Caol Ila

“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…)

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…)

Hanse Spirit 2023 in Hamburg – Part One (Fair)

Impressions of Hanse Spirit 2023 in Hamburg

From 26 to 28 January 2023, Hanse Spirit returned to my hometown of Hamburg. With a colorful roster of exhibitors, the popular whisky and spirits fair made a strong bounce-back from its two-year break. As compared to the last installments (more…)

5x Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Berry Bros. & Rudd’s “Autumn 2021” Outturn (Review Flight)

Berry Bros & Rudd - Autumn 2021 Outturn (Independent Bottler Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes BarleyMania)

Lately, long-serving British indie bottler Berry Bros. & Rudd created quite a buzz in the whisky scene with the release of “The Nordic Casks”. Ever since its launch, this four-piece selection of premium bottlings from Fary Lochan (Denmark), High Coast (Sweden), Myken (Norway), (more…)

North Star Whisky: Blind Tasting w/ @WhiskyGermany (Tasting)

North Star Spirits Virtual Whisky Tasting (Single Malt Independent Bottler Scotch Event BarleyMania)

For Iain Croucher, the founder and mainman of Scottish indie bottler North Star Spirits, whisky is a pretty simple thing. At the end of the day, he claims, a good bottling must only meet four criteria: It must be honest. It must be fun. It must be tasty. And it must be opened and shared. (more…)

Sansibar Whisky: Virtual Blind Tasting w/ @WhiskyGermany (Tasting)

Sansibar Whisky Blind Tasting via Zoom (Single Cask Malt Scotch Indie Bottling Blog BarleyMania)

On December 17, I turned on my computer and started Zoom to meet with more than 20 other whisky nerds from Germany and the Netherlands. Our pursuit: a virtual blind tasting with our common friend Basti, who is active on Instagram with the profile @WhiskyGermany. (more…)

Caol Ila 10yo Single Cask from Weinquelle’s Whisky Choice (Review)

Caol Ila 10yo by Weinquelle's Whisky Choice (Single Malt Scotch Islay Whisky Peated Tasting Notes BarleyMania Blog)

Recently, my favorite local dealer Weinquelle Lühmann launched its first indie bottling under the new label Weinquelle’s Whisky Choice. For this special occasion, they picked a classic dram from Caol Ila Distillery. It is 10 years old, matured in a hogshead and bottled at cask strength (more…)

Caol Ila 11yo w/ Rum Finish by A Dream Of Scotland (Review)

Caol Ila 11yo Single Cask with Rum Finish by A Dream Of Scotland (Islay Malt Whisky Tasting Notes BarleyMania)

Count Dracula is a man of surprise. When it comes to is boozing habits, most people will probably take him for the red wine-sipping type. But apparently he also has a soft spot for whisky and rum. Luckily for him (and us), this year’s “Happy Halloween” edition (more…)

Weinquelle Lühmann starts new single cask whisky range “Weinquelle’s Whisky Choice” (News)

Weinquelle Lühmann announces Caol Ila 10yo as first bottling in Weinquelle's Whisky Choice (Single Cask Malt Scotch Islay News)

In the Northern Germany and beyond, Weinquelle Lühmann has an strong reputation as a top-quality spirits retailer. So far, their business centered around the selling of wine, whisky and other spirits through their stores in Hamburg and Siek as well as their online shop. (more…)

3x Single Malt Whisky from North Star’s Series 009 (Review Flight)

North Star Spirits Series 009 (Single Malt Scotch English Whisky Review Flight Tating Notes)

To the center of Speyside, to the north-east coast of Islay and even south of the border to England – this sample flight from North Star Spirits takes me off and about. It consists of three single malt whisky bottlings, each of which got filled from a single cask (more…)