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So I’ll go first! I’d heard of the Gillies Club after reading an article that mentioned it in the Sydney Morning Herald. After a few phone calls / emails, I managed to get in touch withe Laird of my local branch, and I was subsequently invited to attend as a guest a few months later in May, 2003!
I recall turning up to the meeting feeling a little nervous/intimidated. My knowledge of whisky was admittedly okay, but I’d not really ever been in an environment where I analysed a whisky, nor had to think of tasting notes / descriptors for it. Everyone else around the table that night had a lexicon I was less familiar with. Having to come up with a score was also a challenge! I still remember – heck, I can still taste – one of the whiskies that night: An absolutely sublime single cask bottling of Glengoyne.
Despite feeling like the new kid on the block, what I instantly identified was a kindred spirit. There was a mutual appreciation for good whisky, and for sharing the experience. I had found my tribe! I was subsequently invited to attend the next meeting, and having acquitted myself adequately, was voted in that night! 😉
Interesting list of favourite distilleries there, Andrew! Not too many MacDuffs (or Glen Deverons, as it’s also known as) doing the rounds….what was the MacDuff bottling or bottlings you had that put this distillery at the top of your list? I’ve only tried a couple of Braevals, so don’t have much experience there to speak of, but I certainly agree that Glen Ord can deliver a superb malt when matured in a good cask. Well worth looking into this further! I’ll have a word with the Cask Procurer! 😉
This topic was originally posted four years ago, and we’ve since had the Serendipity added to the impressive line up of Gillies bottlings.
In August this year, the Parent Branch had a meeting which featured four of the club’s bottlings, and I was privileged to join the branch that day for their meeting. The four club bottlings were the 1973 30yo, the 1990 10yo, the 2005 15yo, and the 2011 12yo. (The day also featured the OB 15yo, the OB 25yo, and the OB 185th Anniversary bottling). My personal opinion on the day was that the Serendipity was the clear winner, with the Norm Case bottling just behind in second place. Interestingly, a few other attendees had these two the other way around, but they were certainly the two front runners in this line up.
Ah, Mr Ferrier – you are correct. At the Gillies 30th Birthday Bash, I did indeed opine that the 21yo was a fraction better. That was a statement with regard to quality. But my statement above was which one was my favourite! 😉 Whilst the 21yo was arguably a fraction superior, the 17yo is my favourite for what it achieved and for its legend within the club. I last tasted the 17yo at Norman Case’s wake, and whilst it was a sad day for all concerned, the whisky reminded us what’s great about the distillery and what’s great about the Gillies! 🙂
