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Iodine. Coal tar. Asphalt. Bacon fat. Brine. Tarry rope. Soot. Campfire ash. Seaweed. Creosote. These are some signature flavors of peated whisky. It's hard to tell if we should drink it or use it to seal a leaky roof. Peated whiskies have an edgy reputation for being boisterous, pungent, antagonistic drinks. They invite you to take a slug at the end of an ocean pier, stretch out your arms, and let out a visceral, primal howl. And for the drinkers who love them, only peated whisky will do.Peated whisky hasn't always been so popular. Most recently, peated whiskies roared back into fashion after the Millennium, igniting a smoldering passion that has engulfed wave after wave of whisky drinkers ever since. Sure, other spirits use cereal grains, yeast, and oak barrels, but peat smoke defines this exuberant style of whisky.What Does PPM Mean?Plants MatterAn equation for peat might be written as flora plus death and water, minus oxygen, multiplied by pressure and time. In other words, peat...

Whether you love or hate peated whisky, there is no doubting the immense industry behind it. Peat itself is densely compressed, decayed vegetation that looks like clumps or bricks of mud. So how does that translate to smoke flavor? The scotch industry has it all figured out, with these four professions playing key roles in delivering peat from the bog to the bottle.The Peat CutterThis seasonal position on a remote Hebridean island requires strength and stamina, coupled with a tolerance for dirty, repetitive tasks. Cutting turf from the earth into bricks for drying is accomplished outdoors regardless of weather conditions, often ranging from wet and windy to blazing hot. Competence with highly specialized tools is required. Working conditions may include mud, snakes, and biting insects.As soon as I was strong enough, I was helping my Dad to cut peat, and I hated it!” recalls John Campbell, the distillery manager at Laphroaig. Like generations of families on Islay, the Campbells cut...

It takes several years—sometimes many—to age a good whisky. But a peated whisky is even longer in the making: centuries at least and often millennia. If we could travel back to Scotland's eighth century, you might see marauding Vikings charging ankle deep through waterlogged vegetation—the very vegetation that today, compressed and partially decayed, is burned to produce the smokiness of our favorite Scotch whiskies.“Peat plays an essential role in Scotch whisky production by providing distinctive flavors…from different peat sources,” says Graeme Littlejohn, deputy director, strategy and communication (London) of the Scotch Whisky Association. Peat in Scotland—and elsewhere—is made up of millions of plants that subsided into an ancient marsh, sometimes stemming back to the end of the last Ice Age. Over time these marshes filled with dead plants and became bogs or fens. Here, the water creates hypoxic conditions—a lack of oxygen—halting the plants' decay and thereby...

Peat, that decomposed plant material that when dried and set afire in the kiln, lends smoky, ashy, medicinal, and other alluring flavors to malted barley, is first and foremost associated with Scotland. Even non-scotch whisky makers often get their peated malt from Scottish malting houses. But some distillers outside Scotland have tapped into peat closer to home and are often using different techniques to create their smoky whiskies. In the process, they’ve discovered that not all peat is the same.
Scottish expat Graeme Macaloney founded Vancouver Island-based Macaloney’s Island Distillery and began distilling there in 2016. When confronted with a deficit of nearby maltsters capable of peat-smoking barley, Macaloney took matters into his own hands. With the help of a family member, he built a smoker that can smoke two tons of barley at a time and produces a smoke density similar to that of Laphroaig (which he visited for inspiration prior to building his own...

For most of its existence, peat was one of the hallmarks of Scotch whisky. Whether wisps of smoke wafting from blends like Johnnie Walker, or the pure and punchy peat of Islay, many drinkers came to assume that scotch means peat. Peat is actually nothing more than a convenient fuel source that worked its way into whisky as the result of kiln-drying malted barley over fires fueled by the decomposing vegetation.Peat bogs are found in many parts of Great Britain, but they are widespread in the Scottish Highlands and islands, where for centuries they have provided a valuable source of domestic heat. In remote locations where coal was at a premium, it was hardly surprising that distillers turned to peat when heat was required.As the Scotch whisky industry expanded during the 1960s, however, traditional floor maltings, with their liberal use of peat for kiln drying, were unable to keep pace with increases in production. So centralized, mechanical maltings were adopted by many distillers...

Until the mid-20th century, it was taken for granted that all scotch included some peat. After all, peat was the country's main fuel source for thousands of years, and the flavor became entwined and admired in many styles of Scotch whisky. Perhaps surprisingly, Scotland has only 0.3% of all the peat on earth—and yet the flavor and success of peated Scotch whisky has spawned admirers around the world who are eager to give their own whiskies the pungent, powerful character of Scottish peat. These distillers introduce peat in a variety of ways: by blending peated spirit from Scotland with their own whisky, distilling with imported barley that was malted and peated in Scotland, or finishing local whisky in casks that previously held peated scotch.A few, like Paul John Distillery in Goa, India, even go to the trouble of importing actual peat from Scotland. Paul John imports bricks of peat from Islay and the Highlands and then uses it to dry locally grown six-row barley. The peated grain...

In the blazing dry heat of the Sonoran Desert, a 600-degree fire burns in a custom-made steel furnace, unfurling plumes of white smoke laced with the smell of burning mesquite. It's malting day at Hamilton Distillers in Tucson, Arizona. Mesquite smoke is pumped from the furnace into a germination and malting kiln, where it runs through moist barley, imbuing the grain with a smoky, lip-smacking barbecue character. It's nearly the same process used for making smoky single malt scotch, except Hamilton makes mesquite-smoked single malt whiskey and it's happening not on a cool and misty Scottish island, but in the high desert in one of the hottest parts of the United States.This is just one face of the bright future of smoked whiskey in America, one of a huge array of styles of smoked whiskeys made using techniques new and old. American distillers are experimenting with new ways of smoking barley and other grains, using regional hardwoods that reflect their local environment, and even...

Peat is one of the most unique, expressive, and occasionally polarizing flavors encountered in whisky. The densely compressed, long-decayed vegetation was traditionally used as a fuel source in rural and remote parts of Scotland—so it was also used to dry barley during the malting process, thus imparting its signature smoky and medicinal aromas and tastes to the core ingredient of scotch. Peat-dried barley contains phenols, a class of chemical compounds that impart what we perceive as peated, smoky flavors. Phenol levels are measured in parts per million, or PPM—it doesn't take a lot of phenol for us to notice.Although it's not for everyone, peated scotch is popular with a certain strain of whisky lover worldwide. Peat expresses a spectrum of flavors, many of them described in seemingly unpleasant terms like iodine, Band-Aids, bicycle tires, and gasoline. Peat heads are undeterred by these unsavory adjectives, as are the distillers and blenders who have pushed the boundaries of...

If a certain whisky has sold well for years, attracting many devoted fans along the way, what would motivate its creator to suddenly change the recipe? According to John Glaser of Compass Box, which recently unveiled a new version of The Peat Monster, it's about catching up to the times. “The whole world appreciation for peated whisky has evolved,” he says. “And it was time for us to evolve with it.”Glaser is adamant that Peat Monster's new recipe is just that—an evolution, rather than a sweeping change. “With our core products that we sell throughout the year, there is a base recipe for each of them—we have long-term supply plans that take into account these recipes and the ages and cask types and everything, so that we can maintain a degree of continuity over time,” he explains. “We flex those [however] because sometimes the character of one of those malts that we have on hand is slightly different. Maybe it's a little bigger, maybe the malt was coming across as...

For many Scotch whisky fans, Islay single malt lovers in particular, their favorite drink is defined by the distinct aroma of peat smoke, a bewitching, earthy perfume of ancient moss. So seemingly addictive is the smell that there is now a cottage industry to deliver peat to your home. Toss a chunk in the fire to infuse the room, or perhaps your dinner, with the smoky fragrance of the Scottish Hebrides, a particularly enchanting place to be on a chilly autumn night. Plus, few things pair better with a measure of peated whisky in your glass than curls of peat smoke in the air.The substance that lands in your mailbox likely formed the ground the Vikings walked on a thousand years ago. Peat is born from decayed vegetation, a dense tangle of mosses, bog myrtle, heather, and grasses, formed in cold, wet environs. The topmost layer is crumbly and oily; the next layer is darker and harder, four to five feet below the surface, it's almost coal-like. But it's the top layer that's harvested...

We make single malt in Seattle because we have the perfect climate for barley, peat, and oak trees,” says Matt Hofmann, master distiller and co-founder of Westland Distillery. When he set out to make a peated single malt whisky, however, he ran into trouble immediately. “Nobody in the U.S. knew how to make peated malt,” admits Hofmann. Peat was never used as a fuel in the Pacific Northwest like in Scotland: no need, there are plenty of forests. As a workaround, he imported heavily peated malt from Bairds Malts in Scotland.In 2016, Hofmann partnered with Skagit Valley Malting to make peated malt on (and from) American soil. “We filled 70 casks which we are pretty ecstatic about,” he grins. “We just tasted the stuff that has been in cask for 5 or 6 months. It's much less medicinal, and a little bit spicier compared to the Bairds peat [used in current bottlings of Westland Peated].”Everything You Need to Know About Peat in WhiskyWashington State peat looks, feels, and...

Calling all peated scotch lovers! Here’s a list of 15 peated scotch whiskies that scored well with our tasting panel—some new, some from last year, and some old standbys. One that was not included because of its limited nature and high price ($5,000) is Talisker Glacial Edge, a 45 year old expression that’s among the best we’ve tasted in recent times. While the list includes some pricy whiskies, they are worth seeking out for a pour at a bar or restaurant. And many are within reach. While Islay leads this list, which is to be expected in any conversation about peated scotch, a surprising number are from elsewhere in Scotland.
95 Highland Park Cask Strength Single Malt (Batch 4), 64.3%, $100
Our No.-2 whisky of the year in the 2023 rankings. While this batch might be hard to find, any cask-strength Highland Park is highly likely to be a treat. Unencumbered by an age statement, master whisky maker Gordon Motion painted Batch 4 with flavor in...

Change is in the air, and we aren't just talking about the seasons. Major brands are losing some of their top whiskey makers, as distillers and blenders are leaving corporate comforts to create a legacy of their own. We spoke to Jane Bowie and Denny Potter, formerly of Maker's Mark, and Jackie Zykan, formerly of Old Forester, about their decisions to forge their own paths and the whiskeys we can expect from them in the future.As for whiskies you can search for now, there are plenty to choose from this week. Wild Turkey adds to its Master's Keep line with Unforgotten, while Maker's Mark unveils the latest release in its stave finishing series, a pair of whiskeys labeled BRT-01 and 02. As for single malt scotch, Benriach is bringing back its limited Smoke and Malting Season whiskies. We also covered the 2022 Diageo Special Releases, dubbed the "Elusive Expressions," earlier this week. Read on for full details.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten
Style: Blend of...

Chances are if you mention peat to another whisky drinker, you’ll spark a strong reaction. Peated whiskies aren’t for the faint of palate; their often intense flavors, which run the gamut from iodine, asphalt, soot, seaweed, and burnt ends, are over the top from first sip to last. Peated whiskies are most often associated with Scotland, and specifically Islay, where brooding bogs of sphagnum moss elicit that signature smoke that defines the island’s single malts. There, peat is incorporated into the malting process, during which the barley is smoked over a peat-fed fire, picking up pungent flavors as the smoke is absorbed into the grains.
Slowly but surely, more peated whiskeys are being made in the U.S. The easiest way for American distillers to get that peaty flavor in their own whiskeys is by using peated malt from Scotland. This is a popular route—earlier this year Buffalo Trace debuted a peated bourbon that substituted its regular barley with peated...

It was before 8 a.m., the wind was delivering a ruthless flogging, the rain was a nuisance, and the peat bog was squishy. Dougie pulled up in his Vauxhall Corsa, finished smoking a cigarette, and stepped out of the car. He didn't flinch at the weather as he explained that the two 60-plus year old colossal tractors with caged wheels next to the car were the only means for maneuvering through the bog.He's been coming to this marshy plot of land for decades. His job is an ancient one: he excavates the peat that gives Islay whisky its distinctive flavor. Wielding his fal, a heavy spade, and moving along at a methodical pace, he hacks a brick-size piece of peat out of the earth, slashing it in expert fashion so its edges are smooth, and tosses it on a pile to be dried and carted off to nearby Laphroaig. Last year during peat season, which runs March to September, Dougie and four other workers cut 250 tons of peat like this. And that was a bad year. Too much rain kept them out of the bogs...

Traditionally, peat was anathema to Irish whiskey, representing Scotland—even though Ireland possesses deep peat reserves. And through the ages, the Irish have had a close relationship with the land, cutting and lifting turf to burn. “If you go back far enough in Irish history, everything was peated—you and I would have been peated, as there would have been an open fire in the middle of the room and no chimney,” notes Alex Chasko, master distiller at Teeling Distillery in Dublin.More recently, a handful of peated Irish expressions have emerged—against a range of challenges. First, all the peated malt must be imported, as Ireland's commercial maltsters won't touch the stuff due to limited demand. Second, so many of Ireland's whiskeys are triple distilled, which can refine the heavier phenol influences—responsible for much of the peat-smoke character—out of the spirit entirely. The challenge is made even more difficult for peating single pot still Irish whiskey, because...

Most whisky drinkers can detect the presence of peat within a scotch with a single whiff, but the process of how that scent and flavor got there is much more complex. We've broken down the journey from ground to glass into ten steps. The eleventh—enjoyment—is entirely up to you. (And if you're looking for some suggestions, may we direct you to our single malt smoke scale, bevy of blends, and the all-around peatiest peat bombs you can find.)
From the Ground Up, This is How that Scotch Gets so Peaty
1. Peat DiggingCoarse fibrous peat is dug from the earth and stacked to dry over several months.2. GerminationBarley is steeped in water and spread over the malting floor to germinate.3. TurningGerminating grains, or green malt, are turned by machine or hand every four hours for five to seven days.4. SmokingSmoke flavors created by burning low-heat peat fires adhere to the surface of the malt.5. DryingWith desired peat flavors attained, the malt is dried, without...

Peated scotch can be divisive, but for those who love it, there's no acceptable substitute. Building an appreciation for peated single malt may start with whiskies like Laphroaig 10 year old, Ardbeg 10 year old, or Lagavulin 16 year old, but there is a wide world of deliciously smoky scotch beyond those building blocks. And while Islay tends to be most directly associated with peat, its neighboring Scottish isles and the mainland produce equally exquisite drams every bit as briny and ashy.In the Winter 2020 Buying Guide, peat lovers will find plenty to enjoy, as limited editions and seasonal releases of old favorites abound. Stalwart single malts are represented, as are a few blended malts worthy of consideration. There's even a cask-strength whisky on offer from Highland Park for those looking for an extra-powerful punch of peat.The Winter Buying Guide features scores and tasting notes for 170 whiskies, from scotch and bourbon to Irish, Japanese, and more. Start with these nine...

Peat Done Differently
Peated barley isn't always required to make smoky whiskies. Peated-cask finishing makes a viable substitute: Just fill unpeated whisky into empty peated whisky casks and leave the flavors to integrate. Distillers around the world are doing it to add smokiness to every style of whisky imaginable. But do the results deliver the same intensity of flavor as a classic peated scotch?
When quarter casks from Laphroaig Distillery arrived at Talnua Distillery in Arvada, Colorado, they looked different from any other barrels in the warehouse. “They looked like grungy barrels you’d find on a pirate ship,” recalls Meagan Miller, co-founder of the American single pot still distillery she opened in 2017 with her husband Patrick. Against the virgin white oak barrels, these dark, torpedo-shaped Islay casks certainly stood out. “They’re just beautiful casks and they have a staggering aroma,” adds Patrick wistfully. “They...

Islay is the Scottish island home of the world's top peated whisky producers. With intensely smoky single malts from Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Ardbeg, and more, it can be hard to choose just one. Luckily, you don't have to.Islay blended malts offer a flavor-packedroute to the whisky isle without committing to a single distillery, by combining multiple Islay distilleries in one bottle. Islay single malts already play a starring role by lending their smoky complexity to blended scotches such as Johnnie Walker Double Black, Peat Chimney, and Compass Box Peat Monster, but they differ from Islay blended malts in two ways. Islay blended malts include only Islay whiskies and they do not include the lighter-bodied grain whisky found in blended scotch. While they lack a familiar single-distillery name, Islay blended malts still deliver big on value and thrilling Islay flavors.Although the number of Islay distilleries willing to part with new spirit or casks of mature whisky is limited...

These Smoky Whiskies Pour on the Peatiness To make malt whisky you need malted barley. To malt barley, you need to dry germinating barley in a kiln. And, to fire up the kiln at certain whisky distilleries, you use peat. Biologically speaking, peat is an accumulation of decayed vegetation in some bogs and wetlands found, most notably for the whisky world, in parts of Scotland. In places like Islay, where for centuries, scotch has been made using peat-smoked malt, the whisky has a truly one-of-a-kind taste. Smoky notes, sure, but saline, herbal, and even medicinal. You can often sense it from across the room. But not all peated whisky need be as overwhelmingly smoky as those from Islay. Today's distilleries can control the PPM (phenol parts per million) levels of their malt and use further techniques such as finishing to balance the smoke with sweetness. For your next progressive tasting of peat, start with a lightly peated single malt (from Japan no less!) before moving on to the...

A new release from Compass Box raises a glass to old times, as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of Peat Monster, its beloved peat bomb and longtime fan favorite. Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story is 56.7% ABV, and its label artwork of skyscrapers, yellow taxicabs, and subway steam vents still pays homage to the early days of the Monster on the streets of Manhattan.
Those early days date back to 2003, when Jonathan Goldstein of Park Avenue Liquor in New York City reached out to Compass Box founder John Glaser, asking him to make a peated whisky as a store exclusive. Goldstein wanted a peat bomb, and after several attempts, Glaser shipped off a bottle that Goldstein described as “a monster.” The store’s customers loved it, the name caught on, and Peat Monster was born.
Peat Monster went into general release about a year after that, although Compass Box and Park Avenue did get the band back together for Peat Monster's 10th Anniversary, a very limited...

Smoky, peated whiskies aren't for everyone, but their fans are probably the most devoted of any other style. The most famous and widely available peated whiskies hail from Scotland, where the peat bogs have a long history in whisky making through their use as a  fuel source. But Scotland is not the only country to make use of peat, as distillers around the globe tap it for the creation of their own smoky whiskies. Some do use peated malt from Scotland, but others harvest it locally. Our tasting panel, sampling blind, found 10 non-Scottish whiskies with unique ways of expressing peat.
10 Peated Whiskies Not From Scotland To Try 
93 points - Kyrö Malt Rye Peat Smoke World Whisky, 47.2%, $53
Rye malt is smoked with Finnish freshwater peat for this expression, and there’s a proper fug of aromatic peat smoke on the nose, mingling with rye spices and dark chocolate. Warm and fruity on the palate, with sultana, prune...

