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…)
Vibrant Stills
Bottle Market 2022 in Bremen – “Spirits All Over” – Part One (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)
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…)
Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve 2021 (Review)
In 2021, Fife-based Lowlands unit Kingsbarns released its second Distillery Reserve. Like the distillery’s signature release Dream to Dram, the bottling in question is composed from 1st-fill ex-Bourbon casks and STR red wine casks (more…)
Kiel Whisky Fair 2022 (Fair)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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…)