Australia
Sullivans Cove is located in Cambridge, Tasmania, a short drive from Hobart International Airport, in the Coal River Valley—one of Tasmania’s premier wine regions. A short drive from the distillery are some of Tasmania’s finest producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, such as Pooley Wines and Frogmore Creek. So this vacay will truly prove spirited as Sullivans Cove is a rarity in the world of whisky. Where most distilleries blend or vat together in multiple casks, Sullivans Cove focusses on producing single cask whisky; each bottle comes from only one cask. Single cask whisky is the purest expression of whisky, needing the highest level of care and craftsmanship to produce these one-of-a-kind releases.
Word to the wise Apart from daily tours, perks include purchasing distillery-only whisky releases and a selection from their core range as well as their old & rare whisky releases. Bookings for tours and tastings are essential with limited slots open. https://sullivanscove.com
Paul John Distillery, Goa India
John Distilleries introduced its single malt secrets to the world with the opening of the Paul John Visitor Centre at Goa, home to the International Award-winning Whisky, Paul John Single Malt. At its Visitor Centre, the first of its kind in India, guests can choose to enjoy exquisite tasting sessions to relish and discover intricate flavours.
For those keen to understand the making of fine whiskies, the Centre is a perfect one-day itinerary that unravels the rare art of whisky-making with a rare visit to the underground cellar. https://pauljohnwhisky.com