Finally: another whisky fair! Earlier this month, the prestigious Alsterhaus in Hamburg held its annual Whisky Weeks again. Whereas the multi-day festival was quite the event in the past, it only happened in a very reduced form in 2020 due to the unsteady corona situation. (more…)
Hamburg
Bushmills Irish Whiskey – Open Tasting at Alsterhaus (Event)
At the end of 2020, many things in our lives are much different from how they were in the previous years. Be it working, traveling, commuting, socializing, shopping or running daily errants – the corona pandemic has turned pretty much all of our routines upside down. (more…)
Stauning Whisky “New Bottle Design” Launch Event in Hamburg (Event)
When nine Danish friends decided to found their country’s first whisky distillery in 2005, they gave it their everything. Besides their savings, they also put their blood, sweat, tears and time into the project. And – most importantly – their heart. Luckily for them and us, the effort paid off. (more…)
The open SMWS Bar aboard the Cap San Diego (Event)
I love The Scotch Malt Whisky Society for many reasons. First, the Edinburgh-based dramming club has a real talent for bottling outstanding whiskies and other spirits. Second, there are just so many wonderful people involved with The Society – be it employees, partners or members. (more…)
Arran Whisky Masterclass with Mariella Romano (Tasting)
“Oh, sweet Scotland” Whisky Tasting by The SMWS (Tasting)
Besides their quality, the illustrious single cask releases of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are also known for their clever names and elaborate tasting notes. The latter often include references to British sweets that drammers from the mainland might not be familiar with. (more…)
Holy Sh!t Shopping ’19 with Kyrö, Stork & Dolleruper Whisky (Fair)
On the Third Sunday in Advent, my girlfriend Dini and I attended the Hamburg edition of Holy Shit Shopping to look for Christmas gifts. The event promotion promised a three-figure amount of exhibitors from all disciplines of the creative domain: (more…)
Odds & Evens New Make Tasting at Bar Oorlam (Event)
Six months ago, spirits expert Gearoid O’Gallaghan (The Whisky Jack) and craft distiller Nienke Oostra (Filosoof Jenever) formed a plan: “We’re gonna make our own whisky!” Almost simultaneously, they added: “But we ain’t gonna spent six million Euro upfront (more…)
Whisky Week 2019 at Alsterhaus in Hamburg (Fair)
Last year, I stumbled upon Whisky Week at Alsterhaus by happenstance. So I only caught the last day of the two-week event. This year I was better prepared. I had marked the dates way in advance and when the time had come, I went there not once or twice, but three times in total. (more…)
Compass Box “Myths & Legends” Tasting at Christiansen’s (Tasting)
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…)