Released by West Cork Distillers, The Pogues Irish Whiskey is a blended whiskey that has been matured in oak barrels for just three years and one day (i.e. exactly as long as needed to technically call it "whiskey"). The packaging notes that the whiskey is "bottled by West Cork Distillers", but being a blend and... Continue Reading →
Highland Park 12: New Outside, Same Inside?
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 shelves... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Glen Scotia – 16 Years Old
Glen Scotia distillery is based in the "Victorian Whisky Capital of the World" Campbeltown. It is one of the three remaining functioning distilleries in the town and claims to still focus on creating the same characteristics of the single malts that made the region so famous in the 1800s. The distillery was recently bought by... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Fettercairn – Fasque
Fettercairn distillery is owned by whisky giants Whyte & Mackay and is based at the foot of the Grampian Hills in the Highlands. Whilst the majority of their whisky goes off for blending, the distillery does offer a handful of single malt whiskies. The spirit itself comes from a fairly unique still which is cooled... Continue Reading →
Travel Retail – What Is It All About?
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 →
Tasting Notes: BenRiach – 10 Years Old Curiositas
BenRiach lies at 'the heart of Speyside' - so much so that that is actually the name one of their whiskies - and it is one of the few genuinely independent distilleries of single malt whisky remaining in Scotland. They've developed a fine repertoire of whiskies and have started to expand into their own... Continue Reading →