*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. I know I've touched on this before, but those of us who live in the Bay Area are exceedingly lucky and also exceedingly smug (to the point of obnoxiousness) about our access to excellent, local, organic food. For my part, I am boundlessly grateful … Continue reading Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release – Review
Islay
Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Review
*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
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
Chieftain’s 1982 Port Ellen, 25 Year Old – Review
Dear Port Ellen, You probably don't remember me, we just met, and it was a pretty short meeting, but I remember you. I've heard about you from the other whisky bloggers, they all say you're something special. When I saw you from across the room, I couldn't take my eyes off you. I waited patiently … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1982 Port Ellen, 25 Year Old – Review
Octomore 2.1 – Review
For good or for ill (mostly for ill) Americans have this sad, misguided little notion that bigger and/or more extreme is better , especially when it comes to food or pretend food products. There's a new line of "bold" Doritos out there that promises an artificially produced heat hitherto unknown in the natural food world. There … Continue reading Octomore 2.1 – Review
Big Peat Small Batch “Blended” Islay Malt
I like to think that I'm a steely rock, inscrutable and impenetrable to the grasping wiles of advertisers and their kerned and pantone-d ministrations, but really, I'm just as much of a sucker for good packaging and marketing as the next guy. Ardbeg, for example, does a masterful job mixing the tradition and mythos of … Continue reading Big Peat Small Batch “Blended” Islay Malt
Port Charlotte PC6 – Review
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
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
THE CASKS 