Tour the whisky Distilleries of the Scottish Highlands.
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The spectacular scenery of the Highlands of Scotland are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful in the world, attracting thousands of tourists each year. The Highland's other great claim to fame are the many world renowned malt whisky distilleries to be found there. A holiday that combines the natural grandeur of the scenery with visits to some of the many distilleries open to the public will be the ideal break for most whisky connoisseurs.
The Dalwhinnie Distillery is the highest in Scotland. Set at an altitude of 1,073 feet, amongst some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Scotland, the lovely white walled distillery is a must. Not far from Aviemore and situated at the head of Loch Erich Dalwhinnie was once an important village where the drovers would meet up before driving their cattle to the markets of Crieff and Falkirk. On a single day in August 1723 over 1200 head of cattle passed through Dalwhinnie, in eight different droves. Dalwhinnie means "The Meeting Place" in Gaelic.
Dalwhinnie whisky is described as a wonderfully full bodied, smooth and warming malt. Its distinctive flavour can be ascribed to the very soft heather scented water of the Allt an t'Sluic used in its production.
To the west of Dalwhinnie is the traditional coastal town of Tain, home to the Gelnmorangie distillery. According to the famous television advert Glenmorangie is said to mean The Glen of Tranquillity. The whisky is the most popular whisky sold within Scotland itself and the Scots know a thing or two about Scotch. The skilled Mashmen and Stillmen you will see at work on your tour of the distillery are traditionally known as The Sixteen men of Tain.
Most of Scotland's distilleries use very soft water but Glenmorangie uses very hard spring water from the Tarlogie spring. It takes almost 100 years for the water to rise up through the limestone to the surface. This contributes to Glenmorangie's unique flavour. A high spot of the distillery tour are the huge, shining copper stills. At 16 feet 10 inches (5.14m) they are the tallest in Scotland resulting in only the most delicate, purest vapours condensing into spirit.
Take the coast road south from Tain for a few miles and you will come to the Dalmore Distillery. Dalmore has been distilling fine, single malt whisky for many years but has not had the recognition it deserves despite being considered an exceptional whisky by the experts. Thankfully it has been gaining popularity in recent years. The distillery is located in some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland, looking out over the Cromarty Firth towards the Black Isle.
Dalmore has a unique still room with many interesting and unusual features. The stills themselves are unique in having cooling jackets around their necks to help conduct the spirit inside the still. One of these jackets is thought to be the oldest part of any working distillery in Scotland, dating from 1874. In stark contrast to the traditional distilling equipment the stillroom control console looks as though it would be more at home in a nuclear power station.
Continue southwards towards Inverness and you will come to the Glen Ord Distillery. Glen Ord is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries and is justly proud of the many international awards its whisky, described as having a flavoursome roundness, has won. Pride of place goes to the gold medal for The Worlds Best Single Malt 1994-94. The distillery puts its award winning flavour down to a combination of the barley, the sea, the soil and its soft water. While in the area you might like to visit some of the many other distilleries that are open to the public. These include Blair Atholl, Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Eradour, Glendronach, Tomatin and Glen Garioch.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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