WHISKY : Mythical Beasts whisky tasting in a truly magical Scottish setting
Nestled in the tranquil embrace of rural Fife, Scotland, a private whisky tasting at The Hide offers an intimate and unforgettable experience. The Hide is a purpose-built luxury ‘bothy’ for connoisseurs and adventurers alike cradled high in the hills of Lindores Farm. The secluded retreat is surrounded by lush greenery, rolling hills and an epic view of the River Tay, far from the bustle of everyday life. Inside The Hide, the warm, rustic interior provides a cosy haven where guests can savour the finest local whiskies, each sip accompanied by the soothing sounds of nature just beyond the walls. The bespoke setting, carefully crafted to enhance the sensory experience, allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the rich heritage and complex flavours of Scotland’s iconic spirit. As the golden hues of whisky dance in the glass, the connection to the land and tradition becomes tangible, making every moment in this hidden gem an extraordinary journey for the palate.
WHISKY : Mythical Beasts whisky tasting in a truly magical Scottish setting at The Hide, Lindores Farm.
Glencairn glasses, are filled with five different drams, each one shimmering under the soft light. The fire crackled gently, warming the room and casting a comforting glow. Outside, the gentle breeze whispered across the hills, a constant reminder of the wild beauty that surrounded this secluded haven. Inside, however, the focus was singular: to savour the complex flavours and aromas of each unique whisky, a journey of discovery unfolding with every sip.
It was time for a whisky tasting like no other - a true Scottish experience. Time to discover Mythical Beasts from Spiritfilled hosted by Gordon Brown.
As we approached the Hide, a large table greeted us, perfectly positioned to soak in the stunning view. It was adorned with the five Mythical Beast whiskies that awaited our tasting. I could only imagine how breathtaking this place would be in the summer—simply unbelievable. Though the plush fur throws on the outdoor seating were tempting, the biting cold urged us towards the warm glow of the Hide, its roaring fire an irresistible invitation.
Spiritfilled, are an independent bottler, whisky cask broker, and operates from their warehouse, Braeside Bond, situated on Lindores Farm, hence the whisky tasting at The Hide with their range of single malt whiskies.
If you’ve never come across an independent bottler here’s a quick overview of what they do:
They are a company or individual that selects, bottles, and sells whisky sourced from distilleries, often without the involvement of the original distillery. They play a unique role in the whisky industry, offering consumers a diverse range of expressions that might not be available through the distilleries' standard releases.
Independent bottlers carefully choose casks from various distilleries, looking for unique and high-quality whisky that stands out. Some bottlers may purchase young whisky and age it further in their own warehouses, sometimes using different types of casks to influence the flavour. Once the whisky reaches the desired maturity, the bottler decides on the bottling strength (often cask strength) and whether to filter or colour the whisky. They create their own labels, packaging, and branding to differentiate their bottles from the original distillery releases. Independent bottlers often experiment with cask finishes, blending, and other techniques to produce unique and intriguing whiskies. This offers whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to explore rare, limited-edition, and sometimes experimental releases that provide a fresh perspective on familiar distilleries.
I won’t go into the whisky cask brokering side of whisky, as that’s a whole other blog post - but if you would like to know more, visit Spiritfilled website HERE for more info.
Our tasting included a range of absolute corkers! From an 11 year old to a 30 year old, offering up an array of flavours. We tucked into some incredible food too - read more about The Hide in a previous post - www.tartanspoon.co.uk/home/food-lindores-thehide
Spiritfilled, is renowned for its commitment to unearthing rare and unique casks. Their Mythical Beasts Whisky Series is a testament to this dedication, offering a collection of independent bottlings that celebrate the rich tapestry of Scottish mythology. Each whisky in this series is named after a legendary Scottish creature, weaving the enchanting lore of these mythical beings into the very essence of the whisky.
The connection between the mythical creatures and the whiskies is more than just a nod to folklore; it is a deliberate attempt to infuse each bottle with the spirit and characteristics of the creatures it represents. For instance, the Qilin, an equine creature reminiscent of Scotland’s Unicorn, symbolizes wisdom, fairness, and honesty. Its whisky counterpart reflects these attributes, embodying a refined and balanced character that invites drinkers to connect with the noble essence of the Qilin.
