Last week I reviewed three Ledaig matured in bourbon and a friend of mine who read the post asked me if he was correct in his assumption that I didn’t like them too much. My answer was that I just prefer Ledaig in other types of casks.

And my favorite type of cask for Ledaig? That would be first fill sherry casks. Over the last few years we’ve seen a glut of 2004/2005 Ledaigs matured in first fill sherry casks (9001xx cask numbers) and those I’ve tasted were good (here is a review of one that was bottled for Specs in...

Following yesterday’s duo we’ll go one step further and have a Trio review. Yup! Three whiskies reviewed today.

I’ve decided to go “Ledaig matured in bourbon casks” theme today. Why? Well, the obvious answer is “because I can” but also because I do like Ledaig and last year it became somewhat fashionable (but thankfully prices are still reasonable).

So let’s start. The first one and the youngest of them all is a Ledaig 2008 from Signatory. a vatting of two casks (Casks 700752+700753) that were distilled 13.5.2008 and bottled 8.3.2016. It was diluted to 46% and so we have a...

The Bunnahabhain Moine Oloroso is a recently released limited edition by Bunnahabhain distillery that features their heavily peated spirit, released under the Moine label, matured in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled in cask strength of 60.1%.

From my own experience, peat and sherry works together quite well if they are given enough time to mature and so that magic will happen. However, we don’t know how old is the Moine Oloroso but I think we can assume it’s relatively young. So the question is: did it spent enough time in the casks (and wasn’t rushed out)?

Bunnahabhain Moine Oloroso  (60.1%, £77.65 )...

College graduation season is upon us, and soon gaggles of 22 year olds will pour forth from halls of higher learning eager to test out their newly minted degrees. They’ve completed their formal schooling—but their whisky education is just getting started.

As a more experienced drinker, perhaps you’d like to impart some extracurricular knowledge on them to ensure they get off on the right foot. You maj even think of yourself as a mentor or—dare we say it—spirit guide.

What whisky fundamentals do you focus on? For one, there’s education: Whisky 101 can help there. But you also want to...

The traditional Bramble uses gin, but this variation, created by Frank Liotti of...

Peppercorns and peaches mingle in this refreshing summer cocktail, created for Basil Hayden’s rye by Frank Liotti of...

Need an eye-opener? Try this mix of Basil Hayden’s rye and cold brew coffee, rounded out with a touch of absinthe and some chocolate bitters. This recipe was created on behalf of Basil Hayden’s by Frank Liotti of...

Basil Hayden’s —part of Beam’s Small Batch Collection—recently debuted a limited-edition rye whiskey. It’s the first line extension for the brand, whose bourbon features a high-rye mashbill. Basil Hayden’s rye consists of regular rye mixed with 4 year old rye whiskey which was dumped and re-barreled for another 7 years in newly charred quarter casks. The re-barreling process imparted a deeper, spicier flavor on the whiskey. Bottled at 40% ABV, it’s priced at $45 and available nationwide in limited amounts.

Basil Hayden’s recommends sipping the rye neat or on the rocks, as well as using it in cocktails. The brand worked with...

We’ve all been there: Bored with our usual bourbon, looking for something new to try, but then it gets to the end of the month and the budget is busted. Not to worry, however: There are plenty of great wallet-friendly options to be found in the  Whisky Advocate Buying Guide, including bottles that have scored 90 points or higher. Check out these five bourbons that will let you drink like a whiskey baron without breaking the bank.

Angel’s Envy—$46, 93 points

A newer bourbon that has easily become a classic, finished in a port pipe for silky, creamy fruit notes.

Baker’s—$47, 92 points...

The Old Forester brand is releasing a new bourbon in collaboration with the movie “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.” Old Forester Statesman is launching in augusti, ahead of the film’s debut in september, in which it has a “significant” role. Jeff Bridges—who stars alongside the whiskey as the character Champ—debuted the bourbon at the Kentucky Derby this past weekend, where a sneak peek of the film was screened.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle continues the story of a secret spy organization saving the world behind the guise of a modest British tailor shop, as featured in Kingsman: The Secret Service. In the...

A new distillery in Scotland is seeking investors based in the U.S. Ardgowan Distillery is all set to build a facility—the company just needs to raise a few million dollars. As the value of the pound has sunk due to Brexit, and the UK prepares to abandon EU trade agreements, it’s no wonder that Ardgowan is looking abroad for financing. While a number of private investors have already signed on to the tune of $1 million, Ardgowan chief executive Martin McAdam hopes to raise additional capital from corporations or funds with experience in the alcohol space that can contribute expertise...

In addition to the upcoming launch of...

Jim Beam wants to help you improve your personal grooming habits and “elevate your style.” This summer, Jim Beam Black is running a series of pop-up barbershops in nine cities across the country, partnering with local coiffeurs to help whisky lovers spiff up while enjoying bourbon. The first event took place at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Kentucky in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby. Male visitors were offered complimentary haircuts and beard trims, while ladies were treated to hair curling and makeup touch-ups. Even master distiller Fred Noe took advantage of the opportunity to revamp his ‘do....

Seriously you can’t just click away when you see another review of an undisclosed Speyside 1973 . This one was bottled by Maltbarn and presented at The Whisky Fair. Hence sold out indeed.

Speyside Malt 43 yo 1973 (47,7%, Maltbarn 2016, sherry cask, 149 btl.)

Nose: bingo. The whole shebang: lots of beehive notes, subtle bananas, paraffin, walnut cake and orange zests. Apricots. Light hints of verbena. Pollen. Something of hay. Some tobacco and aromatic herbs, majbe a few hoppy notes. Excellent. Mouth: sweet and fruity, in the best Speyside tradition. Apricots and honey, papaya and banana. Some...