Feis Ile, Lagavulin Day Particular

Whiskey

Feis Ile, Lagavulin Day Particular

currentlydrinking

May 25, 2024

[ad_1]

House
Hundreds of tastings,
all of the music,
all of the rambligs
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)

Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2024


Hello, that is one in all our (virtually) each day tastings. Santé!


Could 25, 2024

Feis Ile, Lagavulin Day Particular – Interview

“With one
or two exceptions,
I believe it’s extremely foolish.”

In the present day, we’re republishing a bit of gem, an interview with Mike Nicolson that we first revealed on Malt Maniacs again in 2004, twenty years in the past, which then fairly rapidly disappeared from the online, for causes I can not fairly recall.

I’m typically requested what has modified within the whisky world over the previous twenty years. The trade would invariably reply that they’ve gained a greater understanding of maturation and wooden, which has enabled them to supply even higher whiskies whereas realising that age finally would not matter a lot. Hmm.
In fact, I believe that simply studying this twenty-year-old interview, revealed right here unchanged and, in fact, with Mike’s permission, will suffice to provide a greater reply to that query.
However who’s Mike Nicolson? A former Distillery Supervisor of a number of entities, together with Lagavulin the place he additionally used to organise extraordinary blues live shows along with his personal band, Mike retired twenty years in the past and moved to Vancouver Island, from the place he had responded to this interview on the time. Since then, distillers from around the globe have sought his immense expertise and he stays energetic to at the present time.
I hope you take pleasure in studying or re-reading this previous interview as a lot as I did, although I now realise a few of my questions had been a bit foolish! However Mike is aware of the right way to brilliantly reply even probably the most silly questions, all whereas avoiding the automated company language that sadly adorns 99% of interviews, making them appear or sound like mere PR items rewritten by ChatGPT…
(When you learn this interview, you may also take pleasure in listening to Mike sing the blues and play the guitar along with his band Michigan Curve, although this album wasn’t recorded within the previous Malt Mill that point. I like it! You will additionally discover it on Spotify)

Mike Nicolson’s interview

By Serge
December 18, 2004 (republished integrally Could 25, 2024)

Attempting to clarify to you the way I got here to having a chat with probably the most malicious, {most professional} and remoter (to Scotland, no have to say) retired distillery managers and blues guitarist can be means too lengthy and complex, as had been notably concerned some 10-packs of French cigarettes, an ex-racoon, Ron Sexmith – the singer, the Oban lifeboat and Dr Nick Morgan, of Diageo fame. Sure, no much less… However if you wish to be taught which colors you must by no means put on when visiting a distillery, why Lagavulin is magic or whether or not whisky is best at the moment or not, please learn on… And oh, by the best way, please warn your loved ones and your neighbours, you would possibly properly burst into laughter sometimes!

Q// Mike, you had been the Supervisor at Blair Athol, Lagavulin and at last Lochnagar simply earlier than you retired. Had been there different distilleries you’ve got been working at?

MN// Are you sitting comfortably?

Firstly, Caol Ila is lacking out of your listing, which I had the privilege of Managing throughout my time on Islay and in the event you needed to get me in bother with Billy, Flora and the “Black Hand Gang”, lacking it out can be a great way of doing it. You do not need to get me in bother, do you?

Previous to the locations already talked about, I used to be managing Glenkinchie however, that was a very long time in the past and it will likely be protected to drink now as all of the stuff I made could have been consumed already.

In a junior administration capability, Linlithgow (St. Magdalene), Hillside (Glenesk), Linkwood and Muir of Ord.

There may be one other listing of briefer working visits, relationship again to the time when males walked in entrance of cars with pink flags – Glen Albyn, Glen Mhor, Rosebank, Aultmore, Cardhu, The unique Caol Ila, Dallas Dhu, Dalwhinnie, Benromach, Millburn, Teaninich and Glentauchers.

Q// Wow, there’s virtually solely Mannochmore lacking! I would have beloved to ask you just a few questions on Loch Dhu… Anyway, what was the largest change shifting from Blair Athol to Lagavulin/Caol Ila after which to Lochnagar?

MN// Properly, the climate for a begin. Snow &huge floods, to a spot so windy that on most days everybody has the identical coiffure, to extra snow and Massive hills and, the parents in fact, all the time completely different, thank God.

For the technophobes: – distillation régimes and ranges of expertise. For the sociable: – the quantity of interplay with the purchasers.

