For over 200 years, the name Johnnie Walker has been synonymous with blended scotch whisky. Since John Walker’s first blends of “Old Highland Whisky” in the family’s grocery store, the name and brand has built and built to become the biggest name in scotch whisky globally. The history of the business has become an immersive... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Hinch – Craft & Casks Series
Back in November 2020, after some minor delays owing to the pandemic, the recently finished Hinch distillery was able to finally get their stills fired up and set their spirit a-flowing. That new make spirit is now being produced in earnest and laid down to rest for those all important 3+ years in a selection... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Berry Bros & Rudd – Sherry Cask (Classic Range)
There are few businesses today that can claim that they’ve been open since the 1600s but London’s Berry Brothers & Rudd (BBR) are one that can. They may have scraped into the 17th century by opening in 1694, but at 300+ years that is some damn good going. As such, the wine and spirits merchants... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: JJ Corry – The Gael
This is a story of firsts. Or at least, the firsts in a long time. The whiskey 'The Gael' represents the first release by the 'J.J. Corry' brand of The Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company, the first licensed Irish whiskey bonders "in living memory". Let's unpack that statement. Firstly, whiskey bonding, is the traditional art... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Douglas Laing – Big Peat (Aged 10 Years)
Well, happy birthday big man! Here we look at this month's brand new, special release, 10 year old age-stated bottling of Big Peat, looking to celebrate 10 whole years since Big Peat first arrived on the scene as the forerunner to the Douglas Laing & Co series of Remarkable Regional Malts. As per his brethren before... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: MacNair’s – Lum Reek
Despite the fact that this post relates to a new series of blended malt scotch whiskies, the origins of the whiskies actually start with a single malt whisky distillery under a new vision from 2017, originally built in 1967, a Victorian inventor and distiller, and an even older, traditional Hogmanay greeting. To go back and... Continue Reading →