The Final Runway – Ready For Takeoff
After 25 years with Boeing, my journey has reached its final runway, culminating in one of my most memorable achievements: working on the landing gear for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. It’s poetic, really—just like those jets, I’ve soared high and faced my share of turbulence throughout my career, but always landed with purpose. My farewell was made all the more memorable by my “Top Gun” crew—a team of talented colleagues, who I consider family. With call signs of Payback, Maverick, Iceman, Bob, and Hollywood, they surprised me with a bottle of Dalmore 12 and a personalized decanter set etched with “Phoenix,” my own call sign. It felt like a scene out of Top Gun, where camaraderie takes center stage, and loyalty to the mission and each other never wavers. Their gesture reminded me that while my Boeing chapter is closing, the friendships and memories will keep flying with me. And while they may only know me as “Phoenix”, they will become more familiar now with the Scotch Siren as I explore those runways not yet landed. I thought it fitting that this blog pay tribute to their kindness, my love of Scotch and exploring the beauty of Dalmore.
So, Slàinte Mhath! to my crew, new runways and new pages in my Whisky book and Blog. Now let’s put the spotlight on the whisky…and yes, the no “e” in whisky is purposeful.
Fun fact: “Whisky” without the letter “e” is the preferred spelling in countries like Canada, Scotland, and Japan. “Whiskey” with the letter “e” is the preferred spelling in countries like the United States and Ireland. There are reasons behind this but that is another Blog.
Dalmore 12: A Journey Into the Heart of Highland Whisky
When it comes to Scotch whisky, Dalmore 12 stands out as a hallmark of craftsmanship and rich Highland tradition. With its iconic stag emblem and exceptional flavor profile, it is more than just a drink—it’s a story that spans centuries. Whether you’re a seasoned whisky enthusiast or a curious newcomer, diving into the history, flavors, and heritage of Dalmore 12 is an experience worth savoring. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this single malt so special and one of my absolute favorites from it’s velvety smoothness mixing with it’s complex characters. It doesn’t bite you back at all.
The spirit is initially matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, giving it a base of soft vanilla and honey notes. A proportion of the spirit is then transferred into the finest Sherry casks, some of which have previously held rare and aged Oloroso Sherry. These carefully curated casks enhance the whisky’s rich character.
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The Aroma: Citrus fruits, chocolate, aromatic spices
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The Palate: Seville oranges, dried fruits, and hints of vanilla pods
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The Finish: Roasted coffee and dark chocolate
The History of Dalmore: A Timeless Legacy
The gift of a King, the 12-point Royal Stag proudly adorns each bottle of The Dalmore. It encapsulates the distillery’s regal legacy, dating back to 1263. The emblem was bestowed upon Colin of Kintail, the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie, after he saved the life of King Alexander III of Scotland from the fury of a charging stag.
In 1839, the Dalmore distillery was founded by Alexander Matheson, a merchant adventurer determined to create an exceptional single malt whisky. In 1867, descendants of Clan Mackenzie took control of the distillery. One of their first changes was to adorn every bottle of The Dalmore with the stag – a guarantee of peerless quality.
The Master Whisky Maker: Then and Now
The Master Distiller and Master Whisky Maker have always held a soft spot in my heart. To me, it’s an art and craft with so much heart and and soul going into every drop which we then get to experience. What a conversation that would be to listen to their stories spanning decades over a dram! I thought it fitting to give them their own section as a nod to who they are.
A pioneer in the art of cask curation, Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE’s (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) unparalleled expertise and intimate knowledge of rare and precious casks have produced truly iconic, ground-breaking expressions from The Dalmore, that have set the standard in single malt whisky. Considered one of the greatest whisky makers of his generation, Richard spent five decades at the helm of The Dalmore. He now offers his wisdom and advice as a mentor to Glass, and as a curator of the spirit laid down during his long tenure.
Gregg Glass is The Dalmore’s current Master Whisky Maker, renowned for combining tradition with fascinating new ideas and whisky innovation. Awarded Master Distiller of the Year 2023 at the Global Icons of Whisky Awards 2023, Gregg continues a partnership with Richard.
Best Time to Visit: Avoiding Crowds and Embracing Beauty
For my first visit, I have researched and watched many videos to try and plan this trip to my liking. I love Nature and low crowds. So, to make the most of my experience, the best time for me to visit for beautiful weather, wildflowers in bloom and fewer crowds is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). In spring, the Highlands come alive with blooming wildflowers, and the milder weather makes it an ideal time for scenic walks and whisky tastings. April is still a little more rainy and cold with the wildflowers not quite yet in bloom and June starts to bring more people. So, after watching MANY videos, I’ve decided on anytime in the month of May and then checking for festivals or events that might have unexpected crowds happening to plan around those or with if it is something I would enjoy.
Getting There: The Best Route from London
The journey to Dalmore is as much a part of the adventure for me as the destination itself. I researched planes, trains and automobiles from London and decided on trains. I’ve always wanted to travel by rail so this trip rail seemed perfect once landing in London and less stressful than trying to drive. ScotRail and LNER (London North Eastern Railway) are options but ScotRail doesn’t offer service outside of Scotland. And LNER offers trains from London Kings Cross to Endinburgh and throughout Scotland as well with First Class offering Dining. Yes, this woman is going bougie on the train! Ha! So, I will just stick with LNER throughout my trip and it has a great APP as well. I know a car rental is in my future on other trips, just not for this first time.
By Train and Taxi:
- Take the LNER train from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh. The journey takes about 4-5 hours.
- Take the LNER train from Edinburgh to Inverness. The journey takes about 3.5 hours.
- From Inverness, I can hire a taxi or take a bus to the Dalmore distillery, located just 20 miles north in Alness.
Ready For Takeoff : A Highland Adventure Worth Savoring
For me, a visit to the Dalmore distillery is more than just a whisky-tasting experience—it’s a journey into the heart of Highland heritage, craftsmanship, the people, the stories and natural beauty. I know this will be a destination that promises to delight all my senses and an experience I won’t forget.
So, sip on a dram of Dalmore 12, or whatever whisky or whiskey that is to your liking. No pretentious snobbery or judgement here. The best drink or dram is the one you hold in your hand and the one YOU like. Think about the journey you would like to create for your next life experience. Even if you don’t take that trip, never stop dreaming…that is part of the magic of life. And join me for the next Blog which will be another tribute to a colleague and the Scotch I received from him.
Slàinte Mhath!
