Sincere thanks to Raj and Glass Revolution Imports for the sample. Man...1989, that was a year. Thanks to near global upheaval, the events of that year drastically altered the sociopolitical landscape of practically the entire planet. In South Africa, F.W. DeClerc freed Nelson Mandela and negotiated the end of Apartheid. Fernando Collor de Mello was elected president … Continue reading Blackadder Statement Edition #27, 1989 Bunnahabhain 28 Year Old – Review
Islay
Kilchoman 2008 Vintage – Review
*Thanks to SF and all the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. 2008...it's hard to know what to write about that year. On the one hand, we had what then seemed like an intense, crazy presidential election featuring a fantastically inspiring though politically middle-of-the-road man, his worthy running mate, a genuine war hero … Continue reading Kilchoman 2008 Vintage – Review
Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Finish, Impex Single Cask #680 – Review
*Thanks to SF and all the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. The PX in this Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Finish stands for Pedro Ximénez, which is a type of grape used to produce the wonderful, dark, viscous, sticky-sweet sherry by the same name. The Pedro Ximénez (pronounced PEHD-roh hee-MEH-nehth) grape seems to … Continue reading Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Finish, Impex Single Cask #680 – Review
Kilchoman Sanaig – Review
*Thanks to SF, JH, and all the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. According to the Kilchoman literature, Sanaig (pronounced SAN-ig as far as I can tell) is the name of an inlet located near the distillery. There's also a bay called Sanaigmore on Islay, about six miles north of the distillery. Is Sanaigmore … Continue reading Kilchoman Sanaig – Review
Head-to Head! Two Young Laphroaigs From The Exclusive Malts
*Thanks to SF and the good folks at Impex Beverages for the samples. My incompetence and negligence has afforded me an interesting opportunity to taste two very similar single malts side by side. Towards the end of 2013, The Exclusive Malts released to the US market an 8 year old Laphroaig, distilled in 2005. I received a … Continue reading Head-to Head! Two Young Laphroaigs From The Exclusive Malts
Bowmore Small Batch Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
*Sincere thanks to MS & AS at Savona Communications for the sample. Not too long ago, I poked fun at the misuse and abuse of the term "small batch". It's not really my intention to beat that dead horse any further in this post, especially since there are so very many other booze marketing catch … Continue reading Bowmore Small Batch Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. Advertising and marketing have been around for centuries. Political slogans and commercial messages have been found in ancient Egyptian ruins and Vesuvius' ash depository, Pompeii. Johnny Gutenberg's printing press really upped the ante, and today we're basically bombarded in all our waking hours by … Continue reading Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
Caol Ila 10 Year Old “Unpeated Style” – Review
I don't think there's any doubt that Islay malts are the rock stars of the Scotch world at the moment. I mean, Auchentoshan's good stuff, but you don't see huge, frenzied leaps in web traffic when they put out a cleverly named NAS special release. Extremely over-sherried, or over-heathered bottlings are not exactly pouring out … Continue reading Caol Ila 10 Year Old “Unpeated Style” – Review
Chieftain’s 1982 Port Ellen, 25 Year Old – Review
Dear Port Ellen, You probably don't remember me, we just met, and it was a pretty short meeting, but I remember you. I've heard about you from the other whisky bloggers, they all say you're something special. When I saw you from across the room, I couldn't take my eyes off you. I waited patiently … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1982 Port Ellen, 25 Year Old – Review
Octomore 2.1 – Review
For good or for ill (mostly for ill) Americans have this sad, misguided little notion that bigger and/or more extreme is better , especially when it comes to food or pretend food products. There's a new line of "bold" Doritos out there that promises an artificially produced heat hitherto unknown in the natural food world. There … Continue reading Octomore 2.1 – Review
THE CASKS 