Tucked away in a secluded glen on the banks of the Turret River in Scotland’s southern Highlands lies Glenturret Distillery. Like many scotch whisky makers, it’s a place with a rich but troubled history. It’s often touted as the oldest working distillery in Scotland, first established in 1763—and for nearly 50 years prior to that, the site had been used as a haven for bootleggers and smugglers, with the surrounding hills as lookout points. Over the next century and a half, the distillery, formally named Glenturret in 1875, would be sold several times before closing down twice by the 1920s. It eventually reopened in 1959, but then underwent another series of sales—passing through the hands of Rémy Cointreau, Highland Distillers, William Grant & Sons, and finally Edrington over the ensuing 40 years.

In 2018, Edrington put Glenturret up for sale, seeking to offload this relatively small distillery in order to focus on more important...

Given no other knowledge of a scotch distillery, most whisky lovers would choose to know just one thing: Is their whisky smoky or not? The answer isn't so simple, as more single malt producers play both sides of the fence. Exceptions to the rule are exciting for both fans of a distillery, who get to see a new side of their old favorite, and detractors, who might discover they enjoy a distillery's whisky after all. Unpeated versions will offer little to no peat smoke, while peated renditions show obvious smoke. So choose a distillery, then have it your way.Single Malt Scotches With Both Peaty and Unpeated VersionsAnCnoc 12 year old vs. AnCnoc CutterKnown for light and honeyed malts, Knockdhu added a peated range in 2004.Arran 14 year old vs. Arran Machrie MoorMachrie Moor, the peated whisky from Arran, is produced in just one batch each year.Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood vs. Balvenie Peat Week 2003For one week each year, Bavlenie distills using heavily peated malt, smoked over...

Located in the woods of Western Massachusetts, Berkshire Mountain Distillers first made a name for itself with its acclaimed Greylock gin. But in the last few years, the company has begun to experiment with unique and innovative whiskey releases. The latest, Berkshire Bourbon Smoke and Peat, is a new twist on a barrel-finished bourbon. Smoke and Peat is made by finishing fully mature 4 year old Berkshire Bourbon (72% corn, 18% rye, 10% barley) in Islay single malt casks for 3 to 8 months. The whisky is an unusual crossover, a fusion of sweet, spicy bourbon and the flavors of smoky, peaty scotch.“I'd been looking for Islay casks for nine years and hadn't found them,” says Chris Weld, founder, owner and distiller at Berkshire. “It's the first time in ten years that these casks became available. All the rest went to breweries, and as far as I know we're the only distillery to get them.” Weld wanted to experiment with creating a whiskey that blended elements of both bourbon and...

This week's newest whiskies come from Scotland, Kentucky, Indiana, Ireland, and beyond.Balvenie is releasing this year's batch of Peat Week 14 year old. Vintage-dated to 2003, the peated whisky will be quite available—36,000 bottles are destined for the U.S. market—and will cost $99. If you're wondering why Balvenie, a typically unpeated Speyside single malt, would make a peated version, find out the answer from the man who makes it, David Stewart.Another whiskey that's coming back for the second year in a row, WhistlePig Farmstock Crop 002 is now hitting shelves. The blend includes ryes sourced from MGP Distillery in Indiana, Alberta Distillers in Canada, and WhistlePig's own Vermont Distillery; this year, the Vermont portion makes up 32% of the mix. As with Farmstock Crop 001, this year's batch is limited. It has a recommended retail price of $73.Speaking of MGP, the Indiana mega-distillery has just released its own rye, after years of supplying hundreds of other brands...

In the past two decades, Compass Box has cemented itself as a leader in the world of blended scotch—and the whisky world as a whole—and throughout the journey founder and master blender John Glaser has led the way. Since the brand's inception in 2000, Compass Box has introduced beloved blends that encompass a variety of styles and flavor profiles, some of which have landed on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 list. Despite its success, Compass Box and Glaser continue to adapt to the rapidly changing trends of the whisky world. In fact, Glaser embraces the brand's evolution.“We reserve the right to improve our product, our whisky,” said Glaser, who joined Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on Jan. 22. “So many whisky lovers are conditioned to think, ‘Well, whiskies that are blends—whiskies from different distilleries—the whole thing about them is they're consistent, they don't change over time.' Of course they change.” Indeed, Compass Box changed the...

American peat bogs exist, but few American distillers tap them for their peated whiskeys. Instead, most import peat or peated barley from Scotland. That’s why it was so notable when Westland announced the arrival of Solum, a peated American single malt made with peat extracted from a bog located just two hours south of Seattle, in March of last year. 
Pacific Northwest peat is nothing like its Scottish counterpart. It’s more herbal and earthy, with a distinctive Labrador Tea note that lends a completely different flavor profile. Solum is currently a gentler expression of peat as well, though that’s not exactly by design. “One of our challenges is that peating [malt] has not been here traditionally, and our malt house partner [Skagit Valley Malting] hadn’t smoked [malt] before,” explains distillery manager Tyler Pedersen. That meant the years leading up to the first release of Solum involved a lot of trial and error;...

If you're searching for an extra-special bottle to augment your shelves or gift a loved one, then Sotheby's March whisky sale in New York might have just what you're looking for. Bidding opened yesterday on a slew of exceptional labels, including rare expressions of Pappy van Winkle, Michter's, Buffalo Trace, and more. In this sale, called The Camouflage Collection Part 1, there are 470 lots on offer, and you have until March 17th to check out the online catalog (and make a bid, if you so desire). 
Of course, there are more price-friendly new whiskies hitting the shelves this week, among them a heavily peated expression from Compass Box, a new wine cask-finished release from Green Spot, and two ultra-aged single malts from Bushmills. Read on for full details.
Compass Box Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story
Style: Blended malt
Origin: Scotland
Age: Not stated
ABV: 56.7%
Price: $125
Release: March 2023

In case you haven't heard: Our Top 20 whiskies of 2020 have been unveiled! Check out the list and join us at 3 p.m. today on Instagram Live, where we'll be discussing and tasting several of the winners.On to new releases! Stranahan's is making some of its rarest whiskeys available to benefit the Colorado communities impacted by recent wildfires. While its annual Snowflake release—which sees long lines of fans congregating for days ahead of time outside the distillery—is on hold until February 2021, the distillery is offering five bottles each of its 2015-2019 releases at auction. Proceeds will benefit the Colorado State Firefighters Foundation, and Stranahan's will match the gift up to $25,000. Follow the distillery's Instagram page for more information.Woodford Reserve has revealed its latest Master's Collection whiskey, Very Fine Rare. The bourbon is available in limited amounts, priced at $130, and debuts in a new bottle.Barrell is launching its annual New Year blended straight...

The Winter 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate is on the newsstands now, and features our Top 20 Whiskies of the Year list, in addition to over 115 whisky reviews and a wealth of stories to savor. As we move into a new year, the new releases are starting to arrive. Bushmills has a new age-stated single malt, and Orphan Barrel is rolling out another release of Muckety-Muck. Yellowstone has unveiled a special anniversary edition, while Westland also marks a bit of history with the final release of its circus-themed Westland Peat Week bottling, concluding an eight-year run. Read on for full details. Bushmills 12 Year OldStyle: Single maltOrigin: IrelandAge: 12 year oldABV: 40%Price: $60Release: January 2022Availability: Widely availableNeed to know:While this whiskey shares similarities with other  Bushmills releases—made from 100% unpeated malted barley and triple distilled in copper pot stills—it separates itself from the pack by marrying two 12 year old whiskeys, one aged in oloroso...

If you're in the market for special-edition whiskies, this week brings a lot of choice. The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection was announced earlier this week, but there are many more whisky riches to be had.Glenfiddich is launching two limited single malts: Glenfiddich Winter Storm, the latest in its Experimental Series, is 21 years old and finished in ice wine casks from Canada. There are 7,800 bottles available. In addition, Glenfiddich's new 1973 Rare Collection Cask No. 7585 is 40 years old, aged entirely in refill American oak, and costs $6,000. There are only 98 bottles available, all for the U.S.Seattle's Westland Distillery is making its limited-edition Peat Week single malt whiskey available nationwide for the first time. There are three different labels, but the whiskey inside the bottles is all the same. Only 1,500 bottles total are being released at a price of $100 each.Meanwhile, MGP Distillery's George Remus bourbon has a new bottling celebrating the repeal of...

When you hear smoky whisky, you're likely to think of peat—the decayed vegetation that compacts into bogs over centuries, and is later dug up, dried, and used as fuel in the malting process. Peat is common and easily accessible across Scotland and Ireland, making it the most popular combustible used to flavor single malt whisky, but it's not the only thing that adds smoke to drying malt. Distillers in other parts of the world are adding smoky notes to their whiskies using a variety of fuels and flavoring sources. Just like the first distillers who discovered peat, these producers are thinking outside of the box—err, bog.Get A Whiff of These Alternatively Smoked WhiskiesSeaweed: Fifty Stone Single Malt—45%, $45Maine Craft Distilling produces this single malt with barley that is floor malted by burning both local Maine peat and seaweed gathered by hand and dried in the distillery.Sheep Dung: Flóki Young Malt Sheep Dung Smoked Reserve—47%, €65Iceland is home to around 800,000...

A wonderful hit of peat, fatty barbecued meats, and spicy smoke on a very fragrant nose. Lots of balanced peat on the palate, along with baked red berries and dark chocolate—sweet but balanced against the peat. On the finish, it’s mid-length but very flavorful, a mix of dark chocolate and bright fruits, with peat fading in the distance. Not a hefty peat bomb in the least, despite the opening blast.

When putting together the ten highest-scoring whiskies from the Fall 2018 Buying Guide, we realized that the list was heavily weighted to peat. The Fall issue's theme, after all, is smoke, and Whisky Advocate's reviewers took the charge seriously by tasting and scoring a slew of peaty, smoked whiskies. So instead of a single top ten list, we've made two—one for the peatheads, and one that includes a more diverse array of whiskies.Check out the ten highest-scoring peated whiskies below—and pick up a copy of the Fall issue for a whole lot more!Ardbeg Corryvreckan95 points, 57.1%, $90Part of the permanent Ardbeg range since 2008, Corryvreckan is created from a blend of standard Ardbeg and Ardbeg aged in virgin French Limousin oak casks. Smoky bacon and seaweed, plus dark berries, prickly spices, walnuts, lemon, and sweet peat on the nose. Sweet and savory on the palate, with more lively spice, woodsmoke, phenols, and licorice. The finish is lengthy, with peat, sea salt, pepper, and...

While Craigellachie is giving away its next round of 51 year old in New York City, more new whiskies are rolling out.A big shakeup is coming for Balblair's single malt whiskies: The core lineup is moving from being vintage-dated releases to age-statement bottlings. There are advantages and disadvantages to the change—age statements are an easy benchmark to understand compared to vintages, which might be released multiple times at successively older ages. (For Balblair, you'd have to check the smaller print on the label to see which release you'd picked up and how long it had aged before bottling.) Balblair's new lineup includes 12, 15, 18, and 25 year old whiskies, each bottled at 46% ABV and matured in ex-bourbon and/or ex-sherry casks. The company stated in a press release that the new whiskies are distinct and unique, but fall in line with Balblair's house style. The new line is rolling out now overseas, but will not arrive in the U.S. until 2020, and U.S. pricing hasn't been...

Reminders of whisky are never far off in Scotland—swollen fresh rivers, pristine glens, rich peated earth, and the abundant rain that is destined to become tomorrow’s whisky. But so much of whisky’s culture in Scotland historically lay hidden, and was meant to be so. In earlier centuries, its distilleries were tucked away in remote corners of the Highlands and western isles, dodging the tax man. Even as scotch whisky grew to become big business, its prized malt distillers remained mostly unknown to the world at large.
Scotland’s malt whiskies were considered too rustic, too assertive, and too obscure for the world’s cosmopolitan drinkers in the 19th century—or so the thinking went. Blenders, often Scottish grocers who sold whisky in their shops, began mixing these malts with softer grain whiskies, giving rise to the blended scotch category. These palate-friendly blends, bearing names like Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s, Bell’s, and...

In 2020, Seattle’s Westland Distillery did a seemingly odd thing. After a decade of building a reputation as one of the country’s premier single malt makers, the company threw out the playbook. The flagship trio—Westland American Oak, Sherry Wood, and Peated—would be jettisoned. Even the beloved Peat Week, Westland’s flamboyantly labeled, carnival-themed release and centerpiece of the distillery’s annual Peat Week celebration, would be no more.

Westland Distillery master distiller Matt Hofmann sources peat from Washington state.

If it appeared like a radical move, in many ways it was. For master distiller Matt Hofmann, it was a monumental step on the path toward a long-held dream of making whiskeys that reflect the terroir of the Pacific Northwest. In the future, there would be no peat sourced from Scotland or casks shipped from Jerez. The Old World conventions would be swept away, and replaced by this new orientation...

In case you missed Whisky Advocate's exclusive reports: New whiskeys are on the way from the likes of country star Lee Greenwood, Brough Brothers, and Kentucky's most mysterious producer. Though we'll have to wait a bit for those, there are new whiskies available now.First up, a new 100% rye made at Kentucky Artisan Distillery is launching. Coalition rye includes three wine cask-finished variants (all $90) and a barrel-proof straight rye ($130). The whiskeys are available in several states.The Isle of Skye's second distillery, Torabhaig, is making its debut with Legacy Series 2017 single malt. The scotch whisky is priced at $60, with 6,000 bottles available in the U.S.Lock, Stock & Barrel rye is back with a 20 year old offering, its oldest yet. There are 3,000 bottles available, priced at $389.The Family Jones in Colorado is set to offer a bottled in bond rye whose distillation and bottling dates are exactly four years apart—Jan. 20, Inauguration Day. There are just 380 bottles...

Peat. You either dig it or you don't. Peat manifests as smoky notes in whiskies as a result of burning peat to dry and flavor barley. The peat burned to add flavor to whisky creates an inconceivably resilient flavor. Following its smoke seasoning, the barley is crushed in a mill, soaked in hot water, fermented with yeast, boiled up in a copper still, and locked away in the darkness of an oak barrel for many years, and yet, when the cork is pulled from a fresh bottle, there's no mistaking smoke's tenacity.But is that smoke like a sparky beach bonfire, sooty embers of wood ash, or rings of aromatic cigar smoke? Peat is decaying, waterlogged plant life, starved of oxygen and compressed over time. The organic nature of peat's origins, its moisture content, and the manner in which it's burned all contribute to the final flavor of the smoke.The variety of decomposed plant life in peat influences the sensory characteristics. It matters whether the landscape was once a bed of soft, springy...

Let me take you to a land of volcanoes and glaciers, rugged coastlines and deep fjords, Viking legends and the aurora borealis. The Nordic region is admired for its contemporary interior design, inspiring architecture, and timber summer cabins tucked into forest clearings. Now, Nordic whisky can be included in that array. It's a vibrant time for distilleries from the Jutland Peninsula to the Arctic Circle and across to Iceland, the land of fire and ice. The spectrum of this region's whisky flavors is as diverse as the Nordic landscape itself. Over the past two decades, distillers throughout the region have built a culture of craftsmanship and innovation, turning this special place into one of the world's prime locations for making whisky.
Finland
Teerenpeli Distillery—Founded 2002Teerenpeli is located in Lahti, about 60 miles north of Helsinki, and operates a brewery, seven restaurants, and a downtown distillery with a new visitor center. The distillery draws water from...

This is a great week for scotch lovers. A whole boatload of new single malts—and a couple new blends—are rolling out to store shelves. First, Macallan has two new releases to track down: Fine Oak 18 year old—which was released overseas before coming to the U.S.—joins the existing Fine Oak range of age statement whiskies. Macallan Classic Cut, on the other hand, is an NAS whisky bottled at cask strength. It's around for a limited time only and has a recommended price of $89.Macallan's parent company, Edrington Group, also owns Highland Park, and the Orkney distillery has a new whisky designed with music in mind. Highland Park Full Volume is around 18 years old and was matured entirely in ex-bourbon casks. Like Glenmorangie Pride 1974, the whisky has a custom piece of music written to go with it.Compass Box is debuting two new blended malts. Although the company has famously fought for more transparency in scotch labeling, it is deliberately holding back information about its...

Many peat-smoked whiskies state the phenol parts per million (ppm) of the malted barley on their label, suggesting that the higher the ppm the greater the smoke intensity. While it represents a useful indicator, remember that ppm is a measure of the raw material—not the finished liquid. The final smoke impact is further shaped by decisions made at the points of distillation, maturation, and blending. (For an insightful explanation of this process, check out our interview with Bruichladdich head distiller Adam Hannett.) Ready to explore the range of peatiness for yourself? Taste through these whiskies and accelerate your appreciation.From 0 to 300: Find Your Perfect PPM0 ppm—Hazelburn 10 year oldPears, toffee, herbal tobacco, cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa powder.<1 ppm—Old Pulteney 12 year oldAlmonds, honey, and nuts with wood spices.0.5-2 ppm—Bunnahabhain 12 year oldNutty, toffee, light molasses, vanilla fudge, citrus, dark berries, and a hint of brine.12-13 ppm—Ardmore...

Understand the House Style of Islay's Classic Seaside Distillery Established in 1815 on the Scottish island of Islay, Laphroaig is the most richly flavored of all the Scotch whiskies. Named after the Loch Laphroaig on the south coast, the distillery's location also informs it's one-of-a-kind flavor profile. Set across the road from a peat field, all of Laphroaig's single malts offer huge peat smoke, medicinal, and full of ozone characteristics. As its whitewashed buildings are likewise on the coast, the whiskies also offers salty undertones, with hints of seawood. Crucial too is the aging process, starting with whiskies a decade old and going up from there—though Laphroaig has been a top innovator in maturation too, with everything from triple wood finishing to the use of quarter casks. These are long, powerful whiskies meant for savoring.Laphroaig® Single Malt SelectThis special Laphroaig is created from carefully selected casks of each of our key styles stretching back in time...

This month marks the annual arrival of Octomore, the super-peated scotch whisky from Islay distiller Bruichladdich. Octomore's 12th edition has three different expressions—12.1, 12.2, and 12.3. Three iterations within each release is the norm for Octomore, although some years have seen a fourth expression added as well. What is unusual this year is that all three 12th edition whiskies are being sold in the U.S. Normally the .2 is available in Travel Retail only, but this year Octomore fans stateside stand a far better chance of acquiring the full set.What makes Octomore so special? For the uninitiated, a quick primer: When Bruichladdich Distillery restarted production back in 2001 after being shuttered since the mid-'90s, the non-peated Bruichladdich label was the only product. But there was a desire to make a peated whisky too, in order to mark the newly reopened distillery's Islay identity. Thus Port Charlotte was born. From there the inspiration flowed, and a plan emerged to...

Scotland welcomes thousands of whisky lovers to its distilleries this time of year. Between May and early June, many visitors take in the Campbeltown Malts Festival, held last week, and then travel on to Fèis Ìle, the Islay festival that's being held this week and wraps up on Saturday. To heighten the excitement, lots of new whiskies from Campbeltown and Islay are released in tandem with these events, though not all are festival exclusives. Attending the festivities in person is the best way of securing the rarest festival releases of course, but fortunately, many distilleries now ensure their festival bottlings and limited editions are released in the U.S. too. While the full ratings and tasting notes will appear in upcoming issues of Whisky Advocate, here are our first impressions of five of these new single malts.
Ardbeg Spectacular, 46%, $130
This year’s circus-themed Fèis Ìle release promises a spectacle of flavors thanks...

