We are all guilty of judging whisky by its colour, but what can the colour of whisky actually tell us? Our eyes often impact our thinking and subject us to tasting notes before we even take the first sip. Also, darker whiskies are often perceived as better quality, more complex and well-aged. Unfortunately, this is […]
There wouldn’t be whisky without water. In fact, the word whisky comes from the Gaelic word uisge meaning water, which, in turn, comes from Latin aqua vitae (uisge beatha in Scottish Gaelic), as in water of life. Everyone appreciates the importance of the water source when it comes to making whisky. If you’ve read my […]
Loch Lomond Distillery may not be the most beautiful of distilleries, but it certainly is one of the most intriguing ones in Scotland. Not only do they have their own cooperage on-site, but they are also producing a number of whiskies using several types of stills. There is a lot going on at Loch Lomond, […]
Recently, I’ve come across several intriguing, perhaps even a bit unusual, cask finishes on the scotch whisky scene. By playing around with different cask types and sizes, the Master Blender can create layers of flavours. They can use a range of the same casks, for example, different fills of ex-bourbon, or mix and match a […]
Last year, Waterford Distillery released the world’s first biodynamic whisky, made from biodynamic Irish barley. The whisky industry is booming in Ireland and worldwide. Everyone is trying to find their niche in the market, and at Waterford Distillery they are producing something quite unique. By focusing on biodynamics, they are seeking to maximise the character […]
Mezcal is a spirit made from the heart of an agave plant. The agave, also known as maguey, takes many years to grow, which is why most mezcal is unaged to allow the taste of terroir to fully shine. For Mexicans, mezcal is an important part of their cultural heritage and therefore it is very […]
The growth of the no- and low-alcohol category has been steady for some time now, but it seems like it has really taken off in the last year during the pandemic. Now you can easily find a range of products including non-alcoholic vermouths, bitters and various botanical blends as well as the existing range of […]
Below you will find a crash course on single malt whisky production. By using pictures of each step, I want to give you a better understanding of the full process.
There are many factors that contribute to the final flavour of whisky. In Scotland the spirit must mature in casks for a minimum of three years before it is legally allowed to be called whisky. In this time the spirit will be heavily influenced by the cask it’s been in, therefore it is important to […]