*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
The Alembic Bar- Review
In San Francisco these days, food and drink is king. The celebrities in this town are not the actors and rock stars of LA (or at least we pretend they're not), they're the chefs and bartenders who are one Osso Buco or one Blood and Sand away from their own Food Network show. If you … Continue reading The Alembic Bar- Review
Bargain Bin Fridays #3, Ancient Age Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Just to prove that I'm not just a mean-spirited, masochistic hack who's out to insult bad whisky makers and destroy my liver at the same time, for this installment of Bargain Bin Fridays, I thought I'd give an old school, mildly respected bourbon a try. After all, it is called "Bargain Bin Fridays" not "Wince … Continue reading Bargain Bin Fridays #3, Ancient Age Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Pendleton Blended Canadian Whisky – Review
I haven't tried much Canadian whisky. In fact, I haven't spent that much time in Canada, our more civilian-minded neighbor to the North. Aside from the requisite visit to the Niagara Falls area, my Canadian experience is limited to the trip my dad and I made to Brandon where he mistakenly poured me a spoonful … Continue reading Pendleton Blended Canadian Whisky – Review
Signatory 1999 Auchentoshan 10 Year Old – Review
Back when I was rugged deckhand in the early 1800's, when I was hoisting a jib and batoning down the hatches to make ends meet instead of doing whatever it is I do now, we sang a lot of songs at work. That kind of thing probably wouldn't fly in today's hi-rise workplace, but back … Continue reading Signatory 1999 Auchentoshan 10 Year Old – Review
Chieftain’s Tasting, July 15, Redwood City, CA
Just got word of a Chieftain's tasting at Martin's West in Redwood City. Presented by the fine folks at K&L Wines, there will be seven whiskies poured including...get this, people...a 1976 Allt' A 'Bhainne 31 Year and a 1982 Port Ellen 25 Year. Indeed, this is the very same Port Ellen I was lucky enough … Continue reading Chieftain’s Tasting, July 15, Redwood City, CA
Whisky Roundtable #2
The second installment of the Whisky Roundtable is here! This month's roundtable was hosted by Sir Joshua of the Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society and the question posed to spark discussion was this: "How did you develop your "nose" and "palate"? What was your turning point for actually trusting what you were smelling and tasting? … Continue reading Whisky Roundtable #2
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
Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey – Review
Apparently, big things are happening at the Kilbeggan Distillery. Owned today by the proudly independent Irish distiller Cooley, Kilbeggan claims to be the oldest distillery in the world, being founded and officially recognized back in 1757. It functioned through a few ownership changes until failing sales forced its closure in 1957. Cooley resurrected the Kilbeggan … Continue reading Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey – Review
Signatory 1992 Longmorn 17 Year Old – Review
Longmorn's name has trickled down pretty far from its original roots. The story goes there was an Irish missionary named Maernanog who more or less spearheaded the movement to get Christianity up and running in the Moray area of Scotland. In 625, he up and died after getting a hold of some bad clams (not … Continue reading Signatory 1992 Longmorn 17 Year Old – Review
THE CASKS 