When Glen Melia hits the road, it’s often to visit the best whisky houses in the world. Here are his whiskies of the year
In his role as resident whisky expert and Sourcing Manager at the Single Malt Shop, Glen Melia has the enviable position of meeting the people who make the world’s best whisky. Travelling through Scotland, Ireland and beyond, he pits skilled tasting against marketing spin – letting the flavour and personality of a pour tell its own story. Here, he chooses just four bottles, as his whiskies of the year, that stuck with him long after his glass was emptied.
Cask Strength Champion
GLENFARCLAS 105
On a cold February morning I finally got to go behind the famous red warehouse doors at Glenfarclas. Those distinctive doors help make it one of the most photogenic distilleries in all of Speyside and, in my opinion, one of the most scenically located in all of Scotland. Getting to spend time with the folks that make it and hear about how many locals are involved in its production was fascinating.
Throughout the years this has been an iconic bottle in the world of cask strength whisky. Glenfarclas themselves are proud of its decades-long popularity and I personally see it as a peerless cask strength for those looking for sherried intensity.
Taste Sensation
Blacks Maple Mayhem
At the Single Malt Shop it is my job to go looking for some of the best in new Irish and Scottish distilleries and pick some wonderfully rewarding bottles for the site. After meeting many new companies this year ahead of Whiskey Live Dublin in May, I was fortunate to sample what the folk at Blacks of Kinsale were crafting.
This wonderful blend has such rich and lingering sweet maple notes, combined with warm cinnamon spice, that it became one of my favourite Irish whiskeys over the last few years.
Crafted Excellence
Craigallachie Old Particular 15 YO 2006
Independent bottling companies like Douglas Laing are famous for their craft. Skillfully selecting, maturing, and finishing single-cask whisky from distilleries throughout Scotland. But its only when you get behind the scenes that you really appreciate all the work involved. At their new Glasgow premises I was given an incredible insight as to how many of their limited-edition single-cask releases are bottled, packaged and sent off on their way around the globe. Perhaps more important was how many dedicated staff are required to bring these great bottles to life.
This Craigellachie is a beautifully layered edition that shows Douglas Laing’s craft and is a rewarding and smooth bottle from their extensive range.
Singular Identity
Highland Park 18-year-old Single Cask
Highland Park whisky has a special place in my heart. It was the first whisky I tried on the day I moved to Edinburgh, and the distillery always excels in bringing together a perfect balance of sweet and smoke. So, when I had the chance to select a cask from this beautiful Orkney distillery I really felt privileged.
This exclusive edition, bottled just for us, has deep layers of honey, sherry and dark chocolate notes. All woven together with wisps of gentle smoke.
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