On this day in 2016, I published the very first article on this wee blog o’ mine. It is hard to believe that two full years have passed since then. But looking at the calendar, it does indeed seem as if BarleyMania is celebrating its second anniversary today. (more…)
These are exciting times! With demand for single malt Scotch whisky at a height, a fair share of new distilleries have either been built or at least planned in recent years. One production site that I am particularly curious about is Douglas Laing’s upcoming Clutha Distillery in Glasgow. (more…)
When I read on the internet that Douglas Laing was about to release a limited edition of their Lowlands blended malt The Epicurean, a huge smile formed on my face. As a dedicated fan of this moustached muchacho, I could not wait to find out what this special bottling (more…)
Usually, I either buy the whiskies I introduce on BarleyMania myself or borrow them from friends. But every now and then, I also receive a sample from a distillery or from an independent bottler. Although I understand that some of you might question the impartiality (more…)
When I saw on a flyer that Osaka Whisky Festival 2018 took place last Sunday (June 3), I thought to myself: “Well, this looks like a much better way to end the week than sitting at home and watching Netflix!”. So I ordered myself a ticket. (more…)
Although he was the first Remarkable Malt to hit the market back in 2009, it took Big Peat quite a while until he received a special bottling with an age statement. However, after his friends Scallywag, Timorous Beastie and Rock Oyster had all spawned limited editions (more…)
Although I met Douglas Laing’s Global Brand Ambassador Jan Beckers quite a few times in the last years, I never got to attend one of his tastings. So when I saw that he would not only man the booth of the company’s German importer Bremer Spirituosen Contor (more…)
Up in the Highlands ‘twixt mountains and glens,
There lives a wee beastie, our special friend.
He’s shy and he’s coy and he’s also quite jumpy. (more…)
Traditionally, Douglas Laing release a new cask strength edition of their best-selling Big Peat brand every year in time for the festive season. Previously, the Christmas Edition 2016 surprised its fans by being the first (and for a long time most likely also the last) blended malt (more…)
When a whisky legend like Fred Laing, who has been working in the industry for half a century (and counting), hand-picks a cask for a special occasion, you know that liquid greatness is inbound. And indeed, I cannot think of a better term to describe this 16-year-old Laphroaig, (more…)