Blair Athol spirit character is such that it requires to be distilled moderately rapidly, Lagavulin however, has the longest and slowest spirit run that I’ve ever seen. At Lochnagar the thing was to keep up a spirit character that will not usually be delivered by the design of the plant there. Tough eh?

Blair Athol, after I frolicked there, was technologically very subtle and vitality environment friendly however the structure appeared to have been designed by a blind man having a nasty day. The change from conventional mash home plant, at Lagavulin, to one thing a bit extra updated, occurred throughout my tenure and, that’s all the time an excellent time to learn the way paranoid you really are. The Lochnagar gear is with out quite a lot of sophistication however as I recommended earlier than, it’s a must to kind of maintain your eye on it.

One of many greatest modifications within the enterprise throughout my time, was the event of distilleries as instructional and advertising instruments which implies, that Managers get to satisfy the purchasers nose to nose and be taught stuff.

Blair Athol being sighted in a giant vacationer city, conducts its customer services as you would possibly count on, for big numbers, in assist of its malt and as a key ingredient of it is well-known related mix, whose identify escapes me for the second. To run an enterprise of this nature requires a special Supervisor’s ability set to be developed, for which he/she would possibly discover violent rages, formal executions, cross dressing and low requirements of private hygiene, to be pretty unhelpful.

Lagavulin, being sited the place it’s, signifies that not many individuals go there. It additionally signifies that a excessive proportion of those who do discover their means there come by means of a pilgrimage, due to this fact paying the final word homage to the magic liquid. So, there you’ve it, beautiful individuals, albeit pleasantly obsessed, little bit of time to speak to them, occasional requests for the Supervisor’s autograph or small fragments of his clothes, properly, powerful job huh?

Lochnagar, as dwelling of the Malt Advocate Course (1), takes this private interplay factor to a different stage. The Supervisor at that specific institution, persuaded/ pushed/ordered/blackmailed by a Advertising and marketing division who, each day, should be talked out of invading Poland, will get to inform individuals the reality concerning the mysteries of the manufacturing of a number of the greatest Malt Whiskies round. Happily, he’s assisted on this endeavour by an impressive assortment of “consultants”, a few of whom have moustaches, giant livers, splendidly unhealthy attitudes and are patrons of the Oxford Bar.

The job specification is an attention-grabbing learn, involving sleep deprivation, a exact data of the placement of pharmacies and their opening hours, the power to deal with anxiousness ranges just like a crew member of Apollo 5 and, being good at herding cats. The profitable applicant shall be rewarded by assembly a lot of fantastic individuals from all around the World together with, fellow staff, a big proportion of whom look like essentially disturbed and, further reward is supplied by being supported by the exceptional Distillery employees and, in fact, Lucy (2).

Q// I need to say Lagavulin actually has a cult standing. Are there particular causes for that, besides the truth that it is a terrific dram from Islay?

MN// Sure, though that is a reasonably basic exception, it is magic.
I dunno utterly the way it works, that folks will identify their youngsters after the place however, it has drama.

Having spent 4 years watching winter storms, a few of them in July, from that home on the purpose, it is one thing that you do not overlook in a rush.

Historical past was usually one thing we examine once we wore quick trousers however, it is not normally one thing you go to work in on daily basis. Not that I ever was an avid historical past scholar however after just a bit time there, you already know that you’re a part of a neighborhood which has been there for a really, very very long time certainly when you possibly can stroll over to the fort and see the stays of the ocean gate, the place the lengthy ships had been pulled up.

After that, you are into that continuum factor the place you’re reminded that life is brief and that you’re following on from those who went earlier than, who made an distinctive spirit in that place, for generations.

Then in fact there are the people who work there. They’re equally distinctive. Light, proud, humorous, artistic and too supportive of “White Settlers” like me, simply passing by means of.

And the opposite good factor is, that all of them have lengthy recollections so, you possibly can hear the tales like,” The mash home ghost” or, how Massive Angus spent the Chairman’s go to locked in a cabinet. Killer stuff. The place appears to will be apt to draw eccentrics or maybe it simply gives the chance for them to flourish, like Sir Peter Mackie, a massively profitable entrepreneur however a nutter none the much less.
So, like I stated, I dunno, s’magic.

Q// Oh sure, the individuals! I keep in mind final time I visited the distillery with just a few different maniacs… Pinky was our information, and he actually made my day. Little man, large persona! I suppose you labored with him…

MN// Pinky is a star. Vertically challenged he could also be however ………….. He is huge in Japan.

