In regard to its setting, line-up and atmosphere, the BorderShop Whisky Festival – which recently got rebranded as Whisky & Rom Festival – is unlike any other fair I ever visited. Last weekend, I went there for the third time. As always, I had an absolute blast strolling from booth to booth (more…)
On several evenings per week, the Fabrik in Hamburg/Altona lends its spacious stage to renowned bands and artists like Chuck Ragan, Fish or Magnum. However, before the curtains open and the decibels rise at the end of the day, the location often hosts food events (more…)
I have never been to the Isle of Jura in my life. Yet, I have already attended the distillery’s annual whisky festival no less than three times! Sounds highly improbable, I know. But thanks to Jura’s distributor Borco Marken Import it is actually possible. (more…)
Last year I visited Kiel Whisky Fair, one of Germany’s longest-running spirit exhibitions, for the first time. Since I really enjoyed the small event’s intimate atmosphere, excellent line-up and nice location in the 4-star Steigenberger Conti Hansa hotel, my girlfriend Dini and I returned (more…)
If you are a regular visitor of this wee blog o’ mine, you might have noticed that The Scotch Malt Whisky Society got featured quite prominently on BarleyMania in the recent past. There are two reasons for this: First, I am tremendously enjoying my membership (more…)
The fine folks at Glen Moray say about themselves that they are “not your usual Speyside distillery”. And indeed, the wonderful experience they provide is everything but ordinary. Neither are their prices: The 60-minute tour including two complementary drams (more…)
In a way, whisky blending is like alchemy. Cause just like the proto-scientists of yore, whisky blenders also create an elixir of life (“aqua vitae”), turn differing raw materials into gold (albeit in liquid form) and produce a universal solvent (if the blend is good, one sip is all it takes (more…)
This year’s Hanse Spirit is over. So now it is time for me to reminisce the events of the last two days once more; an undertaking that is easier said than done considering the sheer flood of impressions and sensations that rained down on me over the course of the weekend. (more…)
Here in Hamburg, a boilermaker is called a “Herrengedeck”. You can order it in every bar or tavern, no matter how run-down the place or how small their assortment. When you ask for it, you will normally receive a bottle of Holsten or Astra and a shot of hard liquor. (more…)
BarleyMania | Whisky & Whiskey 