Whisky heaven

I really don't know how to explain this buzz and passion! Whisky live is keeping me on my toes, there is beautiful whisky flowing, men in kilts, bagpispes.... Every now and then a promo girl might say the wrong thing, but mainly there is a knowledgeable expert around to delve into the real nitty gritty. Did the Glen Grant distillery tour, and I was the wierdo in the corner asking all the technical questions... Men surrounding me wondering who is this slightly odd girl???? Then onto the The Macallan class, loved that!!!!! Real knowledge, real info, no bull! Just honest whisky info! Hello!!! Candice Heaven! Now in Rob Allenson's whisky class about the worlds best whisky, and once again, a little slice of heaven!!!
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Whisky Live Festival!!!!!

I do enjoy celebrations: I love my birthday , and I love Christmas ( just to name a few) And people: I love Whisky Live Festival. I feel a bit like the night before my birthday, excited and waiting in anticipation…. Now, mind you, some people don’t understand my extreme excitement of this festival, as I have pretty much tried all the wonderful drams on offer. But it’s the fact that Cape Town gets to focus on whisky for 3 days straight, that there are going to be consumers who also get to taste wonderful drams, and will too start to fall for the beautifully enticing world of single malt whisky. This is the exciting element, education, taste exploration, quality not quantity!.
Tomorrow morning, bright and early starts my few days of whisky excitement, I will be meeting Gerry Tosh, Global Brand Ambassador ( and Head of Education)for Highland Park, one of my favourite drams…. Check out some of his stuff on YouTube, great! Later I will be doing training @ Bascule with Rob Sameuls , whisky maker from Makers Mark in the afternoon before I wonder over to Whisky Live.
On Thursday a more serious day as I attend a presentation by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society regarding rules and regulations of Scotch. And then my passion, I get to chat to women about whisky, and listen to Gerry Tosh present Highland Park to the “All4Women” readers….I will be popping to Whisky Live again, and I will be attending Rob Allenson’s Best Whiskies in the World workshop! OOOhhh, Candice is in her element!

Gratitude for the sense of taste!

I have just experienced a rather nasty summer cold that left me with no taste buds what so ever! Seriously people, it was bad, you could have given me a cup of tea or an Ardbeg, no way I could tell them apart!!! What I have since re-discovered, is that life is incredibly boring without a sense of taste or smell! Slowly but surely my taste receptors are coming back to life and as I sip my Laphroaig I gladly welcome the flavour of peat back into my life... I also have a bottle of Glenmorangie Lasanta waiting for me @ home. At last, I can eagerly tuck into it and not taste from memory, but from the pure delight of having this wonderful sherried dram roll over my tongue and tickle all my tastebuds , welcoming them back to the big, bold, powerful world of whisky!
Slainte
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New Whiskies to grace our collections.....

Exciting things happening, @ least in my little whisky world that is... First of all, when I had the amazing opportunity to visit Laphroaig for a few magical hours in August, I tried their beautiful 18 year old. In the distillery food and whisky tasting, we paired it with wonderful dark chocolate... I was sad though... Why did SA not get this beautiful gem??? Now, letting you into a little secret; its coming!I'll let you know when it arrives @ Bascule, I do feel we should do something special to mark this momentous occasion... Soon folks, soon!

And onto something else a touch peaty... But by no means a 50PPM loaded Laphroaig. This time round, The Balvenie Peated Cask, 17 year old.Personally I am a big Balvenie fan, they get it right, they are classy, elegant and with out that 'in your face' marketing that many brands opt for, they continue to attract loyal followers and Balvenie lovers. Well, I suppose it is easy to do when your product is so superbly crafted.

Very rare in Scotland: they grow a proportion of their own Barley,they do their OWN floor maltings, they have their own cooperage and coppersmith on sight. And even though their sister distillery, Glenfiddich ,is world-renowned, The Balvenie is a rather "boutique" style whisky to a certain degree.Okay, I am rambling too much. Also, soon, the Peated Cask will be on our shelves and @ your bottle store! What exactly makes it a peated cask? Well, a few years ago, Balvenie distilled some rather heavily peated malt, and filled it into casks to mature. They then removed the peated whisky. Now, normal Balvenie whisky, aged for 17 years, has been finished for a few months in these casks( which previosly held the highly peated whisky.) The result? A wonderful speyside whisky, with a hint of peat that will certainly leave most whisky lovers smiling. Its not obtrusive, its not "in your face peat" (not mocking in "your face peat", that peat is one of my best friends) It's balanced and elegant and created by pairing the best of 2 of my favourite worlds: the robust world of peat, and the aromatic, layered world of speyside whisky.


