The maps are updated so put on your virtual walking shoes because it’s time to start the walkabouts and continue the adventures! Or throw the dart, put on your real shoes, get on a plane, and start exploring if you haven’t planned a Holiday yet and are up from some real travel. Either path is going to be a fun one. One might be a little less expensive. Ha!
I’ve tried many on the map and I’m sure with a few years passing, I will have more asterisks to add to my previous blog Your New Checklist. But that will be for another post.
For this one, I want to dial in on Islay (pronounced as EYE-la), which is a small island off the west coast of Scotland. It may only be 25 miles long and 8 miles wide but is home to 9 Scotch Whisky distilleries. This part of the map hasn’t changed since 2019. What IS different is that I have tried all but Ardnahoe since 2019 and the reason for that is because their first whisky just passed its three-year maturation date in November 2021. It will still be a few years before this is sold as their first release. They assure us this whisky will tell them when it’s ready which I’m sure the Angel’s share will whisper in their ear at the perfect time to release it to us mere mortals.
If you decide to start on the Islay Trail, you should have the correct pronunciation of these beautiful drams and how to say them in your vocabulary. How to pronounce Scotch whisky names | Islay. And if you like a smokey, bold dram, don’t let the young, feisty 5-year-old of the Ardbeg Wee Beastie have you keep walking on by. Young expressions can be tricky on the palette and some I just don’t ever go back to. But this one, I would have no problem recommending adding it to your tasting.
So, get creative and use the Distillery 2022 Big Map Of Scotch Whisky to get to know your way around the land and regions. Get familiar with where Scotch comes from and learn about the distilleries, Discover Scotch and the people that pour their heart and soul into the craft that allows you to raise a dram.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
“Nollaig chridheil agus bliadhna mhath ur” (pronounced nollyk chree-ell blee-un-u va oor)
….and Slainte Mhath! (Pronounced Slanj-a-va 😉)
-The Scotch Siren
