This sample was reviewed as part of Master of Malt's Drams for Review Program. Master of Malt is fantastic UK-based retailer that specializes in...malt, of course. More information about Master of Malt can be found here and here. Being of Scotch-Irish and Swedish descent, I sometimes find it hard to reconcile the possible atrocities my … Continue reading Mackmyra Special: 01 – Eminent Sherry Svensk Whisky – Review
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Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Review
*Thank you to the good folks at Gemini Spirits & Wine for the sample! Tyrconnell, or Tír Chonaill if you'd like, was one of the last sovereign Gaelic States in Ireland, existing from mid 400 AD to 1607 and covering what is now County Donegal and parts of Sligo, Leitrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Derry. The Last … Continue reading Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Review
Ardmore Traditional Cask Peated Highland Single Malt Whisky – Review
Before I bought this one, I'd asked a salesman what he thought of it and he just shrugged his shoulders, grunted primally, and said only "I think you can do better for the money", which I found fairly surprising because one, I'd heard very good things about it, and two, it's a $38 bottle of … Continue reading Ardmore Traditional Cask Peated Highland Single Malt Whisky – Review
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Somehow this seemed a somewhat appropriate whisky to review for Thanksgiving weekend... I'm not entirely sure that Wild Turkey Rare Breed is still part of Wild Turkey's line, but I see it on shelves fairly often so I figure it's fair game. This one is a blend, a cuvée if you will, of the 6 … Continue reading Wild Turkey Rare Breed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Notes from the 11/10/10 Signatory Tasting, Round II
Signatory 1997 Cragganmore 13 Year Old A darling of Speyside, Cragganmore was long known as an indispensible malt for blends until becoming part of Diageo's Classic Malt series in 1988. It still seems to fly under the radar a bit, though the distillery's 12 Year Old is a highly regarded, complex dram. This independent edition … Continue reading Notes from the 11/10/10 Signatory Tasting, Round II
Notes from the Bruichladdich Tasting, Round III
Round III of notes from a recent Bruichladdich tasting: Bruichladdich 1989, 19 Year Old "Black Art" Right off the bat, let me mention that Black Art has perhaps the coolest packaging of any spirit I've come across. Granted, it's not very traditional as far as Scotch goes, nor does it do much to show off the … Continue reading Notes from the Bruichladdich Tasting, Round III
Notes from the Bruichladdich Tasting, Round I
Bruichladdich is a relatively young distillery in many ways. Originally opening in 1881 it survived several moth-ballings and ownership changes until finally in late 2000, new owners, including the owners of the Murray McDavid independent line, took over and began the transformation of the distillery into one of the most innovative in the world. Today, … Continue reading Notes from the Bruichladdich Tasting, Round I
Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey – Review
Ok, aside from being the location we all know and love from the cover of Led Zepplin's "Houses of the Holy" (cue "No Quarter" here, side 2, 3rd song) the Giant's Causeway in northern County Antrim is also the locale for some legendary antics of the Irish hero, Fionn mac Cumhaill. According to one legend, Ol' … Continue reading Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey – Review
Balblair 1991 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
Thanks to the good folks at International Beverage for the sample! So, there's this Pink Floyd song (and I do apologize, it's a post-Syd Barrett song, but just bear with me) on the album Ummagumma called "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict", which, despite its glaring … Continue reading Balblair 1991 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
Balblair 1997 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
Thanks to the good folks at International Beverage for the sample! A locally grown, crisply sweet, juicy Honeycrisp apple is one of the surest signs of Fall here in San Francisco, where far too few leaves change color to give the full effect. September and early October usually holds some of the best weather we … Continue reading Balblair 1997 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
THE CASKS 