Christmas is just around the corner. After tramping round the shops for pressies, it becomes time for the whisky selections to your favourite people. How many times have you read the headline “the top ten whiskies to buy”? Forget that list, any list. Art lies in the eye of the beholder. The best whisky [...]
Planning permission has been granted for Ardgowan’s proposed site in Inverkip, on the banks of the River Clyde about 30 miles west of Glasgow, with construction set to begin in 2020. So in all honesty how can this be called a distillery release when said distillery HAS NOT BEEN BUILT! Nor even started! Max McFarlane, [...]
This (interview) chat was with a pal I’ve know some years now, a hard one to be honest, as he is a part of the church and, me being Catholic, be careful what I ask! Even so, it was fun. Who are you and what do you do? My name is Vic Cameron, and I [...]
an eight year old whisky blend finished in rum casks – as the first in a new series of ‘innovative’ blends set for release over the next few years. The whisky has been finished in rum casks for ‘around six months’ before being bottled at 40% abv. Priced at US$21.99, Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth is available [...]
Two experimental single pot still Irish whiskeys have been added to Irish Distillers’ Method & Madness range, both of which have been finished in non-oak casks. ‘Mad’ ideas: Method & Madness’ Cherry Wood and Acacia Wood-finished single pot still whiskey experiments conducted by Midleton Distillery and its' micro distillery in County Cork. The Cherry Wood Finish [...]
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh have found a gene that helps barley cope with climate change. They said it enabled barley to resist drought and thereby "future proof" the whisky industry - and could be extended to other crops. Global heating is hitting barley crops, with 2018's hot summer having a catastrophic effect on [...]
This beauty; Matured in American oak ex-Bourbon casks before a secondary maturation in Port casks, is the 21 year old single malt, full of ‘blackcurrant and liquorice’ notes with ‘chewy caramel toffee and chilli infused chocolate’ on the finish. I didnee get all that, but I did get a superb dram! Graham Coull, master distiller [...]
Every time I am on a distillery tour and enter the mash room, I cannee stop humming the famous old tune; The zombies were having fun. The party had just begun. The guests included Wolf Man, Dracula and his son. The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds, Igor on chains, backed by his [...]
Vikings, Kilts, Helmets & Whisky Who exactly are the Boys? I met them last year and again this year with my whisky tours on Islay. I love the whisky names and the drams are no bad either. They are Mackay Smith from Portnahaven (a grand wee harbour community) and Donald MacKenzie from Port Charlotte [...]
It’s the yeast we can do … You need yeast to make whisky, it is one of the three elements by law to make scotch. BUT - does the yeast have an effect on flavours in new make spirit? Erm, what exactly is yeast? Yeast is a single-celled fungus which comes in different species. [...]
