Two Rotary clubs unite for evening of whisky tasting

Mar 27 2008

HAMILTON and Blantyre Rotary Clubs recently held a joint meeting that featured an evening of whisky tasting with Jane Miller.

Jane, from Hamilton, is a chemistry graduate employed by Grants Whisky on their technical team. She works at distilleries in Girvan in Ayrshire and Dufftown, in the heart of Speyside.

Jane spoke with enthusiasm and knowledge about the products she is involved with. She illustrated the different processes involved when manufacturing malt and grain whisky and referred particularly to the importance of the shape of the still, age of the whisky, where it comes from and the source of the water.

It was interesting to note that the company still employ their own coopers and coppersmiths whereas many whisky manufacturers contract out these essential trades.

Barrels are important in determining the taste of the whisky and Jane explained the importance of the trade between the States and the UK in bourbon barrels. Bourbon is held only once in the barrel; the whisky industry will use the same barrel three times.

Grants manufacture various ranges of malt whisky at their Balvenie Distillery in Dufftown and are one of only five producers of malt whisky to use their own barley — from their 1000-acre farm called Balvenie Mains.

While the company are proud of their single malts, they are also venturing into new markets of blended malts and gin.

Past president Alister Baird thanked Jane for her excellent presentation.