The Glengoyne Single Malt Whisky Blog http://blog.glengoyne.com Tales from the Glengoyne Distillery Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:22:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Ian Macleod whisky brands in the limelight this summer http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/ian-macleod-whisky-brands-in-the-limelight-this-summer/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/ian-macleod-whisky-brands-in-the-limelight-this-summer/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:17:49 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1180 Music and cabaret shows at The Famous Spiegeltent

Three of Ian Macleod’s Distillers’ renowned whisky brands – Glengoyne, Smokehead and Isle of Skye – will be at the heart of Edinburgh’s cultural and whisky events this summer with their planned sponsorship and sampling partnerships.

The curtain raiser is as Whisky Partner for the city’s most exciting Edinburgh Fringe venue this year, the re-launched Assembly Rooms which has just undergone a massive £12m revamp. During the Fringe part of George Street will be closed to traffic and the outdoor site will incorporate a wonderful open-air terrace which will house The Famous Spiegeltent and host a variety of music and cabaret shows.

The Famous Spiegeltent Interior

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky, Isle of Skye 8 Years Old Blended Whisky and Smokehead Single Islay Malt will be the only whiskies sold there.

Commercial Director, Neil Boyd explained why Ian Macleod Distillers’ brands are partnering with the Assembly Rooms and The Famous Spiegeltent this year.

“Undoubtedly the newly opened Assembly Rooms is the most exciting venue at this year’s Fringe Festival,” said Neil Boyd.

“The closure of part of one of Edinburgh’s most famous streets to accommodate the venue and to attract even more visitors will provide terrific exposure for our Glengoyne, Smokehead and Isle of Skye brands. Not only will these be the only whiskies sold, in keeping with the premium nature of the Assembly Rooms, the brands will be displayed prominently on the interior and exterior of this smart new venue.” www.arfringe.com

The next act to follow is the Whisky Fringe, at another dramatic venue, Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh, from 3 – 5 August.

This is a whisky festival, hosted by Royal Mile Whiskies, where the company will be sampling Glengoyne (10 & 12 Years Old, Cask Strength, 17 & 21 Years Old), Smokehead and Isle of Skye plus there will be a Special Dram sampling on the day at this ticket-only event. www.royamilewhiskies.com

The finale will be Whisky Luxe – a whisky tasting show that has been featured in some of the most iconic venues around the world. For the first time it will be brought home to Scotland on Friday 7 September and be held in the Scotch Whisky Experience near Edinburgh Castle.

Designed to appeal to national and international enthusiasts, collectors, luxury travellers and local companies, Whisky Luxe will offer some of the finest cuisine, the rarest whiskies, a tour on the unique Scotch Whisky Experience barrel ride, and whisky stands sprinkled throughout this stunning venue.

Ian Macleod will be sampling Glengoyne (10 & 12 Years Old, Cask Strength, 17 & 21 Years Old), Smokehead and Isle of Skye.

www.whiskylive.com/scotland/55/edinburgh-2012.

For further information visit: www.ianmacleod.com

Ian Macleod encourages responsible drinking www.drinkaware.co.uk www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/ian-macleod-whisky-brands-in-the-limelight-this-summer/feed/ 0 Glengoyne Distillery’s TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/trip-advisor-certificate-excellence/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/trip-advisor-certificate-excellence/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:34:55 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1174 At Glengoyne Distillery, the whole of the team works hard round the year to give visitors the best possible experience, help them understand how our beautiful whisky is made and help them enjoy their visit to our beautiful area. Tens of thousands of visitors pass through the gates every single year, a number that is growing steadily.

We’re delighted to reveal that we were recently awarded TripAdvisor’s coveted Certificate of Excellence for the Year of 2012, with a 4.5-Star Rating, placing the Distillery as the TripAdvisor community’s 7th favourite visitor attraction in Glasgow. Naturally, we think the distillery is the very best attraction to visit if you’re in the area, but then we’re just a little biased!

If you have visited the distillery recently and haven’t written a review, why not head over to our TripAdvisor page and let the world – and us – know what you think. We read every single review!

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/trip-advisor-certificate-excellence/feed/ 0 Glengoyne toasts the start of Fred MacAulay’s charity walk http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/glengoyne-toasts-the-start-of-fred-macaulays-charity-walk/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/glengoyne-toasts-the-start-of-fred-macaulays-charity-walk/#comments Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:10:50 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1164


Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky welcomed comedian and broadcaster, Fred MacAulay to the distillery on the first leg of his 96-mile West Highland Way charity walk in aid of the STV Appeal 2012.


