ABV 55-60%

PURE.WHISKY: Ardmore 11yo from an ex-Laphroaig Oloroso Sherry Cask (Review)

Pure Whisky: Ardmore 11yo from an ex-Islay cask formerly used by Laphroaig Distillery (BarleyMania Whisky Blog)

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…)

Ardmore 13yo “The Iron Collar” by Whisky of Voodoo (Review)

Ardmore 12yo "The Iron Collar" from Whisky of Voodoo by Brave News Spirits

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…)

Mannochmore 13yo “Chapter Five: Hound” by FABLE Whisky (Review)

Mannochmore 13yo "Chapter Five: Hound" by FABLE Whisky

This year on Halloween, I am thrilled to take you on a field trip to the weather-beaten cliffs of Clanyard Bay, fifty-or-so miles north of the fabled Isle of Man. There, one of my favorite whisky tales takes place: “The Ghost Piper of Clanyard Bay”, which forms the frame narrative (more…)

Stauning 2017/2022 Single Cask Danish Whisky – Maple Cask #8400 (Review)

Stauning Whisky 5yo Single Cask with Maple Finish

Later this month, I will drive up north for a guided tour of Stauning Distillery in Denmark. This will be my second visit to the place, however, I am sure that this time will be completely different from the previous one. Cause when I first dropped by there almost six years ago, Stauning was still (more…)

“Siebert’s Birthday Dram”: Caol Ila 8 Years Old w/ Oloroso Finish (Review)

Header image of Caol Ila 8yo Oloroso by Siebert's Whisky Welt

And the party goes on … in late May 2023, Munich-based specialist whisky shop Sieberts Whiskywelt run by expert drammers Marcel and Başak – celebrated its fifth anniversary. While the on-site festivities are mostly over now, the commemorative birthday bottling, (more…)

Cameronbridge 13yo “Coven of Resurrection” by Whisky of Voodoo (Review)

Courageous and creative indie bottlers Brave New Spirits picked their name for a reason. After all, the Glasgow-based whisky mavens often release bottlings that have colorful designs, curiosity-raising names, and out-of-the-ordinary maturation histories. Whereas their latest outturn – Cask Noir – took inspiration from the hard-boiled detective movies of the 1940s and 1950s, (more…)

Heaven’s Door Bourbon – Single Barrel #214 in the German Selection by Schlumberger (Review)

Header image of Heaven's Door Single Barrel Straight Bourbon for Schlumberger (#214)

Though I am quite a fan, I only discovered this limited edition bottling from Heaven’s Door Bourbon a brand co-created and endorsed by Bob Dylan – by happenstance. When I checked the manifold offerings at the Schlumberger booth at this year’s Hanse Spirit, my glimpse fell on three (more…)

3x Single Cask Whisky Bottling by Flickenschild: Auchroisk & 2x Caol Ila (Review Flight)

Header image of 3x Single Cask Scotch Whisky by Flickenschild (2x Caol Ila & 1x Auchroisk)

The new three-piece range of single cask bottlings by Flickenschild has a simply yet evocative name: “Slainte”. Graced with stylish illustrations by North-German artist Mats Matthée, each member of the trio cuts a mighty fine figure both on the outside and on the inside. (more…)

Tullibardine 7 Years Old (Cask 140) by Dram Mor (Review)

Header image of Tullibardine 7yo Highlands Scotch Whisky by Dram Mor Group

Founded in 2019 by whisky mavens Victorija and Kenny Macdonald, Scottish indie bottler Dràm Mòr Group Ltd. has quickly risen to make a name for itself in the whisky world. So far, the busy bees from Dumbarton have released ten outturns with three to eight bottlings each. (more…)