Notes

27.05.21

Feis Ile Starts; Big Peat Reappears and a Timorous Beastie Beckons; Brora Reopens; Jim McEwan Retires (Finally?).

Hello Well, it‘s the end of May and Feis Ile time again, though Islay‘s annual festival of malt and music is virtual again this year. It all kicks off tomorrow …

14.05.21

World Whisky Day; Almost a UK Tasting; Whisky Investments?; Speyside Results; WWD Cocktails

Hello Everyone Well, tomorrow (Saturday 15th May) is World Whisky Day. Why not make it World Whisky Week? Not just for the alliteration but it gives all you talented on-trade …

29.04.21

Whisky Festivals Galore! – New Benriach Visitor Centre – Clynelish a JW Highland Home – Jura Rum Cask on Taste – Jim McEwan‘s Autobiography & One Last Dram

Hello Everyone As I write, the 2021 Spirit of Speyside Festival is getting started, a virtual one again this year but packed with interesting events – tours, talks and tastings. …

14.04.21

Islay & Ireland Tasting; Ardbeg Day 2021; Cutty Sark‘s Adventures; Consumer Whisky Course

Hello again Well, we‘ve had some April snow here in Scotland but all seems to be improving now. Snow is good for the whisky water table, though it won’t have …

29.03.21

Bruichladdich Ternary Project and Islay Barley 2012 on Taste; Laphroaig 10 Sherry Finish; Islay Rum Distillery; Aberfeldy Virtual Tours; Ardbeg New Still House

There‘s quite an Islay focus this column. Main item this time is tasting notes of two new Bruichladdichs. The Islay Barley 2012 came out recently but the sample arrived just …

16.03.21

New Fettercairn Tasting; Do We Scribes Ever Buy Whisky? – Craft Whisky Club – Oak on BBC Radio 4 (Get the Names Right!)

Hello everyone, Having recently had my first dose of Covid vaccination, I’m champing at the bit for the second one so life can get back to being rather more interesting. …

08.03.21

Does Terroir Matter? – New Waterfords – Knock Tales – Old Campbeltown – New Fettercairn – Diageo Bar Academy

Hello! This column was almost completed late February then, due to circumstances beyond my control, its posting here has been delayed. More a newsy column than a comment blog this …

12.02.21

More Whisky & Chocolate! – Dewar’s 8 Portuguese Smooth Tasting – Tinless & New Bruichladdich – Elixir Plans Approved – Daft Whisky Words

Hello Everyone Well, this whisky and chocolate thing is certainly gathering pace for Valentine’s Day but don’t let it be so restrictive event-wise. As someone who advocated and ran whisky …

30.01.21

Kilchoman & Chocolate – New Arrrrrrrdbeg! – Jim McEwan‘s Book – Untold Riches from Wemyss – Royal Salute Snow Polo Tasting – Dewar’s in Port – SMWS: Dinner & Drinks -Whisky Festivals 2021

So, did you celebrate Burns Night and what did you drink with your haggis? I had a teaspoon or two of Benriach Smoky 10 on the haggis as I hadn’t …

18.01.21

Interview: Sandy Hyslop – Chivas Bros. Director of Blending and Inventory

Hello Everyone My first work task this year has been to interview Sandy Hyslop, Director of Blending and Inventory at Chivas Bros. (Pernod Ricard) and what a pleasurable hour it …