PinnedA guide to my most interesting postsJapanese Whisky As I’m currently living in Japan, I have the opportunity to acquire some domestically produced whiskies that are not often sold internationally. I wrote a short guide on where you can purchase whisky in Japan. Individual Reviews: Nikka Miyagikyo 2004 — From the Barrel — Distillery Exclusive Akkeshi Sarorunkamuy Nikka…Index1 min readIndex1 min read
PinnedArdbeg Day: Ardcore 2022 JapanArdbeg is ramping up their efforts to market to whisky lovers in Japan, for the first time this year, releasing a “Committee Release” bottle to local members, and the special edition Ardcore throughout Japan retailers. They’ve also ramped up their Ardbeg Day event this year to a larger space in…Ardbeg4 min readArdbeg4 min read
PinnedWhisky Scoring Bands / DistributionMuch like Malt Review, I feel that the current hundred point system is both capricious and arbitrary, and too much time is spend around the 80/100 level and not enough range is given to the full possibility of expression. So, future reviews will be marked up on a 10-point scale…Whisky2 min readWhisky2 min read
Jan 27Scotch Whisky Review: Hazelburn 2006 15 Year Old OlorosoLet’s see how this compares with the 13-year old Oloroso I reviewed. Hazelburn 2006 15 Year Old Oloroso / 54.2 Tasted neat This Hazelburn was distilled at Springbank distillery in December 2006, and spent 15 years in “fresh” ex-Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled in April 2022 at a lovely 54.2% strength. There were 9,000 bottles (900 less…Whisky1 min readWhisky1 min read
Jan 4Indian Whisky Review: Amrut Portonova Batch 02, April 2022We took a look at an older batch, but now Portonova has gone through a rebranding with new cartons and labels — how does it taste? Amrut Portonova Batch 02, Apr. 2022 / 62.1% ABV Tasted neat / with a splash of bottled mineral bottle This Amrut Portonova is the…Whisky2 min readWhisky2 min read
Dec 24, 2022The Grand Tour: Viking 1 & 2 Single Grain Scotch Whisky ReviewsTwo old single-grain Lowlands whiskies, both matured in first-fill Palo Cortado hogsheads; how can this be anything but delicious! Girvan 1991 The Whisky Barrel “Viking 1” 30 Year Old / 53.6% ABV Tasted neat This Girvan was laid to rest in first-fill palo cortado hogshead #TWB1022 in 1991 and bottled in September 2021 after 30 years. Mine is bottle #52 of 162…Scotch Whisky3 min readScotch Whisky3 min read
Dec 13, 2022Aloha Whisky in IkebukuroI had the chance to visit Aloha Whisky bar last evening, which is a small < 10 seat whisky bar in West Ikebukuro. It has a fantastic and affordable selection of Japanese whisky, including a ton of the big names (Yamazaki, Yoichi, Hakushu, Chichibu), as well as smaller domestic producers…Whisky3 min readWhisky3 min read
Dec 2, 2022Gaiaflow x Hiroko Williams concert!Many thanks to Gaiaflow (famous whisky importer, retail site, and owners of Shizuoka Distillery) for their recent ウィリアムス浩子コンサートのペアチケットをプレゼント！ (Hiroko Williams concert) event, to which I won a random lottery couples pair ticket! Also featured was Mayo Okamoto of the famous song Alone fame and the extremely talented Hiroko Kokubu on…Japan2 min readJapan2 min read
Nov 26, 2022Scotch Review: Assorted Cask Samples: IVAssorted Cask Samples: IV / CS / Free All are tasted starting neat, adding water if necessary, in a blender’s glass These are samples of some various casks that are/were available for purchase on the secondary market. I will be taking a look at them from a different perspective than usual, more to understand the wood/distillery character over…Scotch Whisky3 min readScotch Whisky3 min read
Nov 26, 2022Whisky Review: Two Young ClynelishThis will be fun to compare — a 9 year old IB vs Diageo’s special release 12 year old. Let’s start with the younger: Clynelish 2011 Single Cask Nation 9 Year Old / 60.1% Tasted neat, then with a drop of bottled water From the Jewish Whisky Company’s Single Cask Nation label…Whisky3 min readWhisky3 min read
