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

Cragganmore 12 Year Old – Review

Quick notes on the Cragganmore 12 Year Old tasted at Nihon, who has a fantastic collection. Nose: Sherry oak, grapefruit, vanilla, a little rum cake...but most importantly, Juicy Fruit gum, and I mean that in a good way.  A complex embracing nose. Palate: This one attacked the palate more than I expected, it was strong … Continue reading Cragganmore 12 Year Old – Review

Ardbeg Fans: A Tsunami-like Horde.

This quick report from Deadline Scotland on Ardbeg's Rollercoaster release day website troubles was kind of amusing.  A "horde of whisky fans"...somehow conjures up images of crazed, bearded, malt-lovers with faces painted blue hurling bottles of Clan MacGregor if they don't get the good stuff. Come to think of it...that sounds pretty accurate. Also, there's this article … Continue reading Ardbeg Fans: A Tsunami-like Horde.

Rollercoaster Release…

I was gonna make an amusement park pun, but then figured there's already too many whisky blogs, I don't need to make more bad puns at the same time.  Restraint, my boy, restraint. So, Ardbeg Rollercoaster was unleashed into the wild today.  Early reviews seem...positive, if less than blown away.  It's Ardbeg, I think everyone … Continue reading Rollercoaster Release…

Ardbeg Rollercoaster

http://www.ardbeg.com/rollercoaster/ Since it now seems like every Ardbeg release is a major event (for good reason), count me in amongst the excited and most likely amongst the excited who probably won't be able to get a bottle.  The Rollercoaster apparently is a vatting of 10 differently aged casks from 1997 to 2006 and will be … Continue reading Ardbeg Rollercoaster

Ardbeg Corryvreckan – Review

Alright, I'll admit it, I'm a total sucker for any kind for nautical mystique, (hell, I have several books on the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and other assorted Great Lakes shipwrecks).  I'm also a total sucker for good Norse/Celtic mystique so from the first moment I read about Ardbeg's Corryvreckan...I knew I had to … Continue reading Ardbeg Corryvreckan – Review

Favorite Whisky of 2009?

Laphroaig Quarter Cask. Ok, so I know this is not a new malt, but hey, this is the one that stood out this year for me.  There were a couple of close runner-ups:  I didn't actually taste Ardbeg's Corryvreckan until Jan. 1, 2010, but it is so good that it nearly transcends time and qualified. … Continue reading Favorite Whisky of 2009?