It is said that about 70 per cent of a whisky’s flavor and 100 per cent of its (natural) color come from the cask. When you put a sub-par distillate into top-quality wood, the result will usually be decent at least. But when you fill excellent new make into weak barrels (more…)
When we found out that The Macallan would invite the winners of their #ToYourMacallan competition over to their home turf for a full weekend of whisky extravaganza, my girlfriend Dini and I left no stone unturned to produce the best contributions we could. (more…)
“When you are in Elgin, make sure to stop by at The Drouthy Cobbler for a dram and a nibble!” – While planning my first-ever visit to Speyside, I did not hear this advice once or twice, but at least a dozen times. As this left me with no other option than checking the much-praised venue out (more…)
When he compared Benromach’s approach to whisky making to the technique of reverse engineering, our tour guide Robert was only half-joking. Cause whatever the Forres-based distillery plans and wherever it heads, it always has one eye directed at the future (more…)
The fine folks at Glen Moray say about themselves that they are “not your usual Speyside distillery”. And indeed, the wonderful experience they provide is everything but ordinary. Neither are their prices: The 60-minute tour including two complementary drams (more…)
“This spirit can restore you / It’s the finest I have seen / With my own eyes / With my own eyes,” sings whisky bard Robin Laing in his beautiful piece “Macallan” from the acclaimed “Whisky For Breakfast” album. While I have already seen the cherished Speyside distillery’s excellent product (more…)
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…)
Without a doubt, my hometown of Hamburg has a pretty vibrant whisky scene. We got amazing bars such as Christiansen’s or The Rabbithole, great liquor stores like Weinquelle Lühmann or Spirituosen Wolf and regular tasting events (more…)
While The Ben Nevis in Argyle Street is one of Glasgow’s most well-known whisky pubs, my girlfriend and I only discovered the place by happenstance. During a “hop on, hop off” tour through the city center, the voice in our headphones informed us that a highly popular dramming joint (more…)
