Mackmyra Moment Källa, NAS, 52,4 % Swedish distillery Mackmyra is very active in releasing new expressions. These releases are grouped into different series, and the longest running series is the Moment Series. I have now reached release number 10 in this series, the Mackmyra Moment Källa (“Källa” means source). Here is what they say about their whisky: “Our […]...

Timorous Beastie 21 YO Sherry Edition, 46,8 % The tiny mouse roars again! Here is another special edition of the Timorous Beastie, the blended malt from Douglas Laing representing the Highlands. This is the Timorous Beastie 21 YO Sherry Edition. I have previously reviewed the regular version and the 40 YO edition. Douglas Laing does not […]...

By Susannah Skiver Barton

Any day is a good day to drink some Irish whiskey, but Saint Patrick’s Day calls for upping the ante. If you’ve outgrown green beer and tastelessly named shots, why not try your hand at an Irish whiskey cocktail? Check out these six recipes from top bartenders which incorporate a number of Irish whiskey styles, from a traditional blend to single malts.

The Tipperary

Versions of this cocktail have appeared over the last 100 years with varying proportions and ingredients. This one was created by Tullamore D.E.W. brand ambassador Tim Herlihy.

2 oz. Tullamore D.E.W. 1...

Bulleit distillery in Shelbyville, KY is now open. (Photo by ProofMediaMix.com)

Thirty years after Tom Bulleit started the brand, Bulleit whiskey finally has a home of its own. Bulleit—which has sourced from numerous distilleries to supply its bourbon and rye labels over the years, including Four Roses and MGP —opened its distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky yesterday with an official ribbon cutting ceremony attended by executives from parent company Diageo, Kentucky state senator Paul Hornback and other local politicians, Kentucky Distillers’ Association president Eric Gregory, and of course, Tom himself.

Construction on the $115 million distillery began in 2014, and it...

To celebrate the launch of London Beer Week 2017 , Jane takes a look at the boilermaker, a classic pairing that is now a sophisticated serve in the capital’s best bars.

Existing in dive bars as a shot and a beer for generations, a boilermaker used to be the all-American male choice of beverage, gaining its name from industrial metalworkers who were quite possibly in need of a boilermaker after a hard day’s work.

The boilermaker – the perfect serve of whiskey and beer

Today, the boilermaker has evolved beyond its typical confines to become a drink that encompasses craft...

Part 2 of the Birds label series from Antique Lions of Spirits . I already told you it was a tribute to the Moon Import style of the 1980s-1990s but apparently they managed to locate some of the original etching plates that were used back then. That means it’s more like the missing finale of the old Birds series.

In case you missed it, check out part 1 of the Birds series by Antique Lions of Spirits

Speyside Region Malt 41 yo 1975 (46,9%, Antique Lions of Spirits ‘Bird label’ 2016, Fino cask, 230 btl.)

Nose: lovely freshness....

Italian bottlers were importing some of the most glorious whisky to Italy before the world realized the real potential of single malts. They’ve also been at the forefront of innovative ideas like single cask bottlings and cask strength whisky.

Italian whisky traders Lion’s Whisky and Whisky Antique teamed up with Jens Drewitz of Sansibar to create a tribute to the legendary 1980s-1990s Moon Import series. These featured beautiful animals, birds, sea creatures, etc. The first series from the new Antique Lions of Spirits  brand is The Birds .

Glen Moray 28 yo 1988 (45,1%, Antique Lions of Spirits...

It’s time for some Bunnahabhain love. Our local whisky club had a Bunnahabhain evening last week and there are a few more bottlings waiting for a review so I think it’s time for a mini series of Bunnahabhain reviews to start the week, it bounds to be spirit lifting!

First up – review of a duo of 26 Year Old bottlings!

The first one is a recent bottling from last november, done by WhiskyBroker.co.uk. It’s cask 7730, one of three casks filled with spirit distilled on 22nd december 1989 and bottled on 18th november 2016.

