Peated

PURE.WHISKY: Ardmore 11yo from an ex-Laphroaig Oloroso Sherry Cask (Review)

Pure Whisky: Ardmore 11yo from an ex-Islay cask formerly used by Laphroaig Distillery (BarleyMania Whisky Blog)

Okay, fellas, let’s address the elephant in the room right away: This 11-year-old Ardmore from new German indie bottler PURE.WHISKY is an absolute banger of a dram! Ah, no. While this statement is totally true, that’s not the proverbial elephant. (more…)

Ardmore 13yo “The Iron Collar” by Whisky of Voodoo (Review)

Ardmore 12yo "The Iron Collar" from Whisky of Voodoo by Brave News Spirits

For me, Ardmore is one of those hidden champions that usually don’t get as much praise as they’d deserve. Especially when drawn from carefully selected casks and bottled in natural strength, the distillery’s medium-peated Highlands whisky has a tendency to shine extra-bright. (more…)

Bill Phil 7yo Marsala by W. D. O’Connell (Review)

W.D. O'Connell Bill Phil 7yo Marsala Peated Irish Single Malt Whiskey

According to indie bottler W. D. O’Connell, this Marsala-finished Bill Phil edition – which marks the series’ first entry with an age statement – ain’t no ordinary peated Irish whiskey. In 2016, when this heavy smoker was initially distilled at the Great Northern Distillery (more…)

“Siebert’s Birthday Dram”: Caol Ila 8 Years Old w/ Oloroso Finish (Review)

Header image of Caol Ila 8yo Oloroso by Siebert's Whisky Welt

And the party goes on … in late May 2023, Munich-based specialist whisky shop Sieberts Whiskywelt – run by expert drammers Marcel and Başak – celebrated its fifth anniversary. While the on-site festivities are mostly over now, the commemorative birthday bottling, (more…)

Waterford “Peated: Ballybannon 1.1” Arcadian Barley (Review)

Header image of Waterford Peated: Ballybannon 1.1 Single Malt Irish Whisky

A short while ago, I have introduced Waterford Peated: Fenniscourt 1.1 here on these pages. Now I follow up with the distillery’s second Peated expression, namely Waterford Peated: Ballybannon 1.1. The whisky is made from barley grown at Ballybannon Farm, (more…)

Waterford “Peated: Fenniscourt 1.1” Arcadian Barley (Review)

Header image of Waterford Peated: Fenniscourt 1.1 Single Malt Irish Whisky

Via its Arcadian Barley range, South-Irish whisky distillery Waterford releases out-of-the-ordinary single malts based on specially grown and processed barley. Previously, the series has already seen illustrious entries such as “Organic”, “Biodynamic”, and “Heritage”. (more…)

Mosgaard Black Peat – Danish Single Malt Whisky (Review)

Header image of Mosgaard Black Peat Danish Single Malt Whisky

When my wife Dini and I visited Mosgaard Distillery in Denmark a few months ago, founder Jes treated us to many great drams while showing us around. One of our personal highlights was Black Peat, which marked the final expression of the culminating tasting we had after the tour. (more…)

Black Bottle Whisky “The Alchemy Series #4: Smoke & Dagger” (Review)

Header image of Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky "Alchemy Series #4: Smoke & Dagger"

“How do you supercharge a blended Scotch whisky with an extra-amount of most-delicate smoke?” – This question resided at very heart of the conception of Black Bottle’s fourth “Alchemy Series” bottling Smoke & Dagger. And resourceful as they are, the whisky makers (more…)

Black Bottle Whisky “The Alchemy Series #3: Andean Oak” (Review)

Header image of Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky "Alchemy Series #3: Andean Oak"

Andean oak – also known as Quercus Humboldtii – is a rare commodity in the Scotch industry. At least to my knowledge, the recently released Andean Oak entry into Black Bottle’s experimental “The Alchemy Series” is the first-ever whisky from Scotland to be drawn from such wood. (more…)

Black Bottle – Alchemy Series: Virtual Launch Event for “Andean Oak” and “Smoke & Dagger” (Tasting)

“I love working on Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky,” said the Distell Group’s Master Blender Julieann Fernandez early on in this virtual launch event via Zoom. “It is such an experimental brand that constantly allows me and my colleagues to challenge existing conventions (more…)