A huge fan of peated malts, it should come as no surprise to you that the Isle of Islay is one of my very favorite whisky regions. But of course those 240 square miles of land at the western shore of Scotland are not the only place in the world where smokey drams are being produced. (more…)
Buying a single cask whisky by Scotland’s oldest independent bottler Cadenhead’s at Hanse Spirit has become somewhat of a tradition for me. Last year, I purchased a stellar Dalmore 24yo with a rum finish from their booth. This year, I went home with this outstanding Tobermory, (more…)
When you think of the isle of Islay on the West coast of Scotland, the first things that come to your mind will probably be the heavily peated whiskies for which this fabled region is held in high esteem by whisky lovers across the globe. (more…)
Wolfburn was originally founded in Thurso in the very North of Scotland in 1821. Soon after its foundation, it became one of the largest distilleries of its region. But not too many years later, Wolfburn had to close it doors again (more…)
Today, I’d like to take a little detour from the established BarleyMania routine and present you with a beer review rather than a whisk(e)y post. However, I have not picked any ale for this endeavor, but one that fits the theme of this blog well. (more…)
The Balvenie distillery is located in Dufftown and was founded by William J. Grant in 1892; the same man who also founded Glenfiddich distillery, which is only a stone’s throw away. Today the distillery is still owned by William Grant & Sons Ltd. (more…)
The regular edition of the Spice Tree by London-based artisan blenders Compass Box is one mighty fine blended Scotch whisky with a wonderful flavor profile. Last year, the company headed by outside-the-box whisky maker John Glaser introduced a limited edition of said brand (more…)
When I went to Scotland for the first time in my life last year, I spent a few days in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Whenever I made a reservation for a restaurant or any kind of tour and was asked for my name, I saw people writing Arran instead of Aaron. (more…)
With an output of up to 7 million litres per year, Caol Ila is by far the most productive distillery on Islay. Yet, it sometimes seems to me as if these seasoned whisky makers from the isle’s Northeast coast get less recognition than their prominent neighbors. (more…)
Writers Tears was created in honor of classic Irish writers like Oscar Wilde or James Joyce. Many times they found their inspiration in Irish whiskey and that is why the term “writers tears“ became a synonym for said beverage over the years. (more…)
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