Tonight I did a tasting with a British journalist, we chatted about Chill-filtration, wood , different peat from Islay vs Orkney, and our mutual respect ( and love ) for Highland Park. With Whisky Live soon on our doorstep, things are heating up! I'll keep you posted!

Slainte!

View from Devon Valley Hotel - whisky waiting...

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A wonderful Whisky dinner in Stellenbosch+ my Sunday @ work

Friday night we had a family night out in the forms of a whisky dinner hosted by Dave Hughes. The rest of the Baker family like whisky but are by no means connoisseurs, so this was sure to be an interesting night for us all! The dinner was @ Devon Valley Hotel in Stellenbosch , a stunning country hotel, with views to leave you breathless!

Dave Hughes, who has been a respected name in the liquor industry for many, many years took us through the brilliantly paired dinner. The line up: Auchentoshan 3 wood, Glenmorangie Nectar D' Or, Ardbeg 10 and Dalmore Gran Reserva. Beautiful whiskies elegantly paired! We started off with " Black Mushroom Stack", which included roasted Beetroot and Butternut. The beetroot definately accompanied the delicate, subtlety of the sweeter, lighter notes of the lowland Auchentoshan in a beautifully balanced way.

The next course, a very Scottish: salmon and oatcake number served with Horseradish Creme Fraiche " Single malt Gravadlax of Slamon". The Nectar d'or ,surprisingly, worked very well with the salmon, the sweet notes of the mini oak cakes were spot on.

Now the surprise of the evening was certainly the Ardbeg with the delicious Slow Cooked Pork Belly ( set on saffron mash, drizzled with cranberry and rooibos reduction with asparagus spears) Folks , I suggest you try this number if you get a chance, balanced, & complimentary; the boldness of the dram and richness of the pork, somehow came together in a pure delight, each bite, each sip was just breath-taking!

Great night, great company, excellent whisky and food = Candice Heaven

Now for me, the easiest thing to pair is a good Highland malt and chocolate. The bitter chocolate parfait was easily, hands down, the winner @ our table. The Bakers loved it; Dalmore and chocolate, yes please!!!

Now work on a Sunday is never fun, so I use this time wisely... I taste different malts, in my own mini tasting. Today: Balblair 1978, Glendronach 15, Glenturret 16 and Jura 10... Tasing notes to follow.... To be honest left them @ work, now at home cooking & sippin Chenin Blanc.... tomorrow it shall be....

A proud Ardbeg Committee Member!!!

Today to my extreme delight, there was "whisky mail" waiting for me in my post box. A little while ago, upon my return from Islay, I joined the Ardbeg Committee. It was an easy on line sign-up I thought for such a prestigious committee. And today, I opened the little wooden post box, and there lying amongst the junk mail, was an envelope, with a beautiful black and white photograph of Ardbeg on the front and an Ardbeg seal on the back.
Oh the joy!

I carefully placed it in my bag, and headed to Origin to enjoy a well made crafted flat white, and open this most wonderful arrival.

The letter addressed to Candice states (with much love and appreciation) that I am member number 403380. Inside the envelope is a "follow your nose history booklet" and a Rules and Regulations booklet, filled with light hearted yet important information. Like how to properly taste an Ardbeg and "narrative support for use when dispensing or consuming your dram"
It made me smile, it made me reminisce about Islay and its natural beauty, rugged coastline, 100% real people, oh and its delicious whisky of course.

My trip to Ardbeg was probably one of my most wonderful memories of my Scottish journey.
I set foot, from Laphroaig to Ardbeg, almost a 6 km walk (no taxi to be booked for lil ol me) so with my mini Laphroaig in one hand, a bag over each shoulder and camera in the other hand,off I went along the narrow island road.

