Connoisseurs Scotland Hotels Offer Innovative Ways to Enjoy Whisky

Edinburgh, Scotland (May 2015) – In North America we call it Scotch, but in Scotland it's just plain “whisky” – never spelled with that pesky “E.” But it's not the spelling that matters so much as the taste … and any whisky connoisseur will tell you that a distillery's geography and what appear to be subtle differences in the blending process can result in significant differences in flavor. Scotland has five whisky-producing regions – Lowland, Campbeltown, Islay, Highland and Speyside – and North American visitors indicate that sampling whiskies from all these regions is a favorite activity during a trip to Scotland. Enjoying a dram is a great way to celebrate the Year of Food & Drink Scotland 2015; and May is Whisky Month in Scotland, making it the perfect time to outline how some of the members of the Connoisseurs Scotland collection of luxury hotels help introduce their guests to Scotland's uisge beatha, the “water of life.” Listed below are just some of the ways visitors can get a taste of Scotland's national drink while also enjoying some of the country's finest hotels.

Cameron House

            Located on the shores of Loch Lomond and with parts of the property in both the Highlands and the Lowlands, the hotel's Great Scots Bar offers more than 200 whiskies that are always ready for sampling. This fashionable country house hotel also boasts seven Whisky Suites, each of which was inspired by a Scottish distillery. The closest of those distilleries is Glengoyne, which offers a Malt Master experience, during which guests can create their own whisky to take home after learning about the blending process.

Cromlix

            Tennis star Andy Murray's luxury hotel opened last spring and is located less than five miles from his hometown of Dunblane. It offers guests star treatment in its 10 bedrooms, five suites and gate lodge. Cromlix is also home to the Balvenie Whisky Room, a room dedicated to whisky connoisseurs and featuring the entire collection of products from Balvenie Distillery in the Speyside region as well as a range of distilleries from elsewhere in Scotland. Cromlix's whisky sommelier and bar team are available to host tastings and answer guests' questions.

The Glasshouse

            This city-center hotel in Edinburgh is a work of art, featuring unique design elements both inside and out. It also treats guests to a small art exhibition on its mezzanine floor overlooking the reception area. The Glasshouse's 20 suites are each named after a different brand of whisky, from Aberlour to Talisker and from Ardbeg to Oban. Guests who stay in these suites are given a complimentary dram of their suite's namesake whisky in the hotel's Snug, which lives up to its name by offering comfy chairs and a roaring fire.

 Gleneagles Hotel

            Located in the town of Perthshire and host to 2014's Ryder Cup, Gleneagles is known as one of the world's top golf resorts, but its culinary team works hard to keep food and beverage at the top of guests' minds, as well. The hotel also offers a whisky blending experience in its Blue Bar, an alfresco showcase for the finest whiskies. Participants in the “Perfect Pour” experience learn how to identify and savor the flavors of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, then they have the opportunity to craft their own blend to take home, using a selection of single malts.

Greywalls

            One of Scotland's fine country house hotels, Greywalls boasts 23 bedrooms, a peaceful walled garden and a private dining room that has more than 50 malt whiskies on display. The hotel enjoys a close relationship with both Balvenie and Glenfiddich distilleries, which provide tutored tastings that take guests through Scotland's five whisky regions and explain how production affects the style and taste of each brand. Chef Mark Saddler will happily prepare a customized menu to match a flight of whiskies.

Hebridean Princess

            One of the mobile members of Connoisseurs Scotland, the MV Hebridean Princess is offering a seven-night “Spirit of Scotland” whisky cruise in March 2016, traveling from Greenock to Oban. The Hebridean Princess provides all-inclusive trips aimed at highlighting the cultural essence and historical significance of each port its guests visits. The whisky cruise will take guests to six distilleries – Glengoyne, Arran, Springbank, Laphroaig, Bowmore and Oban – in the western isles while offering side trips to castles, gardens and even a private island.

Hotel du Vin One Devonshire Gardens

            When guests arrive at this iconic hotel, which occupies five Victorian townhouses in the fashionable west end of Glasgow, they're greeted with a welcome dram of 10-year-old Macallan whisky. More whisky can be enjoyed in the welcoming bar, or in its neighboring Whisky Snug, which features 250 whiskies from across the country. The hotel offers guests the opportunity to participate in a whisky tasting, which enables them to sample five different blends and decide for themselves which is most appealing.

Old Course Hotel, Golf and Spa

            A mecca for golfers, the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St. Andrews also attracts lovers of single malt. Its iconic Road Hole Bar boasts panoramic views of the famous Old Course and stocks more than 250 whiskies, at least one from every distillery in Scotland (even those which no longer exist!). The resort's resident Whisky Experts are on hand to offer tailored tasting experiences, known as “Whisky Journeys,” which guide guests through the finest Scottish malts in an unforgettable setting.

Trump International Golf Links, Scotland

            With its secret stairways and cozy whisky snug, it should be no surprise that Donald Trump's MacLeod House & Lodge in Aberdeenshire – one of the newest members of the Connoisseurs Scotland family of hotels – has its very own Trump whisky, which was bottled and released to celebrate the opening of Trump International Golf Links here in July 2012. The 26-year-old Highland single malt was crafted by GlenDronach, a local distillery that dates to 1826. The blend is served exclusively at Trump International and Trump Turnberry (see below).          

Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland

            As part of its ongoing renovations, this renowned golf resort on the Ayrshire coastline has just opened a new Grand Tea Lounge & Bar, which serves more than 200 whiskies. Located in the heart of the hotel, the lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a Trump whisky (see above) or the Turnberry Blend whisky. New for this year, the hotel's concierge team has launched a “Destination Discoveries” program that highlights activities that are native to Scotland – including, of course, a complimentary whisky tasting session two times each week.

Connoisseurs Scotland's members include some of the world's finest golf resorts – The Old Course at St. Andrews; The Gleneagles Hotel, the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup; Cameron House on Loch Lomond; and Trump Turnberry, A Luxury Collection Resort – as well as Trump International Golf Links and Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Links. In addition, there are city-center properties; country house hotels; exclusive-use properties; a range of world-class spas; an all-suite hotel; the ultimate luxury train, The Belmond Royal Scotsman; and the only cruise ship in the world with a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen, The Hebridean Princess. One of the country house hotels, Inverlochy Castle, was recently voted the best hotel in Europe. Six members boast Michelin-starred restaurants – including Gleneagles, which has the only two Michelin-starred restaurant in Scotland. Information about Connoisseurs Scotland, its member resorts, partners and special offers can be found at www.luxuryscotland.co.uk.

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Mindy Bianca
mindy@gilliesandzaiser.com
212-724-7783
Gillies and Zaiser
CS-04-May 2015