*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. Strathisla is one of the older distilleries in Scotland, being founded in 1786. Since then it has gone through a few name changes (Milltown-->Milton-->Strathisla-->Milton--> Strathisla) and about 8,000 ownership changes. One of these owners, a chap named George Pomeroy, gathered up a majority stake … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1998 Strathisla 12 Year Old, Pétrus Gaia Finish – Review
Whisky Reviews
Kilchoman Machir Bay – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. A little over a mile west of the Kilchoman Farm and Distillery lies a long strand of sand that opens up to the beautiful looking Machir Bay. Facing west into the Atlantic, it's probably a pretty good place to catch a sunset but since … Continue reading Kilchoman Machir Bay – Review
Auchentoshan Classic – Review
Let's ponder, shall we, for a moment, the word "classic". As words go, this one really gets around. It can be academic and literary when referring to the halcyon days of the Greek, Roman, and Mayan empires, or their accompanying literature such as Homer's Illiad and Odyssey, old' Virg's Aeneid, or the classic Mayan motorcycle … Continue reading Auchentoshan Classic – Review
Chieftain’s 1996 Allt A Bhainne 16 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. Ok, this makes the third review in a row where the whisky has come from a distillery that's younger than I am. This is the last built-in-the-70's review I'll do for a while, partly because I'd like to get back to learning a little … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1996 Allt A Bhainne 16 Year Old – Review
Chieftain’s 1996 Braeval 14 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. Braeval is the possibly the highest elevated distillery in Scotland. I say "possibly" because Dalwhinnie also makes that claim and although I am many things, an expert cartographer is not one, nor do I have access to any of the equipment (slide rules, global … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1996 Braeval 14 Year Old – Review
Chieftain’s 1995 Auchroisk 16 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. Auchroisk...the distillery says that it is pronounced Auck-Roysk, but apparently the locals beg to differ and pronounce it Ack-Rask...or Ath-Rask. Those last two look different enough to me that it seems like the locals are just begging to differ all over the place, but what do I know? … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1995 Auchroisk 16 Year Old – Review
Isle of Skye 12 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. Dunvegan Castle, sitting on the shores of Loch Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, has been the traditional home of the MacLeod Clan for the better part of nearly 800 years. Since the Isle of Skye brand is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd., … Continue reading Isle of Skye 12 Year Old – Review
Kilchoman Inaugural 100% Islay – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. The word "terroir", liberally tossed around with reckless abandon by the wine world, is a more nebulous and even dubious term when occasionally tossed around by marketers in the whisk(e)y world. A loose definition of the word could be "a sense of place", more … Continue reading Kilchoman Inaugural 100% Islay – Review
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
The name Weller is as intertwined and as important a name as you will find in the history of American whiskey. Daniel Weller was operating a still near Bardstown, KY as early as 1800. His son Samuel followed in his father's footsteps, and his son, William LaRue Weller started making and selling whiskey in 1849. … Continue reading William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! Let me just point out right away that, although it might be a good one, the name George T. Stagg is not that of porn star. No, George T. Stagg was successful whiskey salesman who, in 1870, helped E.H. Taylor purchase a distillery … Continue reading George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
THE CASKS 