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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 21:01 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: Whisk(e)y drinking tours |
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Anybody done one of these?
I'd be interested to know opinions, preferences, suggestions or whatevs, whatevs.
I've started to look at things like Islay and Speyside tours, and am interested in going to either Ireland or Scotland, I don't care which, as I love both countries and am happy to explore them both further.
I'm not a fan of whiskey myself, and don't know much about it, other than that I like a nice whiskey sour from time to time - but am certainly interested to learn, and maybe take the time to tell the difference.
Budget isn't really an issue, although having said that, comfort is more of a requirement than luxury - one is definitely too old to backpack. But obviously if we are going to traipse about a bit in a genteel sort of way (the interesting part for me is the scenery, which in either case is similar to NZ), then I want somewhere nice and comfortable to go back to ... but I am not yet interested in doing old-people tours*.
* not because I am not yet old enough to be designated "old" - but more that I've never really much been one for package tours, although I suppose I could try it. ____________________ Not nearly as interesting in real life. |
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JackButler |
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JackButler Traffic Copper
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Diggs |
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Diggs World Chat Champion
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Posted: 21:47 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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Quote: | I'm not a fan of whiskey myself |
A couple of my friends do these tours regularly and enjoy them, but they like a nip, plus they have beards.
Is a tour of places that make a product that you don't really like the best use of your limited time on this earth? Just askin'..... ____________________ Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting... |
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Riejufixing |
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Riejufixing World Chat Champion
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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Posted: 22:21 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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Um... I don't want to be mean but brewery and distillery tours are more of a blokey thing. Do you have, perchance, some sort of ulterior motive?
At the end of the day it's just a museum tour with booze*
*I've done about 3 or 4 ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 23:00 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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If budget genuinely isn't an issue, you should get in touch with my mate Guy. He'll take you on a whisky tour in his Jaaag. Or maybe even in his Armstrong Siddley Saphire for the more local ones to him.
He's done it before for folks and he's a big whisky fan too. I reckon you'd like guy. Not sure if you'd know exactly what to make of him but I think you'd like him.
Not a cheap way to do this but certainly a very comfortable one.
Scroll down in the "news" section of his website for pics of the last 5-day whisky tour he took folks on.
https://armstrongsjourneys.com ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 23:13 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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Easy-X wrote: | Um... I don't want to be mean but brewery and distillery tours are more of a blokey thing. Do you have, perchance, some sort of ulterior motive?
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Mean? Whatever can you mean by "mean"
I know they are more of a blokey thing, which is why I need to know why they are blokey things.
Let us not forget that motorcycling is deemed to be a blokey thing, and I am not too shabby at that.
Yes of course there is an ulterior motive (the usual).
Without going on about it, I am trying to encourage him to step out of his clearly-frustrating life and do stuff that might be fun (but also to me, because, really, there is a lot of stuff in the world that I can find something to be interested about).
... when everyone is allowed to go about their lives again, obvs.
Easy-X wrote: |
I've done about 3 or 4 |
Come on then, that is exactly what I want to know: individual opinions or experiences of them. ____________________ Not nearly as interesting in real life.
Last edited by hellkat on 23:56 - 12 Jan 2021; edited 1 time in total |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
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Posted: 23:22 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | If budget genuinely isn't an issue, you should get in touch with my mate Guy. He'll take you on a whisky tour in his Jaaag. Or maybe even in his Armstrong Siddley Saphire for the more local ones to him.
He's done it before for folks and he's a big whisky fan too. I reckon you'd like guy. Not sure if you'd know exactly what to make of him but I think you'd like him.
Not a cheap way to do this but certainly a very comfortable one.
Scroll down in the "news" section of his website for pics of the last 5-day whisky tour he took folks on.
https://armstrongsjourneys.com |
Thank you, that does sound interesting indeed. The Jag could present a problem, as Himself already has one, and might not want to ... sit back and behave himself.
I've literally only dropped this idea into the mix this afternoon, and his eyes lit up in great interest ... so I am not even sure if we would drive up in his car, or fly up and drive about in something else. I'm currently just exploring "what is up there" so I can come up with interesting suggestions (not that it would take much, I suspect).
But I may well have a look at that, as the Armstrong might be a point of interest. ____________________ Not nearly as interesting in real life. |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
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Posted: 23:29 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
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Posted: 23:52 - 12 Jan 2021 Post subject: Re: Whisk(e)y drinking tours |
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Riejufixing wrote: | Old is what you feel, I am told (*Eh? What?!*). The healthy lifestyle is the one, even if you only walk a few miles a day whan you are back packing about. I had a friend who said he was very young, but said that cruises were good, because of the food and entertainment. He went on holiday to Funchal, where all the young ones are well-known to go. |
Yes you are entirely correct.
Old is indeed what you feel, and for various reasons, I currently do not feel like a woman on the verge of old age.
However, there is a slight age differential. Therefore I need to take into account (for my own sanity) that there are going to be those who are "young at heart" (as worrying a phrase as I have ever heard) and those who are grumbling old geriatrics, neither of which demographic I particularly want to spend extended amounts of time with.
The things I have started to look at do include a modicum of gentle exercise, as just lately I seem to be becoming increasingly energetic with every kilo I drop. Despite all appearances to the contrary, I do quite like the odd bit of fresh air. I'm looking at the distillery things, as well as other genteel adventures preferably in warm places, of which Australia and NZ might be a bit too far (but time will tell).
I'm trying to avoid cruises, despite the fact that I know they are all-inclusive, because both my mother and my mentalist of a sister enjoy cruises, and I can't be seen to be falling into line on that front. I have a reputation as the family apostate to uphold.
