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…)
Without a doubt, my hometown of Hamburg has a pretty vibrant whisky scene. We got amazing bars such as Christiansen’s or The Rabbithole, great liquor stores like Weinquelle Lühmann or Spirituosen Wolf and regular tasting events (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…)
For Japan’s oldest distillery, Yamazaki, the release of an expression matured in Mizunara oak is always a very special occasion. Consequently, the Beam Suntory-owned whisky makers have not spared any efforts to promote their new high-end bottling (more…)
With An Oa, which is named after the rounded peninsula in the Southwest of Islay that shields the Kildalton distilleries from the roaring waves and raging winds of the Atlantic ocean, Ardbeg has recently added the first new bottling to its core range in almost 10 years! (more…)
Gearoid O’Callaghan, who runs The Whisky Jack, and I first got to know each other through Instagram, where the cheerful Irishman commented on a whisky photo of mine. We stayed in contact ever since, but although we both live in the same city, we never actually got to meet (more…)
The story of Glenfiddich is a story of maverickness. Ever since the first drops of spirit dribbled out of the new-found distillery’s pot stills in 1887, the family-owned company has been striving to do things a little different. In 1963 they jumped into a blue ocean (more…)
Given the fact that I live almost next door from Weinquelle Lühmann, it should come as no surprise that this is by far my most-visited liquor store in all of Hamburg. But even if I was not a quasi-neighbor of theirs, I would still come to see them regularly. (more…)
About two weeks after Jura had its opening day at Feis Ile 2017, the cherished island distillery invited its fans to another festivity. This time, however, the celebrations did not take place on the isle of Jura itself, but in Northern Germany. Organized by Jura’s importer (more…)
