There are three stages of whisky enjoyment: 1) Beginner 2) Snob 3) Connoisseur. The first stage is often the most fun. Everything is new. We are open to trying most anything and the mind is a sponge, soaking in knowledge and experience. The palate is constantly challenged, this being the most important aspect of moving... Continue Reading →
Collingwood Canadian Whisky Review
Canadian whisky can be innovative. Even better is when innovation can be purchased for $28. Collingwood Canadian Whisky from Brown & Forman is distilled at Canadian Mist Distillery in Ontario, Canada. The innovation mentioned comes from the fact that Collingwood is the only sugar maple mellowed whisky in Canada and at the time of this... Continue Reading →
Glendronach Original 12 Year Old Review
We come to Glendronach Original, 12yr old Single Malt. This distillery is known for their sherried whiskies, but not just for that. Glendronach Distillery is one of the few independently owned producers out there in a sea of distilleries owned by conglomerates. What does this mean? Not a whole lot unless it tastes good, in our... Continue Reading →
Malt Whisky: The Complete Guide – By Charles Maclean, A Review
“To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aquavitae, VIII bolls of malt.” This was the first recorded reference pertaining to the spirit known today as Scotch, from 1494. King James IV sent this correspondence to the most prolific makers of the spirit at the time, the monks and friars, who introduced... Continue Reading →
Whiskey and Philosophy: A Small Batch of Spirited Ideas, A Review
I couldn’t resist this one. What could possibly go wrong? A book for connoisseurs, surely. Whiskey and philosophy, something important men think about while gazing out windows with a tumbler of Johnnie Black at their side. Even more interesting is the fact that this is an edited volume of a variety of essays covering topics regarding... Continue Reading →
Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix Review
Allow us an indulgence, if you please. One of our members knows a guy who knows a guy with Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix in his possession who graciously gave us a sample of this mythical spirit. We didn't refuse since this bottling is quite rare and will never be bottled again. So, we thought we would share it... Continue Reading →
Talisker 10 Year Old Review
On the sea swept island of Skye lies Talisker, James Bond's go-to distillery (unless you just watched Skyfall and saw 007 frequenting a bottle of Macallan), Talisker has made a name for itself in the whisky world as a peppery, lively little fellow. While mostly categorized in various reviews as a peaty whisky, this non-Islay malt... Continue Reading →
The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve Review
We have so far enjoyed the Glenlivet line of whiskies. One of our favorites is their 15yr French Oak Reserve Single Malt expression. This whisky is basically the standard 12yr old Glenlivet plus an additional 3 years aging in French oak (used to age Congac). Specifically, 30 – 35% is aged in new casks. This... Continue Reading →
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old Review
We come now to that old chestnut known as Johnnie Walker Black Blended Scotch Whiskey. In the world of blends, no one really comes close to the Johnnie Walker brand. Not even barely. Black in particular, along with Red, for the most part, can be found absolutely everywhere. Even most airlines at least stock them... Continue Reading →
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old Review
As the story goes, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built the Balmoral Castle as their retreat location while on holiday from the busy duties of the monarchy. They discovered a curious distillery nearby named Lochnagar. After the owner invited the royal couple to visit the small distillery, the rest was history. A relationship developed between... Continue Reading →
The Macallan 12 Year Old Review
The good people at The Macallan Distillery seem to know how to raise the bar in terms of branding, but most importantly, they also seem to apply that standard to whisky making itself. They have the world’s second best selling single malt behind Glenfiddich, and also boast the world’s most expensive whisky ever sold at... Continue Reading →
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Review
Today we look at the biggest selling single malt in the world, The Glenlivet 12yr Single Malt Scotch. One has to admit that you don’t get so close to the top by tasting terrible. Blandness may contribute to a certain kind of drinkability, but it’s not like success is wrought by producing dreck and begging... Continue Reading →