Even if you're not hitting a whisky trail, there's still plenty of excitement to be had in a new bottle or two—and this week brings six new whiskies to taste.First up, Johnnie Walker's third installment in the Blue Label Ghost and Rare series will be hitting shelves this October. With the main rare malt sourced from Glenury Royal Distillery—closed in 1985—the blend is priced at $350 and available in limited amounts.Also limited, although much more affordable, is the latest release in Jack Daniel's Tennessee Tasters' Selection: Barrel Proof Rye. There are about 24,000 half-size bottles of the whiskey for sale at Jack Daniel's Distillery and select Tennessee retailers, priced at $40 each.Meanwhile, Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled the latest limited-edition Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbon. Made with amaranth as the flavoring grain, rather than rye or wheat, the whiskey is available in limited amounts for $70.Compass Box is revamping the recipe for The Peat Monster, its heavily...

There aren’t many whisky flavors as divisive as peat. You either love it or you don’t, but that doesn’t mean all smoky whiskies taste the same. For some Islay distillers and others around the globe, turning to a popular tool in scotch whisky, the sherry cask, adds new dimensions to peated whisky.
Laphroaig, famous for its peat, has utilized sherry casks for a variety of expressions, including its 10 year old Sherry Oak Finish and the 2021 Càirdeas Pedro Ximénez Edition. “It just does something different with the smoke,” says distillery manager Barry MacAffer of the sherry cask influence. “It doesn’t dampen it, it doesn’t silence it, it doesn’t make it disappear, it just moves it in a different direction.”
Sweetening the peated profile with sherry casks can attract drinkers who might otherwise find it difficult to connect with peat. “There are a lot of people out there that aren’t Laphroaig...

If you're fond of peaty Islay scotches, there's a whole new world of smoke to discover in America. Distillers are using peat, mesquite, hickory and more to impart both subtle and strong smoke flavors on single malt, rye, and other styles. Stoke the flames of your enthusiasm for the smoky stuff with these whiskeys.PeatMcCarthy's Oregon Single Malt—88 points, $55Clear Creek Distillery, Hood River, OregonMade using Scottish smoked barley and aged for around 3 years. Burnt marshmallow, graham cracker, and toasted grain flavors, with a good amount of smoke.Westland Peated Single Malt—86 points, $70Westland Distillery, Seattle, WashingtonMade using Scottish smoked barley and aged at least 2 years. A rush of deep vanilla and tapioca on the nose, with cream pie, French vanilla, cotton candy, and subtle smoke on the palate.Balcones Peated Single Malt—92 points, $80Balcones Distilling, Waco, TexasMeaty, with lots of baking spice and a dark, earthy smoke. Very long finish. Special release...

Avisit to Islay and Jura is the ultimate adventure for the single malt scotch lover. Islay, Queen of the Hebrides, and her world-class whiskies have come to represent Scotch whisky for so many minds and palates. We love those assertive, uncompromising, smoky single malts bristling with machismo, and we revel in their unpeated drams that produce soft, rich Hebridean beauties bursting with personality. These whiskies ignite passionate dedication and near-religious fervor at times, leading some to commit spectacular acts of single-minded devotion that no other whisky producing area can rival. They are unmatched. No spirit distilled anywhere else in the world is a substitute for Ardbeg or can be taken as a proxy for Laphroaig. If you're the kind of person who likes to suck the marrow out of life, then simply nothing else will do.Both islands face the teeth of forceful Atlantic gales through the winter, and bask in the welcoming relief of the Gulf Stream climate in the summer months (well...

There's plenty of new whisky on the horizon this week, from the U.S., Scotland, and beyond.Old Forester is debuting its first new mashbill in a century and a half with the launch of a rye whiskey. Bottled at 50% ABV and priced at $24, the whiskey is widely available.Another brand from Brown-Forman, Coopers' Craft, is also adding a new whiskey. Coopers' Craft Barrel Reserve was aged in a new charred oak barrel that was chiseled on the inside to create more surface area for the wood and whiskey to interact. At 50% ABV, it's also higher proof than the original Cooper's Craft. It will be available in a dozen states for $30-$33.Glen Moray has unveiled the latest release in its non-age statement Classic Collection. Glen Moray Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish was finished in, you guessed it, cabernet casks and bottled at 40% ABV. It's widely available for $30.Seattle's Westland Distillery is releasing its latest Peat Week limited-edition single malt. Bottled at 50% ABV and priced at $100, the...

For the whisky drinker, few moments will ever rival that of tasting a 50 year old scotch. And right now, we are witnessing the release of the last bottles from casks laid down in the 1960s—a decade defined by tumultuous changes in the world: the Civil Rights protests, the Cuban missile crisis, the Vietnam War, the assassination of J.F.K., the Moon landings, and Hendrix playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock. Although blended scotch was king at the time, the 1960s also marked the inception of the single malt Scotch whisky revolution. And today, there are more 50 year old single malts to choose from than ever before.Only an infinitesimal number of special barrels have gone the distance of 50 years, and their rarity and longevity always command top dollar. Current offerings of 50 year old scotch, like Dalmore, can cost as much as $60,000 a bottle, making others, like Benromach, look like a veritable bargain at $14,500. Therefore, you will likely belong to one of two groups...

When Benriach announced a major relaunch last fall, scotch lovers eagerly anticipated the new releases. The Speyside distillery's previous offerings were numerous, making it a challenge to know where to begin and limiting the availability of specific expressions. The new lineup of four single malts, each with a different cask maturation profile, showcases for a wider audience Benriach's broad capabilities and diverse spirit styles; the distillery makes both peated and unpeated whisky, as well as triple-distilled whisky.“[The goal of the new range] was to open the doors of Benriach for the world,” said master blender Rachel Barrie, who joined Whisky Advocate's #TasteWithSpace Instagram Live series on Jan. 15. “I wanted to create whiskies that were exciting, interesting, would dance on your tongue, give you a journey of flavor, a world of flavor, surprise and delight, and that people would want to come back to and that they'd be able to come back to.”While all of Benriach's new...

Benriach Distillery sits in Scotland's Speyside, the world's most famous whisky region, and yet is often overlooked. It produces both peated and unpeated whiskies, and much of the peated expressions' appeal lies in their refined profile. Instead of packing the medicinal, iodine explosion like most of Islay's peat bombs, Benriach's peat notes are gentle and sweet. The secret is in the local Speyside peat, which is vastly different from the peat of Islay.That alluring sweet smoke wowed our tasting panel last year, when Benriach The Smoky Twelve emerged from the pack as No. 3 in our 2020 Top 20 Whiskies of the Year.Scores and Tasting Notes For Benriach the Twenty One, Twenty Five, and Thirty
Benriach The Thirty95 points, 46%, $740Benriach digs into the vaults for this rare gem, and it's a tour de force. The maturity shows at once, with an antique note of well-aged peat char and dark sherried aromas of dried figs and raisins. The palate offers flavors of cooked berries and baked...

The sensory pleasures of the seaside can sometimes be found in your whisky glass, remarkably enough. The lip-smacking combination of sea spray, rock pools, vanilla ice cream, beach barbecue, and smoked shellfish all come together in the best peated whiskies, creating a delightful maritime journey in a dram. Saltiness imbues these whiskies' peat smoke notes on the nose, and deliver a briny character to the spicy smoke on the finish. Maritime tasting notes like tarry boat rope, wooden fish boxes, and lobster pots on a boat's deck all invoke the pull of the sea.Smoky Islay whiskies are of course the world's signature peated expressions, but unpeated whiskies finished in Islay casks can also accomplish this goal. Those smoke flavors come from the hardy compounds that envelop the malted barley when peat's lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose constituents are put to the flame. The flavor possibilities vary, depending on the history and location of the peat bog, the depth and moisture of the...

The drumbeat of craft distillery acquisitions continues, as this week brought news of Maryland rye maker Sagamore Spirit being acquired by Illva Saronno, the Italian drinks company best known for its Disaronno amaretto liqueur brand. Sagamore's story is one that any whisky lover can appreciate: it was founded by the deep-pocketed Kevin Plank, famous for his Under Armour sportswear brand, who spared no expense in launching Sagamore's distillery on Baltimore's waterfront back in 2017. From the start, the company has been serious about its mission to restore Maryland rye's reputation, and its own-make whiskey is just now starting to come of age. In an interesting twist, yesterday Illva Saronno also unveiled a new amaro label called Sagamore Spirit Amaro, which includes Sagamore Spirit rye distillate.
Earlier this week, Diageo announced the fourth release of its coveted Prima & Ultima whiskies. This year's edition marks the first time this collection of...

Back in 2020, Seattle-based American single malt producer Westland Distillery stunned the whiskey world with an announcement  that it would drop its core range of three labels—American Oak, Sherry Wood, and Peated—the whiskeys that had built its reputation since its founding in 2010. That trio would be gone, along with Westland’s popular Peat Week annual release. The distillery then set about drilling down on expressing its Pacific Northwest terroir. Sherry casks from Spain and peated malt from Scotland would leave the limelight, replaced by local barley and peat, as well other surrounding elements of Westland’s Washington habitat.
Westland had already started blazing this trail with Garryana, its whiskey finished in native Garryana oak that debuted in 2016. To that was added Colere, with its mashbill of Washington barley, and Solum, made with Washington-harvested peat. All three expressions have won plaudits, but without the Westland...

Every May, scotch lovers descend on Islay for Fèis Ìle, otherwise known as the Islay Festival of Music and Malt. This year, the festival takes place from May 26th through June 3rd. Each day of the festival, a different distillery hosts an Open Day with activities for visitors and a limited-edition whisky. Many of these whiskies are available only during the festival and sell out quickly; however, some are released more widely once the festival has concluded.See below for details on distillery open days (including Jura Distillery on Jura, and the Islay Ales brewery), and a list of the different whiskies each distillery is releasing. There are also special releases from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Douglas Laing & Co., as well as a special event featuring six different Islay single casks dating from 1982 to 1991, hosted by Jim McEwan and Hunter Laing, which is currently building Islay's newest distillery, Ardnahoe. (Note that some distilleries will not share...

A new year has begun, and with it come new whiskies. This week brings news of an age-statement blended malt from Douglas Laing & Company, as well as the first two whiskeys in a new series from South Carolina's Dark Corner Distillery.Timorous Beastie 10 year old is a limited-edition blended malt with a similar flavor profile to Douglas Laing's standard Timorous Beastie. The silvery-gray packaging is meant to mimic aluminum, the traditional gift for 10-year anniversaries.Dark Corner's Lewis Redmond series of whiskeys commemorate a notorious local moonshiner and outlaw from the 1800s. The first two whiskeys launched in November and December, and more will be coming. They are currently available only at the distillery in Greenville.Finally, find information about Fifty Stone single malt whiskey from Maine Craft Distilling. A reader who had enjoyed our article about Westland Distillery's use of American peat recently suggested that we check this whiskey out, because it's also made with...

The majority of whisky barrels are mass-produced, utilitarian items—ready-to-wear in fashion parlance. But sometimes, you want to dress your whisky in something custom, much like a bespoke suit is made to the customer's exacting specifications, with particular finishing touches like a ticket pocket, turnback cuffs, or horn buttons. Distillers ordering bespoke casks are looking for the same sort of custom tailoring from their cooper, as they aim to make new discoveries, expand the boundaries of flavor, and turn heads. Rather than chasing fashion, bespoke casks can embellish a whisky with a style all its own.Hip to be SquareThere's something wonderfully spherical about the word ‘cooper.' Write it down and feel how all six letters require a curving, looping motion of the hand to form the letters. Like visual onomatopoeia, the word evokes the roundness of wooden casks. So when Swedish master cooper Johan Thorslund was challenged to build a square cask, he couldn't resist.The challenge...

When discussing the peat flavor in whisky, many people refer to "PPM," or phenol parts per million—a measurement of how much peat smoke was imparted on the barley during the malting process. But the PPM of malted barley doesn't necessarily correspond with how peaty the final whisky tastes. Using Port Charlotte 10 year old and MRC: 01 2010 as examples, Bruichladdich head distiller Adam Hannett explains how two whiskies that are made from barley malted to the same PPM level can end up tasting so very...

Scottish peat isn't the only smoke game in town and American producers are leading the charge by using all types of smoke to create new, unique whiskeys.There's no better place to start than with the guy who wrote the book on it—literally. Corsair distillery's Darek Bell wrote Fire Water: Experimental Smoked Malts and Whiskeys. He's worked with a massive assortment of woods and other fuel sources, carefully controlling variables such as time, humidity, terroir of the fuel, and how well different grains absorb various types of smoke.“We quickly became frustrated that there were so few options of types of smoked malts to buy, so we began malting and smoking our own grains,” says Bell. Corsair offers a changing collection of smoked whiskeys among their seasonal and experimental releases, but their penchant for smoke is most prominent in their popular Triple Smoke. The mashbill incorporates three separately smoked malts, with cherrywood, beechwood, and yes, peat. “We find blending...

Did you see Monday's reveal of the full Top 20 list? Check out all 20 of the most exciting whiskies of 2017, including Whisky of the Year.Beyond the Top 20 list, there's more excitement to be had in this week's new whisky releases. Glen Moray—whose 18 year old was number 10 on our list—is launching a sherry cask-finished, NAS single malt. For only $30, it's worth picking up if you've never gotten acquainted with this Speyside distillery.Higher up the pricing ladder, Macallan has a new line of single cask whiskies ranging in age from 12 to 22 years old—and priced from $250 to $1,300. There's not much other information available about these seven single cask bottlings.If you prefer peatier scotch at a lower price, Bowmore has a new 18 year old ($127) partly matured in manzanilla sherry casks and a 26 year old ($540) that spent half its life in wine barriques. Both are limited in quantity.Meanwhile, the Big Peat blended malt brand is launching its first age-statement whisky. Only...

There are over 170 whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2019 Buying Guide, covering everything from scotch to bourbon to German single malt—and beyond. Here, we highlight ten of the highest-scoring whiskies (not featured as Collectibles or Editors' Choice bottles, nor in the Top 20), each netting 93 points or above. For the full line-up of reviews, check out the Winter 2019 Buying Guide.10 of the Highest-Scoring Whiskies for Winter 2019Ardbeg 19 year old Traigh Bhan95 points, 46.2% ABV, $300Ardbeg's first core bottling with an age statement in nearly 20 years was matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. Rock pools, fabric Band-Aids, coal dust, licorice, hot peat, pineapple, and a seafood platter on the complex nose. The palate is oily, with smoked fish, overt peat smoke, chili, iodine, and lemon. Long in the finish, with more iodine and peppery peat. A delightfully traditional Ardbeg. —Gavin SmithLux Row Distillers 12 year old Double Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon94 points, 59.2%...

There's a brand-new issue of Whisky Advocate out now, and it's all about BIG whisky: big proof, big prices, big production, and more. Pick up a copy today, and subscribe to receive new issues even before they hit newsstands.On to the week's new releases. Wild Turkey has unveiled its latest limited-edition bourbon, a 2003 vintage of Russell's Reserve. Priced at $250, there are just 3,600 bottles available.Macallan is launching the newest entry in its Fine & Rare series, distilled in 1993. Just 256 bottles are available, priced at $18,000 each.Jack Daniel's has unveiled the latest Tennessee Tasters' Selection, a Tennessee whiskey finished in Jamaican allspice barrels. With 24,000 half-size bottles for sale mainly at the distillery, the price is $40.Compass Box has created a limited-edition version of Peat Monster to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary. Peat Monster Arcana is priced at $95, with just over 8,300 bottles available.Aberfeldy is launching another limited-edition...

In every issue and for each season, Whisky Advocate recommends whiskies with the most potential to gain value in the long term. This round of top choices comes from Ireland, the U.S., and Scotland. Check out the Summer issue's Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed.
97 Midleton Very Rare 48 year old Silent Distillery Chapter 4 Irish Single Pot Still, 53.9%, $50,000
Polished antique furniture, Brazil nut, cacao, Oreos, and leather, it’s clearly of significant age but blossoms with beeswax candles, baked orange, and peppy spices given time. Wonderfully oily and honeyed, with spices straining at the leash against a backdrop of indulgent chocolate, walnut, and citrus oils. It takes many expressive turns, gliding through coffee, praline, pecan pie, and treacle, with the spices blazing like the tail of a comet.
94 Midleton Very Rare Vintage 2023 Irish Blended, 40%, $250
Toffee up front, with vanilla, green apple, pot still spice...

Meikle Tòir (pronounced mee-kuhl tor) is a new range of 5 year old peated Speyside single malts produced at Glenallachie Distillery by master distiller Billy Walker. Walker began producing peated spirit at Glenallachie in 2018, the first time this had been attempted since the distillery was founded in 1967. Meikle Tòir means “the big pursuit,” and in his quest of peated perfection, Walker uses mainland peat, a lengthy fermentation of 160 hours, and a meticulous selection of high-quality casks to create this sweet, smoky style. The malt in each small batch expression was peated to 35 phenol parts per million (ppm), except The Turbo 2023 Edition, which is the spirit from the “heart of the heart” of the distillate, and was made using malt peated to 71 ppm.
93 points - Meikle Tòir The Sherry One 5 year old, 48%, $75
Chocolate brownie, smoked orange disc, ground cumin, mild smoked paprika, gentle peat smoke, and a dusting of cocoa on...

There’s an old joke about real estate that the best time to buy a house is 20 years ago. That crack is probably even more relevant to today’s whisky market. Most of us have heard the war stories—about bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, Port Ellen, and other now-precious whiskies that once sat on store shelves ignored for months and even years because no one was interested. But as for selection, there’s no time like the present. Over the past two decades, the whisky world has changed beyond all recognition, and that’s true of every style across the board.
In rye, the market is now comprised of countless labels, whereas 20 years ago there were only three distilleries making the stuff—Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey, and Beam. While bourbon has always been prominent, the proportion of change has been the same. Craft whiskeys barely existed two decades ago, and now there are 2,753 craft distilleries across the nation accounting for nearly 8% of total spirits...

Scotch fans have a lot of great whisky to look forward to this week, with new releases from Balvenie, GlenDronach, and more. But drinkers of American single malt should keep their eyes peeled for new single barrel releases from Balcones. The Texas distillery has started a single barrel program, meaning liquor stores and bars can offer their own unique cask of single malt, choosing among American, French, and Hungarian oak casks. The program is available in 14 states with expansion planned.On to the scotch. Balvenie is launching a new trio of single malts called The Balvenie Stories. The collection includes two permanently available expressions—The Sweet Toast of American Oak 12 year old ($60) and A Week of Peat 14 year old ($99)—as well as the limited-edition A Day of Dark Barley 26 year old ($799). The whiskies are available nationwide.Woodford Reserve has debuted a cognac-finished bourbon for travel retail. Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition was designed to perfectly match its...

