“This feels like celebrating my birthday … only better!” – Tasting host and whisky expert Gearoid O’Callaghan had a big smile on his face, when he poured me a dram of Odds & Evens Batch 01 last night. For obvious reasons, this new small batch release is extra-close to cheerful Irishman’s (more…)
Benelux Region
Cley 4 Years Old “Secret Islay Batch No.1” (Review)
Over the last couple of years, the mastermind behind the minute Cley Distillery in Rotterdam, Paul den Dulk, has amassed a nice selection of casks – several of which were previously used by highly renowned production sites across the world. (more…)
2x Whisky New Make (Unpeated & Peated) from Klein Amerika Distillery in NL (Review Flight)
Last summer, I went on a field trip together with my wife Dini and my brothers Flo and Martin. Our destination: Klein Amerika Distillery in the Netherlands (located just a few kilometres behind the Dutch-German border). There, we had a super-nice meeting with the founders (more…)
Klein Amerika Distillery in the Netherlands (Visit)
When they reach their 40s or 50s, people often look for new things to spice up their lives. Some buy a sportscar or a motorcyle. Others do a round-the-world trip. And yet again others – like Robert and Benny from the Netherlands – build their own micro distillery. Yeah, that’s right. (more…)
The Barrel Baron: “In regard to our whisky, the highest priority is quality” (Interview)
Though I only discovered Dutch whisky company The Barrel Baron recently, I am already a fan. After all, co-founder Marcel Kip and his partners are total malt maniacs offering both top-quality indie bottlings and exclusive cask shares. (more…)
2x Dutch Single Malt Whisky by Cley Distillery (Review Flight)
I first learned about Cley Distillery in March of this year during a business trip to Rotterdam. Usually, when I visit a place I have not been to before, I ask Google for whisky offerings nearby. And one of the all-knowing search engine’s suggestions was Cley Distillery. (more…)
Odds & Evens New Make Tasting at Bar Oorlam (Event)
Six months ago, spirits expert Gearoid O’Gallaghan (The Whisky Jack) and craft distiller Nienke Oostra (Filosoof Jenever) formed a plan: “We’re gonna make our own whisky!” Almost simultaneously, they added: “But we ain’t gonna spent six million Euro upfront (more…)
Whiskycafe L&B in Amsterdam (Bar)
“Do you still have any Dallas Dhu left,” I asked the bartender of Whiskycafe L&B in Amsterdam last week. Not even a minute later, he lined up in front of me five indie releases by Signatory, The Ultimate and others – all of which contained precious spirit (more…)
Cafe Stalles in Rotterdam (Bar)
When I learned that I would go on a five-day business trip to Rotterdam, I did what every drammer in such a situation would do: I checked on Google what the Dutch harbor town had to offer to whisky fans. One place I stumbled upon straight away was Cafe Stalles (more…)