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Once again it's the end of May So it must be the Islay Whisky Festival ! This year our little adventure started on the friday evening , leaving Newcastle at 8.40pm we had to travel over night in order to get to Kennacraig for the 7.15am ferry . The one thing you do get to see travelling overnight is a wide range of wildlife that only appears in the small hours , The Otter at the ferry landing ,the deer at Arrochar and the wonderful fighting women at Inveraray ! we weren't the first to Arrive at the terminal at 2.30 am , i can tell you it was a very long restless night (apart from the Otter ! ) till the ferry departed . When we eventually got to the Isle (at 9.30am) we headed straight for ardbeg distillery to say hello to everyone and pass a bit of time till we could get into our hotel room for a bit of proper sleep. We also managed to get booked onto the Ardbeg Candlelit dinner (thanks to Tamara ) , we gave Lagavulin a miss but we did hear it was a very good day . So onto the candlelit dinner , 40 lucky people , lots of great food and some fantastic whisky ! Once again Martine (Nouet) was in charge of getting the old taste buds going with Stuart (Thomson) matching up whisky from the Glenmorangie stable . The Menu The spirit is coming.... (A dram of Ardbeg 10 years old to welcome us in) Scottish Sushi served with (chilled) Baille Nicol Jarvie on the Ardbeg Pier Pan-fried Local Scallops on Parsnip Rings , laced in a Whisky and Ginger Sauce. Ardbeg 10 years old Brochette of duck marinated in whisky and Spices with an Orangey Sauce and wild rice . Ardbeg 1975 (from a fino cask) Apricot Blancmange laced with Whisky and a light Macaroon Crumble. Glen Moray 16 years old Coffee with Dark Chocolate Ice cream Balls A mystery Ardbeg straight from the cask... (A 1976 sherry casked Ardbeg , cask No.2398.) |
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The Scottish Sushi was the most unusual course (Barley used instead of rice) , but i think most people were raving over the Duck (we certainly were !) . Once again The meal was one of the highlights of the festival , A great way to start off the week , Again all the stops were pulled out by Martine ,Jackie and her staff. the two 1970's Ardbegs were outstanding and a great choice to go with the meal . |
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