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: Hinch – Craft & Casks Series
Here we have the first whisky to be released by Colonsay Beverages. As the name suggests, the company is based on the Scottish Isle of Colonsay within the Inner Hebrides and indeed the whisky brand gets its name from the port and village that the company are based in. Colonsay Beverages operates a microbrewery and … Continue reading Tasting Notes: The Scalasaig – Island Hopper (Maiden Voyage)
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: Berry Bros & Rudd – Sherry Cask (Classic Range)
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: J.J. Corry – The Gael
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: Douglas Laing – Big Peat (Aged 10 Years)
In 2017, Wemyss Malts released the first limited edition batch releases of their 3 core range whiskies. The smokiest of these offerings is named the "Peat Chimney", following the blended-maltsters' pattern of two-word monikers for their whiskies. Following the success and sell out of the first batch, in early 2019 a second wave of the batch strength … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Wemyss Malts – Peat Chimney (Batch Strength No.2)
Back in 2009, the team at Douglas Laing & Co. unleashed a concept that had a big objective and a big name to live up to, for that is the year that Big Peat was born. The blended malt whisky features "A Shovelful of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskies including Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore & … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Douglas Laing – Big Peat
