Greetings  Members,

The holiday season is now here and I am sure everyone is out shopping for Christmas gifts. Our December meeting is always a time for good fellowship and a chance to raise money for the Baird scholarship fund. We made $574 on this year’s silent auction. We also had a musical addition in the library auditorium as well. Those that ventured into the auditorium enjoyed a well done performance by The Churchland High School Choir and the band Leagheas. I would like to thank all who attended but especially those that helped put this event on. Joyce Cowan, Debbie Clark and Chris Lawler in the kitchen with the help of Chrissie and Casey Thomas, as well as Larry McCauley with the silent auction and all the musicians. Well done!!

Also the annual bus trip to the Alexandria Christmas walk took place. From what I have been told this was again a very popular event and the bus was full. Thank you Manny for handling this event again.

New Year’s Eve has the Newport News Police pipe and Drums hosting a New Year’s Eve bash. Their events are usually a lot of fun with lots of food being offered. After midnight they will also be providing an early breakfast to those still moving about.

On January 2^nd we will march in the annual Portsmouth Christmas Walk. There also will be a morning kirking tied in with this event as well. With festivities being arranged and taking place throughout the day this could be another fun activity for all. I hope to see many of you this year.

Also on January 29^th Tidewater St. Andrews Society will be holding their annual Burns Nicht Dinner at the Broad Creek Country club a short distance from Great Neck Blvd. I attended their recent St. Andrews dinner at this location and it is a nice facility. There is a limit to the number of seats available for this event so I would suggest making your reservations early to ensure you will have a seat. These dinners are always enjoyable.

With our annual elections coming up I am happy to see the number of individuals stepping up and placing their names on the ballot. If you wish to be added to the ballot please contact a member of the committee, Larry McCauley, Joyce Cowan or Chris Lawler.

Yours Aye,
Mike

Back

Originally, a handful of us met monthly amid the out-of-date magazines and worn books in a back room at the Oceanfront Branch of the Virginia Beach Public Library.

The VBPL system was enduring a time of stress; there was not yet a new Central Branch, the "Genealogy and Local History" resources were mostly located at Bayside, and meeting rooms, or even gathering spaces, were rare. Yet, they made room for us in that initial year, 1982.

Founded by the late Robert "Bob" Brown, then a librarian with Kirn Memorial Library in Norfolk, the new Virginia Beach Genealogical Society squeezed in gratefully among the stacks. All of us had garnered some research experience, but several had immense knowledge, which they graciously shared with the rest.

It was along or about the season of "gales blowing full force off the Atlantic" that we decided it would be more enticing "to others" if we found someplace more inland… um, "centrally located," I think we said.

Thus, we met under the auspices of Kings Grant Presbyterian Church, where our only problems were the choir’s weekly practices, and the drone of the large window air conditioner. In spite of the competition, speakers informed and entertained, and we bided our time until the Central Library neared completion, and we requested a room there.

"Meeting Room A" became our home for years, until we found that our group was exceeding occupation limits and we began to eye the auditorium just across the hall. We moved our monthly meeting into that cavernous accommodation, with room for hundreds, and never looked back.

Today, VBGS has more members than can simultaneously attend a meeting in that venue, but regularly measures attendance at 80 to 130 for general meetings, held monthly on the second Thursday except in June, July, and August. (In June, there is a dinner meeting and in August, a picnic.) All other meetings of the society are held at the Central Library.

Charter member Patty Schaffer, whose knowledge of the Genealogical and Local History Section (now permanently ensconced in the Central Library) is unsurpassed, began giving free and informative tours of that resource. Today, tours are given the first Thursdays in February, March, May, September, October, and November, at 10:30 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m., each taking about 1-1/4 hours to complete.

Early on, Bill Isaacs began regularly issuing a two- or three-page newsletter. Now called First Landing and edited by Malcolm Simmons, the publication has grown to an award-winning quarterly of 24 pages, and is mailed to all members to advise them about the society’s activities, including schedules for all members’ meetings; research trips; and relative (no pun intended) articles and stories by members and others.

The Computer Special Interest Group (CIG) was begun a decade and a half ago by Bill Leonard when all of us wanted our computers to do things that we didn’t know how to make them do. With patience and expertise, we learned how to translate our precious research notes into “computereze,” as well as how to print and manipulate our data into usable resources. The group, guided by John Halstead, meets at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday preceding the second Thursday of every month, except June, July, and August.

