Whiskey

Bill Phil 7yo Marsala by W. D. O’Connell (Review)

W.D. O'Connell Bill Phil 7yo Marsala Peated Irish Single Malt Whiskey

According to indie bottler W. D. O’Connell, this Marsala-finished Bill Phil edition which marks the series’ first entry with an age statement – ain’t no ordinary peated Irish whiskey. In 2016, when this heavy smoker was initially distilled at the Great Northern Distillery (more…)

Just Whisky Hamburg ’23 (Fair)

Impressions from the Just Whisky Hamburg '23 fair

Last weekend, on the 22nd and 23rd of September, Just Whisky Hamburg took place again in my hometown, bringing lots and lots of whisky craze to the place. Unlike the kick-off event last year, the fair’s second installment was no longer held in the district of Harburg. Instead, it was moved (more…)

“Wheel of the Year” – Online Whiskey Tasting with Dingle from Ireland (Tasting)

"Wheel of the Year" - Dingle Online Whiskey Tasting organized by Kirsch Whisky

Irish whiskey is a sleeping giant who’s only recently woken up from a long slumber. But now that he’s back on his feet, the colossus is here to stay! To better understand this picture, it is helpful to go 10-or-so years back in time. Back then, the once-glorious whiskey nation of Ireland (more…)

Heaven’s Door Bourbon – Single Barrel #214 in the German Selection by Schlumberger (Review)

Header image of Heaven's Door Single Barrel Straight Bourbon for Schlumberger (#214)

Though I am quite a fan, I only discovered this limited edition bottling from Heaven’s Door Bourbon a brand co-created and endorsed by Bob Dylan – by happenstance. When I checked the manifold offerings at the Schlumberger booth at this year’s Hanse Spirit, my glimpse fell on three (more…)

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

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

Following up on “Part One” of my Bottle Market 2022 recap, here comes “Part Two”. It covers the second leg of my visit to one of Northern Germany’s leading whisky and spirits fairs. Again, I stopped by at the stalls of many fantastic exhibitors – such as Prineus GmbH from Kiel, (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…)

Black Cask Blend by Beara Distillery (Review)

Header image of Black Cask Blend by Beara Distillery in Ireland (via BarleyMania Whisky Blog)

I had my first touchpoint with Beara Distillery a couple of weeks ago at Just Whisky Hamburg. There, I met the founder of the small production site, John Power, at the booth of Irish Whiskeys. While I sipped a generous dram of Black Cask Blend, he told me more about it: (more…)

Borco World of Whisky Festival 2022 in Hamburg (Event)

Borco World of Whisky Festival 2022 in Hamburg with Teeling, Tamdhu, Glengoyne, Nikka and more

After two crazy years, the world is slowly but steadily getting back to normal. For us drammers, this also means that many of our favorite events are finally making a much-anticipated return. One such happening, which I am especially glad to see back at its old strength, (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…)

4x Special Bottling from Irish Whiskeys and Ball of Malt Tastings (Review Flight)

4x Special Bottling by Irish Whiskeys and Ball of Malt Tastings (Single Malt Cask Peat Ireland BarleyMania Blog Tasting Notes)

I had a splendid time visiting the Irish Whiskeys booth at Bottle Market this year! During my stay, I had a nice chat with my old buddy Thorsten Frahling (Ball of Malt Tastings) and his partner-in-crime for the weekend, Daithi O’Connell (more…)