Most whisky fans will probably have a few favourite ‘malt memories’ – a particular dram or an occasion that was made better with the addition of a great whisky.
And sometimes the company and setting are just as important as the spirit itself.
As drammers across Scotland – in the trade and without, novices and veterans – prepare to build their 2024 malt memories, who better to share some of their own favourite recollections than people within the industry itself?
And just as whisky has a vast range of flavours, those memories cover a fair bit of ground – from the exotic to the historic to the vaguely mortifying.
“When I was given the opportunity to help launch Lagg in Japan I was taken around a lot of amazing bars that stock the Arran range,” said Graham Omand, manager at Isle of Arran’s Lagg Distillery – very much taking the ‘exotic’ approach.
“While being led around Shinjuku, we went to the Whisky Salon Bar where they made the most delicious whisky sour with Arran 10, hands down the best cocktail I’ve ever tried.
“Before leaving the bar, as a token of their hospitality and love of Arran I was given a measure of an ultra-rare Hibiki 30 which absolutely blew my mind and tastebuds.”
How’s that for a malt memory?
But you don’t need to travel to the other side of the world to have a life-changing whisky experience.
Adam Hannett, head distiller at Bruichladdich on Islay, managed to have one right here in Scotland – with a story that would turn whisky fans the world over green with envy.
He said: “One of the most memorable experiences was being with Jim McEwan (former head distiller), Duncan McGillivray (former general manager) and Allan Logan (current production director) in the Port Charlotte warehouses, which were part of the old Lochindaal distillery built in 1829.
“We gathered there for some photography and while the photographer was setting up Jim drew a sample from a 1990 bourbon cask which would have been about 23 years old or so – tropical fruit, coconut, citrus notes – I can remember the taste vividly.
“Jim and Duncan began telling stories – they were both incredibly funny – fantastic story tellers and imparting their wisdom to Allan and I.
“Duncan was due to retire in the next few months and there was a feeling of the old guard passing on the baton, the responsibility of steering Bruichladdich into the next chapter of its history.
“It was a very special moment, with special people, and the whisky we tasted was the perfect accompaniment.”
For James Evans, brand manager at Kingsbarns in Fife, his favourite malt memory was the day he fell in love with the spirit in the first place – even if he had to suffer some mild embarrassment on the way there.
“My favourite whisky drinking experience must be near the start of my whisky journey, when I had just turned 18, and my mum booked me on a WSET level 2 in Wines and Spirits course,” he recalled.
“I was the only one asked to show ID on arrival as they announced loudly ‘you’re the one whose mum booked them on the course, right?’
“I was mortified. But the embarrassment at reception was a small price to pay for the journey this set me on as I knew from that point on that I had found my passion.
“I remember sipping a ‘secret lowland’ dram and for the first time, really focusing in on the flavours, the mouthfeel, the smells and just being totally blown away by the amazing notes everyone was picking up.
“There’s something magical about discovering the intricate world of whisky and all its nuances; my palate has led me on a diverse journey through different regions.”
