Distillery hopping

[Duncan Disorderly]

I'm on holiday in Scotland and have been into a few distilleries for research purposes only. An unplanned stop at Boarders Distillery was shortly followed by Glenkinchie. Blair Athol and Aberfeldy came next, then onto one of my favourites Aberlour. Round the corner to Genallarchy and finally a trip to Fettercairn. If I play my cards right, then a stop at Glengoyne tomorrow will conclude the tour.

I must have tried around 4 or 5 drams in each, with the view to buying a bottle of my favourite one from each distillery. Out of the 7 bottles purchased, I'm in love with:-

Aberfeldy 22yr Oloroso single cask 53.1%
Aberlour 12 yr NCF 48%
Glenkinchie Distillers Edition
Fettercairn Warehouse 14 cask strength

I'd love to know the thoughts of anyone that's tried these whiskies, but also your favourite offerings from the distilleries I've been to. Happy dramming

[Bookie]

I have had a couple of bottles of the Aberlour 12 NCF, I found it good although the last bottle i had was a touch sulphur tainted but not enough to spoil it, still very good.

I have also had a bottle of the Glenkinchie Distillers Edition, for me the sherry cask in the bottling made it a much more enjoyable dram than the standard Glenkinchie 12 year old, i find Glenkinchie whiskies easy drinking but they dont inspire me enough to buy often..

Is that the 2023 release in the Fettercairn Warehouse 14 series, I did have a bottle a couple of years ago and found it very good. I am surprised it hasn’t sold out yet as it doesn’t cost much more than the Fettercairn 12 which I also enjoy.

[Duncan Disorderly]

Bookie... Totally agree with you about the sherry finish transforming a so so Glenkinchie into a little cracker.

Yes it's the 2023 Fettercairn WH14 which they finish in a local IPA cask. Brilliant stuff with an irresistible finish.

[James T]

I have had a bottle of the Fettercairn Warehouse and have another laid by to open another time, a very good whisky. The Aberlour NCF is a decent dram also.

[Duncan Disorderly]

I've been at it again in Speyside, this time visiting Cardhu, Glenlivet, Benriach and Glenfarclas. We also did a brilliant tour at the Speyside Cooperage - I would recommend booking a tour if ever you're in the area... the skill and graft of those guys is incredible.

It's the first time that I've had the pleasure of tasting anything from Glenfarclas and tbh I was blown away. The 105 is their Abunadh rival and almost hits the heights of the Aberlour sherry bomb. They poured me generous drams of the 10, 12 and 15 yr old (others were out of my price range). All of them excellent, but each gaining more deep flavour from the sherry cask that is used to mature this whisky from start to finish. I think their 15 yr old has just become my new favourite whisky.

Glenfarclas aren't mentioned too much on here, but I'm keen to know if anyone out there shares my love for this 5th gen family owned distillery.

[DanO]

The Glenfarclas 15 is a favourite of mine, havent had the 105 for some time but i agree a rival for the Abunadh.