I am miles behind on the advent calendar articles so should really be doing those write ups. However, I am just back from the Good Spirits Co in Glasgow and writing this was more appealing.
Having recently moved banks for a switching incentive I have spent most of this month fixing the mess. The final instalment of that debacle saw me on Buchanan Street in Glasgow this lunchtime with instructions to pick an Arran Gold for Christmas after sorting out some way to access my own damn money.
Good Spirits Company is on Bath Street and somewhere I go fairly regularly.
This was my first visit during the Christmas rush and my goodness its quite a different experience. Previous visits have been quiet calm and relaxed affairs but the week before Christmas on a lunch hour is a very different experience. Rest assured though there is lots of attentive staff who are all knowledgeable and willing to talk and share their experience. Indeed, for the first time visiting a shop I was offered samples of the exclusive bottles of which their are three.
THE GOOD SPIRITS CO. ARRAN 2010 9 YEAR OLD 42.1%
A leaky 9 year old Arran bottled at just over 42% ABV. This one was delicate with soft fruits and touches of caramel sauce. Only 155 bottles are available and each is £55
http://www.thegoodspiritsco.com/island/35881-the-good-spirits-co-arran-2010-9-year-old-421.html
THE GOOD SPIRITS CO. TOBERMORY 2008 10 YEAR OLD 57.7%
The second item was a cask strength Tobermory aged for 10 years and producing 245 bottles from a refill bourbon barrel. This is very much spirit led and has the characteristic heavy Tobermory funky note. I find that quite marmite but if you like that kind of thing this is a must buy. £57 and still available online and instore.
http://www.thegoodspiritsco.com/island/34155-the-good-spirits-co-tobermory-2008-10-year-old-577.html
THE GOOD SPIRITS CO. TEANINICH 2007 10 YEAR OLD 57.9%
Teaninich at 10 years old and cask strength was the last one to try. This cask produced 286 bottles. I found it similarly soft fruit sweet like the Arran but packing much more spice and energy. Of course some of that is the extra alcohol but its more than just that it is also the oak itself.
So in the end what did I do? Did I leave without any whisky or did I buy a bottle? Of course I bought a bottle and went with the……Teaninch. It was a difficult decision and as I write this I am note sure if I should have went with the Arran but the mixture of sweet, heat, spice and bitter just won it in the heat of the moment. In truth none are bad whiskies and sure to all sell out before Santa arrives.
Malted 