Perfect for leisurely sipping on a balmy summer night, the Highball is enjoying a revival in the U.S. But in Japan, Highballs are a way of life, says Masahiro Urushido, managing partner and bartender at Japanese-style cocktail bar Katana Kitten in New York City. “The Highball has been popular for over 100 years,” Urushido says. “I think the reason is because it's so versatile.”An ideal whisky drink, the Highball allows the spirit to step into roles usually occupied by beer, or even wine. “It pairs pretty much with anything you're eating, almost like champagne,” Urushido adds. Highballs also temper the potent proof of whisky. “It's not a strong drink,” says Peter Mizutani, senior bar captain at Conrad Tokyo hotel's bar TwentyEight. “Japanese people drink Highballs to enjoy the atmosphere. Maybe in the U.S. or Australia or Europe, they enjoy their whisky neat, but in Japan we prefer to drink whisky with soda water.”How to Make a Highball 1½oz. whisky 4 oz. chilled...

(“Uisce Rising” is a pun on Easter Rising; 2016 is the centenary of the Easter Rising in Ireland.)The Irish love their myths, folklore, and legends. Unfortunately, during the rise and fall and rise of Irish whiskey, a great number of tall tales grew up around it too. Irish whiskey is a drink full of contradictions, but we are here to pierce the bunkum.If it's Irish, then whiskey always has an 'e', doesn't it? Sorry, not always. Both whisky and whiskey were used historically, though the latter is the dominant form used today. The extra ‘e' helped to differentiate the drink from scotch. The last Irish Whiskey Act was passed in 1980 (don't worry, they're working on a new one), but legally it can still be called Irish whiskey or whisky under European Law.Okay, but it's all triple distilled, isn't it? Sorry, not always. There are many different types of Irish whiskey. Although much of it is triple distilled, it's not a defining Irish whiskey characteristic. There's Auchentoshan for...

Which bar has the most whiskies on Islay? The Ballygrant Inn is the leader, though the Bowmore Hotel collection is vast, and they are both ahead of the chasing pack. For returning visitors, The Ballygrant Inn is now home to the world famous gantry from Duffy's Bar in the Lochside Hotel, which is carved with the names of the individual distilleries. Who makes the peatiest whisky? The parts per million (ppm) of the malted barley on the bottle does not necessarily carry over into the final spirit, so for peat's sake, do yourself a favor and order up a few drams to undertake your own comparison. The Bowmore Hotel and the Ballygrant Inn have dozens of bottles from each distillery, so let the battle commence between Octomore 6.3 and Ardbeg SN2015 Committee Release.I'm just not sure peat is for me, so what should I drink?There are plenty of unpeated and lightly-peated whiskies to explore from Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, and Jura. When you are ready, try a Bowmore 12 year old or a sweet...

Why do small whisky companies compete in the face of blending dominance by multinational corporations? What's their take on blending, and how does this differ from the major whisky brands? Which blends are deserving of your hard-earned cash? As blending is highly topical, Jonny McCormick speaks to blenders from three contrasting whisky companies to find out the answers. To an aspiring whisky blender, the muscle of Dewar's, Johnnie Walker, and Chivas Brothers must seem every bit as imposing as biblical Goliath. These huge heritage brands, born from the successes of entrepreneurs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, dominate not only blended whisky, but also the entire Scotch whisky industry. They are masters in the art of blending dozens of aged single malts and lighter grain whiskies into incredibly complex and consistent whiskies on a grand scale. Add to this skill their marketing prowess, daunting stocks of maturing whiskies, and global name recognition, and they are the...

In recent years, many Highlands and Speyside single malt whisky brands have added peated expressions to their lineups (see anCnoc with Cutter, Flaughter, and other whiskies in the peated collection, or BenRiach with Curiositas). This might have seemed like a departure from their traditional unpeated styles, but the truth is that most scotch whiskies were made with peated malt in the years before the mid-20th century: Peat, after all, is Scotland's most readily available fuel source. So although Balvenie hasn't had a peated expression in decades, its latest release, Peat Week, isn't a complete novelty. The brand began distilling peated whisky for a week each year starting in 2002, and this is the first bottling of that experiment. Going forward, Balvenie will keep releasing Peat Week annually.In other news, Glenmorangie is re-releasing Astar after a 9-year absence.The limited-edition expression scored 93 points the last time it was reviewed in our Buying Guide, and we're excited to...

The total phenol parts per million (ppm) of the malted barley is one of the malting specifications required by the distiller. At a malting's laboratory, samples of malt are analyzed for phenols, moisture, nitrogen content, and predicted spirit yield. Having malted barley peated to a higher ppm can contribute to a peatier-tasting whisky, but the ppm of the raw material is not a measurement of peat or smoke flavor in the bottle. Using the malt's phenol ppm to predict final flavor (see below) is like trying to judge the value of a used car based on nothing but its original purchase price. It disregards the brand, underlying quality, mileage, and skill of the driver. Similarly, the ppm of the malt pays no heed to the art of making whisky; the milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation cuts, and maturation of which can each exert an effect on the degree of smoke and peat flavors that make their way into the bottle. Putting the peaty brinkmanship of Ardbeg Supernova Advanced Committee...

There are over 100 whiskies reviewed in the Spring 2020 Buying Guide, covering everything from scotch to bourbon to Irish single malt—and beyond. Here, we highlight ten of the highest-scoring whiskies (not featured as CollectiblesorEditors' Choice bottles, nor from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection), each netting 92 points or above. For the full line-up of reviews, check out the Spring 2020 Buying Guide.10 of the Highest-Scoring Whiskies for Spring 2020Booker's 2019-03 “Country Ham” Kentucky Straight Bourbon94 points, 62.35% ABV, $80Clover honey, floral notes, bright citrus, marzipan, nutmeg, and cinnamon initiate a mesmerizing succession of flavors. On the palate, the impeccable balance of sweetness and spice introduces candied orange peel and cinnamon hearts candies. What is remarkable is how a bourbon this potent can play host to such delicate flavors, making it both massive and bright. The creamy sweetness rolls on and on, with waves of exotic sandalwood and spice...

The Scottish islands offer a picturesque getaway off the mainland, full of sites to see and spirits to drink. The Isle of Skye is no exception to that; thanks to Skye's breathtaking natural phenomena, shops and restaurants, and growing distillery scene, it makes an ideal whisky destination.When to goIdeally, avoid the peak summer vacation months of July and August. This is when Skye is at its busiest and most expensive.Spring and fall are quieter overall, and seasonal businesses that you may want to visit will be open. Accommodations will also be easier to find, and cheaper than during the most popular tourist period. These are prime periods for the average traveler looking for a well-rounded excursion.Winter is the off-season and the quietest time on the island, making it one of the few opportunities for more serene outdoor excursions. However, some degree of bravery is required with regard to weather: Winters can be cold and wet, and daylight hours are more limited. You are likely...

Think of the quintessential image of a scotch whisky distillery, and likely it includes a pagoda roof rising above a cluster of stone buildings. This architectural feature of the kiln chimney is a signature of scotch whisky distilling. Its design was the work of architect Charles Doig (1855–1918), whose success with the Doig Ventilator—the proper name for these pagodas—led to its introduction at 56 distilleries.
Doig’s first such ventilator was designed for Dailuaine Distillery in 1889, and while the original was destroyed by fire in 1917, many other examples can be spotted around Scotland today. The purpose is to draw hot air up through the kiln from the furnace to dry the green malt, stopping germination and completing the malting process. This will also flavor the malt if the furnace is burning peat, but not all floor maltings are synonymous with peated malt.
Some argue that the term cupola is more accurate than pagoda. A cupola is a structural...

Making whiskey from heirloom grains has been among the many pursuits of Newport, Kentucky-based New Riff Distilling since its launch in 2014. Now it's offering a new iteration of its Balboa rye label, which returns for the first time since its inaugural release in 2019. Meanwhile, Old Forester is bringing back its 1910 Extra Old label, and Westland returns with the third edition of its peated expression Solum, this time with significantly more bottles available. Elsewhere, terroir-drive Colorado distiller Laws is out with a new wheated whiskey, while the World Whiskey Society has expanded its Doc Holliday franchise with a bottled in bond bourbon.
 
Old Forester 1910 Extra Old Bourbon
ABV: 46.5%
SRP: $65
Availability: Limited
Earlier this month, Old Forester reintroduced its 1924 bourbon. Now, the distillery is bringing back another whiskey: 1910 Extra Old, which returns to shelves after a nearly three-year hiatus. The...

A Dhà means “Smoky Two” in Gaelic, as this one is the sequel to the popular peated Toiteach. The nose starts with lots of flavorful peat—almost a mesquite flavor—with paprika spice and grilled pork. The palate is sweet as the peat moves into the background, with chocolate and peat embers lingering. A lengthy finish offers more chocolate, orange, and beautifully balanced peat. Smooth and easy—peat skeptics should try it. (Release date...

The Irish whiskey narrative over the past 15–20 years has been a story of restoration, perseverance, and conviction, galvanized by a resilient spirit that recognizes how the island nearly lost its whiskey industry in the 20th century. Dozens of new distilleries and hundreds of new Irish whiskey brands were founded with aspirations of capturing the U.S. market, but now find themselves facing a post-Covid world battling the combined effects of geopolitical uncertainty, economic downturns in China, trade tensions, and a sober-curious Gen Z.
Persuading whiskey drinkers to explore beyond Jameson has been a challenge, such is its dominance among Irish whiskeys. As all styles of whisky struggle, the global casualty list of distilleries keeps growing, the most high-profile Irish example being Waterford Distillery, which went into receivership in November 2024 with substantial debt. Others are in similar straits, and even the country’s number-one whiskey maker, Irish...

Scotch whisky guides typically slice the country into neat regions: Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown, and other Islands. But fans of Scotland's coastal malts prefer life on the edge, much like the distilleries that cling to Scotland's wild perimeter, with its thousands of miles of coastline encompassing long sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, sheltered coves, and deep blue estuaries that convey the outflow of rivers to the ocean. Their whiskies run the gamut of flavor, from fiery, elemental smoke bombs to sumptuously smooth charmers, yet find a common bond in their affinity with the sea. Whether a wisp of briny ocean spray, reeking to the rafters with iodine, or as lip-smackingly moreish as a giant pretzel, each sip is a compelling case that Scotland's coast is a whisky region unto itself.6 Highly Rated Single Malts from Scotland's Coastal RegionsIt's impossible to ascribe the saltiness to any single factor. As the casks breathe in the sea air, distillers with warehouses...

The slowest week for whisky releases still brings a couple of new bottles from Douglas Laing & Co., each wrapping up the company's 70th anniversary celebrations. Big Peat Platinum 26 year old is a cask-strength version of the popular Islay blended malt, coming in at 51.5% ABV and $300 (£175 in the UK). There are 1,100 bottles for the U.S. Meanwhile, Xtra Old Particular Platinum Port Ellen 1982 Vintage was distilled shortly before the distillery closed permanently. It costs just shy of £2,000. Unfortunately, it is not for sale in the U.S.Read on for full details.1/12/18: This post was updated to add new information about Big Peat Platinum's U.S. availability.Big Peat Platinum 26 Year OldStyle: Blended maltOrigin: Scotland (Islay)Age: 26 years oldProof: 51.5% ABVPrice: $300Release: December 2018Availability: 3,000 bottles, including 1,100 for the U.S.Need to know:A limited-edition version of Douglas Laing's Big Peat blended malt, this whisky blends malts from a number of Islay...

There are plenty of everyday drams to fulfill your peaty cravings. And, from the beauty of Islay blended malts to the peculiarities of alternative smoke, there are various avenues a peat-head could go down. However, when it comes to the climbing the summit, a few peated whiskies are considered the stuff of legend. Rare, exclusive, and historic, these whiskies are the pinnacle of peated malts we dream of tasting.Pricy Peat: Bucket-List Bottles of Smoky ScotchArdbeg 1815 Limited Edition—50.1%, £5,000Distilled in 1974 and 1975, this 2015 release commemorates the 200th anniversary of Ardbeg Distillery. Limited to just 400 bottles, the whisky was matured in both bourbon and sherry casks and bottled at 33 years of age. Still available in store, and often cheaper at auction.Black Bowmore 1964 Final Edition—40.9%, $25,000 Like the other legendary Black Bowmore offerings, the fifth and oldest release was distilled on November 5, 1964. After half a century, this first-fill sherry cask...

While no one would argue that simply getting a group together to sample and enjoy whiskies is a bad time, adding a focus can make it a much better time. Fresh, fun ideas will give your club's next tasting a clear focal point, and ensure everyone has a blast.“
The easiest and most common is for us to rally around a specific distillery,” says Josh Peters, a longtime member of several Los Angeles-area clubs, like Malt Nuts and the Southern California Whiskey Club (SCWC). And while there's no shortage of distilleries, he finds that slightly more “out there” tasting themes offer a welcome change of pace. Peters says core club members bounce ideas back and forth throughout the year to come up with creative and educational programming that brings whisky to life in new ways.
“When we have clear, interesting themes we sell out the events in under 24 hours,” he notes. “When the theme is a bit ambiguous or too similar to something we've done...

It's a big week for the Emerald Isle—or at least its distillers—as several new Irish whiskeys are making their stateside debut.First up, Boann Distillery is adding a trio of cask-finished offerings to supplement its recently released Whistler Double Oaked blend. The Whistler Oloroso Cask-Finished ($35) is widely available, while Calvados Cask-Finished ($40) and Imperial Stout Cask-Finished ($40) are both more limited, with 3,000 bottles available.Sliabh Liag Distillers is launching the Legendary Silkie with two blends, one lightly peated ($42) and the more heavily peated Dark Silkie ($44)—both using Irish peat, a first in the U.S. The whiskeys are available in several states, with expansion planned.The first whiskeys made at Royal Oak Distillery have come of age and are being released as The Busker. The lineup includes single malt, single grain, and single pot still whiskeys (all $30), as well as a blend ($25) of all three. They are widely available.Moving away from Ireland...

If you're the type of whisky drinker who cherishes being the first to get their hands on new releases, distillery clubs will keep you in the know when products drop, give you access to exclusive tastings, and get you discounts on merchandise and tours. We detailed the many perks of joining a distillery club, and spoke to some of the loyal patrons who enjoy them.As for new releases within the wider world of whisky, Maker's Mark introduces a second limited-edition stave finish for 2021, Macallan adds a 30 year old to its Double Cask line, and Westland unveils its 6th edition of Garryana. Read on for full details.Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: 54.55%Price: $60Release: September 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This is the second limited edition stave finish released by Maker’s Mark this year following FAE-01 this spring. Maker’s Mark doesn’t chill filter its whiskeys, which results in...

Since 2012, Westland Distillery has plied its trade in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, named for its south of downtown location. It’s a former industrial part of town filled with warehouses and factories that have gradually given way to a new generation of distillers, brewers, restaurants, and retailers. Westland’s trendy urban feel stands in stark contrast to its whiskey creations, which lean toward a far different landscape—north in the Skagit Valley, where damp, spongy peat bogs proliferate and fields of tulips, cabbage, potatoes, and barley grow, then west to Washington’s forests of garryana oak. These are the places where you’ll find Westland’s inspiration for its whiskeys, which are part of a burgeoning style called American single malt.

But Westland’s whiskeys represent just one of many interpretations of the genre, as distillers around the country put their own stamp on this rapidly emerging style. The core unifying...

Below is a list of the operational distilleries on Islay and Jura that run regular distillery tours. We strongly suggest that you check websites or call ahead to determine tour times, the days they are open for tours (some options are seasonal), and try your best to plan and book your tours in advance to avoid disappointment. It is worth remembering that the island is much quieter outside of the peak tourist weeks. Distilleries each have their own open day during Fèis Ìle, with a busy program of events, though they lay on extra tours throughout the week due to the volume of visitors.Ardbeg (established 1815, owner: LVMH, distillery manager: Michael Heads); 1496 302244; ardbeg.com. Open seven days a week, year-round. Admission: Ardbeg Tour (£5) is a one-hour tour of the distillery with a tasting of new make Ardbeg spirit and one dram of Ardbeg 10 year old, Uigeadail, or Corryvreckan. Ardbeg Full Range Tour (£20) is a 1.5-hour tour of the distillery with an in-depth tasting of three...

We all know and love Islay and its eight distilleries, but look around; Islay is only one of Scotland's distilling islands. A scan of a gazetteer reveals another eight whisky distilleries spread across seven islands, each with their own distinctive identities, some old, some very new. Both Tobermory on Mull and Highland Park on Orkney date back to 1798, whereas newcomer Isle of Harris Distillers opened in October 2015. And, where mighty Talisker and Caol Ila measure their annual production in millions of liters, the tiny stills at Abhainn Dearg trickle out just 10,000 liters a year. Such are the contrasts we find in island life. So let's start this tour with the only distillery on Arran, the largest island in the Firth of Clyde. Arran is a favorite of Glasgow vacationers for its easy access, benign climate, and, because of its varied topography, known as ‘Scotland in miniature'—except that until 1995 it lacked a distillery. Thankfully, this was remedied by Hal Currie, a former...

It's a big week for whisky! Jack Daniel's is launching a new, permanent rye whiskey. Jack fans may remember seeing and tasting the Unaged Rye and Rested Rye that the distillery released in the last few years, as well as Single Barrel Rye, which will still be available. The new rye whiskey is the culmination of those early releases, which came from Jack Daniel's first new mashbill in over 150 years.Also new this week: The Macallan Edition No. 3, a limited-edition whisky that highlights the aromatic qualities of single malt scotch. Meanwhile, Highland Park Magnus is debuting, part of the distillery's new U.S. lineup. You may recall that Highland Park began rolling out new packaging in June, while also discontinuing some whiskies—Dark Origins and 15 year old—and introducing others. Magnus is coming in with no age statement, priced at $40 a bottle, and will be a permanent part of the range.Back to rye: Michter's has unveiled US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye, which is just what it...

Crank the thermostat down a notch or two as the whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2017 issue are sure to keep you warm and cozy. Hitting newsstands on December 5th, the issue's buying guide features a number of whiskies that soar well above the 90-point threshold. (The Winter issue also highlights the full Top 20 whiskies of 2017.) Special releases from Four Roses, Diageo, and Buffalo Trace, along with award-winning Ardbeg and Glenmorangie, single cask Irish whiskey, and a rare Amrut, all register as excellent end of year gift choices—particularly for yourself.Four Roses 2017 Limited Edition Small BatchStraight bourbon93 Points, 53.95%, $130This is an ode to this bourbon's old-school style that, post-caramel and cinnamon, is balanced with dried blueberries, sweet cornbread, nutmeg, saffron, citrus, and slight hints of chipotle, ginger, and clove. Under the beautiful spice come vanilla cake batter, almond butter, and salt water taffy that walk it to a finish that just doesn't quit...

