Let’s get one thing out in the open before we launch into this: I am a lifelong fan of Metallica. I’ve been hooked on the Bay Area Thrashers since first hearing Seek & Destroy on a cassette that a friend gave to me back in primary school in the early 90s. That track led to … Continue reading Some Kind Of Whiskey: Metallica’s Sweet Amber
Over a year ago now, back in June 2017, our friends at Old Pulteney reported that they would be discontinuing their much loved 17yo and 21yo expressions by mid-2018. Since the announcement, stocks of the 21yo quickly ran out though you can still get your hands on the last bottles/cases of the 17yo if you … Continue reading Hello To Old Pulteney’s New Fleet
For the uninitiated - and sometimes even for the well-versed - the alcoholic strength of a whisk(e)y can set its consumer quite aback. Whereas whisk(e)y has to have an ABV percentage of 40% or more by law to be legally called whisky/whiskey, I've often wondered about what the difference in percentage makes to the enjoyment … Continue reading A Lesson in Cask Strength: Part 1 – Douglas Laing’s Scallywag
This Sunday (Sept 24th) we received the sad news that the longtime barman and gentleman of the Fiddichside Inn, Speyside has passed away, aged 88. We were lucky enough to have met the man in March last year, and had received a tip-off from a friend that no trip to Speyside was complete without having … Continue reading RIP Joe Brandie
Riddle me this: I have a Viking soul and Victorian history. I am old, new and 12 years old all at once. What am I? You could forgive Highland Park for resting on its laurels. They are one of the most successful whisky brands around--their bottles have always stood out on bar and store … Continue reading Highland Park 12: New Outside, Same Inside?
Like most whisky enthusiasts, my inbox gets hammered by the numerous mailing lists and newsletters that I’ve signed up to on my quest for my new favourite dram, but one thing that I keep asking myself about some of these ‘hot new releases’ is: what is the deal with “travel retail” bottlings? I mean, really? … Continue reading Travel Retail – What Is It All About?
Two weeks ago (June 2017) I saw a tweet recommending that people (with deep enough pockets) should snap up bottles of Old Pulteney's 21 years old expression as it was due to be discontinued. Whilst distilleries are often changing up their releases, the 21yo has been a staple Old Pulteney release for some time and, … Continue reading Farewell to Old Pulteney 17yo and 21yo