The weather so kindly presented all 4 seasons , it went from mild, to sunny spots, to windy, to rainy...
Alone, on foot, I felt very alive, what other 24year old whisky crazed South African women had taken that little journey ? Um... I suspect I might be the only one.
Arriving @ Ardbeg was a joyous moment, the lunch came in @ perfect timing and the tour and tasting with Jackie was just amazing!

Now as a proud Ardbeg committee member, I urge you to try this little gem: its bold, complex and a truly wonderful peaty whisky. Once a fan, its tough to find another dram that matches the beauty that is delivered by Ardbeg.

Slainte
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A nice little taster...

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Whisky tasting in one of the luxurious apartments @ Cape Grace

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Spices, dark chocolate(coffee, because it was morning) and whisky, all before 12 noon....

And back to the exciting world of whisky... On Friday I had a tasting and pairing session with the Glenmorangie Brand ambassador. On Tuesday, the fascinating Glenmrangie Signet is launched in Bascule, an exclusive tasting with our whisky members. What makes this dram so fascinating? The malted Barley is roasted, unlike all other whiskies. It gives it a deep, rich complex character, layered with a multitude of coffee, toasty warm spicy notes, that in my mind beats most Highland drams...

So the tasting meeting was set for 11 am, we sat outside Bascule overlooking the yachts and boats on display, with a variety of chocolate, coffee, spices, and of course Glenmorangie Signet.With quite a few odd looks from passers by, we started dipping dark chocolate into a selection of spices,sipping coffee and Signet, we were blown away by how easily this malt pairs with all the elements.So, after a very successful morning, the tasting is set and organized, Bascule will be the first bar in SA to offer this delightful dram.Can't wait for Tuesday... Whisky members, get ready to be blown away!

And then, last night Bascule started it's rocking 10th Birthday, I must admit, I have never been at a 10th Birthday that looked like so much fun... Awesome music duo, Rus Nerwich and DJ Leighton, whisky at low, low , low prices and cocktails at R25 , I really did wish I was a guest, not a Bascule employee...

Bring on the next 9 days!!!

When it all gets too much, go back to your passion....

And once again today was filled with a few interesting facets… I tasted a brand new Highland Park ( I won’t reveal my sources….) but it was a cask strength edition( no… it was not their new 50 year old beauty, sadly)How can I describe it? I would compare it to their 12, but not as superbly balanced, and a bit less smoke. But a good expression none the less…. So thank you dear source, you made a hectic day a bit , nay, a lot more pleasant.

The next facet, was tasting a spirit in the development process ( certainly here I will NOT reveal my sources) however what I will highlight is how complicated it can get…
It’s literally compared to a blind nosing and tasting, and the fact that the product is not even on the market yet, you have to try decipher where you personally think it will fit in the huge spirit market…. Coming from my whisky background/palate, I am rather biased to complicated layered flavours. Not saying the mystery spirit did not have that, but it was a touch on the sweeter side, which made me feel personally ,it would suite a women’s palate a bit more than an established (predominantly male)whisky drinkers slightly more varied palate. Now I suppose that “women statement” comes as a bit of a shock, I am not in any way belittling my sex, but just stating fact: generally women do prefer a sweeter dram/drink than a bold, peaty smoky dram/wine.. I know I am quite an exception to the rule ( give me a Laphroaig or a Lagavulin any day) but you have to look at the general consensus, and that is that women prefer sweeter milder whisky, and men quite often prefer more smoky, complex ,bolder ‘Scottish ‘ whiskies… None the less , it was very interesting and allowed me to at least personally dig deeper and discover ,just what is it that makes a whisky drinker chose a particular dram over another…

For me personally, it’s very much occasion or mood dependant. Today I had a long day at work, and over the last few weeks I have had a bit of soul searching/a tad more emotional reflective time, and now on the eve before my 25th birthday, my dram of choice is a Lagavulin 16. Paired with my steak pasta, its beautiful, its real, its hitting that spot, it’s challenging me in a way, but also comforting me, almost like its saying, relax, put your feet up, everything happens just as it should….
And the last portion of my day, was truly lovely. I spent time with a whisky member and his Irish friend. We discussed the Johnnie Walker range, and questioned the fuss over Chivas, he bought a bottle of Nikka Kingsland, a well priced and very decent Japanese whisky, that’s flying with my whisky members. We nosed a selection of Bourbon ( Knob Creek 9, really does have a stunning nose), and I introduced him to gentle mystical world of Bunnahabhain. Bunnahbahain, a wonderful malt because: to a novice, it’s a surprise. Yes, it’s from Islay, but no, it’s not a big smack of smoke, it’s a gentle multitude of vanilla, honey, fruit, floral, malt, balanced and amazingly harmonious on the palate and nose.

