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…)
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…)
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…)
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 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…)
Okay, fellas, let’s address the elephant in the room right away: This 11-year-old Ardmore from new German indie bottler PURE.WHISKY is an absolute banger of a dram! Ah, no. While this statement is totally true, that’s not the proverbial elephant. (more…)
I always like it when a young whisky takes a certain pride in its age rather than trying to hide it. After all, the time spent in the barrel is but one of many factors that influence the outcome of the final product. In fact, one might argue that the chosen ingredients, (more…)
For two reasons, visiting the Carlos I booth was one of my personal highlights of this year’s Hanse Spirit. First, I got to meet my pal Michael Lutz there, who worked the stand busy, competent, and good-humored as ever. And second, I discovered an expression there (more…)
For me, Ardmore is one of those hidden champions that usually don’t get as much praise as they’d deserve. Especially when drawn from carefully selected casks and bottled in natural strength, the distillery’s medium-peated Highlands whisky has a tendency to shine extra-bright. (more…)
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