The November meeting of the Grand Central Malt Whisky Sept was held at the TANK Bar and Restaurant a 32 Turbot Sreet on Wednesday the 25th November. As things transpired it was an exclusive meeting with one guest, Nathan, present. Due to the numbers present Filip opted to share two whiskies and then followed some discussion on which whiskies to taste.
The consensus was for the Kilchoman and the Craigellahie as most present had not seen nor tasted either tibble.
The Craigellachie is a 13 year old single malt from Edward and Mackie bottled at 46% in bottle number 83.LH 88. The distillery is situated on the rocky bluff above the confluence of the rivers Fiddich and Spey. Interestingly the distillery uses a worm tub structure in distilling. This is a copper tube, sitting in a large tub of cold water, which snakes back and forth and narrows as it nears it’s end. This method gives a meaty character to the whisky and was most used around the end of the 1800’s. Craigellachie is one of the very few distilleries still using this method. It is also non chill filtered and displays the characteristics of Speyside whiskies in being oily with fruitiness with a long smooth finish.
The Kilchoman is the newest distillery built on Islay being built in 2005. This sample was an un-aged Islay single malt from Machir Bay. It is non chill filtered, a release of their 2014 vatting of 5 and 6 year old single malts matured in bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry butts. The finish is listed as “signature Kilchoman with a long lingering finish”. I am not sure how old your distillery must be to have a signature style but I can go along with that statement on the bottle. It is noticeably peaty but the nose belies the tongue and it has a light finish. I would consider this one an introduction to Islay for those not used to the big peat.
Two lawyers are in a bank, when, suddenly, armed robbers burst in, waving guns and yelling for everyone to freeze. While several of the robbers take the money from the tellers, others line the customers, including the lawyers, up against a wall, and proceed to take their wallets, watches, and other valuables. While this is going on, one of the lawyers jams something into the other lawyer’s hand. Without looking down, the second lawyer whispers: “What is this?” The first lawyer replies: “It’s the $100 I owe you”.
All in all a good night was had. There is no December meeting so I will be in touch around mid January. Until the a Merry Christmas to all and stay careful so we can see you inn the New Year.
Slainte,
Gregory
Exciser/Scriber