Whisky is Memories
Every dram tells a story. It’s a time capsule in a glass. Whether it’s an aroma that transports you back in time, a toast to a milestone, or a special moment shared with friends and family, whisky has a unique way of creating lasting memories. We asked our staff to share some of their favourites.
Angela
Memorable place you’ve enjoyed a dram?
Definitely one of the most memorable was up in the Orkney Islands. We had been out for dinner with the distillery visitor centre managers who we meet with a couple of times a year, and we went up in a minibus behind Kirkwall onto a huge hill and we watched the sunset. It was in June, it was gorgeous, and we enjoyed a Highland Park 18 year old.
Tell us about a memorable whisky moment
One of the best, was down at a Bruce Springsteen concert in Hyde Park in London and I think I probably sneaked it in. I had a Benrinnes 15 year old in my hip flask and I remember sharing it and it was a huge hit with everyone round about us.
Is there a whisky aroma/flavour that sparks a memory?
Any time that I nose or drink Ardbeg, I am reminded of childhood summers and winters up at my Granny and Grandad’s. They always burned a peat fire in their cottage and Granny also always had Pear’s Soap in the bathroom. That combination of peat and fruity notes just reminds be of Ardbeg now.
Ali
Tell us about a memorable whisky moment
For my 30th birthday, which was a couple of years ago, my uncle drove me round distilleries in the very northeast of Scotland, and I thought, that was an amazing day. Then on our way back, he surprised me by my aunt and my cousin having loads and loads of friends round. They live right next to Dailuaine, so it meant that we could have a few whiskies whisky overlooking Dailuaine Distillery. It was amazing!
Karina
Memorable place you’ve enjoyed a dram?
I tasted my first whisky while staying deep in the Highlands, in Balchladich. On a warm summer evening, surrounded by peaceful countryside and chickens roaming freely about, it felt like the perfect setting for my first dram.
Annika
Is there a whisky aroma that sparks a memory?
I actually love the aroma of a woody, smoky whisky. That’s because my grandparents are very self-sufficient, and they have a big wood burner. I have loads of fond memories when I was a child of us going into the forest, cutting down trees and making them into a fire. So, whenever I smell a really wood smoky whisky, I always think of my grandparents and I love them so much, so that’s always really, really nice.
Julie
Memorable place you’ve enjoyed a dram?
The most memorable place for me was on the beach on the Isle of Mull, on a camping trip. Late into the evening as the sun was going down and the stars were coming up with a campfire on the beach and a dram from Tobermory Distillery.
Lenka
Is there a whisky aroma that sparks a memory?
I love the smell of honey – it takes me to my childhood, my granddad kept bees. The smell of oloroso sherry matured whiskies takes me to Andalucia: the main reason for my annual pilgrimage to Jerez is the smell of a bodega.
Peter - SWE Alumni
Lead Distiller, Bonnington Distillery in Leith
I worked at SWE from 2017 to 2020. I really fondly remember doing the Platinum tours. And one particular Platinum tour, afterwards I got chatting to one of the guests who was actually a film director and in town for the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the chat and the drams and conviviality that night were that good, that I ended up going to the premiere the next day!
Ian - SWE Alumni
Holyrood Distillery
One of my earliest memories was back in 2017, I was asked to help at the International Spirits competition which was hosted here at The Scotch Whisky Experience. Me and a good friend of mine had to pour out 550 whiskies for judges to sample and obviously they graded the whiskies out of 20 and handed out prizes. I didn’t realise at the time how important that kind of job was and the sort of people I would be meeting. I got to meet many Master Blenders from all over the Scotch whisky industry including Japanese Master Blenders, American distillery managers, Irish whisky blenders as well. Looking back, I probably didn’t appreciate it fully at the time as the people I met are genuine celebrities in the whisky world and I look back at that week with a lot of fondness.
