Scotch Adventures with The Macallan in Speyside, Scotland

Dramatically beautiful Easter Elchies house on the Macallan grounds where I stayed in Speyside
Gorgeous Easter Elchies house on the Macallan grounds where I stayed
From the Easter Elchies front lawn
Largest collection of whiskies in the world (over 3000), inside the Scotch Whisky Experience from Brazilian connoisseur Claive Vidiz

Photos and article by Virginia Miller

Scotland and scotch are enchanted. Sipping a balanced Highland or peat-heavy Islay scotch takes you to places boggy, misty and wild… rather like the Scottish Highlands themselves. In the Fall, I made an unforgettable journey to Speyside, in northeast Scotland, as a guest of the Macallan, one of the most revered, elegant Scotches. I stayed on their grounds on the River Spey, in view of rolling hills, cows, and my home base, the stately Easter Elchies mansion.

Here is a photo journey of the Macallan grounds, mansion and distillery, and unforgettable moments of my visit. I list stand out scotches sipped in Scotland, some at the incomparable bar at The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh (a museum to all things Scotch with over 300 bottles to taste), and also the one-of-a-kind, single barrel Scotches available only through The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, which thankfully has a US society.

The enchanting Macallan grounds
Cows roam the Macallan hills
Watching barrels made w/ impressive speed at Speyside Cooperage, which makes barrels for distilleries all over the world
Raiding the Macallan cabinet at Easter Elchies in a cozy upstairs lounge – enjoyed rarities like 10yr Cask Strength & 30yr
Every night at the Macallan ended with hours of conversation, laughter, and a dram (or two) in this upstairs drawing room at the Easter Elchies house

RARE SCOTCH SIPS

Haunting, peaceful cemetery found as I wandered the Macallan grounds

Most of these are tragically (yes, I’m going dramatic on this one) not available in the US. I was on the hunt for available-in-the-UK-only pours during my last visit, so hopefully my list might spark your own search if you travel to any part of the UK. I delighted in the likes of Longmorn 16yr and Ian Macloud’s super peaty “As We Get It” 8yr single malt, to name a few. Here were favorites among whiskies I’d never seen in the US (except for Old Pulteney).

1. Mortlach 16yr – A Speyside cult classic, Mortlach is commonly the “off hours” favorite of Scotch distillers. It’s hard to come by even in its home country. Sadly, it’s not available in the US at all – guess I better savor the bottle I brought back with me. Though aged in sherry casks, thus retaining spice and fruit notes, it’s by no means sweet. In fact, its meaty, complex character lingers long after the last sip. I’m in love.

Fascinating line of whiskies aged in Planeta wine barrels

Bonus: Planeta winery in Sicily aged a few whiskies in wine barrels – no surprise: the best is Mortlach aged in Nero d’Avola wine barrels. Though the 16yr standard Mortlach is superior, it’s another fascinating expression of this excellent whisky.

2. Single Cask No. G5.3 – This single cask from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is quite an unusual scotch. This stunner hits the nose with coconut, smoke, anise, even rum raisin. It tastes of butterscotch, ginger, coconut, but also wood, pepper, even curry spice. Of all the scotches I tasted in the Society’s Edinburgh club, two blew me away and this was one of them. This proves why any whisky fan would do well to become a member (there’s a US chapter) for access to a wide range of rare, unusual scotch. They also create a quality magazine for members.

Vintage Macallan bottles line shelves in the Easter Elchies house
Framed and hanging in the fishing cabin along the River Spey…
A favorite person of my visit, Willie, who has run a fishing program on the Macallan grounds for over 40 years from a cabin on the River Spey; he had us in for tea & talks of Scotland politics

3. Port Askaig 17yr – Port Askaig is an Islay whisky through and through. Peaty, yes, but with a sense of elegant restraint. I can’t recall an Islay Scotch that has been quite as intensely soft. It hits you over the head with peat… like a gentle whisper. I wish we had access to this one. If you’re in Edinburgh, get a pour of it at Stuart McCluksey’s fabulous Bon Vivant restaurant/bar.

4. Macallan 10yr Cask Strength – This cask strength rarity of your basic Macallan is super boozy at a bracing 116 proof, bold with apple, nuts, Autumnal spice, and wood. Not only is unavailable in the US, it is now no longer being made so if you can find it, get it. A pleasure for cask strength fans like myself.

5. Old Pulteney 17yr – On the lighter side, Old Pulteney 17yr still retains briney, grassy notes alongside pear, butterscotch and vanilla. We can get this one in the states and its sister 21 yr is also a worthy pour (purchase at Cask for $94).

**Purchase rare spirits, beers, wines at the small but fantastic Bon Vivant’s Companion shop in Edinburgh, next door to the fabulous Bon Vivant restaurant and bar.

After the rain, a rainbow appears over the River Spey
“Quiet Please! Whisky sleeping”, reads a sign in a barrel storage basement
Touring the Macallan museum, a secret door in the floor accesses a barrel I tasted from
Walking up to the Easter Elchies house
The rolling hills of Speyside