Virtual

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…)

Lochlea Our Barley – A Virtual Dramming Session with John Campbell (Tasting)

Lochlea Distillery - Single Malt Lowlands Scotch Whisky Online Tasting by Kirsch Import

“After 27 years at Laphroaig, I knew all the answers there,” said whisky veteran John Campbell at one point throughout this online tasting. “However, when I moved on to Lochlea, many things were new to me. It felt good to be somewhat uncertain again and to take on a new challenge, too.” (more…)

Fading Hill – German Whisky Tasting via Zoom (Tasting)

Impressions of Fading Hill German Single Malt Whisky Zoom Tasting

The home of Fading Hill – Birkenhof – filled its first whisky cask in the early 2000s. That makes the place one of Germany’s oldest manufacturers in this domain. Its general history in spirit production, however, is even longer: The family-owned craft unit started way back in 1848 (more…)

Indri Trini – Indian Single Malt Whisky Virtual Launch Event (Tasting)

Indri Trini Indian Single Malt Whisky Virtual Launch Event by Prineus

This might be the first time you will hear of Indri Single Malt Whisky from India; but it will certainly not be the last! There is a good reason why many drammers over here will most likely not have stumbled upon this brand before: For the past ten years, the Indri Distillery at the (more…)

“Ambassador’s Choice” Single Cask Whisky Tasting by Loch Lomond (Tasting)

When I hear the name Loch Lomond Distillery, I immediately think of two things: variety and quality. Thanks to its complex hardware set-up and multi-faceted approach to whisky making, the large-sized Highlands unit is capable of producing an extremely wide range of styles all under one roof. (more…)

“Bourbon & Rye” Virtual Tasting with Lux Row Distillers (Tasting)

Header image of Lux Row Distillers & Prineus GmbH Virtual Bourbon & Rye Tasting

The regular BarleyMania readers will know it: I am mostly a malt whisky guy; bourbon and rye – though fantastic categories – only find their way into my glass occasionally. Against this background, I was extra-happy when spirits distributor Prineus GmbH invited me (more…)

“Quiet Rebels” Online Tasting by Nc’nean Distillery and Kirsch Whisky (Tasting)

“Sustainability and experimentation are the main pillars on which our distillery is based,” said Nc’nean’s founder Annabel Thomas during a recent Zoom tasting hosted by the young Highland unit’s German importer Kirsch Whisky. This also reflects in the motto (more…)

Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky – Alchemy Series: “The Taste Experiment” (Tasting)

Black Bottle Blended Whisky (Alchemy Series Virtual Tasting Experience Distell BarleyMania Blog)

In ancient days, keen alchemists mingled so-called lower metals in a futile attempt to create solid gold. The technique was known as transmutation. Today, skilled craftsmen bring together water, barley, yeast, and oak in order to produce liquid gold. The process is called whisky making. (more…)

“Cask Finishes” Danish Whisky Tasting by Fary Lochan (Tasting)

Cask Finishes Whisky Tasting by Fary Lochan (Denmark Single Malt Samples Virtual Event BarleyMania)

When I write a tasting report, I usually try to do more than just describe the drams we had. In this case, however, I am having a hard time providing that “extra value”. The reason: Fary Lochan’s recent “Cask Finishes” tasting was held entirely in Danish. (more…)