Scotch in {Scotland}

And now I present to you…letter S for the A to Z Challenge.

When we visited Scotland, we knew we needed to go on at least one scotch whisky tour. It’s Scotland, after all!

We chose the Glengoyne Distillery, as part of another tour (that included Stirling and Loch Lomond), partly due to its proximity to Edinburgh. We, as usual, were short on time, but I am so, so happy we decided to do this tour. I was actually more interested in the tour than I thought I would be–whisky is more up E’s alley than mine, usually, although my drink of choice is often a whisky ginger–but with free tastings, beautiful scenery, and a funny guide, what’s not to like?

We toured the entire property, learned about the water that goes into the whisky, and visited every room to discover each step of the process. I finally learned what “single malt whisky” means (that all of the whisky comes from one malt in a single distillery…apparently distilleries often blend their scotch) and that each whisky is named after the region in which it is produced: So Glengoyne is technically Glengoyne Highland (region) Single Malt Whisky. Kind of wordy, but it’s totally worth it. I also learned that in Scotland, it’s “whisky,” and Ireland is “whiskey.” Don’t forget to add or subtract the “e,” my friends, because it matters.

I can’t say that I have much of a refined palate when it comes to whisky (remember how I usually mix it with, um, ginger ale?), but when that whisky is old enough to drink itself, you can really taste the difference. It goes down smooth.

Now, we want to go back and explore other areas that produce whiskey and other types of whisky. Apparently you can do entire whisky tours of the country…it might be fun to do a Whisky/Castle Tour, am I right? Throw in some snacks and I’ll be a happy girl (another reason I would love to road trip in the Highlands!).

^Isn’t the distillery so…Scottish?

^gosh I miss green things.

^the water from which springs the glorious nectar that is whisky.

^our tour started in the gorgeous, classic rooms of the distillery. Can I live here for a while, please?

^part of the tour included views of each part of the process.

^how awesome is our tour guide? you can tell just by looking at him.

^where they age the whisky, although these are mostly decorative. Some of the whisky is from sherry-aged barrels, meaning they bought barrels of sherry that weren’t palatable and used the same casks for whisky.

^this is where they sell you the good stuff. and where you can taste the good stuff, if you pay an extra fee (for the really good stuff, I mean).

^he’s a true taster, using the nose and everything!

^so happy. I was pretty happy, too, which is why it is a little blurry.

^the really, really good stuff…so good it gets its own lighting display…and needs its own down payment.

I’m linking up once again with Bonnie, Tina and Melanie for Travel Tuesday!