Munich-based whisky company Whic.de is a lot more than just a mailorder. Besides selling bottles and samples through their website, they also moderate a vivid community page on Facebook and operate as an independent bottler. (more…)
Independent
Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey 7yo by Svenska Eldvatten (Review)
The booth of Svenska Eldvatten – the biggest indie bottler in the Nordics – was one of my favorite target places at last years’s Bottle Market. Repeatedly, I returned there to sip a dram and have a chat with the company’s owners Peter and Tommy. (more…)
“Twins & Twins” – Hansemalt’s Whisky Wednesday with The SMWS (Tasting)
For nearly two years, Chris Rickert (owner of Hansemalt and organizer of Hanse Spirit) was the official brand ambassador for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in my hometown of Hamburg. Sadly, the two parties went separate ways at the end of 2018. (more…)
4 Whisky Stars from the Millennial Range by North Star (Review Flight)
With The Millennial Range, accomplished indie bottler North Star Spirits added a new series of single cask bottlings to its portfolio. Unlike the company’s other products, these whiskies are released with a unified ABV of 50 per cent and no distillery mentioned on the label. (more…)
Caol Ila 14yo by Gordon & MacPhail (Review)
As a marketer by profession, I am quite susceptible to good storytelling and well-conceived ad campaigns. Still, I am also always happy when a whisky manages to catch my attention without supplementary hoo-ha. This 14-year-old Caol Ila from Gordon & MacPhail’s (more…)
3 Whiskies by Claxton’s: Springbank, Dumbarton & Ledaig (Review Flight)
3 Single Cask Whiskies by Douglas Laing (Review Flight)
Sitting on an incredible wealth of casks, Glaswegian indie bottlers Douglas Laing & Co. have the right whisky for pretty much every preference, occasion and wallet in their portfolio. While their Provenance range usually consists of affordable pours, the Old Particular line (more…)
The SMWS 35th Anniversary Tasting in Hamburg (Event)
When a club as illustrious and rich in tradition as The Scotch Malt Whisky Society turns 35, they don’t just bring a box of chocolate to the office and tell their colleagues “Help yourselves.” They celebrate with a whole lotta hoo-ha! (more…)
Balmenach “48.98 – Bubblegum church candle” by SMWS (Review)
My girlfriend and I bought this Balmenach 9yo at The Vaults, the spiritual home of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, on the first day of our latest trip to Scotland. To be honest, we predominantly picked it because it was one of the cheapest whiskies they had on sale. (more…)
Syndicate 58/6 & Aberlour 21yo “Architecture of Taste” (Rev. Flight)
Usually, I either buy the whiskies I introduce on BarleyMania myself or borrow them from friends. But every now and then, I also receive a sample from a distillery or from an independent bottler. Although I understand that some of you might question the impartiality (more…)
