Notes

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 …

12.01.21

Mystery Solved

Just an interim note to say that the mystery of Dr. Kirstie McCallum’s move (my end December blog) has been solved. She’s moved to Halewood Spirits to help them develop …

30.12.20

2020 Review: Whiskies & Books; Distilleries & More; Santa Triumphs; Hope for 2021

Hello Everyone Looking back over the year, even more whisky distilleries have opened or been announced as plans (amongst them Eight Doors at John O’Groats; Wolfcraig in Stirling) while others …

16.12.20

Cocktails!; Nick Morgan; Cask 88‘s Latest Creature; New Benromach Tour; Douglas Laing Awards; Kilchoman Anniversary; Spirit of Speyside Returns

Hello Everyone Firstly this month, I had a note last week from Dr. Nick Morgan, author of the recently published “ Johnnie Walker – A Long Stride”, to tell me …

30.11.20

Glen Moray Sauternes Cask; Bushmills Feuillette Cask; Octomore 11.2 Revisited; Richard Paterson Podcast Interview; Arcana and Newbies from Compass Box.

Hello Everyone A couple of new whiskies on taste and, as promised, a revisit of Octomore 11.2 as I thought it would be good to try it again on its …