BRENDAN MCCARRON doesn’t take long to cut to the chase. He’s in Australia a week after Dramfest in Christchurch, NZ and has something he wants us to hear. In front of him are three whiskies only a few locally have set eyes on: The Accord 12-Year-Old ($103), The Elementa 14YO ($120) and The Tribute 16YO…
Whisky
The ‘best dram’ – Glenfiddich Grand Cru
Glenfiddich is one of the most beloved of all Scottish malts. They began more than 150 years ago with William Grant, a bookkeeper at the Mortlach Distillery with a dream of making the “best dram in the valley.” At 47, Grant quit his job and purchased a copper pot still and associated equipment. He, his…
Explore – Glenglassaugh Rare Cask Release – Batch 3, cask #3510. 1965, 50-Years-Old
By Ken Gargett To be honest, I knew almost nothing about the Glenglassaugh distillery until very recently. It is not one that is on many people’s radar, but that is changing. Glenglassaugh has its genesis back in 1875, when Colonel James Moir, a local businessman, established the distillery at Sandend Bay. With his two nephews,…
World First Blockchain Whisky
Ailsa Bay has launched the world’s first-ever blockchain whisky, capturing the full distilling and manufacturing process. You can track the whisky from its source all the way to your glass. Why so? You may well ask. Well, the growing number of fakes on the market seems like a good place to start. Blockchain information essentially means…
Last chance to try the Craigellachie 51 Year old for free
Sydney, Australia – After waiting 51 years to be enjoyed by people all over the world, there are only ten days left to enter the Craigellachie 51 lottery to be in with a chance to sip on your very own dram at Bar 51 pop-up. While most super-aged whiskies of this calibre would command a…
Spirit of the Week – Wolfburn Distillery ‘Langskip’ Single Malt
WORDS KEN GARGETT The emergence of a new Scottish distillery, even if it is a resurrection of an old one, will always attract attention, especially when they hit the ground with an array of cracking malts and make a real splash on the show circuit. The original Wolfburn Distillery was founded back in 1821 but,…
Spirit of the Week – Sullivans Cove Tasmanian Double Cask Single Malt Whisky
WORDS KEN GARGETT If you have ever wondered where the name came from, ‘Sullivans Cove’ was the original moniker for Hobart. First established in 1804, no surprise that this far distant residence for some of our worst convicts was home to a number of alcohol stills, some legal, some not. This all came to a…
Sullivans Cove Celebrates 25th Anniversary this Year
WORDS KEN GARGETT The always impressive Tasmanian whisky distillery, Sullivans Cove, is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. As one of the leaders of an industry that was initially looked on as a curio at best, and folly by many, it is a great achievement. Sullivans Cove, on the Derwent River in Tasmania (if there…
Explore Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
WORDS KEN GARGETT The roadshow for fabulous Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is doing the rounds – a collection of whiskies of age and complexity. While not open to the public, take heart that your favourite bartenders are there on your behalf. You will reap the benefits in the future. Over the years, I have been to more tastings…
Michter’s – Two Cracking American Whiskies
WORDS KEN GARGETT As the excitement mounts for the forthcoming explore WHISKY release, some of us have been working hard, exploring the world of whiskies and bourbon from around the world (although the bourbons, of course, should really be regionally restricted to the USA). Needless to say, many exciting gems are emerging. Today, Michter’s. I’d…
NOLA Smokehouse and Bar – The Place To Be This World Whisk(e)y Day
Just in time to celebrate World Whisk(e)y Day next Saturday (18 May) NOLA Smokehouse and Bar in Barangaroo has just unveiled a new whiskey lounge. Housing over 700 bottles, they’ve just added 80 new bottles of American Whiskey valued at $15,000. Which is the largest selection in the whole of Australia. What makes this bar…
Copper Dog: Capturing The Spirit Of Speyside
Copper Dog is named after a device created in the 18th century by distillery workers to swipe whisky and take home. Made from a piece of copper tubing, it had a penny soldered to one end and a cork in the other. Making it easy to sip and refill, it never left its owner’s side….