As a group, we have some members who work in the industry as tour guides, brand ambassadors, production operators and so on. We also have members who purely just enjoy the stuff and would like to learn a bit more while socialising with like-minded people. It is important to have this mix to ensure that it remains fun, enjoyable and unique for everyone who has joined us. By also using our collective spirit and passion we can ensure we can participate in and deliver unique experiences for everyone.
So on March 24th a group of us booked a mini-bus to enable 8 members to visit the quiet, picturesque town of Dornoch, home to the Whisky Cellars and the Dornoch Distillery, both of which are truly remarkable. Before this, we managed a visit of Inverness Bairds Maltings, an often overlooked piece of the whisky making jigsaw and a site that many people pass on their way out of the town centre, without giving it a thought.
Visiting a maltings of this scale really helps members understand the malting process
with greater clarity. Alec was top class, showing us the sheer size of the operation, the process of peating on an industrial scale and how each batch of barley is monitored to produce an end product that is the start of so many great drams. The testing that goes into each batch to ensure there is no disease or defects shows that the quality of the grain carries through to the spirit itself.
From Bairds, the next stop was up to Dornoch Castle Hotel for a look around what is quite simply any whisky lover’s dream; Dornoch Distillery.
Simon Thomson, co-owner with his brother of this little gem, showed us around and it is fair to say the majority of us fell in love with Simon the Distillery. The product is unique, the location is spectacular and Simon’s passion to create the best quality alcohol all added up to give us an incredible experience and better understanding of what they are trying to achieve along the NC500.
We have some massive followers at IWAS, we get fan mail, messages thanking us for such fine work and a potential membership list which will keep us busy for the next couple of years. Without the fans (such as Italian wine societies) it just wouldn’t be the same; so we thank you for your continuing support.
Moving on from the Dornoch Distillery, we had a spot of lunch at the hotel (which was splendid) and walked about 20 yards next door, which is the home of the Dornoch Carnegie Whisky Cellars. We were treated to a sublime blind tasting by the wonderful Lorna.
Many great plans and ideas were discussed and more members (who shall not be named for legal reasons) signed the constitution and swore allegiance to our sacred Society. Additional nominations means that our membership has tripled in 6 months, showing there is an increasing desire for an independent whisky club in the Highland capital.
By the time the sun set on our day we were all on our way back home to get ripped apart by our partners who let us off the leash for the day. Plenty of sore heads on the
Sunday meant it was seen as another successful day out for the IWAS team.
With individual members visiting distilleries/tastings far and wide, and two summer meets planned to accommodate our membership its an exciting time to be a involved with the IWAS.
Special thanks again for Alec, Simon, Lorna and the staff at the Dornoch Hotel for looking after us so well and providing us with an unforgettable day.
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