There are a couple of things I like to think I know a little bit about, one is generally “stuff” about Ramsbottom, the other is whisky, I’m no buff, but I know what I like.
Well, I was a little surprised when I found out that not only does The Fisherman’s Retreat (in Ramsbottom, thing 1) create their own whisky (thing 2), but they’ve just released their fourth and fifth editions. Granted, I knew that they’re big on whisky, but I didn’t realise they actually had their own.
Now it might seem hard to believe, but The Fisherman’s Retreat is now in its 27th year and they now stock over 500 different Scottish single malt whiskies. Not only that but they recently launched their online shop which showcases some of their more fine and rare whiskies. This is some way from where they started back in 1992 when an overheard fisherman’s chat about where to go for lunch helped start it all.
Some of the whiskies available are, I’ll be honest, a little outside my price range, but one day, who knows, maybe I’ll get to sample a Glendronach 1968
Some more about the whisky though, edition five has been 10 years in the making. Coming from Bruichladdich on Islay (a great little Island I’ve actually visited) in the form of this heavily peated Port Charlotte. It was distilled in November 2008 at Bruichladdich distillery on the Isle of Islay and peated to 40 ppm, this Port Charlotte does a fantastic job of embodying Islay’s peaty history.
“This edition is one I have been looking forward to for a long time, from the moment I tried the first dram I knew we had something special!”
Hervey Magnall, owner of The Fisherman’s Retreat talking about Edition Five
This whisky has spent all its life maturing in a warehouse on the windswept shores of Loch Indaal where it has endured everything the elements have thrown at it. If you were to visit Islay, you’ll recognise the distilleries are located on the coast as the sea air creates a perfect condition.
The former Haut-Brion red wine cask has also played an immense role in the making of this whisky, adding the unique characteristics to leave the whisky with a deeply rich and well-rounded malt, accompanied by the unmistakable flavors that can only be found in an Islay aged whisky.
It was hand bottled in December 2018 at 54% ABV this release has produced 360 bottles.
If you, like me are interested in Whisky, not only do we have a fantastic shop in Ramsbottom, but The Fishermans Retreat have events on from time to time, check out these events on their events page.
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