VIDEO - Old Postcards Speyside & Aberlour

This is a video presentation of some of some old postcards and photographs of Aberlour and the other villages of Speyside. To see a selection of videos from Speyside go to www.bestofspeyside.com



whisky aberlour speyside craigellachie dufftown whiskey malt spirit of speyside scotland scottish

VIDEO - The Angel's Share

Whisky enthusiasts will know what the "Angle's Share" is . . but for others it is the amount of whisky lost by evaporation while whisky is maturing in the cask.

whisky whiskey speyside aberlour craigelachie noorlaggan

VIDEO - Craigellachie Bridge

I filmed this one evening during the summer. Craigellachie Bridge (built by Thomas Telford) used to carry the main road between Grantown and Elgin but has now been replaced by a modern bridge over the Spey. It must have been fun driving articulated lorries back and forth from the Whisky Distilleries to the bottling plants

WHISKY TRIVIA Part 3

Whisky, one of the world’s largest spirits, has a history of its own. The name ‘whisky’ itself is a variant on the phrase ‘water of life’ indicting spirits. This word, in various spellings, is found today in some Scandinavian countries, and the French eau-de-vie translates in the same way. Rendered in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, the term becomes uisge beatha or usquebaugh among other spellings. It eventually was mangled into the half anglicized whisky.

The oldest of today’s distilleries date from the 1700s. In the 1700s and early 1800s, production was small and irregular, and the notion of ‘brands’ or ‘trademarks’ was unknown in any industry.

Whisky was sold by the cask to country grocers and wine merchants. Johnnie Walker was one such a shopkeeper, George Ballantine another whereas the Chivas brothers were partners in a shop. These merchants dealt with the lack of consistency or volume by creating their own house vattings, and these became brands. John Dewar, who went into the business in 1806, was the first person to sell branded whisky in bottles.

The oldest rock through which a distillery’s spring water source flows is over 800 million years old and found on the Isle of Islay.

So you believe in being ‘the real McCoy’? Do you know where the well-known phrase was originally coined? It was first used in reference to Scotch whisky smuggled into the USA during Prohibition by Captain Bill McCoy. During Prohibition, Scotch whisky could be legally obtained through a doctor, but only for ‘medical’ purposes.

Queen Victoria, one of the few responsible for creating a demand for Scotch whisky outside Scotland, used to enjoy a daily dram in her tea.

The French drink more Scotch whisky than Cognac. This is because of a wine louse that wiped out all the French vineyards in 1880 and Scotch manufacturers took this opportunity to flood France with Scotch. And that has been the case ever since.

The proof of Scotch whisky (alcoholic strength) used to be tested by using gunpowder. The evaporation of whisky in oaken casks is called the 'Angel's Share'.

A peg of whisky contains only 104 calories - less than a standard glass of wine or half pint of beer.

Although not a cure, but definite aid to combat a heavy cold, there is nothing that could beat hot Scotch whisky toddy!

The most expensive bottle of spirits ever sold in the world is a bottle of aged Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The word ‘whisky’ is spelt differently around the world. While it is conventional to pronounce Scotch without an ‘e’, the invigorates from Ireland and the USA are spelt ‘whiskey’.

WHISKY QUIZ

Came Across This Whisky Quiz - Why not have a go!



1. What are the four categories of Scotch?

2. Scotch is matured in casks made of what kind of wood?

3. What is the minimum amount of time Scotch must age in the cask?

4. What is the primary grain that Scotch is made from?

5. The descriptors single or blended refer to what?

6. In 1831 what major change to Scotch took place?

7. Why did the knowledge of distilling begin to spread in the 16th Century?

8. What is the Angel's Share?

9. What is the average normal capacity of a hogshead whisky cask?

10. What is Scotch called until it fully matures?

11. What Gaelic term is the origin of the word whisky?

12. In addition to production techniques and ingredients, what etymological difference separates the American and Scottish liquors?

13. Approximately how many brands of Scotch are sold world wide?

14. In 2005 how many cases of Scotch were sold?

15. Scotch is what percent of the United Kingdom's food & drink exports?

16. What Country is the #1 market for Scotch in dollar terms?

17. What Country is the #1 market for Scotch in volume?

18. When did the UK government first establish a legal definition for Scotch?

19. How many Scotch distilleries are there in Scotland.

20. True or False, Scotch Whisky matures and improves in the bottle.

WHISKY TRIVIA Part 2

Glenmorangie is the biggest selling malt in Scotland.

