The red carpet treatment
Whisky tourism continues apace and discerning enthusiasts continue to demand something special
from their visit.Dominic Roskrow reports
It was clear that the mixed group of German and Australians were a cut or two above your average foreign tourist when we reached the part of the tour when we could taste the wash.
The Australians concluded that the sour distillerâs beer was quite palatable and would grow on you after a while. The Germans werenât so sure, concluding it was âflabbyâ.
Me? I just thought what an interesting insight in to the two respective cultures we were witnessing. But for a few moments a heated debate â I recoil at the word âargumentâ â ensued across the cultures as to whether Belgian lambic beer was better or worse than the un-sterilised Scottish wash.
This, then, is the state of the âVIPâ or advanced tour in 2007. This particular episode took place at Aberlour, but could have taken place at any number of other distilleries as the enthusiast seeks out greater and more challenging whisky experiences.
On Aberlourâs tour, which also included what can only be described as an earnest but commendable rant against the term âblended malt whiskyâ by the guide, they let you continue your debate in the cosy bar area at the end of the tour, where time doesnât seem to be an obstacle.
And they also let you purchase your own bottle of Aberlour from either a classic sherry cask or a less obvious bourbon one, and to write your own label. Most of our group took up the option.
Such tours, believes Jim Long of Aberlourâs owner Chivas Brothers, are very much the way forward.
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By Dominic Roskrow
Section : Whisky Tours
Page number : 48