The annual Special Releases from Diageo's stable of scotch distilleries are a focal point for many whisky lovers—and not just collectors. Many drinkers anticipate buying a special bottle from a beloved distillery—for example, Lagavulin or Talisker—that's a little out of the ordinary. Others splash out for a super-aged scotch to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.Whatever your motivations, the 2018 Special Releases offer a little something for nearly everyone—and the scores are, as expected, quite high. Three of the ten releases are not available in the U.S., including the blended malt Cladach—a disappointment for fans of coastal distilleries, which contributed to the makeup of this whisky.Whisky Advocate Scores for the 2018 Diageo Special ReleasesCarsebridge 48 year old Single Grain95 points, 43.2% ABV, $959Sure, the oldest of this year's Diageo Special Releases manifests the brown-and-orange world of 1970 incarnate, but it does so in glorious fashion. Golden and warm...

This week we learned that there's the water of life, and then the water of afterlife. Yes, that's right, you can be interred for all time with the whisky of your choice in a bourbon-barrel urn. Gives a whole new meaning to spirits, eh?Back in the earthly realm, Old Forester is redoing its single-barrel program so that the whiskey can be bottled at either 50% ABV or barrel strength. Previously, the distillery offered single barrels bottled at 45% ABV; that option is no longer available. The decision is a good one that should make lots of Old Forester fans happy, since bourbon at higher proof can easily be adjusted to suit individual tastes by adding water, or not. If you want to get your hands on one of the new 100-proof or barrel-proof Old Forester single barrel whiskeys, look for it at retailers that regularly bottle private picks.Speaking of barrel-proof, the latest batch of Stagg Jr. from Buffalo Trace Distillery is hitting shelves. The uncut, unfiltered bourbon has a recommended...

Now that Passover is behind us, Buffalo Trace is rolling out the 2021 batches of its kosher trio of whiskeys—bourbon, wheated bourbon, and rye. Curious why Passover matters? Check out our detailed feature on the complex rules and methods of making kosher whisky.On to the newest releases. First up, Laphroaig is adding an oloroso sherry-finished 10 year old to its range. Though available in limited amounts, it's a permanent addition, priced at $90.Rabbit Hole has unveiled a mizunara cask-finished bourbon as part of its Founder's Collection. There are just 1,403 bottles, priced at $1,500 each.The 2021 special-edition Glen Scotia released for the Campbeltown Malts Festival comes out soon. Finished in bordeaux red wine casks, the whisky is priced at $80 and available in limited amounts.Four Gate Whiskey Co. is rolling out its latest limited edition, Kelvin Collaboration III. The finished bourbon is priced at $199, with 2,470 bottles available.Bardstown Bourbon Co. has created an...

The Summer 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate features over 100 whisky reviews, covering scotch, bourbon, Irish, Japanese, and many other styles. Below, check out 10 of the bottles (excluding Editors' Choice and Collectibles) that scored highest, netting 93 points and above.These top-scoring bottles represent a wide array of spectacular whiskies, some of which bear advanced age statements, others that boast big proof. Our 2017 Whisky of the Year Elijah Craig Barrel Proof makes an appearance with the first batch of 2021, as do other trusted names like Booker's, Barrell, and Bardstown. Rounding out the list is a single barrel offering from Nashville Barrel Company. We are always delighted when a new brand impresses our tasting panel.There are plenty of other high-scoring whiskies in the Summer 2021 Buying Guide, and lots to discover. Check out the full slate of new reviews!
TOP SCORES FROM WHISKY ADVOCATE'S Summer 2021 ISSUE

Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter 2...

Sheep dung is the one thing that most people associate with Icelandic whisky. “It's pretty good shit,” jokes Eimverk Distillery founder Halli Thorkelsson with a boyish grin, brandishing a tall glass jar filled with dry brown bricks of ovine excreta. This is not a gimmick: Smoking with sheep dung is traditional. “Every Icelander eats lamb at Christmas that's been smoked with sheep dung,” explains Thorkelsson. It's only natural that it should be part of making a traditional Icelandic whisky too.Due to Iceland's cold temperatures, sheep are moved into barns for the winter. Compacted under cloven hooves, the layers of dung incorporate a lot of hay and solidify over time. The dung is shoveled out in the spring and left to harden over the summer. Dried, it smells a little like peat, though unlike peat, it only takes a year to form, rather than thousands of years. “You definitely get some … different tones,” says Thorkelsson, taking a deep sniff of...

Smoke and peat are some of whisky’s most distinct characteristics—and Whisky Advocate’s Fall 2018 issue is devoted to all the ways these flavors entice our senses. Travel to Islay to discover how peat makes its way from the bog to the bottle, meeting the cutters, maltsters, distillers, and blenders who shepherd it along the way. Learn to navigate the peat landscape, from unpeated whiskies all the way up to heavy hitters. And explore a different side of familiar whiskies by tasting both their peated and unpeated variants.

There’s more to smoke than just peat. Cigars make a perfect pairing for whisky and other spirits, and our guide will get you matching up sticks and drams in no time. American whiskey distillers are experimenting with smoked grains using native woods like hickory, cherry, and mesquite. The flavor variations are exciting, and nearly endless.

Don’t miss our travel guide to Kansas City, tips on pairing whisky with pie, and...

For us whisky lovers, ’tis the season for indulging in delicious drams that evoke the holiday spirit. The possibilities span all sorts of decadent scents and flavors—Christmas cookies, candied nuts, cinnamon spice, gingerbread, warm apple pie, and pine needles–that are all comforting this time of year. So here is our Christmas list for you, which includes whiskies that deliver seasonal and festive flavors that have scored at least 90 points. No matter what you’re celebrating this holiday season, it’s a perfect time to grab a glass and share any one (if not all!) of these 12 whiskies with family and friends to make the holidays that much merrier. The whiskies are listed in alphabetical order.
Our Holiday Dram Selections
93 points, Arran 18 year old Scotch Single Malt, 46%, $160
The interplay of floral and sherried notes creates an elegance that other scotches surely envy: candied rose petal, dried orange peel and apricot, sugared almond...

Our Winter issue is always packed with high-scoring whiskies, as it's the time of year when we share our Top 20 list. We taste hundreds of new whiskies throughout the year, considering quality, affordability, accessibility, and x-factor. The result is a list with a wide range in style and price—a collection of exciting whiskies that boast high ABVs, inventive cask finishes, masterful blends, and so much more.
In addition to the Top 20, the Winter issue also features more than 130 whisky reviews. Scotch lovers will find standout releases from Compass Box, Octomore, and Royal Brackla, all scoring between 92 and 95 points. Fans of American whiskey have an 18 year old from Knob Creek and an armagnac-finished bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company to consider. World whisky has plenty to offer as well, with English distiller Cotswolds earning high marks, as do a pair of Japanese whiskies from Ichiro’s Malt and Kanosuke. As the year comes to a close, there is...

It's a big weekend for cigar and whisky lovers, as Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest makes its return to Hollywood, Florida tomorrow, Saturday, March 4. We previewed some of the whiskies being poured, seminars being held, and cigar stars in attendance, but it is truly an event you have to take in for yourself, combining two worlds into one extraordinary night. 
Meanwhile, with St. Patrick's Day approaching, it's another big week for Irish whiskey. Waterford brings its Cuvée series global with Argot, Method and Madness has a 60% rye and 40% unmalted barley whiskey coming to the U.S., and Writers' Tears announces its second new release in as many weeks with the 2023 edition of its cask strength whiskey. Plus, Westland unveils Solum Edition 1 and WhistlePig drops its first-ever single malt. Read on for full details. 
 
Waterford Cuvée: Argot
Style: Single malt
Origin: Ireland
Age: Not stated
ABV: 47%
Price...

When it comes to a whisky for a special occasion, it’s hard to argue against a 25 year old scotch. That age statement is grand enough to thrill your guests after dinner, provide a special gift, or simply be the bottle you reach for to reward yourself after a good day. There are peated malts from Islay, sherried styles from Speyside, and luxuriously complex blends to choose from.
What you pay for a quarter-century-old scotch varies considerably. Astonishingly, for two whiskies made just eight miles apart and of the exact same proof, you can buy 17 bottles of the lowest-priced example for the same money it costs to own one bottle of the most expensive, and still get 30 bucks in change.
Due to supply squeezes of ultra-aged whiskies, distillers are more often releasing annual batch bottlings rather than permanent expressions, so not every bottling will be available all year round. A fair number of 25 year old scotches disappear from the shelves for good every year. All the...

It’s suggested that whiskey originated in Ireland before reaching Scotland, a claim backed by earlier Irish records. However,
by the close of the 19th century, Scottish whisky had carved out its own dominant space, both domestically and internationally.
Following the end of American Prohibition, it solidified its status, becoming the most sought-after whisky import in the
United States.
 The Scottish Play
To a certain extent, scotch started with the rain, because Scotland has always had plenty of it—even more so than Ireland. The rain helped grain to grow abundantly and, over time, would waterlog moss and heather so much that they would begin the decomposition process, becoming peat. So the rain gave the land its crops, its fuel source, its prominent flavoring component, and, of course, an abundance of water to mash, ferment, and then distill it all into whisky.

The Ingredients
As single malt whisky can only be made from 100% malted...

Back in 19th-century Scotland and Ireland, whisky merchants also sold wine, bringing in popular fortified wines like port and sherry. Casks filled with wine were shipped across the sea from Spain and Portugal, and once they were emptied, the merchants would often refill them with whisky from a nearby distillery rather than discard them and pay for new casks. Eventually, people came to see that a whisky’s maturation in wine casks contributed some very nice flavors. Ireland’s whiskey merchants, famously Dublin’s J.A. Mitchell & Son with its Spot whiskeys, were particularly renowned.
But those days were more about cost expedience, and generally involved full maturation rather than finishing per se. It was in Scotland during the early 1980s that cask finishing as a modern art form was born. In 1982, David Stewart, former malt master at Speyside distillery Balvenie, decided to see what would happen when a whisky aged in American oak casks was transferred to a...

Even a quick glance at its name makes it safe to assume that Dampfwerk Distilling in St. Louis Park, Minnesota has a far-flung influence. In this case, that influence is German: Owner Ralf Loeffelholz is originally from the Bavarian town of Muhldorf. There, fruit brandies and herbal liqueurs are deeply entrenched in the culture, and Loeffelholz knew that when he opened his distillery on American soil, those European-style brandies and liqueurs would be at the heart of his business. But Dampfwerk (which translates to “steam works”) is a family affair, and distiller Christian Loeffelholz (Ralf’s son) joined Dampfwerk with American single malt in mind—which he makes on the same German-made still his father uses.

“The still was designed to our specifications; it’s not a traditional whiskey still by any means, but it’s tuned for leaving as much flavor in the product as possible—in that way, we have great bandwidth for brandies and...

Single barrel whiskeys from Four Roses and 2XO are just two of the week’s highlights among the new releases on the North American side, which also feature Barrell's oldest age statement whiskey to date—a Canadian expression—as well as new creations from Remus, Pinhook, and Milam & Greene. On the scotch side, Compass Box has a new peated offering that aims to showcase the sweeter side of peat, particularly in comparison to its sibling label Peat Monster, a long-beloved mainstay of the Compass Box portfolio. Elsewhere in scotch, Dalmore weighs in with two new vintage expressions—one distilled in 2006 and the other 2009.
Four Roses Single Barrel Collection
Price: $50
ABV: 50%
Availability: Four Roses Distillery, Cox’s Creek facility
Every year since 2004, Four Roses has released a single barrel bourbon. While the single barrels have varied—some have had age statements, and the proof jumps...

Where It's From
As it says in the name, scotch comes from Scotland. It can be made anywhere in the country, and is often designated as coming from one of five regions: Lowlands, Highlands/Islands, Speyside, Islay, or Campbeltown.
What It's Made Of
Scotch can be made of any cereal grain, which results in three main types of whisky:MaltMalt whisky must be made in a pot still of malted barley only. Single malt whisky comes from only one distillery.GrainGrain whisky is made from malted or unmalted cereal grains,including wheat, corn, andbarley, and is typically made in a column still. Single grain whisky comes from only one distillery.BlendedBlended whisky is a mixture of whiskies from different distilleries, typically using both malt and grain whiskies. Blended malt whisky mixes single malts from a number of distilleries. Blended grain whisky mixes single grains from a number of distilleries.
How It's Made
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 dictate certain rules for...

When searching out a new bottle of whisky to try, what clues tip you off to its flavor? Style, of course—a single malt will taste very different from a bourbon. Whether Ireland, Canada, or another country or region, origin also has an impact on flavor. Maybe you also consider its age. If the whisky's label says 12 years old, is that a guarantee of good flavor?

There's a lot more to flavor and quality than just years in a barrel, and an age statement provides only a sliver of information. Legally, a label can only state the age of the youngest whisky used in the final blend, but often that bottle contains much older liquid too. Master blenders have to achieve the same flavor profile with every batch, and not all whiskies mature at the same rate. So even when the label says 12 years old, chances are good that you're getting some older whisky in there.

And that's why non-age statement (NAS) whiskies—bottles that say nothing about how old the whisky...

All around the country, upstart distillers big and small are finding new ways to create great whiskey, even when time, scale, and tradition are all arrayed against them. Whether working in the forest, the field, or the laboratory, they're breaking old rules, reviving even older traditions, and applying techniques that have never been attempted before. Not every experiment succeeds, but those that do offer us a glimpse of the future of whiskey. These visionaries may have different ideas about where whiskey is headed, but they share a will to venture wherever their passion leads. Here's a look at a few of the leaders transforming American whiskey.Darek Bell: The Smoke Charmer
Darek Bell fell in love with smoked whisky while studying on Islay at Bruichladdich's Distillery Academy, but the only peat he could find stateside tasted of oily, tar-like creosote. “My uncle is into barbecue and told me to start smoking with what we have available here in the South—hardwoods like oak and...

With many new whiskies to look forward to this week, there's one that will be out of reach for everyone but a single lucky (and wealthy) bidder.Dalmore master distiller Richard Paterson has collaborated with chef Massimo Bottura to create a one-of-a-kind 49 year old whisky that will be available only via a Sotheby's online auction from April 25-May 9. The lot will also include dinner for two at Bottura’s Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, and the proceeds will benefit his non-profit community organization Food For Soul. The Dalmore L’Anima 49 year old ("l'anima" is Italian for "soul") is a marriage of whiskies matured in ex-bourbon barrels, ex-González Byass casks that held 40 year old Pedro Ximénez sherry, and ex-Graham’s vintage port pipes. The 41.5% ABV whisky is packaged in a crystal decanter and a cabinet designed by Scottish craftsman John Galvin. Display bottles will be available for viewing at Sotheby’s in New York and Hong Kong starting April 29, with the...

Islands have always held special allure in the world of whisky. Scotch whiskies from the islands of Islay, Skye, and Orkney are renowned for their salty, often smoky character. Meanwhile, America's traditional whiskey heartlands of Kentucky and Tennessee are located in hilly uplands far from the sea. But now, whiskey is being made in every parcel of the United States, including those surrounded by water. Pummeled by nor'easters and gales, America's island distillers produce whiskeys that owe as much to the Scottish isles as to their compatriots in Kentucky and Tennessee. These are whiskeys that capture the essence of the sea.Worlds ApartWindswept Nantucket, 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, has been a nautical haven for centuries. The island grew fat on whale blubber, and even today it is as much a historic nautical community as a luxury summer colony. It's here that Randy Hudson, owner and distiller at Triple Eight Distillery, has made whiskey for nearly two decades. His Notch...

Jack Daniel's announced the launch of Tennessee Apple this week, if you like flavored whiskey—but if you prefer the unadulterated stuff, there are plenty of great options from Scotland, Kentucky, and elsewhere, all rolling out now.First up, there's a half-century scotch at a remarkably fair price, all things considered. There are 125 decanters of Benromach 50 year old available, priced at $10,000 each.Much more affordable, but no less exciting, Ardbeg is bringing back its super-peaty Supernova for the fifth time. Limited quantities are available at $180; expect it to sell fast.More limited-edition peaty goodness is coming from Bruichladdich, which is releasing the tenth Octomore series. Four different Octomores of varying ages and availabilities are hitting shelves, priced at $190 to $250.Booker's is rolling out its third release for this year. Booker's 2019-03 "Country Ham" is, as always, available in limited amounts, with a recommended price of $80.Sagamore Spirit has a cognac...

It's rare for a whisky collector to agree to an interview as their collection goes under the hammer—rarer still when that collector has assembled the largest-ever private whisky collection to go to auction. The 9,000-bottle collection, valued at $5 million, is being sold at Whisky Auctioneer across multiple auctions between September 2020 and June 2021. For Whisky Advocate, I spoke to the owner, a European collector who prefers to be known only as Pat, by Zoom without a live video feed to preserve his anonymity. We discussed his buying strategies, the whiskies he missed out on (there aren't many), and the extreme measures he's taken to acquire hard-to-find bottlings.Despite the clandestine conditions under which we met, Pat spoke at length about whisky collecting, sharing his insight and opinions into what has driven him over the past 15 years. He was amiable, engaging, candid, and great company, frequently digressing as he recounted entertaining tales about his search for scarce...

The Winter 2021 issue of Whisky Advocateis all about connecting you with great whisky. There areover 150 whisky reviews inside, including our annualTop 20 list, which celebrates an exciting year of high-quality and affordable drams. Our Whisky of the Year is a stout-finished Islay single malt scotch, but the full list includes value bourbons, surprising world whiskies, complex blended malts, and more.Elsewhere in the issue, we help you plan a year of whisky spending based on four different budgets and interest levels, and survey the rich landscape of 21 year old scotch. Of course, there is perhaps no greater resource than our Buying Guide, which spans multiple styles and continents to deliver well-considered tasting notes. In each issue we provide Editors' Choice, Best Values, and Collectibles picks, but beyond those, there is still plenty of whisky to consider. The highest-scoring whiskies from the Winter issue, include familiar names like Laphroaig and Booker's as well as a few...

It’s the season of Octomore, the ultra-peated annual whisky from Islay’s Bruichladdich Distillery that is now in its 14th edition. Octomore 14 comes in the usual three separate Octomore offerings, and all three are available in the U.S. That’s a welcome departure from some years ago when only two of the three expressions were shipped stateside. These ultra-peated gems are noteworthy for their young age profile, heavily peated mashbills, and high ABVs, which somehow all combine to produce a remarkably gentle, complex, and tasty whisky. This year’s releases will be reviewed soon, but they were already showing beautifully in our initial tasting.
Elsewhere in the whisky world, Eifel Whisky from Germany is out with three new releases, while Israel’s Milk & Honey has a special edition for the High Holy Day of Rosh Hashana. Scotch whisky maker Wolfburn has released its first-ever 10 year old expression as part of its core lineup...

Driving down Islay's roads, you catch whiffs of sea spray, burning peat, cooking mash. The vintage seaside distilleries stand like monuments to Scotland's history. And, of course, there's the single malt and the coveted peaty left hook it delivers to the palate. But these are merely superficial details. The whisky industry on this wind-pummeled 239-square mile island is vast and deep, but Islay's population, of about 3,000, is small, which means if someone doesn't work at one of the local distilleries, a relative or neighbor does. It seems like every native of Islay, or Ileach (EE-lich), is a keeper of untold stories about whisky production, making each individual a custodian of the past; a torch-bearer of tradition. Talk to them and it becomes clear that in this remote, gorgeous safe haven from modernity—where nobody locks their doors and, like the whisky, nobody hurries to get old—the people are the whisky's terroir.Arthur Holyoake: Old Fashioned Renaissance ManJames Brown...

