The Great Outdoors and Bowmore...He says

He Says...I love the great out-doors! I am fortunate enough to have grown up in an area where days as a kid were spent exploring the woods, streams, peaks and valleys of my “big backyard.” I have grown up with a strong appreciation and respect for the environment and all it has to offer. I am most at ease outside, whether it is a day hike with Johanne and the dogs, sailing up-river or munching on a carrot out of the garden in the backyard.

Snowshoeing on the frozen river

I am also of the opinion that whisky tastes the best outside. People are often surprised when I pull out a bottle in the middle of a hike or next to the campfire, maybe because I have so much reverence for whisky that they are surprised when I’m just drinking to enjoy instead of writing tasting notes or analyzing what’s in my glass. In fact I find those who are most likely to have a dram outside are the least whisky geeks among us.  Too often the “Peat-Heads”, the Sherry-Bomber” and anyone else who falls under the umbrella of “whisky-geekisms” try to put whisky under a microscope. We forget that whisky is a beverage that is meant to be enjoyed! It is often savored, of course, but ultimately enjoyed; it is just a drink after all. Outdoor whisky just tastes better! One of our favorite winter activities is snowshoeing.  As many of you know Johanne and I have to large dogs and we have miles of trails within minutes of our house. One evening last winter we invited another couple, that are also quite enthusiastic about the occasional dram, out for a late night hike through the trails and rolling hills of the local park.  After about 45 minutes we stopped on a little bridge over a bubbling brook. We were standing under a bright moon and a clear sky full of stars. As a surprise I reached into my pack I produced four small glasses and a slightly peated island whisky that I thought would pair nicely with the ambiance. We used a dash of water from the brook and it seemed to set the perfect tone of appreciation for our surroundings and joy that comes with shared experience with friends. For me that is what whisky is all about!

Whisky is not sterile or artificial. It’s a beautiful drink made up of materials from the environment (aka the Great Outdoors!). Water from springs and local burns, barley from the fields and peat from the bogs is all reflected in the final product. There seems to be a renewed appreciation of exactly how important all of these elements really are which is reflected in products like Bruichladdich’s Organic release and Islay Barley and others. So in a way, enjoying a dram outdoors is simply completely the circle (OK, so full completion would come from a quick trip to the bushes after a few drams but I wasn’t going to go there).

Knowing how much I enjoy “outdoor whiskies” it was slight serendipitous that a group representing Bowmore's latest contest contacted us. They have offered a small token of Bowmore “swag” for us to do as we please with in return for promoting this contest. The contest is to win the “Ultimate Bowmore Adventure.” The grand prize is a trip for two to Islay! 

The Bowmore website describes the prize: “this trip will be the ultimate outdoor lovers adventure around Islay." After experiencing all the outdoors can throw at you its back to the Bowmore distillery to enjoy your reward. Highlights of your trip will include:

•  Dawn Islay photography master class with Colin Prior

•  Construction of a hide with Ken Hames

•  An overnight expedition to the island of Scarba

•  Foraging for lunch 

•  VIP tour and an in-depth tasting at Bowmore including some very 

   special expressions”

If this sounds like something that interests you then I direct you to http://www.bowmore.com/news/bowmore-ultimate-adventure/ to fill out the information and describe what the out doors means to you!

Since Bowmore and Yomego (the company managing the contest) have been kind enough to send along a bag of goodies I figure we will pass them on to you (Honestly I have no idea what is in this bag because it hasn’t arrived yet)! 

Leave a comment on this blog or on Twitter with the hashtag #outdoordram naming your favorite whisky to be enjoyed outdoors (Bowmore or not ;) ) ! We’ll take all of the names under that hash tag and on this blog and make a draw when the Bowmore contest closes. Enter with us as often as you like and we’ll keep adding your names.

Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll consider packing a flask the next time you decide to go for a hike, you just might find a new appreciation or perspective for a dram you’ve always enjoyed or a brand new one you have yet to try. Just be responsible and as always, enjoy! 

**UPDATE November 30** The Bowmore swag has arrived! Knowing how much Bowmore and the Canadian Maritimes are so closely linked to the sea they have sent us a gift pack fit for just that. The pack includes a Bowmore glass, an inner core lock (which I suspect might double as a keychain?) as well as a shellfish "shucking" knife and wooden holder (to keep the slippery oysters and scallops from slipping from your grip) all emblazoned with the Bowmore logo of course.

Their contest ends December 14 so, so does ours! Stay tuned and enter often to win!!