The Writers SIG (WIG) is a less ancient addition to the society, but no less in import. These enthusiasts meet and discuss how to organize, and eventually publish in a professional and usable format, the data we have striven to collect. Led by Malcolm Simmons, the WIG meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday each month, except June, July, and August.

Newest to the SIGs is the "How To" or HOTSIG, which offers monthly classes on the basics of genealogical research. Whereas the other SIGs have regular times and locations, the HOTSIG does not, but can be found by going to the VBGS website. Joan Wright and La Tanya Cole head up HOTSIG.

Research trips are scheduled by VBGS’ Ed Smith, usually in the Spring and Fall seasons. Washington, DC trips generally include stops at The National Archives, The Library of Congress, and The NSDAR Library. The Library of Virginia in Richmond, and The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh are other trip destinations.

Each Spring, VBGS co-sponsors a Saturday Conference, covering subjects as varied as "computer programs" to Planning a Successful Family Homecoming, which is the theme for next year’s seminar. Special events like the annual conference, bus trips, and annual dinner, require reservations and/or monetary outlay, however other gatherings are free and open to the public.

For further info, see the VBGS website: www.rootsweb.com/~vavbgs/.

Eileen Johnson - Clan: Johnson
John R. Maxwell - Clan: Maxwell
Casandra L. Thomas

Back

March is rapidly approaching! It's that time of year again and I'm not talking about spring-cleaning, although my house could use a good turning out. No, it is time for us to consider who would be willing and able to take on the mantel of running the Society and to faithfully serve and represent you, the membership.

As this year’s Chair of the Nominating Committee, I will be assembling a slate of candidates for submittal to the membership. In the next few weeks either Joyce Cowan or Christine Lawler, members of the nominating committee, will be soliciting all the members by phone as to their desire to run for office.

Now you don't need to wait for a call from one of us. Anyone who is interested in running for any of the offices or positions listed below can call or e-mail me and let me know your desires.

Who's eligible to run for office you may ask? Any member who is in good standing is eligible to run for office and vote at the Annual Meeting. A member in good standing is one whose membership is current and dues are paid to date. So be sure to renew your membership. Nominations will be accepted up to the night of the AGM in March.

Why run for office? Ask yourself the following questions: Are you dedicated to the mission of the Scottish Society of Tidewater? Are you willing to commit yourself in time and energy to perform an important function that the members of this society will be depending on you to perform? Are you willing to commit yourself to actively contribute to the running of the society? Do you have some great ideas for an activity or event? Can you faithfully attend board meetings? Can you cheerfully and willingly work with someone whose ideas and views you don't agree with? If you answered "yes" to those questions, then we want you.

Interested? Contact Larry McCauley at lmccaule@bellatlantic.net.

Tidewater Pipes & Drums finished the 2004 season ranked 11^th out of 48 Grade 4 bands in the Eastern US Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA). The band ended its two-year streak of finishing in the top 10 in Grade 4, but the ranking is significant given that TP&D played in only five competitions in 2004 and, because of a windfall of new members, it also fielded a second band in Grade 5.

Highlights for the Grade 4 band included a first-place finish at the Celtic Festival and Highland Gathering in April and a second-place finish at the Virginia Scottish Games in July. Highlights for the Grade 5 band included a first-place finish in piping at the Virginia Scottish Games and a third-place finish overall at the Richmond Highland Games & Celtic Festival in October.

The overall highlight of the competition season was winning the unsanctioned band contest at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival in September. In what could be a preview of the 2005 competition unit, the band played with a total of 17 pipers.

The band is already working on new music for 2005 and looking forward to competing and performing at a number of local events: the Greening of Ghent and the Ocean View St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, the Norfolk Tides’ opening night in April, the Portsmouth Memorial Day Parade in May, and the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball and the Grand Illumination Parade in November.

Plans are also underway for the band to host its annual solo piping competition in April at the MacArthur Memorial in downtown Norfolk. The 2005 event will include a tune composition contest in honor of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and an evening recital featuring judges Chris Hamilton and Bob Worrall.

For more information about the band visit the band’s web site: http://tpandd.exis.net

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new Scottish Pub in town. The Scottish American Pub at 5000 Cleveland Street at the Beach opened in October. Proprietor Eileen Johnson, a native Scot who hails from Greenock, and her two American partners have jumped in with both feet to provide locals with an alternative to the Irish pubs that we all know and sometimes love.

"We visited most of the ‘pubs’ in the area, and realized that they didn’t offer what we considered to be the best pub food or atmosphere," explains Eileen. "So we decided to give it a go on our own, and focus on Scottish food and music."

Skip and I checked out the pub on a recent Friday night. It was karaoke night, and the bar was packed with locals.

We started with an order of Scotch eggs, which were excellent. Skip had the fish & chips, and I had the steak pie. The fish was fresh haddock; a nice change from the usual whiting that is served at most restaurants. My steak pie was delicious, and came with a generous helping of "mash." We both agreed that the food was awesome. And it was very reasonably priced…a definite plus for a Scottish pub!

Other Scottish fare included Scotch Broth, Bangers and Mash, Sausage Roll, Shepherds Pie, and Beans and Toast. They also offer a traditional Scottish breakfast (complete with grilled tomatoes) for only $3.95. The pub is open seven days a week, and offers happy hour daily from 10-6.

The bar itself is very spacious, and includes dartboards and pool tables. There are two large screen TVs, and a small stage area for bands.

The pub is popular with folks from the surrounding neighborhood and industrial area. However, Eileen is eager to host a more Scottish-American crowd several nights a month. She hopes to book Celtic bands and pipers, and perhaps have a few Ceilidhs. If you are a musician or dancer, or know someone who is, please contact Eileen for possible booking.

The new pub offers a fun atmosphere, and the potential for a great Scottish-American venue. We encourage you to support this noble endeavor, especially since the proprietor is a member of the SST.

SPECIAL EVENT: The Scottish American Pub will host a New Year’s Eve bash, complete with buffet for only $15.95. Call for details!

Scottish American Pub
5000 Cleveland St.
Virginia Beach, VA
493-2900
Eileen Johnson: scottishx501@aol.com

When a "loon" (boy) and a "quine" (girl) "get the smit" (fall in love) or get "daft aboot" (become extremely fond of one another) then they are likely to start "coortin" or "goin oot thegither" or "winchin" (courting). Of course the boy may have to "come aifter" the girl to woo her and may "creep-at-even" (be out late courting). It is to be hoped that she does not "tak up wi the crookit stick" (accept an inferior suitor) and that she does not "gie him the fling" (jilt him). She may, of course, be trying to avoid "wearing the green garter" (an older sister whose younger sibling gets married first) but these days may become a "bidie-in" (someone who lives with another person of the opposite sex without marriage).

However, if the couple decide to have a "tryst" (become engaged) and then "have a waddin" (get married) they will be "cried" - no, not tearful but have the marriage banns proclaimed in church. Certainly in the past, much was made of the "show of presents" - the traditional display of wedding presents held in the bride's home before the marriage. Often, a good "tocher" or dowry was paid by the father of the bride. After the ceremony, it was traditional for the groom to throw some coins to the waiting children outside the church. This had various names including "bowl money", "Logan", "scatter" and "scour-oot". Pieces of the wedding cake were sent to each of the guests after the wedding and since the recipients placed this under their pillows for luck, it was called "dreamers bread".

You and yours are invited to a SAMS Christmas party/dinner that will begin at 6:30 pm on Saturday, December 18th at the Boulevard Restaurant located at 11135 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News. The restaurant is located at the intersection of Warwick Blvd and Harpesville Rd. Take Hampton Center Pkwy that will turn into Harpersville Rd. Cost is $20 per person (pay at the door) with a cash bar. Dinner choices are chicken, beef or fish. There will be door prizes and gifts.

Please make your reservations by either calling or emailing Post Secretary Wendy Lunko email: mp517prct@hotmail.com or Post Commander Larry McCauley email lmccaule@bellatlantic.net. See you there.

On a recent trip to Scotland, SST member Don Forsythe visited Clackmannan, the ancestral lands of Clan Bruce.

Don’s grandfather, Hugh Forsythe, was born in Clackmannan in 1855, specifically in the area of Pottery. With the help of an historian, Don was able to locate Pottery, which must have been very moving for him, indeed.

Clackmannan is named after the whinstone boulder, located at the center of town. Although the spelling has changed over the centuries, the name is made of two words: The British words clog (stone) and manann, from the Manau, a Celtic sea god.

Like many of you, I am actively involved in researching my Scottish ancestry. While I have been able to track down my Chisholm "pioneer" to his emigration in 1812, I haven’t been able to get any additional information about his parents or any details about their lives in Scotland before they emigrated to Nova Scotia.

I know the names of my g-g-grandfather’s 14 children, and suspected that some of his descendents may be researching this line as well. About two years ago, I posted an inquiry on the Chisholm Family Forum on Genealogy.com, hoping that someone researching this line would see my post and we could connect. I was initially disappointed because I received no responses.

Until last month.

And I received three responses. From three different cousins!

My genealogical stars must have been aligned just right for me to hit such ancestral pay dirt. So I and my newly found cousins have been exchanging happy e-mails ever since, sharing family tree information, pictures, news clippings, etc. While we still haven’t found the "Holy Grail" of information - i.e., our Chisholms in Scotland - it has been a fun and rewarding family "reunion."

If you haven’t already, check out Genealogy.com and your family’s "Gen Forum" at http://genforum.genealogy.com/index.html. There is different forum for each surname. There are even regional forums, so if you want to research a particular county, for instance, you can do it that way. A most helpful tool is the ability to search the entire forum, and see what others have posted.

A word of advice: if you post something, be as specific as possible. Include dates if you have them, and any other information you have to narrow the search.

It may take awhile, but who knows, you just might hit pay dirt!

SST member Lynnette Fitch was invited to deliver a lecture on "Celtic Dance Traditions Alive in America" at the October 2004 meeting of the local (Adam Thoroughgood) Branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Lynnette discussed & demonstrated various forms of Scottish, Irish, and Welsh dance at the meeting. Helping her with the demo part of the presentation were SST member Amanda Aasheim, CeltiCottage owner Mary Fien, and Kristi Sullivan, all Irish step dancers with Lynnette from An Cor Rud School of Irish Dance in Virginia Beach.

Scottish dances that Lynnette demonstrated included the Highland Fling, the Gay Gordons, and some Scottish step dancing reel steps.

Lynnette studies Highland Dance with Bridget Boswell's Thistle & Shamrock School in Richmond, and she has studied Scottish step dancing at Stirling University, Scotland as well as the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

One of the highlights of this DAR presentation for Lynnette was meeting Mrs. Olive Baird, widow of former SST president Richard S. Baird and a staunch DAR member. Lynnette was delighted to tell Mrs. Baird how her husband's memorial scholarship had paid tuition for Lynnette's most recent trip to study Scottish step dancing and Scots Gaelic at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts. Mrs. Baird is a very gracious lady who said she was thrilled to know the scholarship is being well spent.

A Piping Hot Christmas was released in 1998, and features well-known piper Robert Mathieson, as well as others. It features Christmas "Hits" on the pipes, accompanied by jingling sleigh bells, choirs and orchestra and even a steel band. It's an enjoyable recording, and sure to set the mood for the season.

One surprising aspect of this CD is that the pipes do not dominate - they are blended into a smooth studio mix. In fact, if you’re a big fan of the pipes, you may find yourself wanting more than this CD provides.

The recording features traditional Christmas tunes, such as "Away in the Manger" and "Silent Night" (my favorite), as well as non-traditional songs such as "Jingle Bells Reggae." Though not to everyone’s taste, this song does tend to grow on you, because it is so fun and unexpected.

There are a number of bagpipe CDs available featuring Christmas music, but Piping Hot Christmas has a variety of styles and exceedingly crisp arrangements, and therefore may appeal to a wider audience.

A Piping Hot Christmas sells for about $18 USD, and can be purchased online through a number of sites. If you want to listen before you buy, go to http://www.celticmerchant.com/piphotchris.html.

A Cape Breton Christmas, by Ashley MacIsaac, is a collection of awesome Celtic music that you would no doubt hear at almost any Christmas Ceilidh in Cape Breton.

As you may know, Cape Breton is a hotbed of Scottish Fiddle music and Scottish Step Dancing. And this CD does not disappoint in providing traditional Christmas music with a special Cape Breton flare. Though produced in 1993, I found a copy on e-bay in very good condition for under $15 USD.

The CD includes a fine Gaelic rendition of Silent Night in Gaelic ("Ciuin an Oidhach"), sung by Jeff MacDonald, along with a reading from the Book of Luke in Gaelic; very nice, even if you don’t understand it. Imagine your highland ancestors gathered around the fire on Christmas Eve reciting this passage from the Bible. It is quite moving.

There are also traditional tunes such as "Go Tell It On the Mountain," and "Away in the Manger," done in Ashley’s unique way. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is just a treat and the words roll through your head as you absorb the so-smooth melody flowing from violin and guitar. A "reel" treat is the rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" played as a foot-tapping Scottish dance tune.

Do yourself a favor this holiday season, and try to find a copy of A Cape Breton Christmas. It will no doubt spice up your traditional Christmas music collection .

Black Bun. Originally Twelfth Night Cake. It is a very rich fruit cake, almost solid with fruit, almonds, spices and the ingredients are bound together with plenty of Whisky. The stiff mixture is put into a cake tin lined with a rich short pastry and baked.

This takes the place of the even more ancient Sun Cakes, a legacy from Scotland's close associations with Scandinavia. Sun cakes were baked with a hole in the centre and symmetrical lines around, representing the rays of the Sun. This pattern is now found on the modern Scottish Shortbread, and has been misidentified as convenient slices marked onto the shortbread!

Bees leave hives Christmas Morn.
There is an old belief that early on Christmas Morning all bees will leave their hives, swarm, and then return. Many old Scots tell tales of having witnessed this happening, though no-one can explain why. One explanation is that bees get curious about their surroundings, and if there is unexpected activity they will want to check it out to see if there is any danger. As people were often up and about on Christmas night observing various traditions, or just returning from the night services, the bees would sense the disturbance and come out to see what was going on.

Divination customs - Ashes, Bull, Cailleach.
There are a number of ancient divination customs associated with Scottish Christmas tradition. One involves checking the cold ashes the morning after the Christmas fire. A foot shape facing the door was said to be foretelling a death in the family, while a foot facing into the room meant a new arrival. Another was the ceremonial burning of Old Winter, the Cailleach. A piece of wood was carved roughly to represent the face of an old woman, then named as the Spirit of Winter, the Cailleach. This was placed onto a good fire to burn away, and all the family gathered had to watch to the end. The burning symbolized the ending of all the bad luck and enmities etc., of the old year, with a fresh start.

The Candlemas Bull was in reality a cloud. It was believed that a bull would cross the sky in the form of a cloud, early on the morning on Candlemas, February 2nd. From its appearance people would divine. An East travelling cloud foretold a good year, south meant a poor grain year, but if it faced to the west the year would be poor. This custom was a remnant of the ancient Mithraiac religion, when the Bull-god would come at the start of Spring to warn of the year the farmers could expect.

Candlelight
All of the Celtic countries have a similar custom of lighting a candle at Christmastime to light the way of a stranger. In Scotland was the Oidche Choinnle, [OY-KYUH HUN-YELLUH] or Night of Candles. Candles were placed in every window to light the way for the Holy Family on Christmas Eve and First Footers on New Years Eve. Shopkeepers gave their customers Yule Candles as a symbol of goodwill wishing them a "Fire to warm you by, and a light to guide you."

When the roast turkey has been eaten, it is useful to have a means of using the cold remains. This sustaining broth is ideal to come home to after a brisk post-Christmas walk.

2 oz butter
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 large carrot, prepared and finely cubed
1 stick celery, prepared and chopped
1 t. curry powder
1 oz flour
1 1/2 pints chicken stock
Pinch of mixed herbs
8 oz cooked turkey, diced
4 oz frozen peas
4 oz frozen string beans
1/2 pint creamy milk
Parsley
Sale and Pepper

Melt the butter in a pan and add all the vegetables except the peas and beans. Stir in the curry powder and cook for a few minutes. Add the flour and gradually stir the stock. Add the herbs, bring to a boil, cover and simmer gently for 40 minutes. Add the peas, beans and turkey meat and simmer for 15 minutes, then ad the milk and parsley and season to taste. Serves Six.

Hamish was sitting at the bar drinking double whiskies in one gulp as fast as the barman could put them in front of him. He eventually explained that it was the only way he could drink them after a terrible accident. "What sort of accident?" asked the barman. "Terrible," said Hamish. "I knocked one over with my elbow."

  As some of you may know, Rob and Jan Lockwood’s grandson has a brain tumor. Three-year-old Dylan has already undergone surgery, and while the doctors are confident they removed all the cancerous cells, he is undergoing radiation and chemo therapy in Dallas, TX, just to be safe. According to Rob, Dylan is "all boy," and his appetite is great. Please keep Dylan and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

  As many of you know, Mark Allen was involved in a serious traffic accident. Although the healing process is slow, Mark was able to join us recently at the Christmas Ceilidh and Silent Auction. It was good to see him out and about. However, he is still unable to return to work, so fighting off the boredom is a daily challenge. I’m sure he would appreciate an e-mail, phone call or get well card.

  SST members Lynnette Fitch and Edward Brash will "tie the knot" in Williamsburg on Dec. 17. Look for pictures of the joyous event in the next issue of Thistledown.

  Keagan’s Irish Pub on Virginia Beach Blvd., recently opened on November 22. Several SST members patronized the pub after the SST meeting in December, and gave it high marks. Food and service were great.

  Nancy McKay is a new grandma! Samuel LeRoy McKay IV was born on Nov. 27 to Nancy’s son Sam and his wife Carter. Samuel joins his sister Perry in the wee McKay contingency. We expect "Nonnie" McKay to spoil her grandkids rotten! Congratulations, Nancy!

  Cara Mayo recently relocated to Syracuse, NY to be closer to her family. Cara was a faithful member of SST for several years, and we will miss her. She has the same e-mail address if you would like to drop her a line. Good luck, Cara! Hope you can visit us soon!

  Several members of the Scots Gaelic Society of Tidewater will attend the Gaelic Immersion Weekend in Hanover County next spring. They will join Gaelic learners from Richmond, Northern Virginia, and North Carolina.

Do you have interesting news to share with the SST membership? For example, are you planning a trip to Scotland in the new year? Is your Clan holding a gathering soon? Do you have a new addition in your family? Are you or someone you know in the SST recovering from surgery or illness? Have you recently moved to a new home?

WE WANT TO SHARE YOUR NEWS!
Please contact Marcey at e-mail marcey9@cox.net

Dalmore - A Highland Whisky

Established in 1839 by Alexander Matheson, Dalmore Distillery sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth overlooking the rich and fertile Black Isle, the "big meadowland,” from which it takes its name. The distillery bears a passing resemblance to a country railway station. Its offices are partly paneled with carved oak that once graced a shooting lodge.

The distillery was bought by the Mackenzie family in 1886, and the 'twelve pointer stag' was introduced from their clan crest - a symbol that still adorns each and every bottle of Dalmore to this day.

The distillery has exclusive rights to draw water from the local River Alness. The clean, pure water, coupled with the plentiful supplies of fuel and some of the best barley grown in the north-east, make this an exception single malt.

The Dalmore is a satisfying whisky, with a full flavor and body. Its long, lingering, generous aftertaste makes it a classic Highland malt. Each of Dalmore malts has its own unique character.

Chocolate and spice are just two of the more unusual and unexpected "notes" among the flavors and aromas that can be discovered in The Dalmore. It is possible to detect around 26 distinctly different, and often surprising, aromas.

Like many single malts, the Dalmore undergoes subtle transformations as it matures. As it ages the aromas and tastes alter and you will detect orange, heather, spice and subtle hints of smoke.

In 2003, The Dalmore Cigar Malt was was voted the best whisky accompaniment to a Cuban cigar by 27 panelists sampling 488 malt and blended Scotch whiskies. This single-malt was created expressly to pair with a smoke. Also, the Cigar Malt differs from other whiskies from The Dalmore in its preponderance of sherry-wood aging. The sherry casks lend the whisky sweetness and viscosity, which help it to stand up to any bitterness in a cigar.

The Dalmore is considered a digestif whisky in general, and this malt was specifically created to enjoy after a meal.