Normally, Gerd Schmerschneider makes a living as the German importer of brands like Port Askaig, The English Whisky Company and others. During his traditional pre-Christmas tasting at Christiansen’s on November 4, however, he took over another profession (more…)
When The Double Single by Compass Box launched two years ago, I was an instant fan. Its concept, story and design hit all the right notes with me. Thus I went on to ask CB’s whisky maker Jill Boyd for an interview. (more…)
During my three-day stint at Hanse Spirit, which I attended as a fan and as an exhibitor this year, I got slipped a few samples. Stylistically, the drams from Paul’s Prime (The Nine Springs 3yo), Jura Distillery (Tastival 2016) and Compass Box (Flaming Heart 2018) (more…)
Though the topics were always great, I did not make it to most of the tastings that took place at the Christiansen’s bar in Hamburg this year. Therefore, I am all the more happy that I got to attend the venue’s traditional pre-Christmas event with Gerd Schmerschneider (more…)
Normally, getting up early on a Saturday morning to board the train from Hamburg to Bremen is not much fun. Last Saturday, however, me and my friends were more than happy to do so. Cause we knew that round about one and a half hours later, we would be having our first dram (more…)
A monster does not necessarily have to be a gargantuan behemoth that rages and stampedes day in, day out. It can also be a more refined and evolved creature – like the Alien in Ridley Scott’s eponymous sci-fi classic or the Pale Man in “Pan’s Labyrinth”. Or The Peat Monster (more…)
To create a blended Scotch whisky of staggering complexity, you do not necessarily need to merge a huge number of components. In fact, you can achieve something truly remarkable by blending as little as two differing ingredients. That is the concept behind The Double Single (more…)
From February 17 to 19, Northern Germany’s biggest whisk(e)y and spirits fair, Hanse Spirit, took place in Hamburg – for the seventh time in a row. Needless to say that the BarleyMania gang did not think twice about going there. (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…)
In union they stand. When London-based premium blenders Compass Box started an initiative for more transparency in whisky making in 2016, progressive Islay distillery Bruichladdich was one of the first companies to support them. (more…)
BarleyMania | Whisky & Whiskey 