Member profile: Anchor drams

It took Society members Brian and Helen Russell seven years to handcraft their 44 feet (13.6 metre) sloop, Helacious at their home near Memphis, Tennessee. It was a moment to remember when they first launched her on the Tennessee River in 2016, but that was only the beginning. Helacious would prove to be a trusty vessel that would see the couple explore the world, but first they had to test out their sea legs – up until that point they had only sailed on inland lakes.

Brian and Helen started their ocean sailing adventure in the Gulf of Mexico, and before too long they were confident enough to navigate to Florida and the Bahamas. But it was on a trip to Scotland’s coast that their sailing friend Charlie introduced them to the fine tradition of an ‘anchor dram’.

“For obvious reasons, we abstain during passages,” says Brian. “So that first wee dram, when the anchor is down or we are tied securely to a quay, is so welcome, and we have carried on the tradition of an ‘anchor dram’ throughout our travels.” Even better when it’s a taste of cask strength, single cask whisky from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

MAKE HASTE

Having recently retired, Brian and Helen were ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Helacious made haste for her first major voyage in 2021, taking their tradition of an anchor dram across the globe. They sailed from the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, over the Atlantic to the Azores, before carrying on to Ireland. Having covered 2,500 nautical miles in 17 days to the Azores, Helacious then sailed another 1,300 nautical miles to Scotland, where they were able to enjoy some more leisurely sailing.

“We spent the remainder of that summer and fall cruising the Inner Hebrides, which quickly became our all-time favorite cruising grounds,” says Brian. “Mooring just off Ardbeg distillery on Islay was a definite perk!”

PRECIOUS CARGO

It’s while Brian and Helen were moored in Scotland that her brother Phil Smith replenished their single malt supplies. “I've taken a handful of bottles over the years when sailing with them, but they’ve also stayed on land with us in Glasgow sharing bottles I have had at home,” says Phil, a Society member for 15 years. “It’s a special occasion opening or gifting a single cask bottle, it being one of a limited number.”

Having been trusted with such an important task, Phil is always careful when selecting which Society drams will accompany Brian and Helen on their travels, as he explains: “The maritime environment combines well with Campbeltown and the Coastal & Maritime flavour profile.”

After spending a few months in Scotland over the winter, Brian and Helen set off once again in the spring of 2022. “We sailed up the Minch to Orkney, then Shetland, and crossed the North Sea to Ålesund, Norway” says Brian. “The northern coast of Norway is amazing, navigating among the rocky skerries, visiting glaciers, and crossing the Arctic Circle. When the clouds finally lifted, the Lofoten mountains looked like something out of mythology.

“From Norway, we sailed south, crossing the Bay of Biscay in early September. We dodged orcas along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts, visiting Madeira, the Canaries and Cape Verde. From Mindelo, Cape Verde, we sailed 2,500 nautical miles to St Vincent in the Caribbean, arriving two days before Christmas.

“Sighting land after a long passage is always a thrill. I think I can remember every single landfall we’ve made. And that’s why we do this, to make memories that last, not transient instant gratification, but a lifetime of shared history. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy single malt Scotch whisky. It’s a liquid time capsule, something that can only be produced through care, striving and time.

“We’ve tried other spirits: aquavit in Scandinavia, rhum in the Caribbean, but for us, nothing works like a single malt from Scotland. The anchor dram is like putting a punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. It’s a way to pause, acknowledge our humble position on this globe, momentarily feel a small glow of glory, and reflect on our freedom and privilege as sailors.”

THE VIKING ROUTE

Brian and Helen showed no signs of slowing down their adventures and crossed back over the Atlantic in the spring of 2024. After arriving in Scotland for a second time they travelled through the Caledonian Canal, and sailed across the North Sea to explore Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

After docking in London over the winter, they once again began scheming for their journey home and were drawn in by an even more adventurous route. Having closely examined the less travelled ‘Viking Route’, Helacious once again set sail for North America, this time via the Arctic.

“This shortcut is definitely the route less travelled,” says Brian. “If 20 boats per year make this passage, I would be surprised. Our plan was to sail from London, along the southern coast of England to the Scilly Isles, hang a right up the Irish Sea and right up through the Hebrides to Stornoway. Then it’s 200 nautical miles to the Faroes, with another 250 to Iceland. Easy, right? We went north around the top of Iceland, touching the Arctic Circle, then left for southern Greenland from western Iceland, a 650-mile passage through the Denmark Strait with plenty of icebergs.

“Just north of Cape Farewell – which is as notorious as Cape Horn among mariners – is a shortcut connecting to the west coast of Greenland. Prince Christian Sound is an 80-mile inland passage through some of the most stunning scenery on the planet. And it offered even more icebergs.

“By the time we got to the west coast, it was mid-August. We explored for a couple of weeks, then found a weather window for the next 650-mile passage across the Labrador Sea. We arrived in darkness to the tiny Fox Harbour, in Labrador, Canada, with pelting rain. True to form, a couple of the friendliest folks on earth, the Maritime Canadians, showed up to catch our lines. Another well-deserved anchor dram.”

DRAMS ON DECK

It’s no surprise that Brian and Helen have shared plenty of memorable drams exploring the globe on Helacious. “We really enjoyed the Ardbegs while at Islay,” says Brian. “And sampling Talisker’s offerings while sitting in a tent, in their parking lot, outside in the rain on Skye was memorable. I also remember a Society whisky labelled Cask No. 66.64: Blacksmith at a barbecue, one of our first. Our latest Society bottle was Cask No. 93.223: Spruce jam in a silent harbour, which we finished in Newfoundland after completing the Viking Route from Scotland. In a silent harbour, surrounded by spruce trees. Perfect.”

Still with plenty appetite for adventure, Brian and Helen are eyeing up a journey through the Chilean channels of Patagonia, before heading to the Falkland Islands and back to Scotland via the Caribbean. What these voyages offer is too much to let up on, says Brian.

“Making these passages is mentally and physically difficult. But the rewards are so huge in terms of the wonderful network of friends we have made that I really can’t see us giving up anytime soon.

“There’s a big world out there, full of amazing people, every one of whom has a fascinating and unique story to tell.” And plenty more anchor drams to share, as well.

You can follow Brian and Helen’s adventures onboard Helacious at www.sailinghelacious.com