But I would, I suppose, if required. ____________________ Not nearly as interesting in real life. |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
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Posted: 00:35 - 13 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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You may find yourself imposed upon during my travels, young man.
Not sure where or when this investigation is going to take me, but if it's in your direction, you may be sure that I will inflict myself upon you.
____________________ Not nearly as interesting in real life. |
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garth |
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garth World Chat Champion
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ThunderGuts |
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ThunderGuts World Chat Champion
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Posted: 09:41 - 13 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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I like whisky (no 'e' although I haven't fully explored the Irish stuff) a lot; distillery tours in Scotland vary a bit depending on the size of the distillery usually as the bigger outfits will have a more polished and commercialised tour, smaller ones will be more informal. All tend to be enjoyable although a proportion of the tour is explaining how whisky is made and that's the same process across the board so if visiting distillery after distillery that bit could get a bit tiresome.
My wife finds distillery tours interesting, even though she can't stand whisky. The distilleries themselves are usually quite interesting places, especially if they let you into where they keep the full casks (they did this on a Talisker tour on Skye when I went on it in 2006).
I would suggest you get a whisky tasting set (available in various guises but essentially a number of minis of single malts) and take a bit of time to try and understand the styles and their flavour profiles. Islay whiskies are in a different world to Speysides; the former are intensely smoky/peaty and sometimes almost slightly chemical to some (not me, but I've heard the description), Speysides are more gentle and tend to be sweeter (relatively).
Once you've got at least an inkling of an insight into whisky flavours, it might better steer where you go? There are distilleries in virtually every corner of Scotland (although most are north of the central belt) so unless you want to do a lot of driving/travelling around, you might want to focus. The Islands off the west coast (Islay, Mull, Skye etc.) tend to produce smoky/peaty whiskies, the mainland less so.
Enjoy either way, it's a great holiday concept. Try to visit The Whisky Castle in Tomintoul if you get the chance (and you develop a liking for whisky); he has some fantastic whiskies there you will struggle to see anywhere else (lots of independent bottlings) and for not massive money either. ____________________ TG. |
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c_dug |
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c_dug Super Spammer
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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Posted: 13:08 - 13 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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The first one I went on was St.Austell brewery when I was a wee lad (18 obs.) If you're interested in things then the process of making beer is some synthesis between very old and very new, beer being the cornerstone of civilisation since the Babylonians. Spirits can be either be steeped in history with the property of various woods for the barrels, the ancient art of cooperage and so on or it might just be some Heath Robinson affair of pipework, depends what's being made.
If you're more interesting in people you'll obviously get the life stories of the founders and key personnel over the years. And little nuggets of info: at one time St.Austell brewery operated a bonded warehouse, they bought rum from the Caribbean and let it sit there for 7 years before it went to the pubs.
You'll more likely get a PR drone at larger breweries/distilleries, i.e. less entertaining, I like the smaller, family-run type affairs. ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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Freddyfruitba... |
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Freddyfruitba... World Chat Champion
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JackButler |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
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Posted: 21:36 - 13 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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Ooo listen to you get out of your box.
____________________ Not nearly as interesting in real life. |
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hellkat |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
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Posted: 00:28 - 14 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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hellkat |
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hellkat Super Spammer
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Posted: 00:46 - 14 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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JackButler wrote: | I have to say that an organised tour of distillerys is beginning to sound very bad.
An organised tour? What, are you 80yrs old or one of the window lickers |
I am, of course, a window licker.
Yes, I have to say that "organised" is always a word I tend to buck shy of, myself.
I shall be perfectly happy if the tour consists of going to visit one distillery and then getting laid in various highland comfort spots. If there are more distilleries, then the question of who is driving where and when will have been resolved before we leave anyway.
By car or by bike, I don't care.
There's just no point in you trying to knock me down, that's been attempted by more vitriolic idiots than yourself. I am currently indefatigable and intend to make the most of this unexpected gust of energy and enthusiasm before it disappears again. Unfortunately (for you), I'm now slowly re-emerging into the fabulous person I left behind many years ago.
So much life to live, so little time.
____________________ Not nearly as interesting in real life. |
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A100man |
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A100man World Chat Champion
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Posted: 12:48 - 14 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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hellkat wrote: |
So as the chap seems to enjoy a bit of whisky*, I thought that we might do a little escape and combine several pleasures at once, when its all gone a bit less tits-up virus-wise.
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Hang on can we roll back a bit? Are we still talking about the 'Military type'?? Not that it's important but I like to at least try and keep up with your dalliances ____________________ Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750
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A100man |
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A100man World Chat Champion
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Posted: 12:59 - 14 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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In a similar vein, but without the 'romantic' overtones I've been compiling some London pub tours I wish to undertake when the war's over. Usually these involve 10 pubs and about 10 miles walking
Fill pockets with pork pies and sandwiches train to the smoke and off you go.
I go with a pal or two - bit lonely otherwise. ____________________ Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750
Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600 |
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c_dug |
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A100man |
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A100man World Chat Champion
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Posted: 14:09 - 14 Jan 2021 Post subject: |
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c_dug wrote: | A100man wrote: | In a similar vein, but without the 'romantic' overtones I've been compiling some London pub tours I wish to undertake when the war's over. Usually these involve 10 pubs and about 10 miles walking
Fill pockets with pork pies and sandwiches train to the smoke and off you go.
I go with a pal or two - bit lonely otherwise. |
What's on the list so far? I have a few I can recommend, I love old London pubs. |
I have two tours in plan right now - among some of the 'not yet visiteds' over towards the East End we have the Princess of Prussia, The George Tavern, the Old Kings Head & Eleanor Arms. Avoiding craft-ale, gastro and hipsterised pubs is a priority but increasingly tricky. ____________________ Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750
Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600 |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 3 years, 101 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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