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…)
Considering how good they are at throwing memorable parties and giving people an amazing time, it does not really come as a surprise that the team of Christiansen’s in Hamburg hauled out the big guns to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their amazing whisky and cocktail bar. (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…)
A few months ago I got to know Stefan Bohn when he hosted an Arran tasting at this year’s Hamburg-based whisky fair Hanse Spirit. Shortly after, I found out that he also offers regular tastings in a much cosier environment, namely Der Zigarrenmacher in Hamburg-Altona. This month, Stefan welcomed a wee round of eight guests to a tasting focusing on Irish Whiskey. The gathering took place in a small and very homely room, where water, bread and chocolate were readily prepared for everyone. Upon entering the cigar shop that we had to pass in order to reach the tasting room, we were also free to pick a cigar of our fancy from the full assortment. (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…)
This year, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society selected three particularly jaw-dropping pours as their official Feis Ile 2017 trio: a Bunnahabhain 10yo, a Bowmore 20yo and a Laphroaig 21yo. While most bottles containing these top-class whiskies are being served on Islay itself, (more…)
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