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Whisky People #1 – Serge Valentin

August 31, 2010
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Place of Residence: Turckheim, France
Profession: Advertising agency
Whisky Involvement: Ratings, Tasting Notes, Malt Manaic

Coming up on draming.com: Whisky People

August 30, 2010
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I think it is about time to distill an idea that has been mashing and fermenting in my mind for many months now. The idea was born for a project called Whisky People. It is an open ended series of portraits of … surprise… whisky people.

Cambus 24 yo Bladnoch Forum

September 3, 2010

Even with water the nose is somewhat pungent but not unpleasant. Unlike the SMWS Port Dundas, the floral elements are not overwhelming the other flavour components. A well-balanced and nicely sippable single grain for a fair price. – Rating: 84/100

Port Dundas 28 yo SMWS G6.1

September 2, 2010

This time the SMWS taste descriptor is spot on. This grain is light bodied and spicy with quite prominent floral notes – which are not really to my liking I have to admit. Not the best cask, it seems. – Rating: 76/100

Bosch Schwäbischer Whisky vom Alb-Dinkel

September 1, 2010

A rather unusual taste from a rather unusual grain whisky. I’ve tasted worse, but I don’t think I would like to buy a bottle. I can’t make up my mind if it’s good or bad that it tastes a bit watery. – Rating: 55/100

Glen Moray 22 yo SMWS 35.29

August 29, 2010

A nice spicy and fruity dram which I find rather enjoyable. But that piece of tabloid level SMWS lyrics is just over the top. – Rating: 83/100

Why Cheap Whisky Cannot Be Good

August 25, 2010
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Let’s take a closer look at cheap whisky. I don’t mean Jonnie Walker or Ballantine’s but the really cheap bottles you find on the bottom shelf of your local supermarket selling for single-digit prices.

Whisky Myths Debunked #4 – Single Casks Rule

August 15, 2010
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For many afficionados, the ultimate way of enjoying their whisky is from single cask bottlings. But we have to keep in mind that no two casks are alike, even if they are from the same source and are stored next to each other in the same warehouse.

Whisky People #1 – Serge Valentin

August 31, 2010
Thumbnail image for Whisky People #1 – Serge Valentin

Place of Residence: Turckheim, France
Profession: Advertising agency
Whisky Involvement: Ratings, Tasting Notes, Malt Manaic

A Bastard Malt Gets Proper Parents

June 30, 2010
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Yesterday indpependent bottler A.D. Rattray announced that their undisclosed malt Stronachie is distilled by Benrinnes.

The Macallan Ice Ball Serve – Cool or Chilly?

March 16, 2010
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The Macallan officially launched their new “Ice Ball Serve” machine yesterday, a heavy brass device that can mold chunks of ice into spherical shape. It basically is a branded adaption of a Japanese invention already on the market.

Learning From the Masters or How I Became an Idiot Scotch Snob

March 20, 2010

Whisky and ice can certainly be an explosive mixture. Renowned whisky writer and bourbon expert Chuck Cowdery published a blog article called Scotch Snobs on Parade taking on the criticism of The Macallan Ice Ball Serve.

Bible Lessons

February 22, 2010
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At the Finest Spirits Festival in Munich last weekend I had the chance to have a few words with Jim Murray who had been placed in a rather forlorn corner of the basement. I took the chance and bought one of his Whisky Bibles which he was kind enough to sign for me.

Auchentoshan Distillery Visit

June 3, 2010

After my week on Islay I spent three days in Glasgow. Glasgow? Wasn’t there a whisky distillery somewhere nearby? Actually I had passed it when the coach from Kennacraig came into Glasgow on the Great Western Road, not far from Erskine Bridge.

Islay for Beginners

May 23, 2010

No, this is not really supposed to be a tourist guide. In this article I would like to share my experiences of Islay that are not related to specific whisky distilleries. I had never been on Islay before, so I think the title is appropriate.

Coming up on draming.com: Whisky People

August 30, 2010
Thumbnail image for Coming up on draming.com: Whisky People

I think it is about time to distill an idea that has been mashing and fermenting in my mind for many months now. The idea was born for a project called Whisky People. It is an open ended series of portraits of … surprise… whisky people.

Whisky Myths Debunked #4 – Single Casks Rule

August 15, 2010
Thumbnail image for Whisky Myths Debunked #4 – Single Casks Rule

For many afficionados, the ultimate way of enjoying their whisky is from single cask bottlings. But we have to keep in mind that no two casks are alike, even if they are from the same source and are stored next to each other in the same warehouse.

Whisky Recipe: Glenfarclas Fruit Cocktail

June 8, 2010
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Ingredients (serves 6):

1 kg of your favourite mixed fruits
100 g Sultanas
A generous measure of Glenfarclas 17
Lemon or lime juice
Sugar or liquid honey

Whisky Cocktail Recipe: The Machattan

February 12, 2010
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I have always wondered why there are so little cocktails based on sherry. After pondering this for a while I had an idea: Why not make a Manhattan-like cocktail with sherry and a sherried Scotch ?

New Poll: Do You Collect or Invest in Whisky?

June 12, 2010

There has always been a debate about collecting whisky. Some say “Whisky is made for drinking. Period.” while others have shelves full of bottles that are unlikely ever to be opened at all.

What is your view on collecting whisky? To find out, I created a poll that you can find at the right sidebar.

Poll Result: Your Opinion on Blended Scotch

June 10, 2010

The latest poll was answered by 68 people which is quite an increase from the last one. The question was how you liked your blended Scotch whisky in general. And here are the results:

Book Review – Andrew Jefford: Peat Smoke and Spirit

June 13, 2010
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This is a portrait of Islay and its whiskies. And because Islay really is more than just a bunch of distilleries on a pile of peat sticking out of the Irish Sea, only about a third of the book deals with whisky.

Whisky Recipe: Creating a Luxury Blend

April 6, 2010

For a change, this is not a recipe with whisky, but a recipe for whisky. My recent acqusition of a bottle of the Cameronbridge 29yo single grain gave birth to the idea of whipping together a blend of the finest whiskies my shelf has to offer.

Devious Vattings Vol. 3

August 23, 2009

This is the last part of my little adventure of marrying Scotch with unusual partners.

So far we have seen that it is not advisable to strive too far away from whisky territory. This is why I intend to reapproach it in the last session.

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