Yoichi Single Malt—45% ABV, $80For the optimists out there, rejoice! U.S. liquor stores are stocking a greater variety of Japanese whiskies produced by a greater number of distillers than for many years. For the pessimists out there, disaster! We still get to grumble about the profusion of whiskies with young or no age statements to our hearts' content, carp on about steep prices charged by producers relatively new to making whisky, and wallow in our reminiscences about tasting legendary Japanese whiskies. But wait; the global whisky community's longing for quality Japanese whisky is not an entirely unrequited desire. The latter half of this decade may prove to be leaner years for Japanese whisky drinkers compared to the decade before, but the situation has provided a stimulus to spirits producers across Japan. New distilleries are being erected, and whiskies are being released by companies better known as brewers or sake and shōchū makers. Meanwhile, the major companies are...

Arriving on Orkney, with its massive Stone Age monuments that predate the Pyramids of Egypt, you are no longer among Scots, but Orcadians. Genetic studies support that these island dwellers are a breed apart, indicating that 60 percent of the Northern Isles' male population is of Scandinavian ancestry, some of the most concentrated Viking heritage in all of Britain. It's logical, given that a Viking longship from Norway could reach this archipelago of 70 islands north of the Scottish mainland in 24 hours, the equivalent of a day's drive for an intrepid seafaring Norseman.Making their independence even more apparent, when an Orcadian refers to ‘the mainland,' he almost certainly means mainland Orkney, the largest island, and home to the towns of Stromness and Kirkwall. The latter is the island's capital, with the 12th century red sandstone St. Magnus Cathedral at its heart. Mainland Scotland is just ‘Scotland.' And whatever you do, refrain from referring to “the Orkneys” if you...

Memorial Day is on Monday, May 28, and if you're looking to show your support of our nation's armed services through whisky, look into some of the distilleries founded and run by veterans. You may just find your new favorite bourbon, rye, or corn whiskey.Or check out this week's newest whiskies. Smooth Ambler has unveiled Big Level, a 5 year old wheated bourbon made entirely at the West Virginia Distllery. Smooth Ambler had previously released a wheater, and this whiskey is made with the same mashbill, process, and barrels, but, according to director of sales John Foster, the team has "gotten better at divining the best of our own-make." Big Level—which is named for the area of West Virginia where Smooth Ambler is located—is 100 proof and costs $55. It's distributed in around 26 states currently.Next up, Old Carter Whiskey Co. is rolling out its second batch of rye, after Batch 1 (released in early March) sold out. Founded by Mark and Sherri Carter—who were previously partners...

Whisky lovers have a slew of new releases to look forward to, this week and into the future.Kentucky Peerless Distillery is launching a new program that allows liquor stores, bar, and restaurants to purchase single-barrel rye by the case. Called Peerless Dimensions, the whiskeys will be released annually, selected by head distiller Caleb Kilburn. Each barrel selection will have a unique flavor, highlighted in its name (think S'more, Mixed Berry Cobbler, and Chocolate Crème Brûlée). If you want to try these whiskeys, you'll have to keep an eye out for which stores or venues purchase bottles, then track them down. The distillery's website has more information.Meanwhile, Virginia Distillery Co. is anticipating the release of its house-made single malt whisky, called Courage & Conviction, in 2020, and is offering people the chance to pre-purchase a special Medallion Edition now. Each batch of Medallion Edition will be a unique offering and come with a medallion, with the first...

Single malt scotch is often regarded as a rarefied drink—something to be approached with reverence. Few people seem to be intimidated by good ole bourbon or humble Irish whiskey, but single malt is different. Especially among new whisky drinkers, it can be seen as too fancy, expensive, or sophisticated to take a chance on.That thinking is simply not true. Sure, single malt can offer a greater range of flavors than bourbon or rye, but not all of it is of the aggressive, house-on-fire peated variety that many scotch newcomers ascribe to the whole category. Many single malts have fruity, floral, sweet, and silky flavor profiles that make for easy first—and successive—sips.7 Bottles That Every New Bourbon Drinker Must TryThese reasonably priced single malt scotches each offer something that anyone can approach without hesitation—whether you are already well into a whisky-drinking career, or have just decided to make single malt your starting point.Scotch 101: Start Your Education...

Before the early 2000s, the idea of using single malt scotch in a cocktail was virtually blasphemous. But in 2005, Sam Ross received a shipment of Compass Box whiskies at legendary New York City bar Milk & Honey. And, as any bartender would, he started playing around with them. Eventually he decided to try a variation on the Gold Rush (bourbon, lemon, and honey), adding ginger juice and topping it with Peat Monster. (To be fair, Peat Monster is a blended malt scotch, but any peated Islay single malt works just as well.)At the time, Ross didn't think much of his creation. But now that drink, the Penicillin, has become a modern classic served in bars globally.“It's a perfect example of someone who knows the mastery of making cocktails,” says Leo Robitschek, bar director of the NoMad Bar in New York City. “You think about what each ingredient adds to the cocktail, then what to adjust to balance it.”At the time he created the Penicillin, Ross worked at New York City cocktail...

The world of whisky is ever-expanding, extending into your medicine cabinet and onto the baseball field. That means there are more options and opportunities to educate and enjoy and if you are serious about either, a proper plan is best. Pursue your best whisky life with these 10 tips.1. Start a Tasting ClubStarting a regularly scheduled tasting club is a great way to form friendships and advance your whisky knowledge. It can be as formal or casual as you like, says Jim Holdsworth, who runs the Passen Cotty Scotch Club in western Massachusetts. “We'll have a theme, as many as 10 to 20 whiskies,” says Holdsworth. “Scotch, rye, a wood-finished theme, wounded soldiers—we'll take pictures of the empty bottles. It's an event.” Use these 5 tips to start your own vibrant whisky club.Scout for members: Start with your favorite specialty whisky retailer. “They already know the heavy hitters in the area, and are probably in touch with [them],” says Jim. They might post a flyer or...

More than 150 whiskies are reviewed in the Fall 2019 issue of Whisky Advocate—from single malt and blended scotch to bourbon, rye, Irish, Canadian, Japanese whisky, and more. Here, we highlight ten of the highest-scoring whiskies (not featured as Collectibles or Editors' Choice bottles) that are for sale in the U.S., each netting 93 points or above. There were even more whiskies that tied for the list, included as a bonus below. For the full line-up of reviews, check out the Fall 2019 Buying Guide.10 of the Highest-Scoring Whiskies for Fall 201996 Canadian Club Chronicles 42 year old The Dock Man96 points, 45% ABV, $270The Chronicles collection debuted two years ago with the release of the 40 year old. This, the third annual release, incorporates a smidgen of younger rye and a dash of brandy. The nose and palate are deep and complex. Fruity and floral on the nose, with hints of raisin tarts, apple skins, and apricots. A sweet fruitiness, with mild peppers, baking spices, and a...

Single malt scotch isn't a simple style. Even the most welcoming “beginner” pours offer complexity and depth of flavor—although they're also silky, soft, and easy to drink. So when you're ready to move up to even more complex drams, where do you turn?Don't worry—this isn't a list of peat bombs, although you'll find a few good smoky offerings to try. These single malts go beyond the 101 level because they require more of your attention. Sure, you can just sip them without thinking, but these whiskies offer an exciting cavalcade of flavors that reward the thoughtful drinker. They're complex, layered, wide-ranging, and often extremely nuanced.You're going to have to pay attention to unlock these flavors, but what you discover will be very rewarding. You're no long a beginner; it's time to start stretching your palate and mind with each and every sip.Scotch 201: Intermediate-Level Bottles You Must TasteSpringbank 10 year old—88 points, $72Springbank is beloved among the scotch...

Bigger isn't always better, but when it comes to whisky, higher proof equals more flavor—literally, as alcohol contains all the flavor molecules found in a dram. (The rest of it is just water.) And cask-strength scotch offers some of the biggest, boldest, richest flavors in the whisky world.Cask-strength single malts score well with tasters and consistently punch their way to the Whisky Advocate Top 20. Each of these whiskies is cask strength or has minimal adjustment for consistency (typically less than 1% ABV).Big Proof, Big Flavor: Get the Full Force of Single Malt With These Seven WhiskiesArdbeg Corryvreckan—95 points; 57.1%, $90Dark fruit and spices, combined with powerful savory and saline peat flavors, evince why this is a classic of the genre.Glenmorangie Astar (2017 Release)—94 points; 52.5%, $100A rare cask-strength Glenmorangie; the bouquet of flowers and sweet intensity are matched by voluptuous oak. (2017 Top 20—No. 2)Lagavulin 12 year old (2017 Diageo Special...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies that we consider the most impressive, considering score, price, and availability. For Spring 2020, our Editors' Choice whiskies include a single malt scotch, a bourbon, and a Kentucky rye.For all whiskies reviewed in the Spring 2020 issue, check out the full Buying Guide.OUTSTANDING WHISKIES FROM SCOTLAND AND KENTUCKY: SPRING 2020Laphroaig 10 year old Cask Strength (Batch 011)94 points, 58.6% ABV, $70Laphroaig's latest batch continues the high standards set by previous releases. More sherry on the nose compared to Batch 010, with malt, sea spray, lemon, antiseptic, and big notes of peat. Citrus fruits, sherry, brine, and peat smoke on the full palate, with vanilla and charred oak. The finish is long, sweet, and medicinal, with licorice singed over a peat fire.—Gavin SmithLarceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Batch A120)93 points, 61.6% ABV, $50Powdered sugar, vanilla frosting and other bakery shop notes on...

The perfect summer vacation is an escape from life's stresses, full of new experiences, and a break from our daily routine. This summer, take the same approach with whisky: Get out of the rut of your usual, rejuvenate your palate, and bask in the glory of blended scotch. For those in the know, blended scotch has always been an indisputable classic, and for those experiencing it for the first time, current trends in crafting blends make them feel fresh, breezy, and perfect for the season. Best of all, blends have remarkable versatility—they rule the day in summer, where they shimmer in a long drink, blend beautifully into a cocktail, chill comfortably on the rocks, then languish neat after sunset.Single malt elitists take note: The existence and popularity of blends is the very reason there are more than 120 whisky distilleries flourishing in Scotland today. Blended scotch is an assembly of multiple malt and grain whiskies from distilleries across Scotland. Scotch whisky blenders...

Single malt scotch is a vast category of whisky, covering five legislated regions and a broad spectrum of flavors. Many factors contribute to these differences in flavor—climate, region, finishing casks, use of peat, and more. One important factor is age. Age doesn't necessarily reflect on a whisky's quality, but it can still give clues about what to expect in the glass. A 5 year old single malt will taste different from a 25 year old single malt, and though not all single malts bear age statements, many of them do.Whisky Advocate's Fall 2020 Buying Guide includes an array of single malt scotches bearing age statements, from 5 to 25 years old. They span the different regions of Scotland, and as you'll see in the reviews, each packs its own unique flavors. Whether you're seeking a bottle with a specific age statement to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or just looking to try new, high-scoring scotch, these whiskies are all winners. For even more scotch reviews, check out the full...

In each issue ofWhisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies that we consider the most impressive, considering score, price, and availability. For Spring 2021, our Editors' Choice whiskies all come from Scotland—one from Islay, one from the Highlands, and one from Speyside.For all whiskies reviewed in the Spring 2021 issue, check out the full Buying Guide.Standout Whiskies from Spring 2021
Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask-Strength Festive Edition Single Malt Scotch95 points, 58.6% ABV, $75Smoky peat weaves seamlessly through aromas of vanilla sugar, candied citrus, ripe papaya, cocoa powder, and ocean spray; with water, the intensity of vanilla surges, balancing with the peat. Flavors of saltwater taffy, vanilla, mint, and pepper are swept up by savory peat, before darker notes of coffee bean, cocoa powder, and roasted nuts take over. The tide ebbs gently on the finish, leaving only impressions in the sand that stay long after the final sip. (1,440 bottles for U.S.) —Susannah...

Hundreds of American single malts are being made across the country by an array of distillers, but there only a handful of names that can truly be credited with pioneering the style. Among them is Seattle-based Westland Distillery, which has long been working to raise the status of American single malts through its terroir-driven whiskeys. Just over a year after his first appearance on #TasteWithSpace, Westland master distiller Matt Hofmann rejoined Whisky Advocate on April 23 on Instagram Live to discuss the current state of American single malt, and share details on Westland's latest whiskeys.“The most beautiful thing about American single malt is that it's highly dynamic; it's alive, it's reflective of what's going on in the U.S., and there are so many people who have different approaches and are trying different things,” said Hofmann. “There's a real sense of optimism within the American single malt space, and I think a lot of people recognize this is a once-in-a-lifetime...

In every issue ofWhisky Advocate, we recommend three whiskies that are generally are limited releases and show the most potential to gain value. For Summer 2021, the top choices came from Scotland and Ireland.Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2021 issue.TOP WHISKIES TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION
Ardbeg 25 year old Aged and Caged95 points, 46%, $850Briny smoke integrates with sweet bakery aromas: vanilla, streusel, ginger-spiced pound cake, cinnamon, and allspice, studded with nuts and dried apple. With water, butterscotch oozes out. The palate's silky texture is an ideal base for warm vanilla, toasted nuts, toffee, and milk chocolate, swirling with iodine peat and gentle gingerbread spices. The finish is complex, compelling, and quite lengthy with ginger, white pepper, allspice, saline, coffee grounds, dried apple, and lingering smoke. —Susannah Skiver Barton
Midleton Very Rare 202194 points, 40%, $208Midleton master distiller...

Once relegated to airplanes and minibars, the 50 ml bottle became increasingly popular as a result of COVID-related restrictions especially among craft distillers who were kept from hosting events or opening their tasting rooms. To stay afloat, small distilleries turned to minis (which are 50 ml), sending out samples for virtual tastings, and connecting with drinkers from afar.“Filling 50 ml bottles is notoriously difficult, and normally not known as a profit center for craft businesses, but we saw them as an investment,” says Gareth Moore, CEO of Virginia Distillery Co.. The distillery launched its first single malt, Courage and Conviction, in April 2020, at the start of the pandemic, and used 50 ml bottles as part of the rollout to reach more people.Catoctin Creekco-founder Scott Harris says that they resisted minis at first, but eventually saw the appeal. “Store tastings have stopped completely nationwide, and without tastings, there is no easy way to get customers to try our...

If your model train layout included a distillery, it would look like Benromach: small, quaint, and much as it was in 1898, its founding year. The Urquhart family, which owns independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, reopened Benromach in the 1990s after more than a decade of closure. Their mission: to make Speyside single malt as it used to be.Everything is done by hand—no computers, not even modern pressure gauges—and the spirit is matured only in dunnage warehouses with steady interior climates that slowly coax ideal flavors from first-fill bourbon and sherry casks. Fermentation uses both distiller's and brewer's yeasts, yielding a fruity character that carries into the bottle; look for apple, blueberries, and lemon, along with ginger, chocolate, and hazelnuts.Most of Benromach's whiskies use barley with a modest peat level of 12 parts per million, and always with Speyside peat. “Our peat's a bit more delicate” and yields bonfire rather than medicinal flavors, says...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies they consider to be the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. For Winter 2021, our Editors' Choice selections include a cask strength single pot still Irish whiskey, a peated single malt scotch, and a Texas single malt with a sauternes finish.Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2021 issue.STANDOUT WHISKIES FROM Winter 2021
Redbreast 12 year old Cask Strength single pot still (Batch B1/21)94 points, 56.3%, $84Golden sultana, fragrant spice, dried orange slices, star anise, baked apricot, and hints of flaked chocolate bar. Spices leap from a butterscotch and red berry base, vociferously showing clove, star anise, and ginger root, which part to welcome flavors of milk chocolate, vanilla pod, oak, and juicy nectarine. The cask strength is rarely less than spectacular, but this batch is singularly distinctive.—Jonny McCormick
Torabhaig Allt...

The Spring 2022 issue of Whisky Advocate focuses on the great versatility and rich history of rye whiskey. Inside, we go deep on rye's roots in Pennsylvania, exploring the height of “Old” Monongahela popularized by bartender-favorite Old Overholt. And if you are accustomed to deploying rye in your Manhattan, we have a crop of new cocktails worth mixing as well as a bevy of bottles made to sip on, with 47 rye recommendations ranging from $23 to $185.Inside the Buying Guide, we review 98 whiskies, including a fair share of rye. Sample the ever-growing segment of finished whiskies with Ammunition Pinot Noir Finished (90 points) and Templeton Oloroso Sherry Finished (88 points), or stick with trusted value names like Knob Creek (92 points) and George Dickel (90 points). We also review WhistlePig Boss Hog VIII: Lapulapu's Pacific scoring 91 points and include it among our choice of collectibles. In fact, we went in-depth on the collectibility of the entire WhistlePig Boss Hog...

Halloween is on Monday, which means it’s time to unwrap some candy, open up some whisky, and find your favorite pairing. We put together this list of whiskies that showcase popular candy notes, though we also have a guide to pairing a variety of candy types with a wide range of whisky. Start by matching flavors, searching for whiskies that have notes of chocolate, nuts, cookies, and caramel, and grabbing a Snickers, Twix, or other candy to go with it.
As for new whiskies this week, there are plenty of treats to choose from. Buffalo Trace has unveiled this year’s Antique Collection, which includes the return of George T. Stagg. Glenmorangie adds to its Tale series with a woodland-inspired single malt, while The Macallan adds to the Harmony Collection with a pair of whiskies inspired by coffee. Nikka meanwhile, extends its Discovery Series with two new single malts devoted to yeast. Read on for full...

When entertaining, whisky works perfectly to bookend a magnificent meal. A refreshing aperitif’s purpose is to open up the palate in preparation for the feast ahead, while a fine digestif follows the meal to aid digestion. Numerous cocktails and beverages are fit for the job, of course, but this is the list for you if you’re the busy host coordinating the meal ahead from the kitchen, or an easygoing guest who just wants a neat pour unfettered by slices of fruit dropped into a single drink that took every piece of barware to make. Despite what people might tell you, there are no hard and fast rules around drinking etiquette on either side of the meal: “I’ll take a whisky” is a perfectly acceptable response.
Each selection is based on one of 12 flavor themes, highlighting the flavor of each whisky’s strongest suit, with key tasting notes and a food pairing suggestion, leaving you ample scope to experiment and adapt to your own preferences. Here...

Herewith a selection from Whisky Advocate's editors of recent releases that we've deemed the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. This round of Editors’ Choice selections include a blended malt scotch, a single malt scotch, an Irish single pot still, two American single malts and more. Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2023 issue.
93 Compass Box Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story Blended Malt Scotch, 56.7%, $125
Salty kelp, mild antiseptic, lemon oils, ground black pepper, smoked mackerel, vanilla ice cream, warm cinnamon, and heavy peat smoke assault the nose. Sweet cookie dough, lemon, mixed spice, pepper, clove, ground almond, burnt butter, and a powerful peppery phase with toffee, banana, vanilla, and cinnamon in its wake. Soaring in intensity, there’s solace in bringing down the strength; pear, green apple, more smoke, and creamy vanilla are the...