Bunnahabhain 1989-2016 26 Year Old WhB (48.1%, £97...

Amrut Raj Igala, NAS, 40 % I have recently had the chance to catch up on some of the recent and not so recent releases from Indian distiller Amrut. Today I look at the entry level whisky Amrut Raj Igala. The name refers to The King of Eagles. It is produced using Indian barley grown at the […]...

This BenRiach 15 Year Old was first matured in bourbon barrels and then finished in Tawny Port hogsheads from the Douro region in Portugal.

This is now discontinued and replaced by the BenRiach 21 Year Old Tawny Port finish . It’s now more than double the price as well.

BenRiach 15 yo ‘Tawny Port Finish’ (46%, OB +/- 2015)

Nose: honey and raspberries up front, with something of damp tobacco leaves in the background. Blackberries. Hints of black pepper, cinnamon and crème brûlée too. Quite pleasant. Mouth: strange and very winey. Grape skins, forest fruits and bitter chocolate....

MG Mezcal Gin 45%

Produced from Agave Cenizo

Botanicals: juniper, cardamom, angelica root, coriander seed, dragon eye, guinea pepper, orange peel, nutmeg, chile ancho, hibiscus flower, lemon grass and avocado leaves.

Tasted: Feb 2017

The nose displays plenty of agave and pepper with a touch of earth and creamy spirit character. Slightly acetic with hints of nutmeg and citrus. However I’m not getting any juniper as the Mezcal character is far too pungent.

The palate mirrors the nose with soft agave, pepper and almost cereal-like notes. Subtly spiced with hints of nutmeg and citrus but no juniper. There’s no denying...

Dictador ‘Treasure’, Colombian Aged Gin 43%

Produced from a 5 times distilled, sugar cane base spirit, aged for 35 weeks in oak.

12 botanicals including juniper, limon mandarino (lemon/ tangerine hybrid), ginger, black pepper, angelica and rosemary

Tasted: Feb 2017

The nose is full and fleshy with the crisp lemon and tangerine notes dominating. Hints of juniper, vanilla, lemon balm and subtle peppery spice follow.

Soft and subtly sweet with sugar coated lemon and tangerine with a lovely sharp/ sweet balance. A touch of oak adds body and the finish is long and lemony with a lightly floral finish. Relatively...

Aberlour A’bunadh Batch #54, NAS, 60,7 % Aberlour A’bunadh is a long-running series of affordable, available and lovely No Age Statement (NAS) whisky. I have tried a good number of the batches that have been released so far, starting with Batch #3, many years ago. I have hardly ever been disappointed, in fact – most […]...

P&M 7 YO Corsican Whisky, 42 % So, they make whisky in Corsica as well. Who knew? I guess they make whisky most everywhere by now, so I should not be surprised. Well, here we have the P&M 7 YO Corsican Whisky. It is produced by Distillerie Mavela. This particular release was limited to 5000 bottles. […]...

By Susannah Skiver Barton

Ardbeg has announced details of its latest Ardbeg Committee release, while Tamdhu is launching the second round of its Batch Strength edition, and a new bourbon rolls out from moonshine brand American Born.

American Born Bourbon

Style: Bourbon Proof: 41.5% ABV Price: $25 Release: mars 2017 Availability: Tennessee, Texas, and California to start, and later more states

Need to know: This is a new bourbon from American Born, and comes from an undisclosed source. The company is also releasing two flavored whiskeys (35% ABV) at the same time, Peach and Apple.  

Whisky Advocate says: American Born got...

St Patrick’s Day is the day when Ireland celebrates its patron saint, both a religious and cultural festival. As it approaches, how should you mark the occasion and more importantly, what should you drink? There’s lots to choose from – if you’re after some quick ideas, we’ve created a list of our recommendations – just click the banner below.

A wide range of drinks is made on the island, including beer, spirits and liqueurs – here’s the lowdown:

Whiskey

Debate will long rage about whether Ireland was making whisky before the Scots, but one thing’s for sure: the Irish whiskey...