When you’re a Whisky Club Member, you don’t just get the world’s best whisky exclusives, you get a whole lot of perks, too.
To celebrate the Club’s launch in NZ last year, we gave away a trip for two to Scotland worth a whopping $19,000! And that lucky winner was Adam Whitehead.
This once-in-a-lifetime trip included flights for two to Scotland, a tour of the mighty Glenlivet distillery and Strathisla distillery and so much more. And to top it off, the winner stayed in luxurious accommodation at Victorian manor Linn House, Chivas Brothers’ guest house and whisky retreat.
Our Head of Whisky Creation Craig Johnstone also lined up some incredible experiences for Adam, including a personal message from the one and only Doctor Bill Lumsden!
Have a read and hear about Adam’s incredible experience firsthand. And if you’re not a Member yet, join The Whisky Club free now for bucket-list perks and the world’s best whisky exclusives.
Take it away, Adam!
When I found out I had won The Whisky Club New Zealand's trip to Scotland, I didn't realise that it would become an experience that whisky enthusiasts only dream about.
The adventure began in Edinburgh with a catch-up dram and lunch with Craig, The Whisky Club's Head of Whisky Creation. As we discussed the itinerary ahead, the experiences planned were unlike anything I had ever imagined. No visit to Edinburgh would be complete without an essential detour to Cadenhead's, the oldest independent bottler in Scotland, to pick up one of their coveted shop-exclusive bottlings.
Arriving at Linn House was the first sign this was no ordinary whisky trip. As we drove through the gates, it immediately felt like somewhere truly extraordinary. Having exclusive use of Linn House was already beyond anything I expected.
Joined by Andrew, Pernod Ricard’s Brand Ambassador, we explored the Linn House grounds before making our way to Strathisla Distillery. Along the way, Andrew explained how the surrounding landscape contributes to the success of the neighbouring distilleries, including Glen Keith and Strathisla. The Strathisla tour offered a fascinating look into one of Scotland's most historic and picturesque distilleries, but the highlight waited inside Warehouse No. 3.
At the end of the warehouse sat a locked cage. The Chivas Vault!
Having been on distillery tours before, I expected a traditional "look but don't touch" experience. Instead, the cage was opened, the bung was removed from a 1990 cask, and moments later the copper dog was drawing whisky straight from the barrel. A dram matured for decades was now sitting in my glass.
After taking time to enjoy the experience, we moved into a blending workshop where we created our own bottle to take home, which includes some of that same 1990 spirit.
That evening came the experience every whisky lover dreams about… the Linn House Bar. Surrounded by rare and aged whiskies, I assumed many of the bottles would be strictly off limits. Instead, I was told, "You're our guest. Have whatever you like it’s with our compliments." Guided by Tony, the house custodian, the evening became a journey through exceptional whisky, beginning with a Glenlivet 23 Year Old single cask, followed by a Longmorn 22 Year Old and Aberlour 30 Year Old. After a few more nightcaps, we retired to our Glenlivet-themed room. The room was the epitome of luxury, but we are here to talk whisky, not the well-appointed rooms of Linn House.
The following morning began at The Glenlivet Distillery, starting in the library with a deep dive into the history and the reason why Glenlivet is ‘THE Glenlivet’. After an exclusive distillery tour, we found ourselves exploring different cask types and discussing the influence of maturation and finishing cask types. The highlight, however, was waiting at the end of the room. Another cask. Another copper dog. Another dram drawn straight from the barrel. The experience concluded with a tasting of The Glenlivet range before picking up a distillery-exclusive bottle to take home.
The afternoon included some friendly competition with Sporting Scotland, along with a stop at Aberlour. Despite the distillery being closed for renovations, we still enjoyed a tasting and picked up a limited-edition A'bunadh.
“When I found out I had won The Whisky Club New Zealand's trip to Scotland, I didn't realise that it would become an experience that whisky enthusiasts only dream about”.
Back at Linn House, we enjoyed some of the finest Scottish fare prepared by our private chef, which reminded us that the hospitality was just as impressive as the whisky. Naturally, we returned to the bar. The evening's lineup included an Aberlour Reserve Collection 18 Year Old single cask, Braes of Glenlivet 27 Year Old Rare Release and The Last Recital Malt 5 Strathisla 25 Year Old, alongside a few other rare numbers that I am well beyond honoured to have a dram from the bottle.