So now as I move onto my Macallan Re-awakening, (available from the distillery only and website only) I say goodnight as a 24 year old, and will bring you more whisky affairs as a 25 year old….

Slainte

A day in the life of a Whisky Sommelier…

Many people think my job entails drinking, I mean, tasting all day. Sorry to burst those bubbles, tasting is only a tiny portion of my day. However, every now and then something interesting and delightful comes along, today, one of our talented chefs Lerrico, brought me tasters of some delicious fruit sorbets….Wait, it’s not boring: we plan to lace them with some elegant single malts. Do I have your attention yet?

So look out for the Trio of Sorbets at Bascule during Cape Town’s upcomming hot summer months: Baked AppleSorbet with Glenmorangie Nectar D’ Or, Summer Berries sorbet with The Macallan 12, and wait for it, Banana sorbet with Islay’s magical Bowmore 12. They may be tweaked slightly, but this is what we worked on, and it was a stunning start to my Monday….

Every week I introduce a “Whisky of the Week” to our waiters and barmen; this is implemented to grow their knowledge and passion for the wonderful world of whisky. The whiskies I chose range from Scotch to Japanese to Irish to American. Prices range from the very affordable R35 per tot, to the slightly more exclusive…


And today whisky lovers, it’s a big one: Ardbeg Blasda, R110 a tot at Bascule. But this whisky is ananomaly in the Ardbeg range. Not in a bad way, in a good way; compared to its brothers and sistersfrom Ardbeg, Blasda is only peated to 8ppm compared to their more usual 24ppm. Some of the tasting notes directly from Ardbeg include:
Aroma
Rather gentle aroma kind of like banoffie pie and roast chestnuts. It then moves onto more complex spicy notes with the likes of: cloves, pine cones and fresh mint rise from the glass Eventually that breath of sea air and smokiness , comes through nicely .
Taste
Refreshing, silky and creamy to the palate, the initial sip is sweet with a mixture of sugared almonds, marzipan and hints of dried fruits. Gentle peat oils well up on the palate, remaining soft, clean
Finish
The finish is medium in length and tingly with a refreshing balance of clean lemon zest, creamy vanilla and hints of
cinnamon spiced apple.

So pop in, and spoil yourself if you enjoy a peated dram, otherwise, pop in and enjoy our newsummer special: Monday to Thursday 5-8 pm, Cocktails R25 each and Tapas @ R50 each…Views of the Yacht marina, Table Mountain doubled up with our great weather… welcome Summer!

New Inspiration

A creative, PR friend of mine, inspired me to start writing again. I felt after my trip, I could not tell much more of an exciting story…. But whisky is exciting, and I am immersed in the wonderful golden spirit as part of my job…. So here it goes…

Over the past few days, I have had a few guests fall in love with my tales from my Scotland, their passion for my stories made me swell with pride, as I once again realize how exceptionally lucky I am to have experienced Scotland. There are people who have spent their life ( i.e 25 years, and I am a mere 25) drinking Scotch , falling in love with i, and yearning to set foot in Scotland.

My journey, looking back was so mind-blowing, it really was a priceless journey, filled with joys of tasting whisky straight from the cask, wandering through Macallan’s barley fields, absorbing the aroma of freshly brewed “wash”…. These experiences allow one to evolve, understand and fall for the “water of life” on a different level.

Today I spent the afternoon chatting to an American gentlemen who has immersed himself in the wonderful world of whisky, his passion and interest was truly wonderful to feed off. We chatted casks, we chatted Irish , and then we tasted: Red Breast, Glenfarclas 21 ( he was a Macallan 18 man, but was pleasantly impressed with the wonders of the Speyside gem: Glenfarclas) and of course, Highland Park 18 thrown in for that wow factor.