The Dryad, another mystical figure in the series, is a nymph born from ancient oaks in the Highlands. This creature embodies a timeless mystical quality rooted in Celtic traditions, much like the whisky it represents. The spirit of the Dryad whisky captures the essence of Scotland’s natural beauty and the deep connection to the land, shrouded in an aura of mystery and enchantment.
Nyami Nyami, the River God of the Spey, brings its mythical legacy of wealth, good fortune, and protection to its whisky representation. The rich and powerful flavours of the Nyami Nyami whisky mirror the river god’s mighty presence, making each sip a journey through the depths of Scottish mythology.
By naming their whiskies after these mythical creatures, Spiritfilled not only honours Scotland’s rich cultural heritage but also creates a unique narrative for each bottle. This approach resonates with both whisky connoisseurs and mythology enthusiasts, offering a multi-sensory experience that transcends the typical tasting. The stories behind each mythical beast add layers of depth to the whisky, making the Mythical Beasts Whisky Series a true celebration of Scotland’s legendary past and its finest spirit traditions.
The Dryad -11yo Tomatin PX cask finish. The nose reveals dark chocolate truffles, espresso, prunes, apricots, walnuts, honey, and tiramisu. On the palate, an ultra-delicate mouthfeel combines gentle sweetness with creamy vanilla and espresso macchiato, enriched by prunes, apricots, oak, and tiramisu, leading to a full-bodied finish of dried fruits, oak, and dark chocolate.
The Qilin - 13yo Caol Ila, finished in a single NEOC PX Sherry hogshead
Without water, this whisky has a rich russet caramel colour, an elegant smoky almond and peaty aroma with dark honey, a silky mouthfeel with powerful earthy peat and clove flavours, and a lengthy finish of mellow spices. With water, it reveals a light amber colour, vegetal aromas of freshly-cut grass and sweet banana, a smooth smoky palate with buttery Brazil nuts and dried hay, and a lingering, complex finish of fruity and nutty notes.
The Phoenix - 24yo Port Dundas finished in PX Sherry hogshead
This whisky has a golden amber hue with a complex nose of sweet sherry, dried fig, fresh marzipan, and vanilla cream custard. Its palate offers elegant sherry sweetness with raisins, toffee, caramel, clove, and star anise, culminating in a generous finish of fruitiness and spices. Add some water and the flavour profile features sweet dates, raisins, and cloves, with a gentle sweetness that unfolds into richer candied fruits and a soft peppery finish.
The Nyami Nyami -28yo Glen Moray finished in double bourbon casks
This one has a delicate straw colour, with aromas of pear, green apples, and an alluring sweet sharpness. The palate offers pear notes transitioning to vanilla and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, finishing with a fruity candied pineapple presence. A drop of water enhances the aromas and brings some honey and cinnamon flavours with it.
The Dryad - 30yo Tobermory, triple cask matured : Sherry butt, Rum and PX Sherry cask
This presents a classic light, golden amber hue with a briny seaside aroma, wet slate, and sweet almond, leading to a palate of porridge and toasted cereal, and finishing with mellow oats, barley, and freshly baked bread with a fiery, confident length. With water, it reveals sweetness by way of butterscotch but retains it salty brininess. Produces a very elegant finish.
It was a truly magical day. The cold, crisp weather and clear blue skies set the stage for an unforgettable sunset. The fire provided not just warmth and cosiness but also served as the hearth for cooking a delectable five-course lunch during the whisky tasting. This is a place for whisky talk, for 'chewing the fat', for shared laughter, stories and live conversations. This whisky tasting turned the afternoon and early evening into an unforgettable celebration of flavour, friendship and folklore.
Lindores Farm have two incredible event spaces - the Barley House and The Hide. Both are ideal for events, celebrations, cosy intimate dining experiences, corporate events and of course whisky tastings. Should you want to book a whisky tasting at The Hide, please contact Lindores Farm and they can arrange this for you.
You can also stay over night at Lindores Farm in their luxury holiday homes. Read more about my stay - www.tartanspoon.co.uk/home/stay-lindores-thearches
Lindores Farm have kindly provided me with a DISCOUNT CODE should you wish to stay here. 10% OFF accommodation and 20% OFF use of The Hide if combined with your stay - use the code TARTAN.
More information on Spiritfilled and Lindores Farm is available via their websites: