Many of our guests go off and visit the numerous distilleries that are close to Tomintoul. However, about 30 minutes away from the hostel you will find Speyside Cooperage which is the only working cooperage in the UK which carries out the ancient art of coopering. The barrels are an essential element in the maturing of malt whisky and add to the taste and aroma of the spirit. The old skill of coopering uses traditional methods and tools and the casks are made from American Oak. At Speyside Cooperage, high quality oak is used as this prevents leakage and also allows the whisky inside to breathe while not spoiling the flavour. The oak used in coopering can last up to 50 years. According to Speyside Cooperage, there are over 50 species of oak growing throughout the World but only a few are suitable for coopering and it can take 100 – 150 years before the oak required is mature enough. At the cooperage you can see the fantastic skills of the Coopers as they work and each year they make and repair 100,000 casks – barrels, hogsheads, butts and puncheons. If you want to learn more then I recommend a visit to the Visitor centre at the cooperage. Open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 4pm.
Kerry
