The first Devon Dram Club is over, and it went just the way we wanted.
A full room.
A drink in hand.
No pressure.
Just people figuring out what they actually like.
If you couldn’t make it this time, don’t worry. You can already get tickets for the next Devon Dram Club online.
Get your ticket soon before they’re gone
We tried five whiskies, all tasted blind. No labels, no prices, and no expectations. Just your taste buds and a bit of curiosity.
Here’s what we drank.
Whisky 1: Stobcross (Clydeside Distillery)
We kicked off the night with something light, bright, and really easy to enjoy.
This was Stobcross from The Clydeside Distillery. It’s a modern single malt aged in both bourbon and sherry casks.
You get soft orchard fruits, a hint of vanilla, and a touch of citrus. It’s not heavy or complicated.
Clydeside Distillery stills and washbacks
This kind of whisky can change your mind about what you like.
Some people arrived unsure whether they liked whisky. This was the one that made them pause and reconsider.
Whisky 2: North British 2008 17 Year Old (Signatory Vintage)
Next, we switched things up a bit.
We tasted a 17 year old single grain whisky from North British Distillery, bottled by Signatory Vintage.
It was softer, sweeter, and very smooth. James, the host of Devon Dram Club, first tried this whisky at the Athletic Arms pub, lovingly nicknamed the “Diggers.” One sip of this delightful grain whisky was enough to make sure it found a place in the lineup.
Flavours of vanilla, caramel, and a touch of coconut made it taste almost like a dessert.
For many people, this was their first real taste of grain whisky. It showed just how different whisky can be. No one guessed it wasn’t a single malt. Pretty interesting, right?
Whisky 3: Arran 2014 8 Year Old (Douglas Laing & Co)
This is when things started to get interesting.
We had a younger, livelier whisky from Arran (Lochranza) Distillery, bottled by Douglas Laing & Co.
It tasted fresh, a little salty, with some citrus and texture.
For some people, this one stood out the most. For others, it was a real surprise. Either way, it made everyone think.
Whisky 4: Glen Garioch 12 Year Old, Rum Cask (Cadenhead’s)
Then we took things up a notch!
We tried a cask strength Glen Garioch, bottled by Cadenhead’s at 55.3%. This whisky had spent most of its life resting in a rum cask!
It was richer, deeper, and more intense. This was the point when everyone really got into it. While everyone enjoyed it, some were all in.
Whisky 5: Coaltown (Kingsbarns)
We ended the night with something very different. Coaltown from Kingsbarns Distillery.
It had sweet, soft fruits and a bit of vanilla, with extra depth from the cask. Since it was matured in an ex-peated whisky cask from Islay, it picked up a gentle smoky flavour, even though this whisky is usually smoke-free.
Kingsbarns Distillery & its mini golf course
By now, everyone had picked a favourite.
Even better, everyone knew why they liked it.
What was the night really about?
It wasn’t about having the perfect tasting notes. It was about trying something new, having fun, and sharing what you taste without overthinking it.
That’s Devon Dram Club.
Join us for the next Devon Dram Club
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know where to start,” or “I just want a different kind of night out,” this is for you.
This is for you.
Five whiskies.
Tasted blind.
No pressure.
It’s simply a good evening with good people.
Tickets for the next Devon Dram Club are available now
Book your ticket online now and join the next Devon Dram Club. Take that step and discover what you’ll love.