Q// It isn’t that I need to insist an excessive amount of on Lagavulin, however the Lagavulin Distiller’s Editions are wonderful drams – the latest 1987 simply gained a Malt Maniacs Award – how do you’re feeling concerning the wider spreading of the observe of ‘finishes”?

MN// With one or two exceptions, I believe it’s extremely foolish.

Q// Properly, at the least that is a transparent reply! So, aside of those ‘finishings’, what is the greatest enchancment in manufacturing because you began working?

MN// The best way my former employer inspired Managers to deal with the parents that make the liquids. Once I began within the enterprise as a younger man, issues bought accomplished as a result of the boss stated so, interval. Pondering, most types of creativity, and involvement out with your individual self-discipline simply did not occur a lot. By the point I left the enterprise the girls and boys “on the ground” had been performing previously administration features, bringing all of their particular person abilities to the good thing about the office, demanding involvement and resolution making powers. A metamorphosis and, from my viewpoint, as a Supervisor, a delight.

Q// I see. And what is the piece of ‘custom’ you remorse has disappeared because you began working?

MN// Flogging the staff and the Supervisor’s proper to the native virgins, yeah, it was unhealthy when that went.

Q// Oh, so what I heard wasn’t only a hearsay! 😉 However ‘technically’ talking? I imply, direct-fired stills, European casks, open-air worm condensers… You realize, the anoraks like us will all the time suspect the trade is trashing custom to make extra revenue. Perhaps it is a fable, and whisky’s really higher these days than it was…

MN// Christ Serge, an interview was okay however if you would like a e-book, I would want a bit of lie down first.

Personally, I imagine that it is fairly plain that whisky at the moment is best than it was.

If you began a enterprise, at the moment, that concerned lots of of geographically scattered entrepreneur sorts doing their very own factor with restricted training, low ranges of expertise, poor communication and no minimal high quality requirements and the place in every single place was an extended stroll to the pub, I’d be shocked if your expectation of success can be nice. For those who look again to the primary time it grew to become typically commercially “seen”, it was drunk, typically, as a “cordial” i.e. it was so unhealthy, that you simply needed to put stuff in it to get it down
your neck.

And what occurred? Properly, progress. Science occurred. Individuals bought smarter, expertise and communication developed, of us bought organized, generally even into these contemptible issues known as “firms”. Somebody wrote down some guidelines. Blenders occurred. Clients (markets) occurred. All people sobered up.

So far as change, enchancment and innovation are involved, these have been intrinsic components of the enterprise because it grew to become one, this isn’t one thing new that simply snuck up on us. Take a look at the grain nonetheless as an example, with out which we would not be having this good chat as a result of the enterprise would have gone to the wall spherical about 1890. The important thing in fact, isn’t change however, accountable change. I can not converse for different Firms however, the one I used to work for appeared to know what many of the good bits are, like what whiskies do you make? Why do they style the best way they do? How do you persistently maintain them like that? And, the place do they match within the enterprise? If you already know these things then there are some areas, product high quality as an example, the place your angle to alter goes to be and, I do know this can be a relative phrase, conservative. I’d like to inform you that I loved all of the change that got here my means, and sure each group has a proportion of untamed eyed, grasp of the universe sorts that will “kind out” the enterprise by making all Scotland’s malt whisky at one big distillery simply exterior Paisley however, if you already know what the great bits are, then there may be normally somebody round to be sure that these persons are correctly medicated.

I do know that after they confirmed up tomorrow, the movie crew that’s, that they might be thrilled in the event that they discovered everybody sporting wood footwear, working by paraffin lamps with hacking coughs, lacking digits and Franz and Listing however, possibly it is not a nasty factor that we left that behind. At this level I ought to declare a vested curiosity. The whisky enterprise has fed three generations of my household, a few of whom had been/are Romantics, so, this alteration stuff has really been fairly good for the Nicolsons.

(Creator’s notice 🙂 Nicolson, small and traditionally insignificant bunch, extra of a gang than a clan, fairly content material to be frequently bossed about by the MacLeods, apparently, you already know, fetching their slippers, that kind of factor. After two thousand years of hanging about, they lastly do present as much as combat. The place? Culloden. (Good going boys.)

Anyway Serge, on the subsequent Maniac’s conference, gimmie a name if you all go right down to the seashore along with your forks, I might make some critical cash from that form of photograph alternative.

