Today, I’m having a look at the new limited edition Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Red Rye Finish which is the first release from the highly anticipated and experimental Blenders’ Batch series. The experimental blend has been created by the brand’s small team of expert blenders, led by master blender Jim Beveridge, and is one of the results of ongoing experiments into flavour that take place at the …
Continue readingLast weekend, Paris hosted its annual whisky celebration on the banks of the Seine and I was more than looking forward to this year’ edition, which was meant to celebrate La Maison Du Whisky’s 60th Anniversary (oh btw, happy birthday guys & keep on the good work!), with a hell loads of promising exclusive expressions to sample… But things don’t always go exactly as planned… …
Continue readingPickering’s Gin founders Marcus Pickering and Matt Gammell have teamed up with social enterprise experts to produce the Ginerosity spirit, the profits of which will be poured into good causes. Together they have formed a new company, Good Spirits (Scotland) CIC, in partnership with social enterprise entrepreneur Chris Thewlis, Dave Mullen of marketing agency Story, and drinks industry and export specialist David Moore. …
Continue readingThe Edinburgh Whisky Academy is a new centre of learning launched to fill a vital gap in Scotch whisky education. Diplomas are said to offer participants the chance to gain a professional qualification that is fully accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. “They are brand-neutral, in-depth and, quite simply, one of a kind”. I talked to founder, managing director and fellow whisky lady Kirsty McKerrow …
Continue readingThis year’s TFWA World Exhibition and Conference sees William Grant & Sons (WGS) refining its global travel retail portfolio with new and refreshed packaging in key collections. The stand (Golden Village GO2) retains its open and friendly atmosphere, inviting customers to view a compelling portfolio that continues to excel in creativity and innovation, alongside examples of its unique brand activations from Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey …
Continue readingWhile the Fashion Week season is currently in full swing, it’s time to show off your craziest malted accessories and try to make it onto aspiring photographers’ Street Style Facebook/Flickr albums sneak into this trendy designer you never heard about’s show. Anyway, here are some ideas to rock your closet and make it to the whisky catwalk! Finlay & Co x Glenmorangie glasses In a first …
Continue readingThe relationship between Islay and Malt Whisky is as old as the history of the spirit itself; Islay is thought to be one of the first beneficiaries of the old Monks’ distillation knowledge when they came from Ireland to Scotland. As harmonious as the relationship between Island and spirit is, their combined history has been a difficult one often fought between smuggler and authority. Many …
Continue readingAs in previous years, all visitors to the London-based Whisky Show (London 1-3 October) will receive a free Dream Dram token to redeem against a range of stunning whiskies from the exhibitors – some even retailing for almost a year of minimum wage… I went through all the list and selected 10 nectars that I wish I could sample at the show (which for some may be …
Continue readingOk, here it is. I recently received a message on Twitter litterally asking me “WTF with closed distilleries?!” – while this isn’t the kind of message I would usually pay attention to (just as a reminder, I am still a human being and do appreciate a small “hi there” or “cheers” 😉 ), it just reminded me that some of you around here may not …
Continue readingThe Glover is a stunning blended malt made up of rare Japanese and Scottish whiskies. Named after the ‘Scottish Samurai’ Thomas Blake Glover, the first foreigner to receive the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese Emperor, it’s a celebration of the two countries’ relationship. The man responsible for blending this extraordinary whisky, alongside Charles MacLean, is Adelphi Managing Director Alex Bruce whose own …
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