*Thanks to the good folks at the Baddish Group for the sample. From what I've read, I gather the solera process of aging sherry is a black art practiced by blind, deaf, abnormally tall monks who are trained from infancy to be preternaturally sensitive and attuned to tell-tale sounds of liquids aging in oak. They … Continue reading The Dalmore 15 Year Old – Review
Whisky
The Dalmore Mackenzie – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at the Baddish Group for the sample. Just a few famous MacKenzies throughout history: Sir Alexander Mackenzie (1764-1820) was a Scottish explorer who crossed Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 1793, besting Lewis & Clark's more celebrated crossing by nearly 12 years. Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Lord Mackenzie of … Continue reading The Dalmore Mackenzie – Review
Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Whiskey – Review
On this St. Patrick's day, before we get to the whiskey, an open letter to Saint Patrick on behalf of snakes: Dear Pat, You've made quite a name for yourself over the years and we snakes realize that no small amount of your fame is derived from the legend of you driving us out of … Continue reading Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Whiskey – Review
The Dalmore King Alexander III – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at the Baddish Group for the sample. The legend behind The Dalmore's King Alexander III goes that a quick-thinking member of the Mackenzie Clan saved King Alexander III, who was out hunting, from the pointy antlers of an angry great stag, and that the King was so grateful that in … Continue reading The Dalmore King Alexander III – Review
Whisky Roundtable #21
This month's Whisky Roundtable is hosted by those lovable rapscallions over at the Edinburgh Whisky Blog. They've put us on the spot as to our views on distilleries releasing new make/clearac or young, not-quite-whisky. Here's their question to us all: In recent years we’ve seen a good few releases of not-quite-whisky-yet or spirit-that-dares-to-command-a-price. Whether kissed … Continue reading Whisky Roundtable #21
Master of Malt 1991 North British 20 Year Old – Review
Thanks to Master of Malt for the sample and apologies for not reviewing this before they once again went ahead and selfishly sold all of the bottles. I know that blended Scotch whiskies make up more than 90% of whisky sales around the globe, that fact gets beaten into our brains every time we read … Continue reading Master of Malt 1991 North British 20 Year Old – Review
13th Annual Whiskies of the World Expo & Artisanal Spirits Expo
Coming up on Saturday, March 31st is the first of the three big whisky shows that take place in San Francisco. This years Whiskies of the World Expo will again be a floating affair aboard the San Francisco Belle and will feature four decks worth of whisky, whiskey, and other assorted boozes, master classes and … Continue reading 13th Annual Whiskies of the World Expo & Artisanal Spirits Expo
2012 James Beard Finalists
Holy crap, has it been a year already? The finalists for this year's James Beard Awards have been announced so once again I thought I'd take time out from my busy evening of puree-ing chicken stew for the little guy and replacing the brake pads on my commuter and toss a few kudos around. High … Continue reading 2012 James Beard Finalists
Master of Malt 1991 Cragganmore 20 Year Old – Review
Thanks to Master of Malt for the sample and apologies for not reviewing this before you went ahead and selfishly sold all of the bottles. The character of Sir John Falstaff first barreled his way on stage in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part I, then again in Henry IV, Part II, and finally, in a larger … Continue reading Master of Malt 1991 Cragganmore 20 Year Old – Review
Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky – Review
*Thanks to the good folks at the Baddish Group for the sample. In honor of Ernest Shackleton's birthday today (138 years ago in 1874), I was all excited to write about this one, all ready to expound on the leitmotifs of his Antarctic adventures; epic heroism, brave leadership, and stoic perseverance in the face of withering … Continue reading Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt Whisky – Review
THE CASKS 