Q// It is true that there’s clearly a debate between the maltheads who like a bit of mystique and those who suppose we must always follow the confirmed info, what are your concepts?

MN// Properly, what’s to argue about? They’re each proper.

With a Historical past stretching over many lots of of years making a product that continues to be an intrinsic a part of Scottish tradition and due to this fact, with hundreds of tales to inform, it might be a bit dumb to not benefit from our success and use a few of them. By dint of our inheritance although, making them up would render one as uncool because it was attainable to be. Nor do I believe that to convincingly use the romance that surrounds our product, one has to behave like some backward Scottish hayseed, dressed like an commercial for shortbread. Bear in mind the Gospel in line with Dr. Morgan (3), Chapter fourteen, Verse 9, “Clients need to purchase an actual product, made in actual locations, by actual individuals”.

Yea, verily.

Now, the info. The very first thing to recollect is, that always regardless of appearances on the contrary, whiskypersons do not know all the pieces. In comparison with our forefathers, we all know tons however, fortunately, the product is so difficult that we are going to all be a very long time lifeless, for instance, earlier than the final mysteries of maturation have been unravelled.

A variety of the rationale for this battle is the producers’ fault. In days passed by, earlier than we knew what we all know now, entrepreneurs would inform the purchasers what they thought the purchasers needed to listen to. The shock, that there could also be different causes for particular person spirit character, aside from the magic Scottish water or that the stillman is left handed and wears a kilt, is due to this fact, kinda comprehensible.

The actual fact is, that not solely do the producers now know extra however, so do their prospects. Little bit of catching as much as do I believe?

Me? I am within the romantic reality camp.

Q// Sure, however some individuals throughout the trade clearly get puzzled by these anoraks (us!) who need to know a bit of greater than what’s written within the advertisements. What do you suppose?

MN// I would not fear about it if I had been you; the trade is full of people who find themselves simply puzzled.

In any case they had been puzzled by gravity, the interior combustion engine, non-refillable fitments, how m&m’s do not soften in your hand, that that basically is Dave Broom’s personal hair, the tooth fairy and, like the remainder of us, the truth that Keef remains to be with us.

Personally, I like anoraks, inquisitive, difficult, good for the gray matter.

Thoughts you, I might need to re-evaluate my place if my daughter introduced one dwelling. No, on reflection, that will most likely be higher than the procession of Neanderthals she appears to be specialising in in the meanwhile. In any case, anoraks have mastered the artwork of strolling, talk above the extent of a grunt and most of them do not drool.

If I’ve one teeny weeny criticism, it is that of their relentless and all-consuming thirst for anorak data, generally, they will take their eye off the ball.

Like caramel as an example. (Do not mail me Germany, I am not in.)

Oh and the opposite factor is, and this can be a bit delicate, could not we get them to decorate a bit higher? I imply, come on of us, it is really okay to put on socks and even Martha Stewart thinks that yellow and orange do not go collectively.

Q// He he he, I actually perceive. It occurs typically that when visiting a distillery with another maltheads, I really feel I ought to say to the information ‘Look, I am not with them, I promise!’ Now, what puzzles me much more is seeing some guys visiting, say Lagavulin with an Ardbeg sweater, a Bruichladdich baseball cap and a pair of Laphroaig socks… Now, are you able to inform us how was life on Islay and why did you progress to Canada? Any similarities?

MN// Life on Islay was participating. Particular place. Beautiful individuals, huge sense of “togetherness” versus that overused and far devalued phrase, “neighborhood”. The invisible assist community, that guests would by no means see, was fantastic. Somebody all the time knew the one that might enable you with no matter the issue was, typically, earlier than you knew that you simply had an issue.

Why transfer to Canada? Properly, public service actually, in order that my pal would have someplace good to return for his holidays.

Similarities? Since I dwell on Vancouver Island, it’s a must to get a ferry to get right here. That’s the solely factor that’s comparable.

What are extra noticeable are the variations, here is a listing:-

There are roads right here, not simply plenty of corners joined collectively.

No one known as “W” lives right here.

The ferry crew was not skilled on the Slobodan Milosevic College of buyer care.

We bought visitors lights.

The band goes on earlier than midnight.

We bought bushes, a lot of them. I imply extra bushes than you would shake a stick at, if you already know what I imply. That is bushes so far as the attention can f—-ing see. We bought bushes in locations different nations haven’t got bushes. We’re treed. Massive time.

