The Whisky Affair (Raymond Armstrong Series) by Michael J Gill Read Free Book Online

casks and then married together in one to create a taste like no other.
    Gordon and Raymond took the next ferry to the mainland and drove for hours through the Scottish countryside. Gordon turned off the motorway and continued on a much narrower rural road. Ten minutes later he turned onto an isolated country lane. When they finally came to a halt, Gordon gestured to Raymond.
    “We are here.”
    “Sorry, lost in thought.”
    “What, some wee lassie…?”
    “No, a wee dram or two. Now lead the way.” Actually, he had been thinking about Anne, yet again.
    “So, feels like we are in the middle of nowhere. Where exactly are we?”
    “A dear friend in the industry gave me permission to have a look at a distillery. He also gave me a sample to try once we get there,” Gordon said, squeezing the knapsack he had taken out of the back seat. “Only a short walk through the pasture, and watch your step.”
    The pastoral landscape seemed to stretch to eternity. There was an unearthly quiet all around them. The only sounds were of birds’ wings overhead and sheep tearing grass and chewing. In the distance Raymond could see snow-capped mountains.
    After two days of wonderful sunshine, this morning’s air held a sharp chill. Raymond rubbed his hands together for warmth and thought Gordon was pulling a prank. In his younger days, Gordon had a wicked sense of humor and Raymond had endured or fallen victim to it more than once.
    They opened the gate, walked up the steep hill, and jumped over a few fences. Raymond felt in his element and reminisced about the old days, making him think this excursion was much like a spy mission, full of mystery and promise. Only he had no clue what the assignment entailed.
    They arrived on a plateau where a brook trickled into a shallow pool.
    “This is it,” announced Gordon. Take some pictures of all you can see, including the lovely farmhouse behind you. You will be a star back at the society after you show them this distillery.”
    “What distillery?” He wondered if Gordon losing it.
    Raymond got out the camera and began to snap shots, suddenly realizing what this was all about.
    “This was a distillery once upon a time? Which one?”
    “Auchnagie,” Gordon said with a wide smile.
    “Who?”
    “How about Tullymet?”
    “I am not any wiser,” Raymond admitted.
    “Closed down since 1911. Just a bit before your time.” Gordon was now on his feet, a smile on his face.

 
     
     
CHAPTER 11
     
     
    They walked to survey the area – to get a feel for how the distillery would have looked in its heyday. A whole lot different than today.
    “Let’s sit here on the rocks and I will tell you the story,” Gordon suggested. “I have a feeling your club will like to hear this one.
    Gordon took out a whisky flask and poured two large drams into whisky glasses he’d placed on a flat rock. “Try this,” he said and handed one to Raymond.
    While Raymond nosed the glass he felt a contented smile appear on his face.
    “Bananas for sure, with a touch of a second soft fruit… Apricots?”
    “Possibly, but more like peaches,” Gordon clarified.
    “Yes, peaches.” Fruit aromas were hard to detect correctly in whisky, so Raymond had been buying fresh fruit to become more aware of particular scents. Whisky nosing was far more difficult than training the palate.
    “Well, well, so far so good.” Raymond took a sip, his smile becoming wider. “Damn, this is one of the best drams I have ever tasted. The sweet orange on the finish is reminding me of a sauternes finish.”
    “Good detection. It’s Barsac, which is the same family.” Gordon patted him on the shoulder enthusiastically.
    “So let me have the story while we enjoy this. But first, let me ask you a quick question: Why Barsac casks?”
    “One hundred years ago, the distilleries almost always matured their whisky in wine casks. Rather than using regular table wine casks they used dessert wine casks. The sweeter wines seemed to be the