This whiskey bears the name and coat of arms of the oldest clan in Scotland, has a three-year exposure, which gives the drink the right to be called scotch, mild taste and popularity in more than thirty countries around the world. Whiskey Clan MacGregor is created by blending: 15 varieties of malt distillates from the Speyside Valley are mixed with several types of grain spirits from the highlands – experts say that it is the selection of varieties that determines the smoothness of taste and richness of aroma.
Historical reference. Whiskey Clan MacGregor is produced and sold by one of the most famous whiskey companies in the world – William Grant & Sons, whose hallmark is the Grants bottle with a triangular base familiar to all connoisseurs.
This is a family company. Founding father William Grant began building a distillery with the romantic name Deer Valley, Glenfiddich, in the Space River Valley in early 1886, but the first whiskey tasting was held only on Christmas days in 1887. It is this Christmas that is considered to be the date of foundation of the company.
It is unlikely that William Grant would have achieved success without his seven sons and two daughters. The sons were workers, assistants, messengers, and the daughters kept order and cooked food. The first manager and seller of the company was Charles Gordon, son-in-law of William Grant. At first, Gordon’s duty was a simple knock on the door and an offer to buy whiskey. To find the first buyer, the man had to knock on 180 institutions.
At the initiative of Charles Gordon, a representative office of the company was opened in the UK and the delivery of whiskey to North America was organized – all this happened after the death of William Grant. As well as the conquest of the eastern market, which took place during the First World War.
And even during the Prohibition period, when most whiskey producers closed their factories, William Grant & Sons worked. Today, the company is managed by the fifth generation of Grants, the business remains family-owned, and the recipes are original. The product range is extensive: 25 malt whiskeys and 2 blended ones, among which one is named after a warlike Scottish clan.
The name of the whiskey was not accidental: the Grants have always valued family ties and admired families who managed to unite and withstand adversity. One of the oldest clans in Scotland was just that.
According to legend, the ancestor of the MacGregor clan was Prince Gregor MacAlpin, this explains both the motto of the clan “We are of the royal family!”, And the coat of arms placed on the label of whiskey with the permission of Malcolm MacGregor.
The MacGregors were strong and belligerent. In dark medieval times, they had to hold their lands by force, and the knights of the clan successfully coped with this. Until another clan, the Campbells, managed to forge documents and get King Robert to transfer the MacGregor lands to his property. The MacGregors did not give up, fought, defended their rights with weapons in their hands, but still lost most of their possessions. And in 1603, King James VI, angry with the rebels, issued a decree on the liquidation of the clan and expelled the family representatives from the country. But the MacGregors did not leave – they assimilated, taking the names of related families, continuing to maintain intra-family ties.
What the representatives of the ancient knightly family in exile did not do – outside the law, without land and any means of subsistence: they stole cattle, poached, robbed settlements and robbed on the roads. One of the most famous Scots robbers in history, Red Robert or Rob Roy, belonged to the MacGregor clan. The clan was rehabilitated only at the end of the XNUMXth century, and its unique history still serves as an example of family mutual assistance and fortitude.
The decision to name one of their best drinks Clan MacGregor was a win-win for William Grant & Sons. The drink quickly gained popularity and today is in the TOP-20 most popular whiskeys in the world.
Features whiskey Clan MacGregor
Fans of the brand say that in addition to fragrant malt and crystal clear spring water, the secret recipe includes enterprise, loyalty to traditions, great ambitions, diligence, patience of the entire William Grant family and the amazing charisma of the McGregors.
- Color. Like most blended whiskeys, Clan MacGregor is very light, slightly golden, the color becomes brighter in the evening light.
- Taste. Clan MacGregor scotch has a mild and smooth taste despite the traditional XNUMX proof alcohol. The flavor bouquet is intertwined with fruity notes (pear, apple, plum), with notes of malt and orange peel. The aftertaste is very delicate, with the freshness of spring primroses.
- Aroma. Harmonious in taste – the same lightness, the same fruity notes of the Speyside Valley and the same floral freshness of the highlands.
How to drink Clan MacGregor whiskey
Whiskey Clan MacGregor is good as a digestif (after a meal), the drink is used for cocktails – a smooth taste and softness make it perfectly combined with different ingredients. But it is best to drink Clan MacGregor clean and according to the famous Scottish Five S ritual:
- Sight. Pour scotch into a glass, look at all the shades of colors, enjoying the play of light behind the transparent walls. Warm the glass in your palms for 3-4 minutes – alcohols evaporate the more intensively, the higher the temperature of the drink.
- Smell. Slowly breathe in to feel the full range of aroma, which will allow you to get a complete picture of scotch. Experienced tasters say that identifying each of the ethereal, phenolic vegetable or oil tones is not at all difficult.
- Swish. Sip without haste. Do not swallow immediately – let the receptors of the tongue feel the taste – sweetish, slightly astringent, warming.
- Swallow. Take a small sip, slowly – feel the softness and delicate taste of Clan MacGregor.
- splash. This step of the ritual translates as “splash” and means adding soda or coca-cola to the glass, as the Americans like. But this usually applies to stronger scotch, and in the case of Clan MacGregor, it is better not to dilute the drink. It’s better to just add 2-3 ice cubes.
Whiskey is drunk from two types of glasses: from a tulip-shaped glass and a tumbler – a wide and low glass with a thick bottom. If you are going to taste the color, taste and aroma of Clan MacGregor, choose a glass with a bowl in the shape of a tulip. And if you just want to sip your favorite whiskey during a friendly conversation or after dinner, adding ice to the drink, stop your choice on the toggle switch.
The temperature of the whiskey should not be lower than 18-21°C, only in this case the bouquet of aromas is fully revealed.
If you are just about to dive into the world of whiskey knowledge, then you should start with blended, and Clan MacGregor is a great choice to start with.
