Unforgettable summer journey through Scotland's Whisky Heritage 🏰 - Day 1: From bed to the distillery (Glen Garioch a Glenglassaugh)

In 2014, a group of friends and I embarked on our first whisky adventure, and now, ten years later, we continue to explore the world of whisky with the same passion and curiosity. Despite a brief pause during the pandemic, our dedication to uncovering the beauty of distilleries and deepening our whisky knowledge remains strong. To celebrate our tenth journey, we returned to Scotland, the heart of whisky production. Scotland, along with Ireland, offers not only a rich history but also a relatively accessible destination for us Czechs. Over six days, we planned to visit 12 distilleries and had the unique opportunity to meet two of the most respected figures in the whisky industry—David Stewart and Alan Winchester.

Day 1: From Bed to the Distillery (Glen Garioch and Glenglassaugh)

The anticipation of visiting Glen Garioch later that day made waking up at 3:30 AM surprisingly easy. This year, we chose to fly through Amsterdam to Aberdeen, bypassing the longer drive from Edinburgh. After a celebratory GlenDronach 21 at the Prague airport, we boarded our flight, hoping to make our tight 40-minute connection in Amsterdam. Though the connection was stressful, involving a brisk run through Schiphol Airport, we managed to catch our flight—unfortunately, our luggage did not. Fortunately, it arrived on the next flight, giving us just enough time to collect it before heading to our first destination.

Glen Garioch Distillery

Our first stop was Glen Garioch Distillery, located in the historic town of Oldmeldrum. As one of the oldest distilleries in Speyside, Glen Garioch offered us an insightful tour, even though it was in its "silent season," a period of maintenance where the distillery temporarily halts production. This meant we missed the usual sensory experiences of a working distillery, like the aroma of fermenting mash and the warmth of the stillhouse, but we still gained a deep appreciation for the distillery's history and craftsmanship. Founded in 1797, Glen Garioch has weathered many challenges, including a water shortage in 1968 that forced it to cease production until a new water source was found. The distillery’s traditional methods, such as using direct-fired stills, make it a unique gem in the whisky world.

Glenglassaugh Distillery

After Glen Garioch, we drove to the coast to visit Glenglassaugh Distillery, a late addition to our itinerary, thanks to an invitation from Brown-Forman's Czech representatives. Originally established in 1875, Glenglassaugh had a turbulent history, including a 22-year hiatus from 1986 to 2008, when it was revived by the Scaent Group. Now owned by Brown-Forman, the distillery has made a strong comeback with a focus on producing high-quality single malts. Despite the visitor center being closed, we were treated to a private tour led by our guide, Emma. Our adventure began with a welcome drink of Glenglassaugh Sandend, a whisky named after the nearby beach. After receiving a generous gift of Glenglassaugh 12-year-old bottles, we took a picnic basket and walked down to the beach, where we enjoyed a tasting of Sandend right by the waves. The whisky, bottled at 50.5% ABV, impressed us with its fruity notes and a hint of sea breeze—perfectly complementing the coastal setting. The day concluded with a tour of the distillery, where we marveled at its 100-year-old Porteus mill and the rare over 100-year-old Masandra cask from Crimea.