More Whisky Regions…

Lowland

The Lowland region is roughly defined by an imaginary line running between Edinburgh and Glasgow, any distillery lying south of this line is lowland. The region has four active distilleries: Ailsa Bay in Girvan; Glenkinchie, just south of Edinburgh Auchentoshan near Clydebank; and Bladnochin Galloway. At least six other lowland single malts are still available in bottle, but are no longer distilled: Rosebank Kinclaith, St. Magdalene, Ladyburn, Inverleven and Littlemill. Traditionally Lowland single malts are triple distilled but this is not true of all of them. Lowland malts tend to be light and floral in character.

I especially enjoy the Auchentoshan 18 Year Old.

Established in 1823, Auchentoshan is one the last active distilleries in the Lowlands. It’s an endangered species in more ways than one, since it is also the only Scottish distillery that employs a true full-time third distillation, nowadays associated with mostly Irish Whisky. The triple distillation gives this Glasgow malt a refined, delicate touch, which contributes to a very sweet and light spirit.

Auchentoshan 18 Year Old is one of their most renowned and characteristic spirits from their core range. It is triple distilled and matured in American Bourbon casks for 18 years, which have imparted some fruit, nut and barley flavours.

This right here is definitely an Auchentoshan for all of you who know and love the brand. It is filled with history, tradition, artisanship and everything else we love about this Lowlands favourite.

Nose: Fresh tobacco leaf – then sweet with a hint of caramelised sugars, green tea and toasted almonds.
Palate: A floral freshness with sweet barley sugar at first – this gently ebbs to reveal a tangerine zestiness. The palate is left alive and refreshed.
Finish: A long, lingering and well balanced dram that invigorates the mouth.

Campbeltown

Campbeltown whiskies are made in the borough of Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula. This was once the whisky capital of Scotland, with up to 28 distilleries in operation. However, there has been a steady decline in numbers and now most of the distilleries have gone out of business and little trace of them remains.

Today only three distilleries continue to produce whisky in Campbeltown: Springbank, Glengyle and Glen Scotia. The Springbank distillery produces three distinct whiskies: Springbank , Hazelburn, and Longrow. Glengyle distillery has recently been revived under the name Kilkerran

Here is one of my favourites:

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength “The newest….oldest distillery in Campbeltown”

The word “Kilkerran” is derived from the Gaelic Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain (head of the lake of St. Kieran’s cell). This was the name of the original settlement founded by Saint Kieran. It’s believed that the town of Campbeltown now sits on that spot.

Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength is the result of whisky matured in 100% ex-bourbon casks and will be limited to around 9,000 bottles.

Nose: The peat aroma from the lightly peated barley is apparent from the off and some of the green apples which are becoming a feature of Kilkerran are also present. This whisky is like a favourite dessert, rhubarb crumble, stewed rhubarb, vanilla and all butter shortbread.

Palate: There’s an earthiness and saltiness, exactly what you want to taste in a Campbeltown dram. This is combined with icing sugar and puff candy which gives a sweetness to the whisky, along with milk chocolate and walnut flavours.

Finish: The peat remains, along with a sootiness, pencil shavings and a liquorice-influenced maltiness.

Slainte,

Craig

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