The art of distillation spread to Ireland and Scotland no later than the 15th century, as did the common European practice of distilling "aqua vitae", spirit alcohol, primarily for medicinal purposes.The practice of medicinal distillation eventually passed from a monastic setting to the professional medical practitioners of the time, The Guild of Barber Surgeons. The [...]
When the Mitchell family in Ireland began bonding whiskey 135 years ago, they brought their own colourful legacy to the Dublin whiskey scene. After generations of a family business covering everything from confectionery to cafes to imported wines, when the Mitchells brought their energy to whiskey bonding, the Spot family was born. To celebrate this [...]
It’s that time again for Paul & Ingvar lapping up distilleries - March 2022 saw the pair travel around Scotland, taking in distilleries as usual. Ingvar used this tour to research for the MALT WHISKY YEARBOOK next year’s issue. As per usual we get only the best introductions, with managers hosting the no holds barred [...]
The company was founded to create a whisky that truly is a product of the Isle of Man and in order to do this they have decided to do it the hard way. Manx Whisky Company was born out of a desire to prove that it is possible to run a whisky distillery as a [...]
A community led distillery with an immense respect for the place called home. Based in a converted farm steading, it’s not about disrupting the landscape but as much part of the landscape as the trees that surround the farm and it will stay that way. Dunkeld is but a wee drive from where I live [...]
have to say at the start, Ingvar is a friend, a week on the road is not work, it’s a pleasure, we get to so many places, everyone I know is jealous and rightly so. This trip we started at Edinburgh Airport, amongst the most police I had ever seen, that Cop thingy bob in [...]
A celebration of the subtleties of smoke and perfect sweetness, Cù Bòcan is an experimental Highland Single Malt that explores innovative finishes to create whiskies full of intrigue and surprise. A few drams to tickle your fancy… . Cù Bòcan - AN EXPERIMENTAL SPIRIT “Thanks to our lightly peated barley, every Cù Bòcan holds our [...]
A quick question I asked myself, it’s been buggin' me. Is there such a thing as a bad barley deposit at a distillery, if so how does this affect the whisky? I asked a renowned expert – “the barley could be poorer, or even just different quality malt. If the mill is not checked, the [...]
Singleton; three Diageo distilleries produce a variant of Singleton; Dufftown, Glen Ord and Glendullan. The latest Glendullan bottles include 12, 15 and 18 year old models. There are also the Reserve Collection at duty free. Dufftown also offer the 12, 15 and 18 Year olds, how different they are from the Glendullan, you will need [...]
I was introduced to Bladnoch, whilst on a tour/tasting in Dornoch, the very fine whisky shop there; Carnegie Whisky Cellars. Now a friend, Michael has worked in the industry for many years and his knowledge was gained by working in whisky shops and distilleries across the Scottish Lowlands, he pushed me into a bottle some [...]