The Famous Grouse is the biggest selling whisky within Scotland.

Bruichladdich is Scotland's most westerly distillery.

Bladnoch is the most southerly of Scotland's distilleries.

Highland Park is the most Northern Scotch Whisky Distillery in the World.

Glenugie was the easternmost distillery in Scotland.

Pulteney is the most northern distillery in the Highlands.

Strathisla is the oldest malt whisky distillery in the Highlands of Scotland. Founded : Est. 1786 / OBAN is also one of the oldest stills in Scotland. Founded : 1794
Glenturret is one of Scotland's oldest malt whisky distillery.

Bowmore is reputed to be the oldest legal distillery on Islay.

Tomatin Distillery Compagny's is one of the highest in Scotland and it is also the largest capacity distillery in Scotland.

Edradour is the smallest distillery in Scotland - With three people to run the entire operation.

Glenfarclas is in Guinness Book of Records for the strongest malt whisky available in a distillery's official bottling.

Glenlivet is one of the most popular malts in the world.

Glenfiddich is the largest selling single malt in the world.

Johnnie Walker Red label is the world's largest selling Scotch Whisky.

Johnnie Walker Black label is the world's best selling
deluxe whisky.

WHISKY TRIVIA part 1

• Speyside is home to nearly 50 malt whisky distilleries - more than half of all the distilleries in Scotland.
• No distillery on Speyside takes the water with which the whisky is distilled directly from the River Spey - they rely on springs and burns [or streams] instead.
• The Glenlivet is the malt whisky which started it all by giving its name to the entire Speyside region.
• Cardhu is the only Speyside malt whisky not to have used the appellation "Glenlivet" at any time. All the other distilleries in Speyside have done so.
• Only 3 out of the Top Ten best selling single malts do not come from Speyside.
• Best selling Speyside malts include Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Cardhu, Macallan, Aberlour, and Balvenie.
• Glenfiddich is the best selling single malt in the world.
• The most popular malt whisky in the US is The Glenlivet
• The Glenlivet was the first single malt to be exported to the US when Prohibition ended in 1934.
• France's most popular single malt is Aberlour.
• Glen Grant is the top selling Scotch whisky in Italy, not just the top selling malt whisky!
• Cardhu is the top selling malt whisky in Spain.
• Many Speyside malts are essential components of well-known blended Scotch whiskies like Chivas Regal, Ballentine's and the Johnnie Walker range.
• The highest distillery in Scotland is Braeval.
• The most picturesque distillery in Scotland is Strathisla, the oldest working distillery in the Highlands of Scotland, founded in 1786.
• Longmorn Distillery is widely regarded as Speyside's best kept secret as blenders covet this high quality malt whisky.
• Cask strength malt whiskies can be up to 60% alcohol by volume. Examples include Aberlour a'bunadh whose name means "the original" in Gaelic and Glenfarclas 105, the which refers to the 'proof' strength of the whisky as opposed to ABV.
• Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail, the only malt whisky trail in the world, brings together seven distilleries in Speyside as well as the Speyside Cooperage, all of which welcome visitors for most of the year. The distilleries are Benromach, Cardhu, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant Distillery and Garden, The Glenlivet, Strathisla and Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery.
• At the time of the annual spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in early May every year many more distilleries open their doors to visitors with a range of special events, tours and whisky tastings on offer.

VIDEO Monarch Of The Glen Country

The Television Series "monarch Of The Glen" was filmed in Speyside. I have put together some stills photos to showcase Speyside, Strathspey and The Cairngorms. Hope you enjoy it

Book In Your Own Language

In association with Active Hotels we now offer guests the facility to read more about Norlaggan and to book online using their own language.

So if you live in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands or Poland you can get the information you need without having to take a crash course in English.

