The five processes. Here are the five processes that create malt whisky. The water itself comes from the Tarlogie Springs, which rises cheerfully and magically about a mile above the distillery. Set about with pines, the crystal pool is secluded and mysterious, its surface gently troubled by the waters bubbling up from below. These waters once fell as rain on the Hill of Tain, in the shadow of where the springs are discovered, then filtered down through lime and sandstone rocks, gathering precious minerals on the way, before rising again at Tarlogie.
Water is used in every stage of the distillation process.
Before legislation dictated otherwise, malt whisky was made on farms. In days past, the barley was first steeped in Tarlogie spring water, then spread in a loft. As it began to germinate it generated heat and had to be turned constantly, day and night, by men with large wooden shovels, to keep it cool. The work was hard, and the malt house was where apprentices began to learn their trade. In keeping with tradition, our barley comes mainly from the rich farmlands of the Black Isle, just south of Tain.