LAST ORDERS
RAISE A GLASS TO ROBBIE BURNS
hope you all had a good Christmas and that Santa
delivered all that you were hoping for. In my own
case two new malts appeared in the cabinet which
served to remind me just how different whisky can be.
One was bland and indifferent while the other was full
of vitality and vigour.
The first was a single malt which is predominantly
produced to supply blenders with a broad canvas upon
which to construct their final masterpiece while the
second was the product of one of Islay’s newest
distillerys Kilchoman.
This whisky is still very young and shows great
promise for the future. Whilst the taste of Kilchoman
is fascinating the distillery misses out on the historical
intrigue that many of the more traditional distilleries
can offer. Indeed, it is the history of the constant
battles between the revenue men and the producers
that adds so much to the interest of the different
distilleries.
All the more important as we approach that most
Scottish of celebrations, Burns night, when even the
most reserved amongst us may imbibe in a wee dram
or two.
Take, for example, the case of Highland Park. This
well-known single malt is crafted in Orkney from a
distillery on a hill overlooking Scapa Flow.
I
The site of the distillery is
the very same spot w