Ett brev kom från Alex som han tyckte att jag skulle skicka till klubbarna. Det skall vi göra, men passar även på att gelge er alla.
A Wee Tour of Sweden, October 2009
13.10.09 “Thomas, looking forward to a great tour of Sweden, is there anything I need to bring?”
14.10.09 “Alex, what to bring: a happy smile, a trunkload of bad jokes and a spare liver.”
19.10.09-30.10.09
11 nights, 2700 km, 570 tasters, some 116 bottles opened.
Delighted to report that my smile is still very happy, I have an empty trunk and am looking for another spare liver.
A huge thank you for the warm and generous hospitality at all the clubs that we visited.
19.10.09 Akkurat, Stockholm
Straight off the flight from Edinburgh/Copenhagen and into a very friendly private club room at this famous bar. My highlight of the evening was the Cameronbridge 1978, 30yr old Single Grain – quite different from the last time that I tasted it: more smoke and depth than I remember, but with the usual multiple personality that you can associate with good, old grain whiskies.
Thank you to the club for easing me into the tour, and a very enjoyable dinner afterwards.
20.10.09 Värnamo (SWF)
The road trip begins. Thomas warms up the jukebox and off we go – very much like Scotland, except more trees and fewer cars on the road, we pass Jönköping for the first of many times and arrive in good time at the hotel Tre Liljor.
Driven to the tasting, a great turn out, some very refreshing Czech beer and a memorable night followed by extra helpings of rice.
Many thanks to Martin and all at the club.
21.10.09 Vimmerby (SWF)
I was sure that the name was familiar, and it soon became clear that we were in Pippi Longstocking territory. Not only that, but I was delighted to find that the tasting was at Astrid Lindgrens’ museum, just a short distance from her family home.
I really enjoyed my tour of the museum while the whiskies were being set out, and this is the second time that I have done an Adelphi tasting in connection with a famous children’s author – the first was in the school room of Hans Christian Andersen in Denmark 2 years ago.
Thank you to Carina and the whole club for your welcome and delicious food that followed. I have promised to bring my children back to visit.
22.10.09 Oskarshamn (SWF)
Through the woods…to the sea, and to the hotel Post. I even had a sea view from my room.
A good turnout again, and a “blind” starter whisky to confuse even the connoisseurs. A single cask, of single blend from Ben Nevis Distillery (all distilled, blended and casked on site in 1970).
Once again, a delicious dinner in the hotel and my thanks to Björn Mårlid and all those who came.
23.10.09 Jönköping (SWF)
I’m not sure what the Swedish for “Dèja vu” is, but this time we actually stopped in Jönköping. A really good fun town, and on a Friday night it was most certainly alive.
A quick refreshment in the first of many Bishop’s Arms, and then off to the Master Gudmunds Cellar for a great evening.
Meénakshi had the situation all under control (many thanks Meénakshi!), which included sending Thomas out for a Big Mac for one lucky taster.
Back to the Bishop’s Arms for a few more light refreshments and a very generous digestif in the hotel (thanks Thomas!).
24.10.09 Stockholm, Oxen
Back up the road to Stockholm. I think, by this stage, Thomas was quite used to me taking a short morning nap in the car, only to wake up for a coffee and cake stop, and then have to snooze it off again on the next leg.
Great to see Alan and the team at Oxen again, and what a fantastic evening. Alan had managed to bag a few bottles of our summer release of 11 yr old Ardbeg which was made a very interesting end to the tasting…except someone mentioned a bottle of Bunnahabhain 35 yr old might be open behind the bar – no time for the angels to share that bottle.
Many thanks Alan, and hope to see you in Scotland before too long.
25.10.09 Mjölby
I have a recollection that Thomas mentioned that I would have Sunday off…not to matter…I found myself on a very speedy train heading south again, and certainly not to matter, was the warm welcome at Kenneth Lindblad’s lovely Stadshotell opposite the train station in Mjölby.
While we tasted, Thomas watched Hammarby play in Stockholm – look on the bright side, Thomas, the tickets will be less expensive next year.
Thank you to Kenneth for bringing the two clubs of Mjölby and Linköping together for the evening, and for the delicious meal afterwards.
26.10.09 Växjö (SWF)
Into the dragon’s den…a certain Mr Hasse Nilsson had been instrumental in making me work for 11 nights running, and had assembled some 70 tasters for this night.
A very interesting evening which allowed me to rest between talk and taste (thank you!), and included a full roundup of the scores at the end – very useful for the research.
The Mortlach 1990 17 yr old won on the night, but good response to the old Bunna and the surprise latecomer of the Cameronbridge 30 yr old as well. My personal performer of the night was actually the Jura 12 yr old, purely for being different.
An excellent burger and a beer that tasted very like coffee in another Bishop’s Arms rounded a truly memorable night off.
Many thanks Hasse, I won’t forget the 11 nights…
27.10.09 Söderköping (SWF)
Aha…there goes Jönköping again (yes Thomas, I was awake), and into the very pretty town of Söderköping. Famous for its water, I’m sure I felt particularly cleansed and refreshed the next morning.
Again, a well-represented club in the very capable hands of Douglas Christianson. Douglas has a history in the Scotch whisky industry, and many fascinating tales from his work at Blair Athol Distillery in particular.
I’m not sure if it was the delicious food, or the fumes from the whisky, or the genuine warmth of hospitality, but we were, reluctantly, made to exit the lovely old building (possibly a grain store originally?) three times during the course of the evening, thanks to a very sensitive fire alarm.
Douglas, thank you for looking after us so well.
28.10.09 Eslöv
I felt some sadness as we passed Jönköping for the last time on this trip. The sun had finally come out and the lake glistened invitingly (for a fish).
This was to be the last day of the road trip, and my last day in Thomas’s juke box. Thank you, Thomas, for all the tunes – I particularly remember the various covers of Stairway to Heaven…Far Corporation, Frank Zappa…
The pressure was off now, and we even managed to find a pizza for lunch. Just time for a quick beer and catch up with the Port Ellen master, Mr P, and then off to Cupido for a great evening. I think it was the old Caol Ila 25 yr old that won the votes this evening, although the heavily peated Bunna 11 yr old surprised as it always does.
Many thanks to Lars for organising the evening, and my first Swedish “sandwich cake”.
29.10.09 Borås (SWF)
A sad farewell to Thomas: my guide, mentor, lifestyle guru and DJ for the 11 very enjoyable days in Sweden. As he headed off into the woods once more, I boarded a train bound for Borås, changing in Alvesta. Not quite as speedy as the last one, and a rather disconcerting bouncy feeling that made looking out the window the most sensible option.
Arriving in Borås, I was met by Hans and driven to the fascinating Yxhammargården. This was hospitality in its most perfect form – a beautiful, old building, lovingly preserved and full of the most charming hosts, plus a room and food to write home about.
Any bad jokes that still remained in my trunk were quickly thrown at the full house of tasters, and I certainly had the ideal last night of the tour. I stupidly mentioned something about an early flight the next morning, and was quickly marched off into town for a night cap…Bishop’s Arms no. 3.
Big thanks to Hans and all in Borås.
Once again, a huge thank you for welcoming a wee Scot and a few of his casks of the amber nectar (and to Clydesdale for importing them), and I look forward to seeing many of you again in the not-too-distant future.
Alex Bruce
Adelphi Distillery Limited.