It still amazes me how much Highland Park blows people away… I have on numerous occasions even converted non-whisky drinking ladies, to enjoy a Highland Park 12… This dram; explained, and introduced properly wins people over in most of my tastings. The delicate balance between the smoky notes and honey hints, married and beautifully matured in sherry casks is a rare “ideal” whisky. Highland Park is a treasure: just waiting for more whisky drinkers to fall in love with it, and discover it slowly , with friends, lovers, and fellow whisky admirers.


Two weeks ago, we hosted a Compass Box Whisky Blending evening for the Bascule Whisky Members. My colleague George was on a mission to try blend, the most balanced whisky… And what do you think came to my mind?.... Yes, you guessed it, Highland Park. It did not take much persuasion, as George very much knows and appreciate the fine malt. So we blended and tasted and blended, “a bit more sherry cask whisky, a bit more peaty whisky, a touch more water”…. Oh my, I do realize blending is a full on art, but hell folks, it was tough. I must admit, I was very much like a kid in a candy store, it was so exciting and overwhelming. However in the long run, I did think our blend was well balanced, it certainly had that Highland Park element to it, maybe another measure of water was needed, to bring it down from a ‘cask strength’ to a regular whisky.

I must reiterate blending is an art, next time you have a sip of a blend, or a single malt, think how much time and effort has gone into making it taste “just right” let alone the years and years it spent maturing, waiting in anticipation to be included into a fine dram….

Slainte

Ps Thanks Nikki

A Long Enjoyable Flashback.....

And back in sunny Cape Town , it was time to get ready for the much anticipated and eagerly awaited, Traditional Highland Ball. I got the dress sorted, and the Cape Grace BMW Chauffeur drive to the CTICC. Daniel and George (my two managers) accompanied me ( all kitted out in their " Bascule" kilts) and we made our way over to the venue, to host a few Bascule Whisky Members.

And what a night it turned out to be! I was in my element, bagpipes echoed though the Ballroom, their emotionally charged performance was welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed ( yes, yes, I cant help myself, I did get tears in my eyes ......again....)

One of the other highlights of the evening, was a moving and emotional tribute to Don Paul, the South African Whisky Legend. I never had the fortune to meet or work with him before his passing. I was truly saddened by the tribute presented, as I believe any of us, who have a passion for whisky, and who work in the industry lost a guru and mentor, without fully realising it...

Thank you Don Paul, you might not know if, but you have made me more passionate and enthusiastic about educating the public about this wonderful golden spirit we have all come to love. May you rest in peace, and may Scottish Angels always be by your side.

Onto a lighter note, the Bascule Table was a blast, thanks gents! Really had a great time! The Scottish dancers, bagpipers and whisky entertained for hours, and the dance floor was also made use of......

I am in the process of uploading my photos from Scotland onto the relevant entries ( please do note that all the major whisky hopping and touring took place on the first 2 pages, explore away....)

Slainte

The Macallan

1. The Macallan new make spirit all matures on site
2. And, how barrels are charred in the U.S....
3. Traveled in style, nothing less than The Macallan Range Rover
4. I explored their very own Fishing Beat, along the River Spey... Stunning!
5. Also ventured to the Speyside Cooperage, folks the cooperage photos are rather rare.... so enjoy....

If you want more... See the following links: "Speyside Cooperage & The Macallan " and "Haggis, Macallan 30 and a wee look into a copper pot still"

Glenmorangie

1. Slainte!! Hosted at Glenmorangie House , I had my Glenmorangie Original to keep me company
2. ... And the stunning scenes, I got to explore....
3. If you take a closer look at your favourite Glenmorangie, you will see this engraving on their label.... its steeped in history!

@ the distillery, a close up encounter with the tallest stills in the industry, a look into the washbacks and a pic to prove I WAS THERE!

See Post titled " Lost Luggage, Scotland's Tallest stills.... " to get more insight into my first distillery experience.

View from Albannach Whisky bar in Trafalgar Square...

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These are a few of my favourite things..

