Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

For those that have heard horrible things about perpetually rainy San Francisco Winters, don't believe any of it.  Yes, it rains, and on one or two occasions it rains hard.  And, yes, it's cold, a deep bone-chilling cold special to San Francisco because we're too stupid to insulate our buildings, knowing full well temperatures hover … Continue reading Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Glenfiddich 18 Year Old – Review

I suppose because I see Glenfiddich everywhere, in every little corner store, suburban big-box supermarket, domestic flights, and bars that keep the premium spirits in a dusty, ignored display next to the register, I default to thinking they're a big, corporate, profit-before-flavor scotch. It's easy to fall into that line of thinking these days when … Continue reading Glenfiddich 18 Year Old – Review

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

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Batch #49 – Review

I've never been to Colorado. Yes, I realize this is a failing of mine, some (mostly Coloradans) would consider this a major character flaw.  Just know that I have not ignored your high altitude state on purpose.  Crap, wait...I just remembered that I have been to Colorado, twice...layovers in the Denver airport. Both visits sucked, … Continue reading Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Batch #49 – Review

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

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