Highland Whiskeys: A Journey Through a Diverse Scotland Region

In this episode of The Embellish Pod, we embark on a journey through the diverse and storied world of Highland whiskeys. If you stumbled upon this episode by chance, don't forget to hit the subscribe button to stay updated with our latest content. You can find video versions of this podcast on YouTube and all my links on Instagram and TikTok at @embellishpod. For more details, visit my website at www.embellishpod.com

Exploring the Highlands

Welcome to the Highlands, Scotland's largest and most diverse whiskey region. This vast area, encompassing everything north of an imaginary line from Greenock to Dundee (excluding Speyside), is known for its dramatic geographical contrasts and equally diverse whiskey styles. The region is divided into distinct sub-areas: Northern Highlands, Southern Highlands, East Highlands, and Western Highlands, each contributing unique characteristics to their whiskeys.

Tasting Session

During this episode, we feature four different Highland whiskeys:

1. Dalmore 12 Year Old

2. Dalmore 18 Year Old

3. Glendronach Allardyce 18 Year Old

4. Glenmorangie Signet

Distillery Highlights

• Dalmore: Founded in 1839, Dalmore is known for its iconic stag logo and the expertise of Master Distiller Richard Patterson. The distillery uses innovative cask finishing techniques and water from the River Averon, creating whiskeys with rich, luxurious character.

• Glendronach: Founded in 1826, Glendronach is famous for its exclusive use of Spanish oak casks for maturation. The distillery's commitment to sherry cask maturation and traditional production methods creates consistent quality in their releases.

• Glenmorangie: Founded in 1843, Glenmorangie is known for its tall pot stills and innovative wood finishing techniques. The distillery's most distinctive expression, Signet, uses chocolate malt to create unprecedented flavors in Scottish whiskey.

• Highland Park: Founded in 1798, Highland Park embraces its Viking heritage and unique environmental conditions on Orkney. The distillery's traditional floor maltings and use of Orcadian peat create a signature balance between smoke and sweetness.

Glassware and Tasting Notes

We use the Glendale Whiskey Nosing Glass for this tasting session. This tulip-shaped glass enhances the nosing experience, revealing subtle aromatics and helping to distinguish between different Highland characteristics. However, it may not be ideal for all whiskey styles, and personal preference plays a significant role in the tasting experience.

This episode showcases the remarkable range of Highland whiskeys, from traditional to innovative expressions. Each whiskey maintains its Highland identity while exploring different possibilities. The diversity within the Highland region makes it Scotland's most fascinating whiskey area. Join us in the next episode as we travel to Islay, where peat smoke and Atlantic storms create some of the world's most intense and distinctive whiskeys.