Hit a few great spots yesterday,I was left to my own devices. Hit Oxford street early, not my favourite place to shop as its soooo full of tourists, none the less, my credit card was...um... Abused. Then I needed some tlc, so hit EAT, one of the widely accessible local cafes. Very fresh produce always! Great sarmie... I then roamed the West End streets, not just the big names, but the smaller side allies too...less tourists, more to see. Covent Garden still remains one of my favourite areas in London, popped into a relatively new spot called Ella's- best Red Velvet Cupcakes, once again, I fell in love! Roamed a few more hours, and then lay in Green Park, looking up @ the trees & watching the Londoners sun themselves...
I met up with my dear friend Cath @ Albannach bar in Trafalgar Square which claims to be a "whisky bar" so I had to try it out:
Nice location - see the whole of Trafalgar square.
Waitress you could hear was not a whisky buff... But friendly.
Good selection on the menu, but strangely some of the more usual cats missing , no Glenmorangie or Highland Park 12, not much Macallan either.
Very suave decor inside, took a few snaps, will upload shortly. They have a few whisky tasting options ( some very similar to Bascules)
Overall rating regarding whisky 6/10... Oh and they also claim to have the best fish and chips in town....
We went to Gourmet Burger Kitchen for dinner, great vibe, speedy service and superb burgers( Garlic Mayo and Avo and Bacon burgers were tested 10/10!) Had a very yum Kiwi beer too, upload pic later... Spent the evening wondering the side roads of the West End... Great atmosphere, people spilling out onto the roads from over-packed pubs, Londoners really come out in full force when the sun comes out to play!Oh and also popped into National Portrait Gallery, wonderful spot - free entrance, I did my cultural thing :)
My trip is slowly coming to close...
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Ella's bakehouse in Covent Garden_ superb Red Valvet cupcakes...

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Whirlwind coming to an end...

I arrived in the scenic town of Pitlochry and set off on foot to the Blair Athol distillery (one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland,92% goes into the world famous Bells) and only 8% into the wonderful Blair Athol single malt. Due to a tiny mis-communication back in SA, I did not think they were expecting me... So I paid the £5 entrance happily,however the young lads behind the counter put 2 and 2 together (Um, how many young South African women would be travelling on their own to visit Blair Athol...exactly) as soon as they discovered "who I was" I was given the VIP tour (really just means not with the masses.) I , by this time am rather used to seeing computer screens assisting in the whisky making process, @ Blair Athol they are only introducing that now. Many of the Diageo distilleries do very high volumes of distillation and therefore mature casks 'off-site' due to lack of maturation warehouses . This is not the case with Blair Athol, all their new make spirit is matured on site, the spirit intended for Bells however is tankered away to be matured else where.
Now I tried my very best to get more as to what's in Bells( yes, yes, its not my dram of choice, but one has to face facts; its what most entry level whisky drinkers in SA start off with.) I got nothing, apart from the facts that Bells is matured in ex-boubon casks(off-site, he could not give me number of years) and Blair Athol new make spirit is matured on site in European Oak sherry casks. I tried their cask strength whisky ( only available @ the distillery shop) 55% alc, no age statement, great fruity,sherry flavours, usually I would prefer my cask strength with a splash of water, this time round the water was not preferred...( Photos will be uploaded Thursday, stunning distillery!)
And so my Whirlwind Whisky Tour is coming to an end. I sadly have no more distillery visits left. I do however have a whisky bar or 2 to hit in London town... And that I will be sure to report back on. Now, on the train back to Edinburgh to catch my evening flight to London. Scotland you have found a very special place in my heart (ya,ya soppy I know, but its true)
A few memories I will take with me:
The friendly, helpful locals, the fresh country side smells, the magical sweet aromas in the distilleries, the smell of peated barley, the magical Macallan Haggis, the surplus of smoked salmon I consumed,my first time in Wellies ( I flippin loved it) Glenmorangie's tall stills, the peat bogs in Islay, the warm peaty Lagavulin beer (wash) I tried,the views from my bed in Glenmorangie House and Port Charlotte Hotel, pouring myself a wee dram straight from the cask @ Caol Ila and tasting whiskies straight from the casks @ Bunnahbhain.
Its been magical, Scotland, and I will be back.
Slainte.
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View from lunch table... Man in kilt... Only in Scotland

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And more...

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Train trip...

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Train from Edinburgh to Pitlochry (Blair Athol)

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My dear Bagpipers...

