Who, exactly, was this Charlotte and what did she do to get a quaint Islay village, not to mention a whole series of well-regarded scotches named after her? A strong-footed mid-fielder for Wemyss United who scored that stellar, curving goal for the win over Askaig City FC in the '46 All-Islay tourney finals? No. A … Continue reading Port Charlotte PC6 – Review
Islay
Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old – Review
One day, I'll make it to Islay and when I do, I'm going to make a point to visit Bunnahabhain and the little village next door, established to give a home to the employees of the distillery when it was first opened in 1881. Located in the remote Northeast corner of Islay, Bunnahabhain overlooks the … Continue reading Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old – Review
Bruichladdich 2001 “Resurrection” – Review
I have to admit, I'm always a little conflicted when I see a bottle of "Resurrection", and lord knows a person can't help but see a bottle this garishly blue from a few miles away. On the one hand, I like the type and design of the tin and the bottle, and the matte blue … Continue reading Bruichladdich 2001 “Resurrection” – Review
Ardbeg Supernova comes back for more
Why is it that Ardbeg news gets more of a reaction from people than other news from the whisky world? I'm certainly guilty of this myself. When I hear about a new Macallan release, I usually don't even finish the little blurb I'm reading and chalk it up to another exciting scotch I may or … Continue reading Ardbeg Supernova comes back for more
Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist – Review
Again with the marketing genius...a whisky named after the lurking place of some evil, nameless beast? Strong, smokey spirit recalling a dark, foreboding grotto filled with a nameless dread? Sold! Ring up the bottle, pour me a glass...I'm in. Ardbeg's 1990 Airigh Nam Beist has been aged for 16-18 years in old bourbon barrels and sadly, … Continue reading Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist – Review
Nopa: Sherry, Supernova & Firelit Liqueur! – Review
NoPa is a neighborhood in San Francisco, its moniker standing for North of Panhandle, the Panhandle being a thin strip of tree-lined park jutting eastward from beautiful Golden Gate Park. Nopa is also the name for neighborhood's best restaurant and cocktail gathering place. We've dined there several times and have always enjoyed the excellent California … Continue reading Nopa: Sherry, Supernova & Firelit Liqueur! – Review
Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
According to my handy, pocket-sized, 6" thick, 15lb., 1961 Websters New International Dictionary (2nd Edition, unabridged), "smoke" is defined thusly: smoke (smōk), n. [AS. smoca; akin to AS. smeocan to smoke, smēcan to smoke, smēc, smyc, smoke, LG. & D. smook smoke, G. schmauch, Gr. smychiein to smolder, Lith. smaugti suffocate, choke.] 1. the gaseous … Continue reading Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
Tasting Group 4.3.10 – 5 Single Malts
A group of us got together for the first of hopefully several whisky tastings this past weekend. We all either walked, drove or took public transportation to our meeting place...none of us flew in on a private jet. We were not carried there upon jewel-encrusted sedan chairs. There were no entourages. We kept things pretty … Continue reading Tasting Group 4.3.10 – 5 Single Malts
Recap – Laphroaig Tasting with Simon Brooking
The second tasting of last weekend's trio was proof that sometimes joining internet mailing lists really pays off. When I signed up for the "Friends of Laphroaig" mailing list, I figured I might get a standard marketing email or two every now and again, so I was pleasantly suprised to receive their invite to a … Continue reading Recap – Laphroaig Tasting with Simon Brooking
Ardbeg & Graeme Obree
One more reason to love Ardbeg, as if I needed one... Scotsman Graeme Obree is one the most enigmatic cyclists to throw a leg over a bike. He won multiple world championship titles on the track and set the World Hour Record, by some considered the purest record in the sport, twice...on bikes largely designed … Continue reading Ardbeg & Graeme Obree
THE CASKS 