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
W. L. Weller 7 year old Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Being a big fan of wheated whiskies, it's probably only a matter of time before I taste my way through all that I can find. William Larue Weller ("Bill" to his golfing buddies and accountant) was the first distiller to create a straight wheated bourbon, replacing the rye in his mash with wheat. He did … Continue reading W. L. Weller 7 year old Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Tobermory 10 Year Old – Review
Legend has it that a certain ill-tempered witch hangs out around Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. While not publicly active as of late, this Dòideag apparently liked to whip up bad weather and make things rough for guys in boats. As the myth goes, She really made things rough for one boat in the … Continue reading Tobermory 10 Year Old – Review
Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured – Review
I can think of absolutely no tie-in between Speyside Scotch and Cinco de Mayo. 148 years ago today, a small but doughty Mexican army fought off a much larger French Army who were understandably pissed off at Mexico for not paying their debts and finally had decided to strong-arm the Benito Juárez administration into freeing … Continue reading Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured – Review
Upcoming Bay Area Whisky Events, May 2010
Sheeeesh...I really would have preferred this list to be long and full. I wish it had taken me hours to compile, struggling through the many event details, losing valuable sleep while adding links, hands cramped in agony from typing, etc. Instead, two events...that's all I could find... ...sigh... Whiskey & Cheese Pairing Class Join Amanda … Continue reading Upcoming Bay Area Whisky Events, May 2010
Amrut Single Malt Whisky – Review
Spied this bottle at Nihon and had to give it a taste. I've been reading a lot of reviews and write-ups of the Amrut whiskies and this was the first chance I've had to try one. Ok, I'll admit I was half expecting some exotic, Far-East scents to waft out the glass. Cardamom, maybe? A … Continue reading Amrut Single Malt Whisky – Review
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
Whiskey Thieves, San Francisco – Review
It seems most whiskey bars fit into two categories: the ancient, wood-worn, Gaelic-influenced, cozy shrines to all things malt or the hyper-stylized, faux-vintage, deftly lit meccas of drinking and striped shirts like 7 Grand in LA. One's authentic and one's damn near impossible to move around in on the weekends. Then there are rare places … Continue reading Whiskey Thieves, San Francisco – Review
Anchor Brewery & Distillery has been sold
Woke up this morning to the news that Fritz Maytag has sold Anchor Brewery and Distillery. Seems like it's the end of an era...two eras, maybe. Mr. Maytag and Anchor were pioneers not only in microbrewing but in craft distilling as well, inspiring companies around the world to head down the same path. The good … Continue reading Anchor Brewery & Distillery has been sold
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, 13 Years Old – Review
Geeez, just when I proclaim that rye isn't my favorite branch of the whisky tree, I find one I really, really like. I guess it should come as no surprise that it's from the Van Winkle family of American hooch as everything else I've tried of theirs I've really enjoyed. There are a couple of … Continue reading Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, 13 Years Old – Review
THE CASKS 