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Fringe Fest, up & running

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Edinburgh and Bagpipes in the sun

In the sun, sipping a Peroni( just finished a stunning tomato pasta), it feels as if the sun is shinning directly on me, and me alone. I have spent the afternoon wondering the stunning streets of Edinburgh, Fringe festival is up and running so there is an electric vibe. The Royal Mile is buzzing with local shops including the famous "royal mile whiskies" ( which ships whisky all around the world) cheese delis and cashmere shops. Local amazingly talented musicians perform on the street corners, men are wearing kilts (yay) , and people are basking in the rare Scottish sun.
I don't know why it is, but over the last few months, every time I hear bagpipes, I get tears in my eyes... I know many people find the peculiar sound utterly annoying, but for me it evokes emotion and instant heritage. Edinburgh is wonderful, I would have preferred to discover this city with a few close friends, but none the less, I am a solo traveller this time round and making the most of it!
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Awards for Candice & Islay Airport...

Apart from this trip being 100% surreal and breathtaking, there are one or two things I have learnt on this trip, which I believe I need an award for.
1: The Award for Living Light. My dear family in particular know that I just CAN'T pack light! Its a fact, just as there is night and day: I, Candice Baker: don't pack light. Now, for me to get by for 4 days with mere hand luggage, I do believe it should have snowed on Table
Mountain to commemorate this momentous 4 days!
2: The Award for understanding the STRONG Scottish accent on Islay. I don't know how foreigners (who don't have English as their mother tongue) get by on this 'wee island. My listening skills were stretched. To their limits and I actually laughed a few times last night @ dinner listening to locals conversations... I laughed because I could not eavesdrop as... And they were speaking ENGLISH, my mother tongue! Throw in some distilling terminology, and what can I say, I should maybe have hired a translator... None the less, I had conversations with locals, learned finer details @ the distilleries, and fell in love.
Don't get too excited, did not fall for a strapping young lad in a kilt, I fell in love with Islay.
The hospitality has been phenomenal, the kindness and warmth was 100% genuine. These people live an enviable simple life, its safe, its beautiful, there is a beautiful slow life that resonates through the island. Maybe this adds to the beauty and mystique of Islay whisky... Its not just the peat folks, its a magical whisky island, filled with great, passionate people. If you ever come to Scotland, Islay is a quick 40min flight, well worth it! ( Tip: I have travelled quite some in my life, and the security search on Islay is the most intense I have EVER faced. Brace your self: they searched my hand luggage with a fine tooth and comb, I did have a little laugh: I was @ the smallest airport I've ever departed from, on an Island 95% of the world probably don't know of, being searched as if I was Osama bin Laden (in disguise.) It beats New York and London for security. The last award is to the Islay Airport: best security check in the world!
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Bowmore

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My view @ dinner... Yip, its still light out there...

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Last day on Islay comes to an end...

CAPTIONS:

• Bunnahabhian's traditional Oregon Pine Washback
• They use the old style traditional revolving rakes, not the lauter system
• Inside Caol Ila's washbacks, you can see the froth being created from the yeast added to the wash
• More fermentation
• Caol Ila's very traditional Malt Mill
• Caol Ila's operating panel (quite old school, compared to the computers others use)
• Caol lla's famous Still House
• Pouring a dram straight from the cask (Aged 4 years in Bourbon cask , 35ppm, 58%alc)
• Lagavulin's Spirit safe
  
  
  

This morning I was picked up by Andrew and taken on 'lil drive to Bunnahabhain (most northerly distillery on Islay)Silent season here, but a very interesting experience! To be honest I did spend most of the time trying to understand his very intense Scottish accent. But got some useful bits out for sure! Unlike the rest of Islays distilleries, they peat their core range barley to only 1ppm! Compared to Laphroaig and Ardbeg folks: 55-60 ppm, that's nothing!Oh and they have released a peaty one, peated to 35ppm... Bascule, its on its way! Then to Caol Ila, stunning spot nestled in a wee bay, view from the Still Room is breath taking. Tour was good, but not 100% memorable. They send 90% of new make spirit, straight to the mainland to be matured and blended into Johnnie Walker blends mainly. Only 10% goes into the famous Caol Ila malt (not really matured on site either, quite sad to realise...)
Then onto the famous Lagavulin. Was taken around by a very knowledgeable young women, who has worked there since 2006. Gave me the guided tour, and I got to taste the wash, straight from the washback , warm, smokey beer really... Great to experience though!!
Now all checked into my little B&B in the village of Bowmore, yes folks, its not just a distillery... @ the Lochside hotel and pub now, grabbing a bite to eat.
I'll upload a pic of my view, phenomenal. I have my faithful Laphroaig Quarter Cask as my pre-drink, will let you know what the dinner is like... Slainte!
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My view from Breakfast...

