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
Scotch
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
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
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
Nopa: Sherry, Supernova & Firelit Liqueur! – Review
NoPa is a neighborhood in San Francisco, its moniker standing for North of Panhandle, the Panhandle being a thin strip of tree-lined park jutting eastward from beautiful Golden Gate Park. Nopa is also the name for neighborhood's best restaurant and cocktail gathering place. We've dined there several times and have always enjoyed the excellent California … Continue reading Nopa: Sherry, Supernova & Firelit Liqueur! – Review
Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
According to my handy, pocket-sized, 6" thick, 15lb., 1961 Websters New International Dictionary (2nd Edition, unabridged), "smoke" is defined thusly: smoke (smōk), n. [AS. smoca; akin to AS. smeocan to smoke, smēcan to smoke, smēc, smyc, smoke, LG. & D. smook smoke, G. schmauch, Gr. smychiein to smolder, Lith. smaugti suffocate, choke.] 1. the gaseous … Continue reading Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
Tasting Group 4.3.10 – 5 Single Malts
A group of us got together for the first of hopefully several whisky tastings this past weekend. We all either walked, drove or took public transportation to our meeting place...none of us flew in on a private jet. We were not carried there upon jewel-encrusted sedan chairs. There were no entourages. We kept things pretty … Continue reading Tasting Group 4.3.10 – 5 Single Malts
Talisker 18 Year Old – Review
I've read that on the Eastern shore of the Trotternish peninsula on Skye, there is a rock formation called Elglais Bhreugach, or "false church". It's a largish stone arch that, as you might expect, kind of resembles a church. The local folklore of the spot is that many, many centuries ago it was used for … Continue reading Talisker 18 Year Old – Review
Recap – Laphroaig Tasting with Simon Brooking
The second tasting of last weekend's trio was proof that sometimes joining internet mailing lists really pays off. When I signed up for the "Friends of Laphroaig" mailing list, I figured I might get a standard marketing email or two every now and again, so I was pleasantly suprised to receive their invite to a … Continue reading Recap – Laphroaig Tasting with Simon Brooking
THE CASKS 