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…)
Scotland
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…)
Glenmorangie Allta Launch Party in Hamburg (Event)
This year, Glenmorangie has two reasons to celebrate its annual special bottling Allta. First, it is the newest Private Edition to be put out by the Moet Hennessy-owned Highlands unit. And second, it is their tenth release of such nature. (more…)
Kingsbarns Dream To Dram Premiere Tasting at Hanse Spirit (Tasting)
The big wait is over! A month after they released their first single cask whisky exclusively for the members of their Founders’ Club, the Kingsbarns Distillery in Fife has now put out its debut core expression, monickered Dream To Dram. On Thursday, I was lucky to try this (more…)
Timorous Beastie 12yo Cask Strength (Review)
Sometimes you don’t have to stand very tall,
To be the strongest and greatest of all,
If your heart is good and your soul is pure, (more…)
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…)
Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest (Review)
Watching a dram of Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest sway in the glass is a bit like seeing an immortal icon of tinseltown – like Joseph Cotton or Gregory Peck – on the silver screen. There is something awe-inspiring about it. Something graceful. Something timeless. (more…)
The Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin (Bar)
“When you are in Elgin, make sure to stop by at The Drouthy Cobbler for a dram and a nibble!” – While planning my first-ever visit to Speyside, I did not hear this advice once or twice, but at least a dozen times. As this left me with no other option than checking the much-praised venue out (more…)
Ardbeg Grooves (Review)
Every year, the Islay Festival of Whisky & Music finds its big finale in rollicking festivities on the premises of the easternmost of the so-called Kildalton distilleries on the island’s south shore. But it’s not only there that Ardbeggians go crazy on that day. (more…)