Fred, accompanied by Scottish rugby legend, Scott Hastings and STV news presenter, John Mackay on the inaugural day of the walk, aims to raise funds to help children living in poverty in Scotland.



The West Highland Way runs close to Glengoyne Distillery near Killearn. On arrival, Alan Wardrop, UK sales manager for the distillery, met Fred and his walkers, presenting them with a bottle of Glengoyne 21 Years Old as a memento and Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dram to auction for the appeal.


Fred was even able to top up his hip flask with Glengoyne 21 Years Old, providing him with a tipple for the remaining 89 miles which lie ahead!



For more information on Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky, visit www.glengoyne.com.


To donate to the STV Appeal, visit: www.justgiving.co.uk/WHWFredmacAulay
]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/glengoyne-toasts-the-start-of-fred-macaulays-charity-walk/feed/ 0 Top drinks buff, Olly Smith, teams up with Glengoyne for the ‘Ideal’ whisky tasting session http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/top-drinks-buff-olly-smith-teams-up-with-glengoyne-for-the-ideal-whisky-tasting-session/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/top-drinks-buff-olly-smith-teams-up-with-glengoyne-for-the-ideal-whisky-tasting-session/#comments Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:31:57 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1127 Olly Smith at the Glengoyne Distillery Shop

Olly Smith, one of the UK’s most popular and charismatic TV drinks experts, teamed up with Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky at the Ideal Home Show Scotland 2012 in Glasgow earlier this month, to host a number of special tasting sessions across Glengoyne’s award-winning core range.


As Celebrity Drinks Ambassador for the Ideal Home Show, Olly joined the Glengoyne team in the Celebrity Chef Theatre to offer whisky aficionados, as well as complete novices, an entertaining Masterclass on the Glengoyne range and to learn something new about Scotland’s national spirit.

(L-R) Glengoyne Distillery Manager, Robbie Hughes; Business Development Manager, Ian MacLeod Distillers & Olly Smith at Glengoyne Distillery

Olly also made a special visit to the Glengoyne Distillery to experience the home of the leading malt whisky for himself, meeting Distillery Manager Robbie Hughes and to get a taste for Glengoyne at its source.  Glengoyne is one of Scotland’s most accessible distilleries, located just 30 minutes north of Glasgow in a beautiful wooded glen overlooking the breath-taking West Highland Way.

The mouth-watering journey started with the delicate sweet nose of fresh apples from the Glengoyne 10 Years Old, before the enjoying the more bourbon influences of Glengoyne 12 Years Old.  A Single Malt which can’t help improving with age, the nutty, spicy flavours of the Glengoyne 17 Years Old were the perfect predecessor to the riot of toffee, spice and sherry that the Glengoyne 21 Years Old is famous for.

Olly Smith at the Glengoyne Distillery

Distilled in the heart of The Trossachs for nearly 200 years, Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is one of the leading malt whiskies in the world. Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne is made with knowledge, passion and craftsmanship.

Commenting on his partnership with Glengoyne, Olly said: “The Glengoyne range has a vibrant fruity character across the board with delightful purity in every sip, whether it’s light and refreshing or deep and rich. The casks impart complexity and depth as the whiskies gently develop with age.

“I loved visiting the intimate Glengoyne Distillery and it was a great opportunity to share these brilliant drinks with visitors at The Ideal Home Show Scotland too.”

Olly hosts a variety of live events around the UK including the BBC Good Food Show, Tapas Fantasticas, and previously Masterchef Live, Love Cooking, Taste of London and the F-Word Live for Channel 4.  Olly is also a Wine Editor for The Mail on Sunday’s Live Magazine, writes weekly for Waitrose Weekend, monthly for Waitrose Kitchen, as well as features for numerous other publications.

For more information on Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky visit www.glengoyne.com

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/top-drinks-buff-olly-smith-teams-up-with-glengoyne-for-the-ideal-whisky-tasting-session/feed/ 1 Bottle – by Gordon Brown – Part 12 http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-12/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-12/#comments Fri, 25 May 2012 09:08:33 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1042 The distillery became a media hot spot. Charlie did more interviews than Usain Bolt after breaking a world record. TV and radio adore a ‘hero and ‘Quick Question Charlie’ became ‘Have a Go Charlie.’ The internet caught fire and with the speed only the digital world can deliver Charlie went global. A Facebook page was set up. #haveagocharlie became the number one spot on Twitter and a young pupil from the local school snapped together a website and Charlie was immortalized in pixel form.

The next day the newspapers spread Charlie over the front pages. ‘Four drinks and you’re out cold.’ ‘ It’s a ‘whisky’ game working in a distillery.’