There isn’t a Co-op.

The electrical energy stays on on a regular basis.

For those who get right into a combat with a policeman, he’ll not come spherical the following day simply to test that you’re okay.

Q// Nick Morgan informed me you are a blues guitarist extraordinaire, and it is true that some aficionados fondly keep in mind your gigs on Islay, along with your band. Have you learnt another musicians who, like us, are whisky aficionados?

MN// I would want to refer you to the large however underestimated expertise that’s Mr. Adrian Byron Burns. Big voice, astonishing guitar method, cross style repertoire, a Gentleman and, I really feel certain, obtainable for bookings in your space. Inform him Uncle Mike is searching for his ten %. Adrian’s label is Non-public Version and by no means, by no means miss a dwell present.

Q// Nice, I simply listened to a couple mp3s he did placed on his web site – within the ‘CD’ part. He is actually wonderful, thanks for the tip! Two final, quick questions now, in the event you please… Do you keep in mind your first dram?

MN// Hear, I am retired, I’ve bother with yesterday.

Q// Ah… and what’s your favorite dram?

MN// When did you cease beating your spouse?

Q// Okay, okay, the one you dislike most, then?

MN// The man that performs cement mixer on Metallica’s second final album.
Wasn’t that three questions?

Ha ha, I can see that even when some are actually retired, they did not lose too lots of their ‘company’ reflexes, did they? Anyway, thanks a bunch, Mike, it has been an enormous pleasure. I hope you will come once more and play the blues through the Islay Pageant within the coming years!

(Mike Nicolson, Serge Valentin, December 18, 2004)

——————————

(1) Malts Advocates Course – an in-depth experiential coaching programme arrange by the Diageo Malts group in 1998 for Diageo malt marketeers around the globe, commerce prospects and writers, primarily based at Royal Lochnagar. Mike was the primary host. It was rolled out to distillery employees as ‘Malt Advocates for Operators’. Charlie Maclean and Dave Broom gave an unbiased viewpoint alongside Diageo consultants similar to Jim Beveridge and Neil Cochrane (each now retired).

(2) Lucy Pritchard – a long-serving member of the Diageo Malts group

(3) Dr Nick Morgan – previously World Advertising and marketing Director for Malts Whiskies at Diageo, now writer and author

A Little Lagavulin 16 simply to Thank Mike

We’ll simply add a bit of tasting notice, a Lagavulin in fact. We style Lagavulin 16 virtually yearly; it is one of many few expressions we intently observe. Nevertheless, we had by no means tried a 2016 batch, but we had a bottle hidden in the back of a shelf… (actually, any excuse will do). In any case, this spirit was most likely distilled in 1999 or 2000, certainly beneath the steerage of Mike Nicolson.

Lagavulin 16 yo (43%, OB, +/- 2016)

A kind of famend malt expressions that ‘by no means actually stayed what they beforehand had been’ through the years, at the least since 2000, if not earlier. However no! As Duke Ellington stated, ‘Issues ain’t what they was,’ and that is evident in all areas. As we ourselves age, previous variations appear to enhance, however in fact, it is primarily us who change, not a lot the whiskies (properly, possibly a bit of). “The older I get, the sooner I used to be,” stated racing driver Stirling Moss. Anyway, for me and if I look again in any respect my notes, Lagavulin has remained an excellent whisky, generally leaning a bit extra in the direction of the sherry facet, different instances extra on the tar and pure rubber facet (BDSM outfit, some much less reputation-conscious mates would say). Color: gold. Nostril: bravo Mike and gang! It is good, recent and exact, salty, with only a trace of espresso, black olives, mandarins, leather-based, tobacco, liquorice, and heathery earth… That is actually what one can name a basic. Mouth: good, one of many uncommon whiskies that holds the 43% ABV completely with out ever feeling hole. Anyway, Lagavulin is rarely hole; you simply have to rigorously keep away from these flavoured with rum or tequila, utterly pointless and incomprehensible therapies – ought to we count on the worst within the coming years? What would Mike suppose? Sea water, salt, espresso, bay leaf, leather-based, olives, tar, and actually plenty of peat… End: surprisingly lengthy for its energy. Pepper, salt, Seville oranges, tobacco, liquorice, tar, leather-based… Feedback: it is a disgrace, its value has gone up and it is discovered a lot much less typically in bars and eating places. It was my go-to whisky in these locations.
SGP: 567 – 90 factors.

[ad_2]

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply