Vibrant Stills

Meadowside Blended Scotch Whisky 2022 (Review)

Header image of Meadowside Blended Scotch Whisky 2022 (by the makers of The Maltman)

These days, you might not get too many chances anymore to try old-styled Scotch whisky as it was made in the 90s, 80s, or even further back in time. With stocks dwindling and prices skyrocketing, it certainly does not get any easier to lay hands on a truly time-honored release. (more…)

Bottle Market 2022 in Bremen – “Spirits All Over” – Part One (Fair)

Bottle Market 2022 in Bremen - Northern Germany's Whisky and Spirits Fair

Every year in November, my friends and I head to Bremen for a day of tasting, laughing, and exploring at Bottle Market – one of my absolute favorite whisky and spirits fairs up here in the north. This year I enjoyed my visit to the fullest, trying quite a big number of drams. (more…)

Just Whisky Hamburg ’22 (Fair)

Impressions of Just Whisky Hamburg '22

In Hamburg, we have a strong whisky scene with lots of great bars, shops, events, and people. Still, I am always psyched when another dramming attraction comes to my home turf. These days, we were fortunate to welcome a new fair in town: Just Whisky Hamburg. (more…)

Kiel Whisky Fair 2022 (Fair)

Impressions of Kiel Whisky Fair 2022 (Slainte!)

One after another, my favorite whisky fairs are now reawakening from their pandemic-caused hiatus. At the end of 2021, I already had the pleasure of visiting Bottle Market in Bremen and Bordershop Whisky & Ron Festival in Puttgarden again. And this month I got to return to (more…)

Bottle Market 2021 – Whisky and Spirits Fair in Bremen (Fair)

Bottle Market 2021 in Bremen ("Taste the Spirit" Whisky Fair Festival Event Tasting BarleyMania)

Located at Hall 7 of Messe Bremen, Bottle Market is one of Northern Germany’s biggest whisky and spirits fairs. And at least in my humble opinion it is also one of the absolute best! The three-day event is centrally located in direct vicinity of Bremen’s main train station. (more…)

Whisky Weeks 2021 at Alsterhaus in Hamburg (Fair)

Whisky Weeks 2021 at Alsterhaus in Hamburg (Single Malt Scotch Whisky Cocktails Event Festival Tasting BarleyMania)

Finally: another whisky fair! Earlier this month, the prestigious Alsterhaus in Hamburg held its annual Whisky Weeks again. Whereas the multi-day festival was quite the event in the past, it only happened in a very reduced form in 2020 due to the unsteady corona situation. (more…)

Bottle Market 2019 – Whisky and Spirits Fair in Bremen (Fair)

Bottle Market 2019 in Bremen (Single Malt Scotch Whisky Spirits Fair Event Tasting)

Back in 2015, Bremen’s Bottle Market was the first-ever whisk(e)y fair I attended. Since then I continued to go there four more times, not missing a single instalment. It is safe to say: Bottle Market is one of my favorite dramming events of the year. (more…)

Kiel Whisky Fair 2019 (Fair)

Kieler Whiskymesse 2019 (German Single Malt Scotch Whisky Cask Fair Event Tasting BarleyMania)

With round about a dozen exhibitors, Kiel Whisky Fair is one of the smallest dramming events I visit each year. But it is also one of the best. The quality of the exhibiting companies is very high, the atmosphere is pretty relaxed and the location, though well filled, is never over-crowded. (more…)

2 Lowlands Whiskies by Kingsbarns and Bladnoch (Review Flight)

2x Lowlands Single Malt Scotch Whisky by Kingsbarns and Bladnoch (Vibrant Stills Scotland Dram Tasting Notes BarleyMania)

Recently, I attended two special tasting events hosted by Vibrant Stills, the German distributor of a fine selection of whisky brands from Scotland, Ireland and beyond. First, there was the German kick-off for Dream To Dram, the much anticipated debut release (more…)