Whisky Forum - Distilleries within striking distance of Elgin

IndianaBlues · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 457

We're heading up to the very NW tip of Scotland on Saturday for our usual summer Scottish jaunt, which unfortunately is bereft of anything resembling a distillery nearby, but I've convinced "the boss" that we should stop on the way back down, and conveniently found some accommodation in Elgin for a Saturday (afternoon) to Monday (morning) stay Smile

So, on the "possible" list I've got:
- Glenfarclas (missed out on the last tour by 10 minutes last year)
- Aberlour (do they do a general admission tour, or is it by appointment only?)
- Cardhu
- Glenlivet
- Glen Ord (could do this on the way up as well as we'll be passing through Inverness)

I could probably only get to three of these at most whilst maintaining harmony (possibly only two Smile

) so which should I try for? I've already been to Glenfiddich, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie and Blair Athol.

jcarrick · Master Of Malts Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Posts: 948

I enjoyed Glenfarclas and the Glenlivet, if things are still the same they only do special tours on a Friday so it would only be standard tours at the weekend but still worth doing.

The Aromas and Flavours tour at Cardhu was Â£8 only Â£4 more than the standard tour but included sampling 3 single malt plus a Johnnie Walker. Prices have probably changed since I was there a couple of years ago.

Aberlour for me is the best out of this lot, I can recommend the Founders Tour which was Â£25 when I done it, you have to pre-book. There standard tour was Â£10 and you would be advised to pre-book this also

STUDOGG37 · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 9:01 am Post subject:

Glen Moray do a good tour and should be around a 20 minute walk from Elgin town centre.
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sorren · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 9:28 am Post subject:

You could always try balvenie. The odds are you won't get on it but it's worth asking, it's Â£35 but you will not be disappointed ... The aberlour tour is pretty decent, and you get plenty of samples at the end.. Also get a bottle or two of the bottle your own.. Well worth the asking price...glenlivet is a pretty standard tour, you could always try to get to dalwhinnie or on your way back home try get to aberfeldy or Edradour, both are in nice surroundings...

IndianaBlues · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 457

Thanks for all the replies, having the family in tow I won't be able to visit too many (more's the pity) as there's only so long they're prepared to wait in the car Smile

).

I'll see which way the wind blows...but make sure there's at least one within striking distance!

sorren · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 2:56 pm Post subject:

If you fo get to Glenfarclas or aberlour then just go to Glenfiddich, it's worth it just to look, there is a very good cafe, and plenty to see for free, a very good shop,

IndianaBlues · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 457

Well this trip turned into a bit of a damp squib, after an 11 hour journey to get here I had half a day on the beach then came down with a painful bout of sinusitis, resulting in the last 4 and a half days in bed on antibiotics Sad

I've cancelled the Elgin part of the trip, there's always next year! I did manage to convince my wife to pick up a bottle of 20yr Tobermory from the single cask bottling at the village shop in the next village down the road, my dad acted as official taster and has given it his seal of approval, so looking forward to that once the meds are finished. On the way up in Tesco Inverness they had one shelf of Gordon Macphail bottlings, including Mortlach 15yr, for between Â£35 and Â£50. Anything I should be paying particular interest in?

William · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 8:44 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear that IndianaBlues. Gordon MacPhail can have some hidden gems. I have had a few Mortlach indie bottlings over the years, some have been outstanding and some not so good at all.

I have had a few bottles of the G & M Mortlach 15, they have varied in quality also, I have had one bottle which was a little sulphur tainted, but that was some time ago, the other bottlings of the 15 i have had have been decent enough big sherried, vanilla'd, spicey, oaky whiskies. The G & M Mortlachs are a very good price when compared to the new original distillery bottlings which are now available. I was also lucky enough to taste the G & M Mortlach 70 year old which was outstanding.
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Charlie · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 1405

If you are a Macallan fan then G & M Speymalt Macallan bottlings are usually worth a try

IndianaBlues · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 457

Felt a bit better today on the way home, so decided to detour to Glen Ord on the way home. I couldn't try a sample because of the antibiotics, but enjoyed the tour and bought a bottle of 12 to try. Also picked up a bottle of the G&M Mortlach 15 from Tesco so have those and the Tobermory 20 to try once I've recouperated Smile

sorren · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

I'm a little late I know but sad to hear your visit did not go to plan, I'm sure you will get back next year and have a great trip, at least you came away with a couple of bottles, I'm just in the process of planning another trip to speyside, hopefully this year or very early in new year.. Enjoy your bottles.