We have inserted direct links on our home page at www.norlaggan.co.uk to Active Hotels so if you are planning visiting Aberlour to enjoy the fine Malt Whisky produced in Speyside it is now even easier to book

Distilleries within easy travelling distance of Norlaggan include:

The Macallan Aberlour Glenfiddich Balvenie Mortlach
Kininvie Glenfarclas Cardhu Knockando Glen Rothes
Glen Moray Cragganmore Dalhuine (and another 32)

PLEASE NOTE: We still (please forgive the pun) have rooms available for the Spirit Of Speyside Whisky Festival in May 2008. With over 200 events on offer for the Whiskey enthusiast it is the ideal time to visit Speyside. For more details about the Speyside Whisky Festivals go to www.spiritofspeyside.com

Aberlour Whisky - Distillery Tours

aberlour whiskey whisky norlaggan bike hire speyside
Aberlour Distillery will again be continuing to run its excellent distillery tours during the winter months. The tours will operate as follows:

To 14th December 2007
Monday - Friday
10.30am & 2pm

22nd, 23rd, 29th & 30th December 2007
10.30am & 2pm

7th January - 14th March 2008
Monday - Friday
10.30am & 2pm

From 17th March 2008
7 Days A Week
10.30am & 2pm


Norlaggan will remain open until 30th December (except Christmas Day) and after a short break for refurbishment will open for the 2008 season on 14th February

For further details of he Aberlour Distillery tours see www.aberlour.com
To book accommodation at Norlaggan go to www.noraggan.co.uk
For details of other things to see and do in Aberlour go to www.vistaberour.com
For Mountain Bike Hire throughout Speyside see www.speysidebikes.com

Combined B&B Cycle Hire Breaks

In Association With Speyside Bikes
We Now Offer An Inclusive B&B/Cycle Hire package

Day 1
Arrive Aberlour after 4pm - B&B At Norlaggan

Day 2
Full Day Hire Of Bikes* - B&B At Norlaggan

Day 3
Full Day Hire Of Bikes* - B&B At Norlaggan

Day 4
Depart Aberlour By 10am


(*2 Full Days Hire Of Fixed Frame Trail Bike (including helmet, lock, back-pack & bottled water)

APRIL - SEPTEMBER
£90 per Person
(based on 2 people sharing twin/double room)

OCTOBER - MARCH
£75 Per Person
(based on 2 people sharing twin/double room)

For further details visit www.norlaggan.co.uk
Speyside Bikes Site can be found at www.speysidebikes.com

The Great Scottish Sausage Search

We are currently on a quest to find the best locally produced butchers sausage for use in the B&B. Something with a bit of spice, but not too much. Lean, meaty and a good colour. Suitable for grilling and frying.

If you live in Moray, Aberdeenshire, Speyside or anywhere else within 50 miles of Aberlour and would like to recommend a butcher we would be pleased to hear from you. Being in the heart of Malt Whisky Country we are used to "Tasting Notes" so we will be publishing our notes on the Sausages we sample.

Does anyone know of a whisky flavoured sausage . . . if you are a butcher why not create one. It would be sure to go down with the many visitors to the North East of Scotland who come to do the Malt Whisky Trail

Visit Scotland Quality Assured Scheme 2008

Norlaggan has once again passed the Visit Scotland Quality Assured Inspection with a 3 Star rating. We were commended for improvements made over the last year including Wifi Internet Access, Laptop Computer For Guests' Use, High Standard of Redecoration and (perhaps most importantly) a continued high standard of cleanliness throughout.

Norlaggan is currently the ONLY Quality Assured accommodation provider in Aberlour. Check out our website at http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/ for details of all our facilities and our present tarrif

New Office Up And Running

The office at Norlaggan has now been completely refurbished and a new Wifi computer system has been installed. Guests can now access the internet via their portable device from any room in the house

We also have a new online booking system Guests can now book on-line and get an immediate confirmation via email that their room(s) have been reserved. As from 1st January we will also be able to accept payment at the time of booking via all major credit/debit cards.

Check out our new booking system at http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/

Kininvie Whisky First Bottling "Hazlewood"

There has been a lot of debate in various Whisky Forums about my post showing a bottle of Kininvie Malt along with a scan of the certificate of authentication. Just to prove the point I'm publishing here the photo and scan. If anyone wants to know more contact me via our website at http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/