The Leith Single Malt Whisky Trail.

The Leith Single Malt Whisky Trail survived by Ronny, Dave, Ricky, And Tommy Maaltman, 11/13/2003 to 11/17/2003. Upon arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland on 11/13/2003, Ronny, Rick, and Tommy took a cab to Leith, an ancient port on the Firth of Forth and met Dave at the Vaults on Giles Street. We immediately ascended a flight of stairs and entered the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Tasting Room to begin our sampling tour. Our first dram was a Macallan (Speyside 24.72 aged 12 years, alcohol 56.5%,proof 98.8, distilled in 1991.) The fresh sherry butt gave this the color of brassy gold with orange lights. The unreduced nose was dark toffee, burnt sugar treacle, Ginger and creme anglaise. The flavours include orange, syrup, and a hint of struck matches. Dave's comment was simply "yummy." Dram number 2 was a Macallan (Speyside 24.73 aged 14 years, alcohol 58.1, proof 101.6, distilled October, 1988. This dram was from an ex-bourbon hogshead and is the color of a pale Autom sunlight. The first impression is sweet with vanilla, toasted malt and a cocktail cherry. The flavor is big and creamy with vanilla and a touch of honey. Ronny's comment was "great." Dram number 3 (Springbank, Cambletown, aged 14 years, alcohol 52.2%, proof 91.3, distilled March, 1989.) This was voted the best whisky by Whisky Magazine. The whisky is from a refill hogshead and is pale gold in colour. The nose is tracle toffee and coffee grounds. The flavor is sweet, creamy, malty and coffee with chocolates. At this point the boys (the future Maaltmen) were fortified and ready to tour Edinburgh.

Walking up the Royal Mile on our way to the Edinburgh Castle we stopped in to the Scotch Whisky Heritage Society for an educational tour of the art of distilling Scotch whisky. After the tour we were treated to a dram (4) Cutty Sark, a blended malt whisky. Here we were instructed in the fine art of nosing and tasting. The bar tender recommended her favorite whisky, Aberlour A'bunadh (Speyside Batch number 10 59.8% alcohol.) After seeing Edinburgh Castle we stopped back at the Heritage Society and purchased a bottle.

Upon retiring from the castle we reconvened at the tasting room and ordered Dram number 5 (Bowmore 3.82 Islay, aged 14 years, alcohol 54.4%, proof 95.2 distilled May 1989.) The nose ranged from cedar wood mothballs to pistachio and smoking embers. Adding water brought out a perfumed aspect like after shave and woodchips. You could drink it or dab it behind your ears. The taste is sweet and smokey. This burned Ron's esophagus and reminded him of biting into a hot pepper at the Italian restaurant in Paris, France. Dram number 6 (Bowmore 3.83 Islay aged 10 years, alcohol63.2% proof 110.6 distilled May, 1993.) was mid gold in colour. The whisky was from a refill hoagie. the phenolic aromas intensify when water is added and fondly reminded Tommy of the human anatomy cadaver lab. The taut was smokey. Ron was glad he did not pursue a career in medicine.

Following dinner at Martin Whishart we gathered for a nightcap at the Ardbeg Flat and enjoyed dram number 7 (Aberlour A'bunadh Speyside Batch 10, 59.8% alcohol) purchased earlier in the day at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Society. This whisky was amber in hue. The nose was full, malty and spicy. The taste was sweet. This was a non chill filtered Speyside malt. At this point we called it a day and turned in. Dave was last heard saying "please just a little more." Needless to say we all had an excellent night's sleep.

We resumed our sampling trail on 11/14/2003 with a dram number 8 (Glenkinchie, Eastern Lowland, 10 year old, proof 43 at Abbotsford Pub across the street from Jenner's. This gold colored whisky had a soft sweet nose with a clean grassy sweetnes taste. It was very smooth, sweet, and warm. Rich finally found a single malt that he liked.

Back at the tasting room that evening we ordered dram 9 (Coal Ila, Islay, 53.67, aged 13 years, alcohol 56.6%' 99 proof distilled February, 1990. Wright's Coal Tar Soap! Water brought out footpath medicinal phenols with plastic buckets (what Urologist wouldn't love this?) The flavour was sweet and antiseptic with burnt sticks. Dram number 10 Coal Ila (Islay 53.70 aged 20 years, alcohol 57.9 proof 101.2 distilled, January, 1983,) was aged in a hogshead. The colour was mid gold. The nose discovered linseed oil, cafe au alit and clean hospital corridors. The taste was sweet and salty. Tommy's favorite. Dram number 11 Glenrothes (Speyside 30.42 aged 13 years, alcohol 56.8%, proof 99.4, distilled May, 1990.) This whisky had an orange mahogany colour from a sherry butt. The nose was citric, with water a taste of workshop rags was released. The flavor hints of Welsh Rarebit. Dram number 12 was "The Last Drop." A blend of the last drop of many casks recommended by a fellow Society member by the name of Andrew. We asked Andrew what his home town of Glasgow was like and he said, "A funeral in Edinburgh is 100 times more fun than a wedding in Glasgow.". Dram number 13 Craggenmore (Speyside 37.22 aged 31 years, alcohol 51.5% proof 90.1 distilled May 1972.) This is s member of the Classic Scotch series. It has a deep amber colour. The nose is perfumey with orange blossoms, Maraschino cherrie, sponge cake and Itwlian panettone. Water introduces nuts, linseed oil, cane sugar. Good night.

On 11/15/03 Dram number 14 was Teananinch (Northern Highlands 59.22 aged 22 years, alcohol 58.3% proof 101.8 distilled , April, 1981.) A hogshead has impacts the colour of orange gold to this sample. The nose is like opening a box of Edinburgh rock. Sweet, fruits with a hint of spice and dust. The taste is a balance of sweet and peat, slightly astringent, salty, fruity, a true heavyweight. Dram number 15 Dalmore (Highland 13.33, aged 11 years, alcohol 54.0% proof 94.5 distilled 12/91) was mid gold. The initial aromas are tobacco and cereal. Dave tried to smoke it! It was oily and hot in the mouth. With water damp leather cameos up along with a whiff of ammonia giving the impression of a tack room.

Dram number 16 Clynelish (Highland 26.29 aged 14 years, alcohol 58.4, proof 102.2, distilled 2/89) is from an American oak barrel giving it a light colour. The first nose has a fruity boot polish quality. This was a good Northern Highland malt.

On 11/16/2003 in Pitlochry in the Highlands in a local tavern we enjoyed a Dram of Bells (Dram number 17) with our lunch of traditional Steak pie. This was a typical blend and very smooth. From there we went to Edradour Distillery (Southern Highlands) a Pitlochry Distillery and had Dram number 18. The Edradour Distillery was established in 1825 and is the smallest distillery in Scotland. Only 12 casks of whisky a week are produced. This ten year single malt is straw colored. The taste was creamy. The finish was warm and smooth. At the airport awaiting departure Ron had a Jamesons Irish Whisky and Tommy, holding true to form, had a Famous Grouse. This was where the Leith Single Malt Whisky Trail ended for the brothers, henceforth known as the Maaltmen. Oh yeah, we did see the Edinburgh Castle, The Stirlling Castle, St. Andrews, The Soldier's Leap and some other cultural stuff. Slainte, Tommy Maaltman