Sep 15, 2013
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Post 2 Driving into the highlands and the Balvenie Distillery
Rolling hillsides level out into sprawling meadows as I sit on the train from Edinburgh to Kings Cross back in London.
I began writing this post yesterday, until my computer ran out of power. So getting back to it…
Wednesday I jumped out my top bunk to throw boots on my feet and water on my face. The Backpackers Lodge in Pitlochry is an ideal hostel that rents rooms for 17 quid a night. My objective of the morning was to make it to the Balvenie Distillery by 10 o’clock.
At 9:57 I passed a modest sign; reversed and stumbled upon my destination. With such a globally recognizable label as the Balvenie, it’s a surprisingly subtle setting.
I was greeted by David Mair, who gave me coffee and a high vis vest. David is the Balvenie Distillery Ambassador.
He took us through each segment of the operation and explained that while the scale has grown significantly, the whisky is made the same way today, as it was when the distillery started.
They still grow and malt their own barley, with the addition to some outsourcing of grain. With the global demand for whisky production on the rise, they prioritize a focus on consistency and quality. To compliment that fact is that they have their own cooperage to maintain their barrels and casks.
Side note: Every distillery buys barrels, they usually purchase American Oak Bourbon barrels or Spanish Sherry Casks. This isn’t anything new, it’s been done since these distilleries were started.
We went into the famed Warehouse 24 and bought cask strength samples. To retrieve samples we used a "dog"; a tool of thieves used to steal and conceal whisky. But like I said, we BOUGHT our samples. Inside there's a sweet alcohol aroma known as the “Angels Share” which is potentially flammable so photography was prohibited.
If you sign up online, you can be a member of Warehouse 24 where your entitled to a special members only cask sampling. Fortunately for our group, we had David Alcock (@whiskyrepublic) who was gracious and shared his 20 cl with all of us.
The lasting impression I have of the Balvenie Distillery is how it’s growth sustained so many livelihoods and produced consistent whiskies we enjoy a lot of places around the world today.
Speaking of enjoying whiskies, I'll tell you about a little place called the Highlander Inn. But more on that tomorrow.
-Cheers
A wee taste from the Daftmill Distillery in #Fife. Thanks to the owner and operator a one Mr. Francis Cuthbert. (at Daftmill Distillery)
Compass Box Whisky Company: Day 1
Today was my first day at the Compass Box Whisky Company. It started with a 15-minute walk down Chiswick High Road on an overcast morning; which I imagine is a typical day here in West London.
The office is one of a few at Chiswick Studios, a powder blue warehouse converted to a modern place for small businesses. I buzzed in and was warmly greeted by Chris Maybin, the Commercial Director. Following him into the office, I briefly introduced myself to everyone in the small operation. I thought “Is this really everyone?”
Then John Glaser, the head of Compass Box Whisky led me through to the blending lab where he made us coffee and explained that the office was newly renovated.
Real quick, something to know about John; He’s the whisky maker and visionary behind the Compass Box blends. I first spoke with him last summer while consulting at the company that distributes Compass Box Whisky in the US. We stayed in contact, which lead to this internship today.
The rest of the morning was spent sitting in on meetings; ranging from year to date sales comparisons, followed by bottling schedules and limited release planning.
It was a strange flip-flop for me, I tried my best to keep up in the financial meeting but just wound up nodding a lot. I think I pulled it off but I’ve got to be honest here, most of the material blew past me.
The second meeting on the other hand I was a sponge; I’ve done my homework and understood a lot of what was being discussed. It was great having two experts briefly explain the difference of methods in the industry and why Compass Box likes their way.
After lunch and a visit to the Kew Botanical Gardens; which was a sight in and of itself, we walked back to the office. There John gave me some reading materials to review, one being The World Atlas of Whisky by Dave Broom. So Internet I’ve got whisky homework to do.
-Cheers
#firstday at the office (at The Compass Box Whisky Company)