Inside the blending room, the first thing you notice is the silence. Away from the cacophony of the distillery, it’s a hushed environment of beakers, glasses, test tubes, and high-tech gadgetry that measures everything from alcohol strength to physical weight. The silence is broken only by brief discussions and the light patter of laptop keyboards. This is where a whisky’s magic is made, in blenders’ quiet interactions with the seemingly endless parade of samples that may eventually become part of your favorite dram. One thing is clear from the beginning: Unless what you’re drinking is marked “single cask,” a blender has their fingerprints on the liquid inside the bottle, whether it’s a blend or a single malt.
Emma Walker is the master blender for Johnnie Walker, managing an inventory of over 11 million casks. She balances multiple crews pulled together from across a broad spectrum—not just the malting and warehouse teams, but also...

Justin Aden wasn’t even a week into his new role as master blender at Stranahan’s Distillery in Denver, Colorado, when he was tasked with creating the 2023 Snowflake offering. “I was simultaneously trying to learn the warehouse inventory—all of our thousands of barrels,” says Aden, adding that he effectively walked the ricks with a drill in hand, tasting everything he could in search of great barrels to include in Snowflake, the annual limited-edition, distillery-only single malt release.
This year’s Snowflake release is the 26th edition, and it’s dubbed Pyramid Peak. (All Snowflake releases are named after Colorado’s 14ers, a term for any mountain in the state that’s higher than 14,000 feet in elevation.) This 94-proof bottle is a blend of 16 barrels, each of which sees Stranahan’s Colorado single malt finished in an array of sourced casks.

How 2023’s Pyramid Peak Snowflake Release Was Created
Aden, a...

High-end British car makers adore a whisky tipple. In recent years, there’s been a surge in luxury automakers—Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, and Morgan—partnering with top whisky distillers to introduce special limited-run offerings. The most recent entry? The Macallan Horizon, a stunning $50,000 single malt scotch crafted in conjunction with Bentley Motors.
The Macallan Horizon with Bentley Motors
Distillery Name: The Macallan
Age: Not stated
ABV: 46.6%
Cask: Six first-fill sherry-seasoned casks from The Macallan Estate
SRP: $50,000
Bottles Available: 700
For this collaboration, The Macallan’s master whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell ventured to Crewe, England, where Bentley makes its bespoke vehicles, to get a sense of the craftsmanship behind the machines. “I wanted to bring the essence of Bentley into a whisky,” Campbell tells us. “Seeing Bentley’s process was a wonderful sensory...

With the departure of founder John Glaser, it’s the dawn of a new era at Compass Box. Celestial, the first new Compass Box release since the Glaser news, is the final installment in the Extinct Blends Quartet, a four-part series of modern recreations of classic scotch blends. The new expression is bottled at 50% ABV in a limited edition global release of 5,532 bottles, which will go on sale on April 4th for $375.
While not going as far as naming the brand that inspired the blend, Compass Box has dropped a series of enigmatic clues and hints with a knowing wink, such as the equine theme of this release, strong links to a Whisky Baron and distilleries on Islay and Speyside, and label artwork depicting the celestial body of Pegasus. To create Celestial, Compass Box opened an original bottling of the blend from the 1960s, discovering a peaty whisky with a profile of floral, sweet, and gingerbread notes behind the chalky-colored stallion on the label. James Saxon devised the...

Scotch whisky makers might once have had a reputation for being staid, tweedy, and hidebound, but in the modern era they're anything but. Last week we reported on the releases of Arbeg Y2K and Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate, and now we have a new Laphroaig experimental expression in Elements 2.0, as well as two new releases in Balvenie's Collection of Curious Casks—the latter quite limited, as seems to be the case all too often these days. For the high rollers, there's also a new 40 year old expression of Brora, a distillery exclusive of only 150 bottles, each priced at a cool $1,650. This release comes just past the third anniversary of Brora's reopening in the Northern Highlands. Scotch whisky lovers, perk up your ears: the distillate made at the new Brora right after it opened is now 3 years old, officially making it whisky. Diageo will keep it in the cellar for a long time to come. But if you travel to Scotland and visit the...

The peat leads the dance from the get-go, with smoked bacon and bonfire along with seashells, dried seaweed, salinity, and minerality. The palate is peat-loaded and spicy, but leaves room for sweets: creamy vanilla, peach, and poached pear, accented by white pepper. The finish offers vanilla custard, bitter chocolate, lemon drops, and ashy peat. Dry and peaty but also sweet and fruity, this one seems to have it all. No. 1 of our Top 20 of 2024. 

Meaning “peat stack” in Gaelic, this heavily- peated expression is appealing and approachable with sweet peat on the nose, plus fresh hay, custard creams, lime, vanilla short- bread, and candied lemons. Malted biscuits, honey, and watermelon on the palate are overcome by layers of peat smoke, pepper, and salty smoked fish, leading to a dry, smoky coastal saltiness with just a hint of candied fruit. (Travel Retail exclusive; Release date: 2010...

For most scotch lovers, Islay is most often talked about in terms of its peated whiskies. Only two of the island’s distilleries make non-peated expressions: Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain. Bruichladdich’s namesake range is laser-focused on showcasing Islay’s terroir, putting the spirit front and center by leaning into the island’s locally grown barley strains without using peated malt. But the distillery does use peat to varying degrees in the rest of its portfolio. There’s Port Charlotte, a sort of smoky twin to the main brand, showcasing peated riffs on Bruichladdich’s house style. And at the other end of the smoke spectrum sits Octomore: the distillery’s annual trio of single malts that are widely touted as being some of the most heavily peated whiskies available.
But amid all of the focus on smoke and levels of peat content, one key aspect of Bruichladdich’s production process is talked about less frequently: wine cask...

Peat-lovers and less ardent smokeheads alike are sure to enjoy this whisky from Islay's Bruichladdich Distillery. Aged a full decade and permanently available, Port Charlotte 10 year old has sweet fruit flavors and salinity to balance out its robust peatiness. For more details about this scotch and the other 2018 winners, check out the full Top 20 list

The Irish whiskey restoration is in full swing. Over the last decade, the number of operational distilleries in Ireland has increased from 4 to nearly 40, and Irish whiskey's soaring sales have made it the biggest growth story in the world. Following the collapse of Ireland's economy in 2008, craft distilleries began sprouting up all over the island—occupied in abandoned spaces that formerly housed bakeries, sawmills, woolen mills, breweries, jam factories, and even a church. Within a decade, Dublin was reborn as the most vibrant whiskey city in the world, and Ireland's distilleries hosted a million visitors in 2019 as whiskey lovers took notice.During Irish whiskey's lowest years of the 1960s and 1970s, blended expressions provided a straightforward route for rebuilding, and Irish blends, championed by Jameson, Bushmills, and Tullamore D.E.W., remain the driving force today. But now Ireland's distillers are cultivating a far greater depth and diversity of styles, bringing Irish...

When I meet Arthur in Laphroaig distillery's living room-like lounge, he removes his yellow vinyl vest and plastic safety glasses before he shakes my hand. “Health and Safety,” he grumbles, referring to the British regulatory agency, shaking his head. “They have us doing all these things.” Arthur is an honorable member of what you might call Ye Olde Guarde of maltmen. A native Ileach, he muses, “It's hard to believe that something made on such a small island is distributed all over the world. It's quite mind-boggling.” This from a man who's been in the industry 44 years. The power of peat never ceases to astonish. Like many on the island, Arthur has worked at multiple distilleries. He started as a general laborer at Lagavulin in 1971 and became a console operator at Port Ellen Maltings two years later. (“A very responsible job for a 17 year old boy. It caused me many sleepless nights.”) Many other jobs followed: mashman, shift operator, production manager, and more. As...

Our Spring 2017 issueis on newsstands now! Take a look at the great articles that await, and check out the Buying Guide here.Distillations48 Hours in Chicago, the science of small barrels, bars with whisky lockers, sipping rum, cases to carry whisky, pairing whisky and chips, green malt, better cooking with whisky, and more! Plus theWhisky Advocate Auction IndexColumnsAmerican Spiritby Fred MinnickWith an eager secondary market, bourbon retail prices seem to defy the laws of supply and demand. Fred charts a path to our good fortune.Add Whiskeyby Jeffery LindenmuthBlack is the new brown when charcoal joins whiskey in the mixing glass to create these cocktails noir. Jeffery explores the black arts.The Thinking Drinkerby Stephen BeaumontIf it's expensive, it's got to be good! Or does it? Stephen considers the impact of price on perception among whisky enthusiasts.A Lighter Dramby Terry SullivanManhattan cocktail traditionalists prefer a lemon twist, but a neon-red garnish holds a special...

How do you drink whisky on a tropical island? Try a tiki cocktail. An Americanized hybrid of ancient Māori mythology and the motifs of the Polynesian islands, the tiki movement kicked off in 1933 with the opening of Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood. Back then, tiki culture was all about tropical flavor profiles built atop rum bases, and cocktails like the Mai Tai and the Zombie ruled menus across the country. A friendly rivalry between Don the Beachcomber and his Oakland-based rival Trader Vic, who opened Hinky Dink's (later Trader Vic's) in 1937, helped birth a flourishing trend—though later in the century, appetites for kitsch waned and tiki fell out of favor. But thanks to modern tiki cocktail bars and annual gatherings like Tiki by the Sea, tiki culture is rallying—and these days, it's including whisky.“As the scope of what constitutes a tiki drink expands, whisky is an easy spirit to add,” says Brother Cleve, an icon in the contemporary tiki community and a guest speaker...

Limited-edition bourbon season doesn't start for another month or two—Old Forester's Birthday Bourbon usually kicks things off, with other special releases like the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection rolling out later in the fall. But Heaven Hill has gotten a head start by announcing this year's Parker's Heritage Collection release, a 10 year old straight bourbon finished in orange curaçao casks. The whiskey will cost $90 and, as always, a portion of the proceeds will go to support the ALS Association.If you've got a yen for the peaty stuff, Bruichladdich will be rolling out three new whiskies in its Port Charlotte range this fall. All peated to 40 ppm, the lineup includes Port Charlotte's first age-stated whisky, a 10 year old, as well as Islay Barley 2011—both $65 each—and MRC:01 2010, which was finished in Bordeaux casks and costs $120.Meanwhile, fellow Islay single malt distillery Kilchoman has announced its 2018 editions of Loch Gorm ($110) and Port Cask Matured ($125...

A few weeks ago, Compass Box announced that they'd overhauled the recipe for The Peat Monster, making a significant change after more than 15 years of production. I spoke with blender John Glaser about why he decided to mess with a winning formula, and how the new whisky fits into the current peat craze.Speaking of changes, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) recently proposed making barrels of "approximately 50 gallons" the regulated size for aging bourbon. This could have a major impact on many American distillers, so we spoke to people on both sides of the issue to find out what they think.On to new whiskies. MGP Distillery is starting up a private-barrel program for retail stores, allowing them to create a custom version of its Rossville Union rye whiskey. Retailers can meet with MGP's distilling and blending teams to taste from different barrels and put together a unique blend, to be bottled at 50% ABV.WhistlePig is launching its oldest whisky to date, an 18 year...

In November 2018 a bottle of Macallan 1926 60 year old, which had been hand-painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon, set a whisky auction record when it sold for $1.28 million. Few of us can afford a whisky that is such a certifiable work of art—inside and out—but you can still dress up your backbar. These more affordable artistic whisky labels, many of them limited editions, will transform your bar into a bona fide gallery.
Almost Too Pretty to Drink: 6 Beautifully Illustrated Whiskies

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby Edition (2019 release)—45.2%, $44Keith Anderson, a Brown-Forman employee, debuted his racehorse painting on the 2018 Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby bottle. The annual edition has been featuring artists since 2003. “I got to meet the artists who did the bottles and they're the ones that told me ‘If you ever get a chance, you need to and the doors will open,'” Anderson says, and open they did. Following his encore on the...

It's hot just about everywhere in the country right now and you may be craving cooling ice cream as much as a whisky. May we suggest combining the two? And if you're looking for a new bottle to test-drive with your next scoop, keep reading.Balcones Distilling in Waco, Texas is adding a new single malt whiskey to its core lineup. Lineage is distilled from local and Scottish barley. It's priced at $40 and is debuting in eight states, with expansion planned.Blending house Compass Box has launched Rogues' Banquet, a limited edition celebrating the company's 20th anniversary. There are around 2,400 bottles of the blended whisky available in the U.S., priced at $230.Kilchoman Distillery is releasing a one-off whisky that's an accidental combination of its Machir Bay and Port Cask-Matured expressions. Am Bùrach is priced at $135, with 1,350 bottles for sale in the U.S.Limestone Branch Distillery has unveiled the 2020 release of Yellowstone Limited Edition, this year finished in armagnac...

When the COVID-19 pandemic first began taking shape in the U.S., Whisky Advocate responded by looking for ways to come together from a distance—and so #TasteWithSpace was born. Since the first Friday New York City went into lockdown, our editors have hosted whisky distillers, blenders, bartenders, and other experts for conversation and tasting on Instagram Live every week.Early on, #TasteWithSpace focused on the issues surrounding the pandemic and repercussions for whisky makers, bars, and restaurants. The conversation has since expanded and now encompasses a range of issues important to whisky lovers. In June, after Uncle Nearest and Jack Daniel's debuted an education and mentorship program for Black whisky professionals, Uncle Nearest founder Fawn Weaver joined #TasteWithSpace to talk more about it. Nicole Austin, the distiller behind our 2019 Whisky of the Year, George Dickel 13 year old Bottled in Bond, came on to debut the whiskey's 2020 release, comparing and contrasting the...

Whether it’s Kit Kat, Twix, Starburst, Swedish Fish, or another candy you crave, there’s a whisky to match it. Sure, you can pair your favorite dram with chocolate or a Halloween treat,  but don’t lose sight of whiskies that serve up sweetness with each pour. So delight your sweet tooth with these whiskies that unwrap candy flavors in a glass.
George Dickel 11 year old Bottled in Bond (Distilled in Fall 2008) Tennessee whiskey95 points, 50%, $40Lush, rich, and deep from the start, with blackberry, cherry, spiced plum, cinnamon, mint, and maple syrup aromas. Even more density on the palate, which has deep flavors of cocoa powder, Raisinets, roasted walnuts, cinnamon, mint, maple syrup, and chewy oak. Extraordinary length on the finish, which carries the chocolate, dark fruit, spice, mint, and rich oak notes for minutes. A phenomenal follow-up to its 13 year old antecedent, our 2019 Whisky of the Year.
Knob Creek 12 year old bourbon95 points, 50%...

In order to give us all a chance to consider this latest round of new releases as closely as possible, we've decided to separate them into two installments. Today we'll cover the landscape of new expressions in American whiskey, and on Monday we'll report on the latest from Scotland, Japan, and elsewhere in the world. For the American side, there's much ado about the barrel, as so many of these releases feature a variety of cask finishings and longer barrel agings, some of them unusual. Also, Widow Jane digs into the cellars for some of its most aged liquid, and we note with interest that Frey Ranch is out with an American single malt. We haven't scored that one yet but can confirm from preliminary tastings that it's a good one, though unfortunately its volumes are tiny, and are sold only at the distillery and on their website.  There's plenty more to take in here, so enjoy.
Widow Jane Decadence
Style: Blend of straight bourbons
Origin: Tennessee...

Master blender Dr. Craig Wilson had the privileged task of selecting the rare casks—the first and last of their kind—for this third release of Diageo's Prima & Ultima series. Acquiring one of the 317 full sets will set you back £36,500/$43,400, but for the first time, four of the individual bottles from the collection will be released for sale in the U.S. on their own. Based on the theme of “A Moment in Time,” the collection comprises eight whiskies with a combined maturation of nearly 300 years. It marks the series debut of Royal Lochnagar, and it's the first collection to feature both Brora and Port Ellen whiskies: That hasn't happened since the 2017 Diageo Special Releases. To mark this year's Platinum Jubilee, the Port Ellen was bottled from the last remaining cask filled in 1980, the year Queen Elizabeth II visited Port Ellen maltings on Islay.
The 2022 Prima & Ultima Series Reviewed
Prima & Ultima Port Ellen 41 year old 198096...

Hundreds of polished stills are boiling away in Scotland at this very moment, distilling new spirit to make more whisky. Each copper still is idiosyncratic, and they come in a surprising diversity of shapes and sizes. Copper pot stills may epitomize the Scotch whisky industry, but their job goes beyond being just a giant kettle designed to concentrate the alcohol. Stills are thoughtfully designed with flavor in mind and those elegant copper swan necks make a fundamental contribution to the final spirit character. A typical Scotch whisky distillery will have one or two pairs of stills, but there are numerous exceptions where they use extra stills (e.g. Glenfiddich), or where the distillation cycle is uncommonly complicated (e.g. Mortlach), or where triple distillation is preferred (e.g. Auchentoshan). To explore the relationship between stills and flavor, meet two distillers who make whisky in stills at either end of the spectrum: famously tall and curiously small.Big StillEqual in...

Where can I see a smoking pagoda? Look to the skies at Bowmore, Laphroaig, and Kilchoman for the tell-tale puffs of smoke billowing out through the slatted panels of the pagoda chimney, though kilning does not take place every day.Where can I see floor malting in operation at a distillery?Oddly enough, at all the places with smoking pagodas. If you're lucky, the distillery guide will let you have a go at pulling the rake through the barley.Don't tell me I can have a go at digging peat on Islay too?Yes, you can! You want to book yourself on Laphroaig's Water to Whisky Experience for the afternoon. Alternatively, spoil yourself with Bowmore's Master Distiller's tour and get your hands dirty lifting peat that could help flavor Bowmore single malt in the future.Can I taste Islay whisky straight from the cask?You bet! Several distilleries can make this dream come true if you choose the right tour. Check out the options for Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, and Laphroaig.Can I take a...

Lagavulin 25 year old—50.9% ABV, $1,200Lagavulin Distillery celebrates its bicentenary in 2016 and as part of the celebrations, two new, limited-edition expressions were released, pitched at opposite ends of the age spectrum. First came a highly regarded 8 year old, though for some this seemed slightly too youthful to do this big, complex whisky full justice. Not for nothing is the Classic Malts expression so widely beloved bottled as a 16 year old, though the fifteen cask strength Special Release bottlings at 12 years of age have been uniformly impressive, too. Later in 2016 the age balance was redressed with the launch of a cask strength 25 year old variant, fully matured in sherry casks.Most Islays thrive over time in well-chosen sherry casks, and Lagavulin is a prime example. This particular release was the first 25 year old from the distillery since 2002, and it honors the 21 distillery managers to have run Lagavulin through its history. All are named on the packaging...

