Carving up Scotland into its 5 whisky areas sounds prefer it needs to be a straightforward sufficient job on paper. Draw a circle spherical Islay, chop off the tip of Kintyre for Campbeltown, hint alongside the riverbanks for Speyside, and divide what’s left between the Lowlands and the Highlands. Job’s an excellent ’un.
But that simplistic method creates a headache for bartenders when a buyer pulls up a stool and asks for a ‘typical Highland malt’. Whereas Campbeltown is coastal, Islay is peaty, and Speyside is Sherry-sweet, it’s a lot more durable to place your finger on a ‘Highland’ model.
Earlier than the craft distilling growth led to a southern revival, even the Lowlands may very well be labeled as ‘gentle and easy’ due to the traits of its then two surviving websites. In distinction, the Highlands suffered from being ‘what’s left over’. But that range can be the area’s energy.
The place are the Highlands?
Do not forget that imaginary line we drew from Dundee right down to Greenock once we explored the Lowlands? Jump over onto the northern aspect of that line and we’re within the Highlands – when it comes to whisky at the very least if not geography, strictly talking.
Alongside that southern strip, the area takes in Deanston, Glengoyne and Loch Lomond distilleries. It then encircles Speyside additional north; with Ardmore, Dalwhinnie and Royal Brackla standing sentry. Coastal distilleries are an essential function too. They stretch from Ardnamurchan, Ncn’ean, and Oban within the west, to Glenglassaugh and Macduff on the Moray Firth, with Previous Pulteney and the revived Brora within the north.
Importantly, the Highlands embody all of Scotland’s islands, aside from Islay. That wealthy platter consists of Jura with its eponymous distillery, Tobermory on Mull and Lochranza and Lagg on Arran. Orkney island is residence to Highland Park and Scapa.
Within the Outer Hebrides, Abhainn Dearg distillery is on the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris has its eponymous vineyard. Talisker and Torabhaig will be discovered on Skye; whereas the Isle of Raasay distillery has a wee island all to itself.
What are probably the most well-known distilleries within the Highlands?
The Glenmorangie Distillery
Whereas these island distilleries – Highland Park, Jura and Talisker specifically – are among the many most well-known within the area, there are some huge names lurking again on the mainland too. Chief amongst them is Glenmorangie, which has undergone a renaissance since being purchased by French luxurious items large LVMH in 2004.
Glenmorangie – or ‘GlenMo’ to its pals – additionally boasts the tallest spirit stills in Scotland; so tall, in truth, that it sponsors the giraffes at Edinburgh Zoo. Not far down the street lies Dalmore. This distillery is making a reputation for itself on the public sale scene, releasing more and more costly bottles within the model of Bowmore and The Macallan to tempt bidders.
Tomatin, south of Inverness, is garnering extra consideration underneath Japanese possession. In the meantime Fettercairn and Royal Lochnagar fly the flag for Queen Victoria’s previous stomping grounds round Deeside.
What does Highland whisky style like?
As we’ve seen throughout our journey via Scotland’s whisky areas, the flavours of a Scotch owe extra to the barrels used to age the spirit than to any sense of regional ‘terroir’. Meaning it’s unattainable to classify the Highlands into one single model.
Textbooks of the previous used phrases resembling ‘daring’, ‘fiery’ or ‘spirited’ to sum up a ‘Highland’ character. Nonetheless these adjectives owed extra to the advertising and marketing departments of the whisky corporations than any sense of actuality; it was an try to attract a distinction in opposition to their ‘gentle’ description for Lowland malts.
Peat performs an essential function for Highland whiskies together with Ardmore, Highland Park and Talisker. In the meantime Sherry varieties a part of Dalmore’s fingerprint and bourbon builds Glenmorangie’s spine. GlenMo additionally pioneered ‘cask finishes’ by transferring its spirit from bourbon barrels into vessels used beforehand to age desk wines, fortified wines or chosen spirits for a number of months earlier than bottling.
What’s subsequent for the Highlands?
Scotland’s whisky revival has additionally touched the Highlands. Arbikie epitomises the one farm field-to-bottle dream, whereas Ncn’ean embodies natural and sustainable practices.
New distilleries convey with them new possession fashions. Lone Wolf is owned by beer large BrewDog and shares its Ellon web site, north of Aberdeen. In the meantime GlenWyvis is owned by its local people in Dingwall.
Maybe most fun although is the expansion on the islands, bringing jobs and guests to Harris, Lewis and Skye. The Isle of Barra distillery and a brand new distillery on the Hebridean island of Benbecula are because of be a part of the fray within the years forward. With greater than a dozen distilleries, may we quickly see a sixth Scotch malt whisky area designated, named ‘Islands’? Time will inform.
Which Highland whiskies ought to I strive?
Peter Ranscombe selects 4 Highland malts it’s worthwhile to get to know
Glenmorangie The Unique Highland Single Malt Whisky
A heady mixture of vanilla, coconut, marmalade and milk chocolate on the nostril leads into extra candy vanilla, caramel and honey on the palate. It’s wealthy, with out being heavy, and lingers with a crème brûlée-like dance on the end. Alcohol 40%
Highland Park 18 12 months Previous Viking Pleasure Highland Single Malt Whisky
Even earlier than Highland Park adopted its present ‘Viking’ branding, this was already a stand-out dram, and is the most important award winner in its vary. The best stability between smoky roast meat, candy honey, and spicy ginger, all wrapped up in a salty coastal tang. Alc 43%
Royal Brackla 12 12 months Previous Highland Single Malt Whisky
Hailing from Cawdor, close to Nairn, Royal Brackla has wealthy and deep aromas of toffee, gentle wooden smoke and set honey. These toffee notes are joined by digestive biscuit, spicy cinnamon and tonnes of dried fruit on its warming palate. Alc 40%
The Dalmore 21 12 months Previous 2022 Classic Highland Single Malt Whisky
Like a comfy blanket on a chilly night time, Dalmore’s 21-year-old wraps you up in candy caramel, juicy raisins and crunchy brown sugar cubes. Then the distillery’s signature milk chocolate observe comes marching via on the end, accompanied by a brighter and extra intense darkish chocolate observe. Alc 42%
