SECRET WHISKY SOCIETY THURSDAY 10th MAY Andrew Stewart from Berry Bros & Rudd helped explore an award winning selection of Glenrothes vintage single malts, paired with a 3 course dinner, at Bruach, Broughty Ferry – did I need dragging along, no, not for sure. I arrived early at a wee bit before 6pm, drinks on my mind, ready for a 7pm dinner paired with whiskies & brand chat from Andrew.
As I was early and Andy had seen me at the bar (thanks to being forewarned by Shona) he invited me into the trade session, for bar staff. I happily sat in and shared 3 drams. An interesting 40 minutes or so before moving upstairs in this nicely laid out bar/restaurant. With other guests now arrived, we all sat along one long table, 10 of us. I met Shona’s boss, another Andy, a quick chat then Andy (Stewart) was away with his chat and first dram. Can I just say, Andy is good at his job, knowledge followed banter and humour, setting everyone at ease, that’s the way to drink whisky. Whilst he was talking, the starter came out, a citrus cured mackerel fillet – delicious, as wasthe dram; Sherry Cask Reserve (Olorosso) to which a wee drop of water was added. This is a NAS but reckon on 8 – 14 year old single malt, nice.
More chat and a pan fried pork loin arrived, along with a 1995 Vintage, changes are afoot later this year with some interesting developments for The Glenrothes range, watch this space. This is good food by the way. This was an enjoyable evening, easy going, nice people and grand atmosphere. Our dinner ended with a beauty, banana bread, panacotta, crumb and caramel. This came with a Bourbon Cask Reserve, drinkable but a wee bit sharp for me, dropped in a splash of H2o. Andy was the perfect host, he just happened to be sitting next to me (drew the short straw), he has a grand historic knowledge of his company and product, impressive. By now voices where a wee bit louder, all having a good time, the conversation drifted to other whiskies. This is how to enjoy a whisky dinner. Back the conversation went to Glenrothes, approx. September this year will see a new core range arrive WITH age statements! The warehouses are full with casks of course, 95% sherry casks, more company info and whisky chat. Then the best of the night – Glenrothes 1988, a 28 year old single malt, USA oak and sherry casks, 2nd release, this was a show stopper. All drams tonight; non chill filtered, no colouring added.
So what of the event? Thanks to Shona for inviting me, Andy for providing the venue, food, drink and staff, the other members of the party (I did feel old as they were all young!), who were all well informed on whisky and their structures. If this is what Bruach can do with whisky, then time for an extension to the restaurant, once word spreads, tickets will be hard to get. I tell you what, Bruach are doing a good few of these, at this cost, get your seats booked for the next ones! Very limited availability but shh it’s a secret… Book through Bruach – 01382 739 878 326 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland. Also coming to Secret Whisky Society at Bruach are Glengoyne, Tamdhu & Smokehead, Yamazaki, Blending Sessions, Auchentoshan to name a few, och dinnae take my word for it, get in touch with them. Andy Stewart is a good man, knows his stuff, knows a few people I do, if you see his name on a tasting evening, get along.
The jacket came on at 10pm, time for this old drammer to get along. I could easily have stayed there longer, but the naff cough and sore head came back to haunt me, made my thanks and drifted to my bed for the night. Smile on my mush, to bed I flopped.