Ever since I attended a Cadenhead masterclass at this year’s edition of Kiel Whisky Fair, I have been looking forward to my next trip to Berlin – the location of one of the two stores that Scotland’s oldest independent bottler operates in Germany. (more…)
Ireland
News From Eire – Tasting at Der Zigarrenmacher (Event)
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…)
Open Whisky Tasting and BBQ at Weinkellerei von Have (Event)
Last January I attended an open tasting at Hamburg-based winery Weinkellerei von Have. I enjoyed that evening so much that it was no question I also had to get a ticket to their open whisky tasting on the last weekend in June. While von Have already hosted several of these events before (more…)
Hyde No. 5 Burgundy Cask Finish (Review)
Irish whiskey was out of fashion for a long time. During these hard years many distilleries and brands disappeared from the market for good. But nowadays the Irish whiskey industry is alive again and new distilleries from all over the country have begun to make names for themselves. (more…)
West Cork 12yo Sherry Cask (Review)
I first stumbled across West Cork Distillers when I was looking for not-yet-discovered treasures in the world of whisk(e)y in some online shops. I ordered a bottle of their limited edition Cask Collection series with a rum finish. I really enjoyed it and so the bottle was emptied way too fast. (more…)
Bushmills 1608 Anniversary Edition (Review)
Having received its license to distill “uisce beatha” from King James I in 1608, Bushmills prides itself to be the “world’s oldest whiskey distillery”. After unfavourable circumstances forced the whiskey makers to operate out of the shadows for quite some time, (more…)
Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel (Review)
Whenever you think about Irish whiskey, there is a good chance that one of the first brands that will come to your mind is Jameson. The wide range of whiskey they offer begins with the classic Jameson Irish Whiskey, which is well known as part of your Jameson and Ginger. (more…)
Whisky Experience – Irish Whiskey Tasting (Event)
If you run a business or offer a service, you know that you are on the right track when your customers keep coming back to you. Since Saturday’s “Irish Whiskey” tasting at the Jungfernstieg in Hamburg was the 3rd time I booked a tasting with Norbert from Whisky Experience, (more…)
Kilbeggan Distillery Tour (Tour)
On our last day in Dublin, my wife and I decided to take a little bus trip to see a bit more of Ireland than just its biggest city. So we took the 9am bus from Dublin city centre to Galway, which stopped in a small town about 90km away from Dublin called Kilbeggan. (more…)
Teeling Distillery Tour (Tour)
For almost 40 years, there was no working distillery in Ireland’s capital. But in 2015, the Spirit of Dublin was awoken at Newmarket when Teeling Distillery opened its gates. The distillery was founded by Stephen and Jack Teeling, sons of Cooley Distillery founder John Teeling. (more…)