A US TV network phoned and offered him a first class ticket to New York to appear on the morning breakfast show. They threw in a weeks’ stay in a hotel and a VIP tour of the Big Apple. But Charlie declined. He had always wanted to go to New York but he had his reasons for staying.

So it’s Monday and I’m opening the gate. So I should have retired on Friday. So Nora isn’t too happy. But the publicity from the raid has put visitor bookings through the roof and if ever I had questions worth answering I have them now.  Especially when they’re going to name a whisky after me.

Charlie walked into the distillery thinking that when retirement beckoned it would be worth the wait. But that day now felt a long way in the future.

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-12/feed/ 0 Bottle – by Gordon Brown – Part 11 http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-11/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-11/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 09:02:58 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1040 The bottle was curving to the ground and Charlie had to bend to catch it before it could smash on the concrete. As he did so Number Three hit him but flew into the air as he tumbled over Charlie’s bent form.  Charlie stood up and turned round but the gang member was already getting to his feet. Charlie hadn’t the time to reach for more bottles. ‘Please forgive me.’ The prayer made to the God of whisky. He sighed before smashing the forty year old bottle onto the head of Number Three.  Crystal and whisky exploded into the air and the engraved top spun over the roof of the Merc.

The last gang member hurtled through the shop door and found Charlie standing over the bodies of his three colleagues. Carrying two bags in one hand the fourth gang member had a leather cosh in the other. He took one more look at his comrades and raised the cosh to attack. Charlie was defenseless. Too far away from the boot for more bottles and, out in the open, he knew his luck wouldn’t hold for a fourth time. The last man started to leap forward and stopped – his head the centre point for a firework display of gold and silver as Tony neatly stepped from the shop behind him and brought down a bottle of seventeen year old on the man’s head. The man dropped to the ground.

Whisky bottles 4 – Thieves 0.

Charlie started a wide smile.

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-11/feed/ 0 Bottle – by Gordon Brown – Part 10 http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-10/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-10/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 09:01:09 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1038 As the man in black stood there Charlie cracked the top of the bottle in his hand and offered it up to him. ‘Fancy a taste.’ Charlie took a slug from the bottle, stepped forward and spat the whisky into the eye slit in the man’s hood. The man screamed, throwing his hands to his face. The sound of the scream brought the driver out of his door and Charlie lifted another bottle and, using muscles that had lain dormant for years, heaved it at him. At one time Charlie had been a dab hand at throwing rocks over his house. It took co-ordination and a fair effort to do that. Now the practice paid off as the bottle caught the driver square in the face and he crashed to the ground.

The first man was still screaming and Charlie casually walked over to him and swung the bottle onto the crown of the screaming man’s head. He collapsed like a wet sponge.

Number Three ran out of the door and tried to take in the scene. In his hand was a crafted crystal bottle. Charlie recognised it as the forty year old. A precious thing. Charlie began to reach into the boot for another bottle but, unlike his two companions, this one was quick on the uptake. He charged at Charlie, throwing the forty year old at him as he came. Charlie had a choice. Dodge the attacker or save the forty year old.

Charlie chose the latter.

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-10/feed/ 0 Bottle – by Gordon Brown – Part 9 http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-9/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-9/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 09:00:43 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1036 Over fourteen thousand six hundred days without incident. Like those signs they put up in building sites. Fifty one days since the last accident only around here fifty one days was nothing. Not in a world where some of the whisky distilled today might not touch the inside of throat for another half a century. Around here things moved slowly. Took their time. Like the whisky. Slow. And no one spoiled that. Not on Charlie MacKay’s’ last day.

Charlie had reached the boot of the car. Six bags lay scattered, bottles spilling from their insides and that made him madder. No way to treat fine whisky. He reached into the first bag and pulled out a bottle of Tea Pot Dram. A fine whisky. A tribute to the drams that the distillery fold used to get many years ago. Lovingly recreated in memory of the days when all ‘our boys’ helped themselves to three large drams from the canteen teapot each day. A damn fine whisky indeed.

Another gang member raced out of the door and crunched to a halt when he saw Charlie.

Later on Charlie wouldn’t’ t be able to say exactly why he did it. The policeman taking the statement had been amazed that a man of Charlie’s age had taken on four hardened criminals.

‘You did what?’ was the first question out of the detective’s mouth when Charlie had told the story.

Charlie had looked at him, eyes moist. ‘Such a waste, such a bloody waste.’

