When in Scotland one has to try the Whisky. This morning we headed first to a tour and whisky tasting at The Glenlivet. We stopped briefly when we saw some of those funny Scottish cows, the ones with long horns and long hair in their eyes.
Continuing on, we got to the distillery early and had a look in the shop and the lounge where the original pistols that were given to George Smith to defend his first legal distillery in the area. Having a license to produce whisky was not to the liking of his neighbors who were making illegal spirits and smuggling it down south. There was also a bottle that could be had for 46,000 pounds.
The tour took us through the history of the whisky, owners and the passing to the current French company Chivas Brothers. Our tour guide explained the process of taking the Barley to Mash to spirits. And finally, went into the distillery itself and the barrel room. After all that we sat down for a tasting of the Reserve, 12 year and 15-year versions of the whisky. All in all it was interesting and fun. Though, to my taste I think there are more interesting whiskies to be had.
We left the distillery and headed for Elgin and the Johnstons in Elgin Mills where they make the finest cashmere products. We had a look around the shop and Cathy purchased a sweater after which we had some lunch in their café. Then a tour of the grounds from receiving the wool, which they get Moreno wool from Australia and Cashmere from China, and they even get some Vicuna! All this is processed in their facilities, dyed, combed and made into thread and then finally into various fabrics. They also produce products for other brands such as Burberry, Hermes and Tiffiny.
It was late so we headed back to the hotel and a late dinner.