Diageo ... whisky

The first distillery we visited on our Scottish holiday back in September was Blair Athol on the edge of Pitlochry. Part of the Diageo this distillery was founded in 1798 by John Stewart and Robert Robertson. 

The home of Bell's whisky it was originally called Aldour after the Alt Dour burn, the whisky water source. It's a beautiful place, the old buildings covered with creepers that were just beginning to turn as autumn begins.

Our visit was mid morning and although tempting we decided not to do a tour as later on our holiday we had a visit to Glen Moray planned. We did however spend a while in the beautiful tasting room where the bar has been made from an old mash tin, if only we had a house big enough! 

From the very extensive list of whiskies on offer our two drams were Blair Athol and Royal Lochnagar. I was quite surprised as the description of the latter was lemon and oil and I wasn't sure it was for me ... however I loved it. It is said to be a favourite of Prince Charles, it is a lovely smooth whisky.

Diageo is one of the worlds largest producers of spirits operating in over 180 countries. The list of their Scottish whisky is quite extensive; I've visited just three of the distilleries but I have tried eight brands. How many have you tasted? 

Auchroisk    -     Benrinnes    -     Blair Athol    -    Brora    -    Caledonian    -     Caol Ila    -     Cardhu

Clynelish    -     Convalmore    -     Dailuaine    -     Dalwhinnie    -     Glen Elgin     -     Glenkinchie

Glenlossie    -   Glen Spey    -     Inchgower    -    Johnnie Walker    -     Knockando    - Lagavulin

Linkwood    -     Mannochmore    -     Mortlach    -     Oban   -    Pittyvaich    -     Port Ellen

Royal Lochnagar    -    Strathmill    -     Taliskar    -     Teannich    -    The Singleton 

A few days later on our way through Speyside we called at Cardhu (Black Rock) which is also Diageo distillery. Another beautiful building in a superb setting with views across the Scottish countryside. 

This distillery was licensed in 1824 by John Cummings although his wife Helen had been distilling whisky for many years previous while he was busy on the working farm. She was very clever in her ways of hiding her illegal distilling, she would hang out red washing to warn neighbours when the gaugers were nearby doing their inspections. 

Helen out lived John and the distilling was passed on to her daughter-in-law Elizabeth who was responsible for doubling the distilling quantity. The majority of the whisky was sold to Alexander Walker of Johnnie Walker and Sons to name a blended whisky and in the late1800s Cardhu was sold to Johnnie Wlker. It was one of the first distilleries in what is now an impressive portfolio.

There is so much history in all the distilleries, I find it fascinating. Visiting a distillery is not just about the whisky, it's about discovering how, when and why that particular spirit began in that particular place. 

There is so much more to discover but until we travel across the border again I'll focus my learning with a wee dram of our Diageo whiskies - Slainte Mhath !