There was a time when I thought that if you want to buy high quality products you had to go for vodka from Russia, beer from Germany and whisky from Scotland. Today I know I was wrong because you can get excellent vodka from Scandinavia, (more…)
Whisky
Laphroaig Triple Wood (Review)
The Triple Wood is part of Laphroaig’s growing selection of NAS whiskies, which recently got expanded by two Travel Retail-exclusives called Four Oak and The 1815 Legacy Edition. On principle, it does not have easy standing with numerous whisky connoisseurs, (more…)
Ledaig 11yo by Old Particular (Review)
A huge fan of peated malts, it should come as no surprise to you that the Isle of Islay is one of my very favorite whisky regions. But of course those 240 square miles of land at the western shore of Scotland are not the only place in the world where smokey drams are being produced. (more…)
Tobermory 21 by Cadenhead’s (Review)
Buying a single cask whisky by Scotland’s oldest independent bottler Cadenhead’s at Hanse Spirit has become somewhat of a tradition for me. Last year, I purchased a stellar Dalmore 24yo with a rum finish from their booth. This year, I went home with this outstanding Tobermory, (more…)
The Arran Malt – Tasting by Kammer-Kirsch (Events)
Though our second day at Hanse Spirit was really packed, I took the time to attend a one-hour tasting organised by Kammer-Kirsch. Our host on this beautiful afternoon was Stefan Bohn. He presented the five drams from Arran in a really outstanding way (more…)
Hanse Spirit 2017 – Explore the liquid life (Event)
From February 17 to 19, Northern Germany’s biggest whisk(e)y and spirits fair, Hanse Spirit, took place in Hamburg – for the seventh time in a row. Needless to say that the BarleyMania gang did not think twice about going there. (more…)
Douglas Laing’s Best Casks 2017 – Tasting (Event)
Scheduled for one hour and hosted by Thomas Kretschmer from Douglas Laing’s German importer Bremer Spirituosen Contor, the “Douglas Laing’s Best Casks 2017” masterclass at Hanse Spirit introduced us to five precious drams (more…)
Wolfburn Aurora (Review)
Wolfburn was originally founded in Thurso in the very North of Scotland in 1821. Soon after its foundation, it became one of the largest distilleries of its region. But not too many years later, Wolfburn had to close it doors again (more…)
Spice Tree Extravaganza by Compass Box (Review)
The regular edition of the Spice Tree by London-based artisan blenders Compass Box is one mighty fine blended Scotch whisky with a wonderful flavor profile. Last year, the company headed by outside-the-box whisky maker John Glaser introduced a limited edition of said brand (more…)
Arran Sauternes Cask Finish (Review)
When I went to Scotland for the first time in my life last year, I spent a few days in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Whenever I made a reservation for a restaurant or any kind of tour and was asked for my name, I saw people writing Arran instead of Aaron. (more…)









