Category Archive Whisky

Ralfy’s Whisky Reviews

The king of the YouTube whisky reviewers is Ralfy, who, over the past ten years has managed to clock up nearly 800 video reviews of whiskies (and some other spirits), mainly from Scotland but also from around the world. The style is informal but he is refreshingly independent of the distillers and there is real commitment to explaining why he thinks a particular bottle is good, bad or indifferent.

If you want to know about a particular brand, then have a look at his past catalogue of reviews on his YouTube channel, ralfydotcom

Fettercairn Distillery

Fettercairn Distillery

Fettercairn Distillery is one of the closest distilleries to Aberdeen and is situated 35 miles south of the city, near the town of Laurencekirk.

It was founded in 1824 by Alexander Ramsay, owner of the Fasque estate, who converted a corn mill at Nethermill into a distillery. After losing his fortune, Ramsay was forced to sell the estate to the Gladstone family in 1829. John Gladstone’s son, William Gladstone, went on to become Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer and was instrumental in passing various reforms on the taxation of whisky.

In 1973 Whyte & Mackay acquired Fettercairn distillery and it has remained with the company since.

Fettercairn Distillery website

Tripadvisor Review

Speyside and the Malt Whisky Trail

A Wee Dram

While Aberdeen has two whisky distilleries close to the city, Glen Garioch and Fettercairn, the most famous nearby distilleries are in Speyside, about 50 miles away.

Speyside is famous for its whisky and is often called ‘Malt Whisky Country‘. It’s home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, and produces some of the best-selling whiskies in the world, including Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Macallan and Strathisla. The area is one of Scotland’s five whisky regions and produces a distinctive spirit which is usually lighter and sweeter than single malts from other regions, such as the Islay, Campbeltown and the Western Isles whiskies. They are noted in general for their elegance and complexity, sometimes with a refined smokiness but more often for their fruity or floral notes.

Speyside Distilleries

Speyside has a Malt Whisky Trail which allows people to visit the different distilleries in the region and experience the way in which whisky is made and casked.

Glenlivet Distillery

Glenfiddich Distillery

Strathisla Distillery

VisitScotland Whisky Map

Picture of the Day

8th April 2019

Glen Garioch Distillery

Glen Garioch distillery (pronounced “Glen Geery” in the Doric dialect of Aberdeen) is one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland, dating back to 1797. It is situated just outside the village of Old Meldrum, 19 miles from Aberdeen, and is the city’s closest whisky distillery.

Wikipedia Page

Glen Garioch Distillery Webpage