Whisky Philosophy

Whisky And Cheese – Some Interesting Parallels

January 27, 2012
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Whisky and cheese are an odd couple somehow. Their tastes have very little in common. But there are similarities and analogies that make them look like cousins.

Drinking or Investing? – Revisiting An Old Question

December 15, 2011

The age-old debate about what should be done with whisky has recently be been regurgitated once again. I feel compelled to throw in my tuppence here because I feel both views make up the two sides of a coin.

Down With Whisky Regions!

June 13, 2011
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Yes, I really mean it!

Why I Score Whisky Anyway

March 20, 2011
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If there is one topic that is constantly popular in discussions among whisky lovers, then it’s the question if whisky should be scored or not.

Why Is There No Pot Still Scotch Grain Whisky?

March 10, 2011

Let me present you one the last unsolved mysteries of Scotch whisky.

Malt Medal Mania

December 1, 2010
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The First of December is an important date in the whisky calendar. This is the day when the Malt Maniacs publish their annual awards by giving medals to the best whiskies sent to them by the producers.

Sulphur in Whisky – Spice or Poison?

November 25, 2010
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Time to take on another hot topic which seems to be the worst nightmare of many maltheads – sulphur. But there is also a small minority who appreciate those special aromas.

The Forgotten Art of Smoky Sherry Whisky

October 13, 2010

A few days ago I reviewed the Karuizawa 15 yo. The combination of a slight but noticeable smokiness with a rich first fill sherry cask is somthing that is quite unusual for Scotch whisky.

The Ethics of Whisky Blogging

October 2, 2010
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At some monent in their career, all bloggers and whisky writers will have to make up their minds how they want to position themselves in regard to their readers, other writers and the whisky industry. For me, this moment has come now.

Has Whisky Become Better, Worse or Just Different?

September 6, 2010
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Among whisky lovers there is a constant debate on how whisky has changed over the years. It is not recommendable to generalize. And to answer the question prematurely: “Yes, but all of it”

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.

Whisky and the Web 2.0 – A Clash of Cultures?

February 9, 2010

There have been some discussions on the German The Whisky Store Forum that have raised interesting questions that I decided to tackle here.

The spark for finally putting it all together was John Hansell’s decision to give the 2010 Malt Advocate “Pioneer of the Year” Award to us whisky bloggers.

Laphroaig and Lagavulin: One Mile of Distance but Worlds Apart

February 8, 2010

Perhaps it’s only a personal thing, but there is one strange phenomenon about those two Islay malts that I have encountered several times now: Whenever I taste them one after another, the second will always taste not as good as the first.

How Much Room Is There for Whisky Experiments?

January 31, 2010

Experiments have always played a role in whisky making, especially since the single malt boom took off in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With about a hundred distilleries in Scotland alone, it became neccessary to stand out from the crowd.

Batch Variation and the Validity of Whisky Ratings

January 17, 2010

Most if not all whisky lovers with a certain experience level will have noticed that the taste of any single malt bottling can vary over time. Changes may be only subtle but can also be significant. After all, whisky is a natural product juste like wine and its taste is deternined by many many different factors.

Paralyze your taste buds to enjoy whisky?

August 13, 2009

In the German TWS whisky forum there is currently a debate about the best way to enjoy the new peat monster from Ardbeg, the Supernova. I have not tasted it before, but the discussion highlights a point that I think is imortant to whisky tasting in general.