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And today...

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Yesterday

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Waking up so the sounds of a weather change...

Islay was very good to me yesterday. Sunny patches, gorgeous white clouds. No wind. This morning I set my alarm to squeeze in a discovery walk before breakfast. Curtains still all closed, I awoke, and I could hear the waves and wind, slightly more so than when I went to bed last night... Mind you, the waves are more similar to lapping water than Sea Point's crashing waves... But there was a change...The waves are coming in faster, more rapidly, and as the rain splatters upon my windows (now framed by open curtains), and the wind blows (rather determinedly) upon the old beveled glass, I lie in bed, coffee in hand, happy not to be outside walking, but rather snuggled up in my comfy bed, overlooking the choppy grey ocean. And apart from nature, no other sounds come into play this morning. There are no cars, no sirens, no construction... The weather might have evolved over night and made itself more audible, but this is still quiet, serene, un-touched nature...
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Upside down..

Things are a tad delayed on Islay, just an FYI.
Read the "Walking 3 Miles" post BEFORE the "Women on whisky" post... Hope it makes sense!
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Yum... Very rare taste!

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Folks.. I'm here!

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Walking 3 miles along Islay's tiny road- Laphroaig to Ardbeg

Wish I could have had a camera man with me... It was HiLARIOUS! I walked 3 miles ( 1 mile = about 1.6km) from distillery to distillery. Please note chaps, this road is TINY, no lines, no shoulders, and defiantly no pedestrian path...
Could not book a taxi, so walked the almost 5 km's... It was sunny @ the beginning, took some stunning snaps.... Then got a tad cold + drizzly ( thanks ma for your rain jacket) so believe it or not, I whipped out my mini Laphroaig Quarter cask whisky and had a little slug...I mean, why not on Islay, and had the wee dram in my bag... Believe me I did laugh @ myself... Me , the only pedestrian for 4.8 Km, 2 heavy bags, camera in 1 hand, whisky in the other , rain and sheep keeping me company...what a superb experience! Now @ Ardbeg, about to have a bite to eat, then touring the distillery @ 3.
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Ardbeg

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Women on whisky

CAPTIONS:
The Ardbeg Collection

A wee dram

I received the full range tasting

The Chairman's Study, the private tasting room I was treated to.

The Ardbeg Spirit Safe

The Lauter blades which mix the barley and and the water in the Mash Tun

Outside Ardbeg... no these barrels don't have spirit in them

Um.... Ardbeg?.....

So far, I have been to 4 very different unique distilleries and been guided by 4 VERY clued up passionate women. Varying ages, but all oozing passion, intensity and love for how this magical spirit comes to life! Today @ Ardbeg I was once again led by a phenomenal women, Jackie Thompson. We had a one on one tour of the distillery, first though a long in-depth chat about the industry and how perceptions and ideas have changed over the years in this rather small niche industry. Everything from 'what's a women's preferred dram' to the level of knowledge that your whisky lover develops through not necessarily drinking more, but a wider variety of the better malts!
Then, as it too was in silent season, I got the full tour with minimal noise and no tour group interruptions. There volume output is the smallest I have encountered so far, only 2 stills(1 wash, 1 spirit still) but I suppose this is one of the factors that gives Ardbeg such a cult following, it does a few phenomenal expressions, ALL with an interesting and entertaining background and none are simply made to 'bring out a new expressions' as quite a few brands tend to do now a days.
I then did an in-depth tasting in their "chairman's study" (by appointment only) photos will be uploaded shortly! Great nook to discover some of the rarer Ardbegs!
In their wonderful shop I purchased the new Ardbeg Supernova 2010. Stunning cask strength (60.1%)whisky for Bascule. I know @ least one of my whisky members who will be utterly excited by this...oh and some gorgeous leather coasters for my whisky @ home ( dear Brother, please chuck those silly plastic ones away... Merci)
Just checked into Port Charlotte Hotel, stunning!
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