Spirit Of Romania

Romanian barley and Carpathian water create a whisky of remarkable depth and character

- by EUAN DUGUID

AT first glance, Ben Lomond and Romania's Carpathian Mountains seem worlds apart. But thanks to the gusto of a determined Scotsman, these two behemoths have collided, with a diamond of a whisky emerging from the fusion.

Allan Anderson, a master distiller with over three decades of experience, has unlocked Romania's untapped uisge-beatha potential, wielding the hard-earned craft he tempered back in Scotland. His passion began as he honed his skills in the shadows of the Ben, cutting his teeth at Loch Lomond Distillery.

Starting as a shift technician, he spent nearly two decades mastering the intricacies of whisky production, rising to distillery manager.

Those years immersed Allan in the magician's tricks of the profession, from barley selection to yeast strains and the mystery of cask ageing. This long tenure also solidified his belief in whisky as a blend of balance and patience – a philosophy he carried as he explored new roles.

When the winds of good fortune caught his sails, Allan crossed the Irish Sea to make a rock-solid contribution at Slane Distillery, known for its innovative triple-cask maturation. He also contributed to the Great Northern Distillery, Ireland's second-largest distillery, which supplies many new Irish brands. These experiences enriched his expertise, broadening his understanding of regional techniques and flavour profiles.