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-9/feed/ 0 Bottle – by Gordon Brown – Part 8 http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-8/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-8/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 08:59:25 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1034 Starting at thirty pounds a bottle, whisky in the shop rolled all the way up to a forty year old Glengoyne at three and half grand. Thousands, tens of thousands of pounds worth of whisky sat in the shop – maybe even more. Charlie didn’t know how much the Merc could take but the gang clearly thought it could hold enough to make the whole thing worthwhile.

Charlie was now less than ten yards from the rear of the smoking car. The first two out hadn’t seen him because they were focused on the whisky but that wouldn’t last. The next one out could spot him and Charlie had no idea what that would mean – other than not good news for Charlie McKay. Not good news at all.

Charlie started walking again. Standing still was a stupid option. He didn’t know what he would do when he reached the car but the sight of the gang emptying the shop had dipped his blood in hot lead. This was his distillery. His home for forty years. A place he loved. Full of wonderful memories. Not a place that he wanted sullied with some cheap cons who fancied a quick couple of quid. This was supposed to be his day. His last day. A special day. Not a bad day. He couldn’t remember a single bad day since the morning he had walked into the distillery in the early seventies.

Charlie was damned if that track record was going to be ruined today.

]]> http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/bottle-%e2%80%93-by-gordon-brown-%e2%80%93-part-8/feed/ 0 “Drams Up” Support For Help For Heroes http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/drams-up-support-for-help-for-heroes/ http://blog.glengoyne.com/2012/drams-up-support-for-help-for-heroes/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 08:22:01 +0000 Glengoyne http://blog.glengoyne.com/?p=1085

9 May 2012, Edinburgh: Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky is encouraging people to tee off for England or Scotland in the Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day and Black Tie Gala Dinner on 24th August 2012, to help raise money for Help for Heroes.*

The Gala Dinner will be hosted by Andrew Cotter, the rising star of the BBC’s sports commentary team, who will conduct a special charity auction.

Twenty corporate or individual teams can enter and compete for the “Glengoyne Trophy” either in pairs or four balls at the five-star Fairmont St Andrew’s to replicate some of the famous sporting battles between Scotland and England.

Groups will join the Lord Lieutenant Fife, Colonel Mark Steed and former Scotland rugby star, Gavin Hastings, on the world famous 18-hole Torrance Course at The Fairmont St Andrews.

The TaylorMade Tour Experience Team will also be on hand to add a unique professional ‘tour’ experience to the special charity event. The leading club manufacturer is bringing its state-of-the-art tour truck along for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the same service world stars like Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Retief Goosen receive on Tour.

As well as sponsoring the special event, Glengoyne will be offering competitors warming samples of their limited edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’, a Glengoyne 1990 Single Cask bottling. Proceeds from which will go to their chosen charity – Help for Heroes.

Neil Boyd, Commercial Director at Ian Macleod Distillers, commented: ”Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky is proud to be the official sponsor of the first Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day. Glengoyne recognises and celebrates the passion that is synonymous with the great Auld Enemy rivalry, which lends itself to this sporting charity event.

“Glengoyne is equally proud to support Help for Heroes through sales of our limited edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’. Help for Heroes is an excellent charity, which supports injured members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, so is the perfect partner for this great occasion. We at Glengoyne look forward to a long association with the Auld Enemy Golf Day in years to come.”

The cost to enter the Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day is £900 per four ball, including the golf tournament, coffee and breakfast upon arrival, TaylorMade & Glengoyne goodie bags and the Black Tie Gala Dinner in the evening.

Discounted rates at The Fairmont St Andrews are available by quoting “Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day” when booking.

Entrants are politely reminded to ensure that their partner can join the event for the day as well as the evening’s entertainment.

Earlier this year, Glengoyne hosted a new sporting dinner: The Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dinner at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, bringing together rugby legends and supporters to celebrate the history of the Calcutta Cup and raised over £18,000 for Help for Heroes and The Bill McClaren Foundation. Held on the eve of the world’s oldest international rugby fixture, the new event will also become an annual occurrence taking place in Edinburgh and London respectively.

The Auld Enemy Dram has a rich mahogany colour with a heavy and robust nose of hazelnut, prunes, cocoa powder, and liquorice with BBQ spice. The palate is powerful with good balance of red apple, raisins, wafer cone and subtle citrus. The finish maintains strength with increased fruits and dry spice.

Retailing at £175 per bottle, The Limited Edition Glengoyne ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ is currently available to buy at Vino’s Edinburgh stores and online at vinowines.co.uk or at www.glengonye.com

Award-winning Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is one of the leading malt whiskies in the world and has been distilled at Glengoyne since 1833. Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne is made with knowledge, passion and craftsmanship.

For more information on the Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day visit www.1879eventsltd.com or email info1879@btinternet.com

For more information on Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky visit www.glengoyne.com

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