In the Western world, the fine malts of Japanese whisky wizards Suntory gained an enormous push in popularity in late 2014, when Jim Murray proclaimed the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 his World Whisky of the Year. (more…)
Reviews
Jameson Caskmates (Review)
Drink-wise, the Emerald Isle is particularly famous for its triple-distilled whiskey and rich-flavored stout beer. Since either of them tastes helluva good on its own, a marriage of both must be off the charts! (more…)
Talisker The Distillers Edition 2014 (Review)
I have to hurry a little with this review because my bottle of Talisker‘s wonderful Distillers Edition from two years back is slowly but surely coming to its end. Considering all the joy this precious dram from the Isle of Skye on the northwestern coast of Scotland gave me, I definitely want it to be featured here on BarleyMania (more…)
Black Snake – First Venom by Blackadder (Review)
Attention, this reptile is prone to biting! But don’t worry, when it pumps its venom into your veins, you will feel delighted rather than paralyzed. Called a “Whisky from the Old School” by its distributor, the Black Snake – First Venom is a natural cask strength bottling (more…)
Kavalan Single Malt Whisky (Review)
With demand for Asian whiskies at an all-time high, malts from the Far East are no longer insiders’ tips. Besides the “big two” from Japan, Nikka and Suntory, there is another company that is on everybody’s lips, namely Kavalan from Taiwan. (more…)
Kilchoman Machir Bay – Tour Edition 2015 (Review)
Not long ago, Islay superstars Kilchoman shipped 12,000 new bottles of their Original Cask Strength malt. While I have yet to lay hands on said liquid, I am fortunate to call another cask strength release by Kilchoman my own, namely the Machir Bay – Tour Edition 2015. (more…)
Laphroaig 10 (Review)
Normally, the Laphroaig 10 would not need another introduction. It is one of THE most popular smoke bombs out there alongside other Islay classics such as the Ardbeg Ten or the Lagavulin 16. Nevertheless, there is no way I could exclude it from BarleyMania. (more…)
Jura Superstition (Review)
Not even 200 people live on the Isle of Jura on the west coast of Scotland. Despite its wee size, this amiable community is known and loved by whisky fans across the globe. The reason is simple: The local distillery, named Jura after the isle it was built on, produces amazing drams. (more…)
Amrut Herald – 3rd Batch (Review)
Although I was born and raised in the very North of Germany, I have never been to Helgoland – Germany’s only island in the open sea – before last year. Yet, the long weekend I spent there in June of 2015 instantly turned the remote isle into one of my favorite places in the world. (more…)
Edradour 10 – The Distillery Edition (Review)
As somebody who preferably roots for the small guys, falling in love with the Edradour 10 came very natural to me. After all, this classic Highland dram is produced by the smallest operating distillery in all of Scotland. (more…)