The next day we went off the beaten track and met Ghillie Basan at her home, located deep in the Cairngorms. A classic Scottish summer greeted us with mist, rain and chilly temperatures. However, sitting beside the fire with a Glenlivet 15 Year Old and freshly made flapjacks, it felt perfect at the mercy of Ghillie’s exceptional hospitality. We made cocktails with foraged local ingredients, before enjoying a farm-to-table lunch prepared by Ghillie.
We got on the road early the next morning with the first stop at Benromach. After tasting some of their delicious expressions, it’s safe to say I’m looking forward to the next whisky of the month. Back on the road, we eventually arrived for a VIP experience at one of my all-time favourite distilleries, Glenmorangie. Inside the still house, sat glasses of clear spirit. I have tasted new make spirit before, but nothing prepared me for this. Coffee. Chocolate. Incredible depth. This was the new make spirit destined to become Signet. It is a dram that I was first introduced to at Dram Fest many years ago, by a good friend and talented whisky writer Tash McGill. Since then, it has been a staple in my collection and to taste it in its raw form, before it becomes the whisky I love, was a genuine privilege.
The day continued with a stop by the lighthouse, then a tasting in the classic, dimly lit warehouse No.3, featuring Glenmorangie's Exclusive Cask 1784 and 30 Year Old. To finish the day off, we headed to the bar. What I didn't expect was to be told everything was on the house. Rare casks, special releases and manager selections followed, before finishing with a Signet Reserve.
With only two days remaining, it was time for the final distilleries.
Ballindalloch reinforced a valuable whisky lesson: great whisky is not defined only by age. I was first introduced to this spirit at a Speyside tasting at Whisky Galore and it has left a lasting impression ever since. Aidan delivered a fantastic tour of this small but impressive operation before exploring the estate and castle grounds, followed by sampling the range. Of course, the Spirit of Speyside Festival release found its way home with me.
Then came Balvenie. The tour offered a fascinating insight into Balvenie's traditional methods, from the cooperage to the malting floor. After several distillery experiences, I thought I knew what to expect, but nothing prepared me for Warehouse 24. The copper dog was waiting beside the casks, but this time there were no glasses. Instead, whisky was poured straight from the barrel into our cupped hands, like a holy communion. Simple. Traditional. Unforgettable. After that spiritual awakening, the more formal tasting afterwards featured an outstanding lineup, including Cask & Character 19 Year Old, Curious Cask 20 Year Old and French Oak 16 Year Old.
"From rare cask experiences and exclusive access to incredible hospitality and unforgettable conversations, this was far more than a trip through Scotland's whisky regions. It was a whisky journey that had exceeded every expectation".
The final Speyside evening was spent exactly where it should be, a pilgrimage to the Highlander Inn. Over classic pub food and one last pint of Tennent's, there was time to reflect on an extraordinary week. But one stop remained… The Macallan.
For me, it represents where my love of Scotch whisky began. The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak was the first whisky that gave me the moment of, "I understand why people love Scotch whisky." While I like to believe my curiosity for whisky has expanded over the years, that bottle will always be in my collection.
The Macallan estate is unlike anything else. The beautifully maintained grounds, well-groomed Highland coos, meticulously polished Bentleys and futuristic distillery create an experience that is both impressive and unique. The Mastery Experience began with a six-course menu paired with exceptional whisky and sherry at TimeSpirit. This was followed by a journey through The Macallan's history with an 18 year old in hand, the working distillery and a tasting at the bar featuring the Sherry Oak 18 Year Old, Enigma and 30 Year Old Colour Collection. Just when we thought the experience had ended, one final surprise awaited… the James Bond Diamonds Are Forever anniversary release in ‘the warehouse’. The farewell pours of Home Collection River Spey and Rare Cask Black provided the perfect conclusion.
From rare cask experiences and exclusive access to incredible hospitality and unforgettable conversations, this was far more than a trip through Scotland's whisky regions. It was a whisky journey that had exceeded every expectation. A huge thank you to Craig, Emma, Scott and the Whisky Club team for making this possible. Special thanks also to Andrew, Tony and the Linn House team, Glenmorangie, Aidan at Ballindalloch and everyone who shared their time, knowledge and passion along the way.
For a whisky lover, it simply doesn't get much better than this.
– Adam Whitehead
