Missing the pub? Gayle joins a live whisky tasting online and finds it’s a brilliant way to spend an evening
Hanging out in the pub has become a distant memory.
The last time I was in such an establishment – in March – was to celebrate/commiserate the leaving do of two esteemed colleagues.
I’d been at the office all day (remember those things?) and had a jolly good evening clinking glasses with friends.
Since then, I’ve been indulging in the odd boozy beverage at home of a Friday, Saturday and Sunday night (and admittedly, on some week nights, too).
My top tipples are gin and whisky although wine and prosecco are also firm favourites.
I don’t know enough about whisky to call myself a connoisseur but I’m not one to resist a wee dram when it’s being offered.
So when I heard free live tastings of the golden nectar were being hosted online, I was in my element. Free whisky? Yes, indeed!
They’re held online on Friday nights at 7pm and give whisky lovers the chance to sample some rare and very special choices.
The sessions, which last around 30 minutes, are run by Georgie Bell, global malts ambassador for Bacardi and Dewar’s, and promoter of the Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla and The Deveron distilleries.
I signed up for the Craigellachie tasting, which featured a 13 and 31-year-old whisky.
The latter was voted best single malt in the world at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards, and a 70cl bottle will set you back a cool £1,200.
Getting involved is easy – you follow @belleswhisky on Instagram and wait for Georgie to announce what’s going to be tasted the following Friday. Spaces are limited but if you’re lucky enough to have your named picked at random, you’ll be sent your two samples ahead of the tasting.
While these free tastings are on offer for 56 people, there’s a live “triple tasting” for £18 running every two weeks for everyone who buys a pack. This includes fantastic 5cl bottles of an Aberfeldy 12-year-old single malt, Craigellachie 13-year-old single malt and a Dewar’s 12-year-old blend.
Georgie leads the sessions via Zoom and special guests chip in with words of wisdom.
It’s all very light-hearted but it’s a chance to learn about the distillery and its drams, and to meet new people, albeit online.
Folk are encouraged to chat, or if that’s too daunting, you can leave comments on the page, whether simply greetings like “hi there”, “love your wallpaper”, or your thoughts on the whiskies.
If you’re really shy, you can join the Zoom meeting by phone, rather than video, meaning you don’t have to show your face, or you can mute your audio.
The virtual atmosphere is very convivial and friendly, and a bit like being in the pub with folk you’ve only just met!
I learn a lot about the history of Craigellachie within a short space of time thanks to Craigellachie distillery manager Keith Brian who cheerfully reels off a good few anecdotes.
Apparently it’s nicknamed the “bad boy of Speyside”, as its oil-fired, rich character defies the typical Speyside taste, which is known to be fruity and floral.
Keith also waxes lyrical about the squat worm tubs used at Craigellachie and how they bring about a more punchy, “meaty” flavour.
After chatting about the glorious aromas wafting out of the distillery, I’m more than ready to taste the 13-year-old, which is blooming amazing.
Because I’m live, in front of so many, I do this politely – nosing the glass first, and then sipping. We’re then asked to offer our opinions on how it tastes, either verbally or via typed comments.
Most folk agree it’s very smoky but other comments include: “super caramelly”, “peppery tingle on the tongue”, “sort of coriander/nutty spicy”, “pineapple notes”, “a slightly smoky, flat can of Lilt, “dried apricot and baked apples”, and strangest of all, “like 15WD40 from an old VW camper van!”
This inspires a few chuckles but like Georgie says, nobody can be wrong or right when it comes to whisky.
Moving on to the 31-year-old, the excitement on everyone’s faces says it all. This stuff is the business!
I pick up a tropical, pineappley aroma on the nose, a waxiness, like a scented candle, and a bit of a mustiness, like a forest on a wet afternoon. Just wow! This has to be the best dram I’ve ever experienced.
Many people agree it gives off a slightly sulphuric whiff but Keith prefers to refer to this as being “like a struck match”.
Other comments include: “like stepping into a musty wardrobe”, “tropical fruit notes”, “a texture bomb”, “pineapple cubes in a wood-panelled shop”, and “full-bodied”.
Keith, however, describes it as “pudding”.
The taste is light, but conversely, quite rich – I get honey, tropical fruit, candy floss, vanilla, and subtle caramel.
I’m lucky enough to have been able to share the rare, and you might be, too, but almost as good a deal is the live triple tasting.
If you’ve a thirst for a bit of knowledge, love whisky and fancy trying something new, I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy these tastings. And what else would you be doing of a Friday night, anyway?
In Georgie’s words, “whisky makes everything better”, and I have to agree.
Jonathan Wilson, the visitor operations manager at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery, says the Perthshire base was missing sharing its stories with guests and wanted to find a way to continue this during lockdown.
“The free Friday tastings are Georgie’s project to share some special whiskies for free from her personal collection,” he explains.
“I’ve been supporting this with some rare bottles form the distillery – including the Craigellachie 31.
“Last year we had 51 bottles of Craigellachie 51-year-old and Georgie travelled the world sharing it for free with whisky lovers.
“We extended this ‘share the rare’ idea by letting people on the Craigellachie tasting nominate a friend to receive a free taste.
“However, the live tastings of our core 5cl range – the triple tasting pack – is a brilliant opportunity that anyone can join for just £18.
“These guided tastings run every fortnight so you can learn about the provenance and unique character of these whiskies from the comfort of your own home.”
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Follow Georgie on Instagram at @belleswhisky and send her a message to be in with a chance of joining a free live whisky tasting. For details of the triple tasting pack, see shop.dewars.com
