With members all around the globe, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has many homes in many countries. Its spiritual home, however, is a former wine warehouse called The Vaults in Edinburgh. In these mythic premises, the Society was founded way back in 1983. (more…)
Author: Tobi@BarleyMania
Chivas Regal Mizunara (Review)
Japanese oak, also referred to as Mizunara oak, is probably the rarest component from which whisky barrels can be made. Due to the slow growth and knotted stature of the respective trees, the processing of this kind of wood requires excellent craftmanship (more…)
The Doctor by Monster Energy (Review)
Created in cooperation with 9-times MotoGP champion Valentino “The Doctor” Rossi and loaded with 32 milligrams of caffein per 100ml, this invigorating juice is said to be “the fastest Monster ever”. And indeed: The light citrus flavor and zippy character make The Doctor (more…)
3 Whiskies by Claxton’s: Glen Keith, Auchentoshan & more (Rev. Flight)
When I attended the “Day Of The 100 Open Bottles” at Pinkernell’s Whisky Market in Berlin last month, I tried more than half a dozen drams by Claxton’s. Their well-selected single cask whiskies rendered me so impressed that I took home not one but two bottles: (more…)
Happy Birthday: Douglas Laing Turns 70 & Kingsbarns Turns 3 (News)
Today, we would like to congratulate not one but two spirit-y birthday children. First, there is long-running indie bottler Douglas Laing, who celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2018. And second, there is newfound Lowlands distillery Kingsbarns (more…)
“Whisky Blending Seminar” by The Whisky Jack (Event)
In a way, whisky blending is like alchemy. Cause just like the proto-scientists of yore, whisky blenders also create an elixir of life (“aqua vitae”), turn differing raw materials into gold (albeit in liquid form) and produce a universal solvent (if the blend is good, one sip is all it takes (more…)
Big Peat 25yo – The Gold Edition (Review)
Although he was the first Remarkable Malt to hit the market back in 2009, it took Big Peat quite a while until he received a special bottling with an age statement. However, after his friends Scallywag, Timorous Beastie and Rock Oyster had all spawned limited editions (more…)
Writers’ Tears Cask Strength 2017 (Review)
Happy St. Paddy’s Day to all ye fabulous people, who stumbled upon this blog – be it by choice or happenstance. I hope you either have a nice Irish whiskey in your glass already or will enjoy such a sip later on today. Naturally, I also chose a pour from Eire (more…)
Bushmills releases Shortfilm with Singer Foy Vance and Poet Jon Plunkett (News)
Just a few days from now, on March 17 to be precise, St. Patrick’s Day is being celebrated. To get people around the globe in the right mood for the most Irish holiday of all, Bushmills Irish Whiskey has now released a poetic shortfilm (more…)
Orkney 10yo by Claxton’s (Review)
Operating out of the County of York, British indie bottlers Claxton’s brought their first single cask whiskies to the market in early 2016. Despite the fact that they hit the scene more than two years ago, I only got acquainted with them recently. (more…)









