We had a
full itinerary today – famous Baxter’s with their soup and chutneys to visit
before seeing how whisky and barrels are made.
Once on the
road we saw the local KFC, some ugly 70’s style apartment blocks and the boys
grabbed some Black Panther energy
drinks to keep them going. These are apparently recommended by the Polish
National football team...and they smell strong!
Past
windmills, Bray asleep, whipping through Keith and onwards to Baxter’s. We were
lured by their Nature Trail signage and set out along the river – only to find
three men pruning vigorously with LOUD motor tools and some grass with fences
around it. Persevered for a little bit before bailing without seeing any
wildlife to speak of – Roni found a feather as proof that wildlife is sometimes
there... Back to Baxter’s where we availed ourselves of the conveniences before
checking out their gift shop, looking through Old Shop and Exhibiton Area and
the new shop full of more varieties of soup we had ever seen...even one called Skink Soup (it’s not what you think!).
All this soup made us hungry so we headed to the cafe where Bray tried the
Scottish version of mac cheese accompanied by Curiosity Cola while Roni experienced the UK phenomenon of crisps
on the side with everything!
Back on the
road again and to the Glen Grant distillery
to get in amongst some whisky. Our lovely guide Jane (who incidentally has a
daughter living in NZ) took us through milling, mashing, fermentation, 1st
and 2nd distillation, filling and storage. It was really interesting - we learnt about science,
history and machinery while the sheer size of things like the vats even in a
smaller distillery was amazing. Then it was time for the tasting where we tried
10 and 25 year old malts. Now we can be more discerning whisky drinkers – not that
we drink it that often back in NZ though our time in Scotland has featured a
wee bit of it.
On to the
Speyside Cooperage where they make barrels very much the same way they have for
hundreds of years. We looked through their historical exhibition, watched an
informative DVD then headed upstairs with our guide to see the coopers in
action and have their work explained to us. Our guide was himself a cooper of
12 years and had also worked in distilleries before returning to the cooperage
in his tour guide and informative role.
This place
was what Roni liked the best today. It was fascinating learning about the
craftsmanship and machinery used to create something that looks so basic. Bray
liked the fact that whisky barrels are often made by recycling bourbon barrels
from the USA. There was a huge range of ages on the cooperage floor and they
were making many different types of barrels – all at pace and with finesse.
Even the apprentice coopers were working hard. Coopers are paid a per barrel rate
(depending also on the size/type of barrel they make – butt, barrel, puncheon
or hogshead), use many tools that haven’t changed in centuries and simple materials (oak, reed and metal
hoops). After the tour and explanation were complete Adam and Bray had a
competition to see who was fasted to create a barrel – there were two
deconstructed baby barrels for them to use. Bray looked to have it sewn up at
one point then Adam caught up after a disastrous self deconstruction so close
to completion. Adam was lovin’it!
After a
quick visit to the gift store we used the facilities and scampered around their
barrel themed picnic area before hopping back into the car in the gathering
gloom. On the way home we stopped to take pics of some ‘hairy coos’(Highland
cattle), Bray got a pic with the Dufftown sign and someone’s controlled burn
lit up the hills for a wee while.
Onwards we
drove through the dusk to Aberdeen. Home to relax with dinner, a little TV
watching and some organising for the weekend away.
