Micke Nilsson at Akkurat Bar & Restaurant in Stockholm is a dedicated whisky connoisseur and we asked him to share his favourite whisky disitilleries in Scotland and take us on a tour around the country.

Welcome! All aboard for a drink of whisky!

The island of Skye on the west coast is home to one of the more beautifully situated distilleries in Scotland, and one of my favourite ones to visit, Talisker. The fact that the whisky produced here is top class doesn’t make it worse. With some time to spend, probably the nicest way to get to Skye and Carbost, where Talisker is situated, is to take the A 83 from Tarbet, passing Inveraray with the amazing whisky shop Loch Fyne Whiskies, to Lochgilphead. After that go up on the A 816 to Oban, with a quick stop at the distillery of course, continue along the coast up to Fort William with the Ben Nevis Distillery. Next the A 82 will take you to Invergarry for a final change to A 87 leading to Skye, with its dramatic mountains. A visit to the impressing Dunvegan castle is recommended and when you are on the island don’t miss the beer from Isle of Skye Brewing Company. If you go in the summer -beware of the bloodthirsty midges!

A less well-known distillery is Glenglassaugh, beautifully situated in Sandend Bay, not far from Portsoy on the Aberdeenshire coast. Although established in 1875 most of the current distillery was built in 1959 – 60, when the then owners Highland Distillers decided to increase production. After being closed down in November 1986 the distillery lay dormant until new owners bought it and started production again in 2008.

There are still casks in the warehouses from before the closure in 1986, but this rare (and slightly expensive) whisky will quickly run out of stock. Since the law requires whisky to be matured for at least three years, there is not yet any whisky available from the new owners production. The extremely fresh and fragrant spirit is however very promising and I’m sure we will hear a lot from Glenglassaugh in the future. You can also buy your very own octave cask, containing about 50 litres, which will mature quicker than an ordinary cask (so you won’t have to wait 10 – 15 years to enjoy the stuff)

A great way for the “whisky buff” to see some distilleries and, at the same time, get some fresh air and exercise, is to walk the Speyside Way. It runs all the way from Buckie on the Moray Firth coast to Aviemore. This route follows the valley of the river Spey and most of it is what used to be the Strathspey Railway. You’ll pass closely, among others, the distilleries: Knockando, Cragganmore, Tamdhu, Dailuaine and Aberlour. It’s an easy walk and if you are lucky the shy Scottish sun will shine on you as you pass through fields and forests. There are also some excellent pubs along the way for the tired and thirsty walker; my favourite is the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie, with cask ales and a great selection of whiskies. There is also plenty of accommodation in the towns along the way.

Useful links:

www.visitscotland.com

www.visitbritain.com

-Helene-