Scotland | Bruno's Guide to Scotch Whisky
Today's Rain is Tomorrow's Whisky
After our first trip to Scotland in 2018, Bruno started deep diving into the Whisky World and never looked back.
It all started with two visits to two very distinct distilleries during that trip. The first was located in the magical little Isle of Raasay, just a few kilometres from the famous Isle of Skye, where we spent a couple of days eating marvellously, playing chess and seeing the only link to the mainland, a ferry, coming and going from the pontoon. We took the opportunity to visit a brand new distillery that was just starting its operation, the Isle of Raasay Distillery. Photos were not allowed inside so we took everything into our brain disk space.
It was a first journey into the world of whisky making and its importance in the Scottish landscape, history and economy. We left very intrigued and with a bottle of While We Wait whisky, made from barley harvested with partners as the Raasay distillery were waiting to brew their own very soon.
This was where we first heard the expression "today's rain is tomorrow's whisky" as it was absolutely pouring outside but the Scottish are never discouraged by it. They know that from the skies comes provides for all that is bountiful such as a prosperous barley harvest, for beer and whisky making.
The second visit was to a much bigger and famous distillery in the Cairgorns, at Glenlivet. In the heart of the region of Spey - where you can find the biggest distilleries in the country -, we had a lovely and insightful 75-minute tour. Our guide was a really young lad - only 22 years old - but very knowledgable of all things whisky.
We were given so many whisky samples at the end of the tour we didn't buy any and brought them back home for a taste. Also here, photos inside were not allowed. Whisky fumes and technology might be incompatible, it seems.
During the pandemic, we discovered the coolest Portuguese Brand by bartender Diogo Carreiras, called Enfrascados Cocktails. It was a very daring brand that would send you pre-made cocktails when we could not go to bars during lockdowns. We chose several whisky cocktails, such as the classic Whisky Sour and Enfrascados' iconic Alfascínio, with Almond Liquor.
A few of the amazing Enfrascados cocktails we have ordered
Whilst we were spending a sabbatical period there between December 2022 and January 2023, we went back to Inverness. On the day before Christmas Eve, we stopped at the coolest cocktail bar called The Whisky Room in central Inverness. Sitting was limited which made for a very intimate yet vibrant vibe. We loved the bartenders receptiveness and tried 4 cocktails among ourselves. Of course Bruno chose an Old Fashioned and then a Whisky Sour. I chose anything Grapefruit, as usual.
This is where Bruno has his first try at a Tomatin (a single malt), which we brought back home and tried several cocktails that he has since perfected. Once that Tomatin was over, Bruno chose a Monkey Shoulder, a blended Malt. The first is smoother and the latter, which is smokier.
Also during the sabbatical, Bruno wanted to explore more about Whisky. Hence he discovered Ralfy, the Whisky Botty, a youtuber who specialises in honest, lengthy and unedited Whisky Reviews.
He really does recommend watching his reviews if you want to dive into the whisky world and history. He also has the shapest brand of humour if you are into that.
Bruno's first major purchase as a collector came a few years later and it was a bottle of Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years bought in Edinburgh. The choice was mostly to buy a reliable and iconic brand. This Macallan it is considered a whisky that is smooth and woody at taste, that does not require ice or water for a drink.
The following purchases were a Glencadam 10 Years - considered one of the best Whiskies of 2022 - and a bottle of Arran 10 years. Ralfy mentioned in his first 2025 video about his experience on Arran's and as a great first whisky to try as it is a natural non-filtered Single Malt Whisky.
In Cape Town in July 2023, for his birthday, Bruno browsed an found a Macallan Triple Cask Matured 12 Years (at an amazing price), as it was a different profile from the brand he really wanted to try.
Last but not least, as Bruno loved his Glencadam 10 Years, he browsed and found a Glencadam 21 Years in a small wine shop in Paderne, Algarve. And he just could not miss the opportunity to go and grab it.
The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh - January 2023
In January 2023, we visited The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh and it was quite a journey into Whisky as a whole country endeavour as we tasted (and scented) several from North to South of Scotland in the four regions of Lowland, Highland, Speyside and Islay. It's quite interesting to check how some regions are more floral, others provide for a smokier palate.
The last two purchases were made during our trip to Paris at the Whisky Shop by Madeleine, where Bruno grabbed a Campbeltown Loch. The profile of the whisky from this region of Scotland is more of a Marine one, with a saltiness and a smoke to it. There are only 3 distilleries in Campbeltown, which makes for a very exclusive and unique blend from that region of Scotland.
Last but not least, on the way back at the Paris airport, Bruno got a Orchard House by independent bottler Compass Box, a stringent and fruity blended Malt.
We hope you liked this journey into whisky that is still a work in permanent update for Bruno. If you also like cocktails, here is one of Bruno's favourites, to make with Rye or Whisky.
Jess
Let us know if there is any Whisky that got your interest (and palate) and what is your favourite in the comments down below.
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