Author: Tobi@BarleyMania

Powerhouse Whisk(e)y Blogging since 2016. Visit BarleyMania for a whole lotta posts on a whole lotta drams! https://www.barleymania.com/

Fary Lochan 11yo – Nettle Smoke #01 (Review)

Fary Lochan 11yo Nettle Smoke #01 (Tasting Notes at BarleyMania Whisky Blog)

At this time tomorrow, the new year 2025 will already be upon us. So today, I’m ushering out the old year with a review for a special bottling from one of my absolute favorite distilleries, namely Fary Lochan from Danmark. The drop in question: their recently released Nettle Smoke #01. (more…)

An exclusive Evening with The Glendronach and Benriach in Hamburg (Event)

The Glendronach & Benriach Road Show with Whisky Maker Dr. Rachel Barrie in Hamburg (BarleyMania Blog)

Starting in the early 1990s, Dr. Rachel Barrie’s whisky journey is long, colorful, and successful. Over the years, the acclaimed whisky maker has worked with some of the Scotch industry’s biggest players, creating malts for such well-known distilleries (more…)

Caol Ila 11yo “53.482 – Spellbound” by The SMWS (Review)

Caol Ila 11yo "Spellbound!" with Sherry Finish by The SMWS (Single Malt Islay Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes BarleyMania)

In the summer of 2023, my pal and namesake Tobi formed a heavy metal band called Alatar together with my twin-brother Flo. The first song they ever did together was a catchy old-school banger called “Spellbound”, which instantly – pun intended – put me under its spell. (more…)

Brugse Whisky 4yo Naranja by The Barrel Baron (Review)

Brugse Whisky 4yo Naranja by The Barrel Baron (Tasting Notes Review at BarleyMania)

My first and only visit to Bruges in Belgium happened over ten years ago and lasted just a few days. Nevertheless, the city’s claimed its place in my heart forever! So when I learned much later that Bruges had its own whisky distillery – a father and son operation (more…)

Handfill Raven 4yo German Whisky w/ Tawny Port Finish by Thousand Mountains (Review)

Handfill Raven 4yo w/ Tawny Port Finish by Thousand Mountains from Sauerländer Edelbrennerei (German Single Malt Whisky Review at BarleyMania)

Among whisky brands here in Germany, Thousand Mountains by Sauerländer Edelbrennerei has a most excellent reputation. Still, I only just got to know them properly a few months ago, when I spent some real quality time at their stand at Hanse Spirit 2024. Of the many great drams (more…)

World of Whisky Festival 2024 by STOCK Spirits in Hamburg (Event)

When I first attended this event eight years ago in 2016, it was celebrated as the German spin-off of the Jura Tastival. Later, it changed it’s name to Borco Markenimport’s World of Whisky Festival. And this year – following Borco’s acquisition by the STOCK Spirits Group – it was held (more…)

Fary Lochan Saeson 1 – Danish Single Malt Whisky (Review)

Fary Lochan Saeson 1 (Danish Single Malt Whisky Review at BarleyMania Blog)

For many craft distilleries from the Nordic countries, setting foot abroad isn’t all too easy. No doubt: Their locally-sourced, hand-made whiskies are truly excellent in many cases. But the prices – which usually lie beyond the 100 Euro barrier for a 0.5 litre bottle (more…)

The Nine Springs 8yo German Whisky by 16 States (Review)

The Nine Springs 8yo German Single Malt Whisky by 16 States (Tasting Notes by BarleyMania Blog)

The Federal Republic of Germany consists of sixteen constituent states which are home to no less than 250 whisky producers. Half of these are dedicated whisky distilleriers. The rest prioritizes other spirits such as fruit schnaps, but fills the occasional cask of malt or rye (more…)