Back of Beyond and Back Again
Can you tell us how the home collection service is expanding?
Drew: On the last Sunday of each month, we will visit a different area of the north of Scotland. Be it the Highlands, the vast expanse of Caithness and Sutherland, or the even more widely spread Speyside region, (boasting as it does some two-dozen distilleries) which we have divided into two sub-regions: Aberdeenshire and the Elgin/Huntley catchment - AKA "whisky central."
How far roughly might you be driving on this new home collection service?
Drew: Potentially hundreds of miles! The Highland Council area alone covers nearly ten thousand square miles - or in other words, 11.4% of the land mass of Great Britain (an area 20% larger than Wales). Alternatively, travelling eastward from Inverness to Aberdeen, taking in Grantown-on-Spey along the way, involves a round trip of well over two hundred miles.
How do people get in touch if they have a high value bottle they would like to auction?
Drew: Firstly, it's best to get in touch with us. From there, we'll take you through the process and make an initial assessment of your items. You can do this online at whiskyshop.com/auctions, or, you can contact us on [email protected] with your estimation queries along with photographs of the bottle. This could mean that we drive to pick up your bottle from your doorstep, or that you drop it off with us and we'll safely transport it to our auction house.
Could I also just walk into a store with a bottle to have it evaliated?
Brett: Of course, we offer both an in-store drop off and pick up service for customers. Though we always advise those who have larger collections to contact the auction team before coming to the store - it can get quite busy on Saturdays!
Do many people bring whisky into the shop, and what have been the best bottles you've seen arrive in store?
Brett: We have seen no small number of unique bottles come through these doors too numerous to mention. Some of the more unusual ones include bottles signed by senior politicians, and an extensive collection of old and very rare Macallans.
Are there any good spots along the road where you are planning on taking a break on the home collection run?
Drew: Heading north-west from Inverness, a good stopping off point - before hitting the wild, sparsely habited expanse of peatland known as the Flow Country - would be the coastal town of Wick, home to Old Pulteney, whose legendary manager Malcolm Waring is a good friend of the Inverness branch and a perfect lunch companion. Another distillery stop would be the picturesque and historic Balblair, nestling in the rolling pastures alongside the beautiful Dornoch Firth. On the other hand, heading into Speyside, the quaint village of Nethy Bridge on the edge of the mighty Cairngorms National Park and the Abernethy RSPB reserve, close to tranquil Loch Garten, offers a wonderful rest-stop for a haggis sarnie and a bit of osprey-spotting.
Is this a brilliant ploy in order to drive the entire route of the North Coast 500 whilst still technically at work?
Drew: Yes!
Will in-store tastings return to Inverness?
Brett: Yes, most definitely, tastings are a great way for our club members and customers to try before they buy, and for those new to whisky it provides a great learning experience.
Are you planning any whisky festivals?
Brett: I am hoping to attend the Edinburgh whisky festival in July, it should be a corker! We also have a new local festival here in Inverness which will be running for its first year.
The original feature is from the Summer 2022 edition of Whiskeria, delivered to the door of W Club subscribers and also free with any Whisky Shop purchase in store or online. Click here to read the full Summer 2022 issue of Whiskeria online for free.