Story - Glenaladale

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GlenalAdale

WHI-STORY

Hundreds of years ago, the ancient Celts distilled an alcoholic drink whose scottish Gaelic name was uisge beatha (latin name ‘aqua vitae’ meaning ‘water of life’). Due to the pronunciation of this name, it gradually changed over time and with each invasion, influx of foreign – to ‘usky’ and then to ‘whisky’. The spirit itself developed and changed too, eventually becoming the Scotch Whisky of today.

No one knows for sure exactly when ‘Scotch’ was first distilled in Scotland, but some historians think that Heather Ale – a popular drink brewed by the Picts and other very early inhabitants of Scotland – may have been a ‘prelude’ to Scottish whisky.

GlenalAdale

TRADITIONS

To be officially classed as Scotch Whisky it must be produced in Scotland and matured in Oak Casks for a minimum of 3 years. The entire process is nothing short of an artform: four ingredients – water, malt, peat and yeast – are refined through fermentation and distillation and then maturation. Each step has a subtle but tangible impact on the overall taste, and though the process is always the same, Scotland’s five regions produce Scotch whiskies with key differences.

It is traditionally made from barley and pure, clear water – both of which are in plentiful supply in Scotland. It also needs a cool, damp or moist environment in order to mature properly.

Scotch Whisky

DISTILLERY

The whisky is produced at a distillery from water and malted barley, to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added. All of them have been processed into a mash, converted to a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems, fermented only by adding yeast and distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8%. The whisky is wholly matured in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres for at least three years. It is also retaining the colour, aroma and taste of the raw materials that have been used.

GlenAladale

REGION

Glenaladale is a small patch of northern paradise in Western Scotland. Nested between hills is Loch Shiel completing a scene that is both astonishing and yet serene, creating a feeling of having witnessed natural wonder which Scotland is so famous for.

One of the few buildings belonging to John MacDonald’s old estate is a small guest house offering an amazing view of Loch Shiel and the small Glenaladale river flowing into it.

Aon ghlainne, chan fheàirrde ‘s cha mhiste.
Dà ghlainne, ‘s fheàirrde ‘s cha mhiste.
Trì glainneachan, ‘s miste ‘s chan fheàirrde.

– Old Scottish Gaelic proverb