My first and only visit to Bruges in Belgium happened over ten years ago and lasted just a few days. Nevertheless, the city’s claimed its place in my heart forever! So when I learned much later that Bruges had its own whisky distillery – a father and son operation (more…)
Among whisky brands here in Germany, Thousand Mountains by Sauerländer Edelbrennerei has a most excellent reputation. Still, I only just got to know them properly a few months ago, when I spent some real quality time at their stand at Hanse Spirit 2024. Of the many great drams (more…)
For many craft distilleries from the Nordic countries, setting foot abroad isn’t all too easy. No doubt: Their locally-sourced, hand-made whiskies are truly excellent in many cases. But the prices – which usually lie beyond the 100 Euro barrier for a 0.5 litre bottle (more…)
The Federal Republic of Germany consists of sixteen constituent states which are home to no less than 250 whisky producers. Half of these are dedicated whisky distilleriers. The rest prioritizes other spirits such as fruit schnaps, but fills the occasional cask of malt or rye (more…)
I always like it when a young whisky takes a certain pride in its age rather than trying to hide it. After all, the time spent in the barrel is but one of many factors that influence the outcome of the final product. In fact, one might argue that the chosen ingredients, (more…)
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…)
Palo Cortado is a comparatively rare type of sherry that we don’t see in the whisky world all too often. Sure, every now and then there is a release that says “Matured in a Palo Cortado cask” on the label. But in comparision to Oloroso or PX, for example, those bottlings are few and far between. (more…)
Whisky, like music, connects people – even if they are oceans apart from each other! With their recently released Collaboration Drop 01, Scottish indie bottlers Turntable Spirits have given that claim whole new level of truth. Taking it literally rather than just figuratively, they teamed up (more…)
According to indie bottler W. D. O’Connell, this Marsala-finished Bill Phil edition – which marks the series’ first entry with an age statement – ain’t no ordinary peated Irish whiskey. In 2016, when this heavy smoker was initially distilled at the Great Northern Distillery (more…)
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…)
BarleyMania | Whisky & Whiskey 