The influence of sherry casks on whisky is usually evident from the first whiff: aromas of dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, and orange peel entice the senses and beguile the drinker into pouring an extra-large dram. (Or is that just me?)Sherry itself—a fortified wine from the Jerez region of Spain—encompasses a diverse array of styles, each imparting different types of flavors on a cask and, later, whisky. But many distillers favor the nutty, dry style of Oloroso or the sweet, rich flavors of Pedro Ximénez (aka PX), which are especially suited to single malt scotch maturation.True sherry connoisseurs know that bodegas tend to use American oak (Quercus alba) casks for aging their sherries. (American oak has a tight grain and is less prone to leaks than European oak.) Since sherry doesn't benefit from the flavors of oak, bodegas also like to use neutral wood casks that have had their most prominent wood flavors stripped away by time. But many whisky distillers buy European oak...

Whisky doesn't mix well with many things, specifically driving or operating heavy machinery. However, when it comes to more leisurely summer pursuits like mowing the lawn, surfing, or camping, whisky makes a surprisingly suitable stand-in for the more typical cold beer. So as you head out for summer adventure, always remember to pack your sunscreen—and your whisky.Here are the best whiskies for summer's outdoor activities.For backyard grilling:Balcones Brimstone—$74, 84 pointsMuch as Scotland's whiskies often include peat, American craft distillers have embraced smoke as a native ingredient, with whiskeys boasting mesquite (Whiskey Del Bac) and applewood smoke (Wasmund's Single Malt). Brimstone is made of blue corn, and the whiskey itself—not the grain—is smoked with Texas scrub oak. Like a side of slightly-charred jalapeño cornbread, this offering is perfect for sippin' while flippin' burgers or brats. (And when it's finally dinnertime, check out our recommendations for the...

Scotch distilleries roll out major new whiskies to great fanfare all the time. (In fact, we write about them every Friday in Whisky Weekend.) Whisky retirements get less attention, but they do happen. The reasons are numerous: shortages of aged stock, changes in branding or focus, or even the total overhaul of a distillery's core line. But because of the way that whisky retail works, there's usually a long lead time between when a product is announced as being discontinued and when it's actually gone from store shelves.The single malt whiskies on this list were all discontinued relatively recently, and (as of fall 2017) are still available in limited quantities at stores for roughly their original retail price. A Whisky Advocate editor has spotted every whisky on this list “in the wild” sometime recently. With a little luck, you really can still find these bottles. Visit small, independent shops in up-and-coming neighborhoods or hit up stores in the suburbs for your best shot. For...

WhiskyFest alights on the nation's capital on April 17th, and it's the perfect chance for whisky lovers to seek out new, rare, and classic drams from all around the world. Of course, scotch whisky will be flowing in great abundance, and this year's event offers many fantastic whiskies for the scotch enthusiast to revisit or discover for the first time. Here are a few of our top picks.Be sure to check out the full list of pours, as well as our guide to getting the most out of WhiskyFest. And if you don't have your tickets yet, get them here!GlenglassaughWe don't blame you if you don't know Glenglassaugh, located on the border of Speyside and the Highlands. After all, the distillery was closed from 1986 until 2008, and is only beginning to reestablish itself. If it takes the same path as acclaimed sister distilleries BenRiach and GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh's future is bright indeed. Taste it for yourself with Glenglassaugh Revival, the first single malt since the distillery's rebirth...

What defines Japanese whisky other than being popular and expensive? For one, balance. Few Japanese whiskies dominate or overpower; rather, the spirit's characteristic style strives for a harmony of flavors. While an official definition for Japanese whisky has only recently been agreed upon, the prevailing notion is that elegance and mastery are achieved through balance. These craft distillers are certainly contributing to the growing category with just that in mind.Mars ShinshuKomagatake Rindo Nature of Shinshu—88 points, $190This fragrantly floral young whisky was aged in Japanese wine casks. Its texture is light and rather sweet, with a snap of pepper and soft fruits on the finish.Mars Iwai—88 points, $35 Despite an almost gamey nose resembling brown apples and old strawberries, the taste is pleasantly candy sweet. A finish of creamy chocolate, fresh mint, and more fruit.Mars Iwai Tradition—85 points, $55 From prunes to barbecue sauce, the aromas are potent. The thick texture...

Lots of new whiskies are hitting stores this week, including a galactic bourbon, limited-edition Canadian whisky, and more.Straight off the Starship Enterprise comes James T. Kirk bourbon, named for the ship's fearless leader. The sourced whiskey is 10 years old, distilled in Tennessee, and will be featured at San Diego Comic Con next month. It's available for pre-order now for $60, with bottles shipping in the fall, at jamestkirkbourbon.com. Update 10/3/18: Future batches of James T. Kirk bourbon will vary in origin and age, from 4 to 12 years old.Back down on earth, Crown Royal has unveiled the 2018 release in its Noble Collection, a 13 year old version of the recently released Blenders' Mash. The whisky was distilled from corn, rye, and malted barley and aged entirely in new charred oak barrels. It will be available in limited amounts for $60.In Kentucky, Wild Turkey Distillery has released the latest Russell's Reserve vintage, this one comprised of whiskey from 25 barrels filled...

The Lowlands have the dubious reputation of producing Scotland's least fashionable whiskies. While it's easy to find whisky lovers who swoon for the peaty malts of Islay and rich, sherried drams of Speyside, the delicate and floral whiskies of the Lowlands have lingered on in relative obscurity—more of a footnote on most whisky lists—until now. From a low of just two operational malt whisky distilleries in 1993, the designated Lowlands region of Scotch whisky production has now grown to include eleven distilleries, with several more in the pipeline. The Lowlands Renaissance has arrived.Lowlands EmergenceThe Lowlands malt whisky region was first defined as part of the 1784 Wash Act, which introduced a theoretical ‘Highland Line,' running across Scotland from the Firth of Clyde in the west to the Firth of Tay in the east, with differing levels of excise duty initially being paid on either side of the ‘line.'The Act aimed to stimulate legal distilling in the Highlands and to...

It's hard to argue with the potency of barrel-proof whisky. As a staff, we often favor the strong stuff and our Fall 2018 Editors' Choice picks represent an array of high-proof whiskies from around the globe. These are the issue's most impressive whiskies considering score, price, and availability. For all whiskies reviewed in the Fall 2018 issue, visit our Buying Guide.Ardbeg Corryvreckan95 points, 57.1% ABV, $90Part of the permanent Ardbeg range since 2008, Corryvreckan is created from a blend of standard Ardbeg and Ardbeg aged in virgin French Limousin oak casks. Smoky bacon and seaweed, plus dark berries, prickly spices, walnuts, lemon, and sweet peat on the nose. Sweet and savory on the palate, with more lively spice, woodsmoke, phenols, and licorice. The finish is lengthy, with peat, sea salt, pepper, and black coffee. —Gavin SmithBooker's 2018-02 "Backyard BBQ"93 points, 64.4% ABV, $75Typical of Booker's this bourbon shows lots of concentration and muscle, oozing with caramel...

Scotch whisky is often thought of in the context of region, but for those looking to taste beyond borders, the country's coastline offers a guide. Taste the varying flavors of the sea with these 6 whiskies, all from distilleries less than 1,000 meters from the coast.10 Adventures Available on the Scottish CoastArdbeg An Oa—93 points, $60A French Oak marrying vat helps integrate smoky Ardbeg matured in a variety of cask types: charred virgin oak, Pedro Ximénez, and first-fill bourbon. Dark chocolate, peat, aniseed, black tea, clove, and pepper make this a dynamic Ardbeg.Oban Little Bay—92 points, $75Features dried fruits, chocolate orange, a touch of salt, and clove. Combining mature Oban from European oak sherry casks, refill casks with new heads, and refill hogsheads to marry in small oak casks achieves a rich, rounded style.Springbank 15 year old—92 points, $120The oloroso sherry influence brings out soft leather, dried fruits, black tea, brine, peat, spicy tannins, raisins...

There's ongoing and seemingly endless debate about the perfect amount of aging for whisky. Part of the reason for that is the fact that whiskies vary, and what's “perfect” for, say, a particular bourbon isn't necessarily right for a single malt Highland scotch or a blended Canadian whisky. Different aging conditions and barreling techniques mean bourbon and rye naturally mature more quickly than scotch or Irish whiskey, while whiskies from other parts of the world—Japan, Canada, India—enjoy their own unique maturation environments.And yet there's something special about decade-old whisky from almost everywhere. Ten year old bourbon presents as a well-aged spirit that hasn't crept into over-oaked flavors or an elevated price. When it comes to scotch and Irish whiskey, you get what is often the youngest age-stated product in a brand's portfolio—excellent, refined, yet still reasonably priced.If you're interested in putting numbers on the board at a fair cost, keep these...

Some familiar names pop up in our Winter 2018 Best Values, with a little of both fire and ice. Tullamore D.E.W. has impressed us with their aged whiskies and cask finishes, but sometimes, you just want the original, and at 88 points, it registers on par with the brand's 15 and 18 year old expressions. Johnnie Walker, meanwhile, would like to reserve a spot in your freezer for White Walker, which indicates its prime serving temperature by changing the appearance of the striding man on the label. But if it's heat and peat you seek, Glenfiddich Fire and Cane combines peated and unpeated single malt that's then finished in rum casks. You may need the snow shovel this season, but these great value whiskies won't requiring any digging. These bottles have solid scores, modest prices, and wide availability. For all whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2018 issue, visit our Buying Guide.Tullamore D.E.W. Original Blended Irish Whiskey88 points, 40% ABV, $24Triple distilled classic containing a blend...

The closing months of any year typically bring waves of special releases, bottles that pop up and disappear from store shelves in mere minutes—if they even make it that far. Winter 2018 was no exception as we tasted the full Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, each of the Diageo Special Releases, and more special launches. Winter is a great time to stockpile more than just fire wood, and these collectible whiskies should be at the top of your list. In each issue, we choose three whiskies from the Buying Guide that generally are limited releases and show the most potential to gain in value. For all whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2018 issue, visit our Buying Guide.William Larue Weller 12 year old Straight Bourbon96 points, 62.85% ABV, $99Tilled earth, tobacco, and leather meet clover honey, maple syrup, and pecan pie sweetness. It pours broad and mouth-coating across the palate, with a lovely softness and pervasive vanilla and apple sweetness, gently tugged at by oaky tannins and more...

To coincide with the eighth and final season of the smash-hit Game of Thrones television show, Diageo collaborated with the HBO network to offer eight single malts, each selected to represent one of the houses or groups in the fictional land of Westeros.The choice of whiskies seems slightly curious, as it features five bespoke Game of Thrones expressions, along with three existing ones that have merely been repackaged. Some carry age statements, others do not, and just one—Clynelish—is offered at cask strength. The standout for quality and value is Talisker Select Reserve, closely followed by 9 year old Lagavulin.Talisker Select Reserve—91 points, $45This represents House Greyjoy in the Game of Thrones television show and features its kraken. The nose offers damp tweed sprinkled with black pepper, plus smoky vanilla and ozone notes. Sweet smoke and citrus fruit on the palate, then more overt peatiness comes to the fore with soft toffee. Medium in length through the finish, with...

Islay whisky, draped in the aromas of burning peat, may be the world's best known smoky spirit, but smoke in a bottle is also available from a much different terrain and climate on this side of the Atlantic. The mezcals distilled in the mountains of Mexico deliver smoke that comes not from peat, but from wood.Mezcal has long lived in the shadow of tequila, another agave-based spirit, and was once even disparaged as an inferior substitute. But the United States is awakening to what the people of Oaxaca and a number of other Mexican states have long known: mezcal is largely a farm-to-bottle spirit offering complex charms and artisanal aesthetics. In contrast to corporate tequila, mezcal is a cottage industry in which folk distillers use antique equipment to craft unique spirits that reflect their own village.Despite its humble roots, mezcal shipments to the U.S. have quadrupled over the last five years and selections are proliferating on store shelves. Casamigos, the tequila company...

The whiskey brand co-founded by Bob Dylan, Heaven's Door, announced that it has a few more bottles of its 10 year old Tennessee bourbon for sale, priced at $130. In addition, there's another limited-edition offering coming: a 25 year old whiskey finished in mizunara oak casks. The first release in The Bootleg Series, this whiskey will come out later in 2019, priced at $500. We'll provide more details as they become available.If you're looking for new whiskies to buy now, however, you're in the right place. First up, Glenmorangie has changed the recipe for Quinta Ruban, adding two years to its age statement. The single malt will now age for about 12 years in bourbon casks, before a roughly 2-year finishing period in port casks. The price, however, stays the same at $55, and it will be as widely available as before. Simultaneously, Glenmorangie has updated the packaging for Lasanta to better highlight its 12 year old age statement.The Orphan Barrel range of "forgotten" whiskies has...

Deep leather armchairs and quiet sitting rooms have their place, but when summer is in full swing enjoying whisky need not be a strictly sedentary affair. After all, the word whisky famously derives from “water of life,” and the life well-lived should include travel and the great outdoors. Thanks to surging interest in whisky, you can now find it being distilled in scenic spots from Scotland to Montana. Intrepid whisky lovers unite: these thrilling and delicious destinations will unleash your whisky warrior.Slay the Single Track at Breckenridge DistilleryColorado's most bicycle-centric town, Breckenridge has more than 100 mountain bike trails plus a technical obstacle mountain bike park and the beginner-friendly Illinois Creek Trail System. The Breckenridge ski resort offers a dozen lift-served trails of its own, and nearby Copper Mountain also has a lift-served trail network. For the less adventurous, the seven-mile paved Blue River Recreation Path is blissfully car-free. There...

Aside from perhaps only Pappy Van Winkle, Japanese whisky has become the most sought-after commodity by many American drinkers. And with good reason: It tends to be consistently delicious, refined, and complex. While some Japanese whiskies remain affordable and available—like the 2018 Whisky of the Year, Nikka From The Barrel—that isn't true for many bottles. The category's meteoric rise in the last decade caught Japanese distilleries off-guard, and supplies of mature whisky have become scarce. Thus, all the great age-statement Yamazaki and Hibiki bottles you could have easily found a decade ago have virtually disappeared from shelves.It's time to move on—or at least find a few alternatives.Outside of Japan, not many Asian nations are producing whisky. There are distilleries starting to pop up here and there, and nascent makers in unexpected countries like Indonesia and Bhutan, but few have produced anything for export so far. Instead, if you want the next great Asian whisky...

Finding the perfect cigar to pair with your whisky isn't as difficult as you might think—though you'll need to keep a few cardinal rules in mind. When it comes to scotch, though, the matchups get a little more complicated; with its many regions, styles, and variations, scotch is hard to generalize when it comes to cigar partnership. The qualities that define a delicate Lowlands dram bear little resemblance to those in a smoky Islay whisky. Expect to kiss a few frogs—but once you find a match, you'll be set for life.Predictably, the Lowlands shine brightest with mild-bodied cigars. Speyside scotches are the most versatile. Islay is the conundrum. Their bold peat smoke often clashes with heavy tobacco smoke. Try instead a cigar that delivers sweetness (even chocolate), to complement the salt spray of their island home.IslayTry: Lagavulin 16 year old with a sweet, understated Dominican smoke with subtle charmsTop pick: Romeo y Julieta 1875 Deluxe No. 1 ($8)Why it works: The Romeo...

While the majority of whisky barrels are mass-produced utilitarian vessels, some distillers devise custom-tailored casks as they strive to make new discoveries and expand the boundaries of flavor. And, indeed, some of these bespoke-cask whiskies evince a style all their own.Custom Cask, Standout Flavor: 7 Whiskies Born of Bespoke BarrelsMidleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest Edition—95 points, $280This release came from 29 casks made from six oak trees grown sustainably in the Bluebell Forest of the Castle Blunden Estate, Co. Kilkenny. The single pot still whiskey aged for 12 to 23 years before being finished for 19 months in the Irish oak casks.Ardbeg Kelpie—88 points, $119Ardbeg spirit was filled into tight-grained, virgin Russian oak casks with a medium to heavy toast. The Kelpie recipe blends these Black Sea casks from the Fanagoria cooperage with classic bourbon-matured Ardbeg to produce a robust whisky with oily peat, brine, tar, pepper, bacon, menthol, and dark...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three great value bottles: whiskies with solid scores, modest prices, and wide availability. For the Fall 2019 issue, Kentucky is represented with a straight bourbon while Scotland comes through with both a blend and a single malt.For all whiskies reviewed in the Fall 2019 issue, check out the full Buying Guide.Best Bang for Buck Whiskies: Fall 2019Cutty Sark88 points, 40% ABV, $20 Sherbet, creamy vanilla, whole lemon, fresh baked goods, sweet grain notes, strong floral blooms, with hints of snuff and ground pepper on the nose. Light, delicate palate of lemon flesh; the citrus sharpens up, with grapefruit flavors supported by fine ground pepper and a lasting wave of vanilla. A pleasing tingle of spices on the finish, coupled with punchy citrus notes. A nimble, vigorous blend that offers a multitude of serves. —Jonny McCormickRebel Yell 100 Proof Kentucky Straight88 points, 50% ABV, $20Honey-roasted peanuts, maple syrup, and stone...

It's high season for new whisky releases, as everyone gears up for the holidays and rolls out plenty of new options, along with highly anticipated limited editions like the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, the Van Winkle lineup of whiskeys, and the Diageo Special Releases, which were fully revealed this week—with some significant changes, especially for American fans. Other brands are releasing limited-edition packaging in the lead-up to the holidays. J. Rieger & Co. unveiled the annual Holiday Edition label for its Rieger Kansas City whiskey, priced at $35. Meanwhile, Basil Hayden's has partnered with Wildsam Field Guides to create four special-edition labels: one that's available nationally, and three specific ones for Northern California, Southern California, and Brooklyn, New York. The whiskey remains the same—regular Basil Hayden's—but each label features local trivia, hidden spots, and drink recipes. Bottles are priced at $40.On to the new whiskies for the week...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies that we consider the most impressive, considering score, price, and availability. For Winter 2019, our Editors' Choice whiskies include a bourbon and two single malt scotches.For all whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2019 issue, check out the full Buying Guide.Outstanding Whiskies from Scotland and Kentucky: Winter 2019Barrell Bourbon (Batch 21)94 points, 53.17% ABV, $90Sweet and toasty aromas, like a coconut macaroon, are balanced with bright green apple in this showstopper of a bourbon. Secondary notes include alluring five-spice, cigar box, and dark cherry fruit. The flavors really fulfill expectations, as toasty notes of brown butter meet delicate spice, candied peanuts, and grilled peaches. But wait for the finish! A cascade of gingery and peppery spices, grilled peaches, and pecan descend in perfect harmony. A multifaceted bourbon that is as intriguing as it is delicious. —Jeffery LindenmuthLaphroaig 16 year...

You can enjoy whisky any way you like, but when bringing together a group to explore new bottles, it's important to keep in mind the distinction between tasting and drinking. Your first duty as a whisky tutor is to illustrate the difference. Drinking is about the act of consumption, and places an emphasis on the destination. Tasting, on the other hand, is about the journey. It employs your senses of smell, taste, and even sight to their full potential. You can actually taste without ingesting the whisky at all. Tasting is what happens before you swallow, and becoming a better taster is the single best way to improve your understanding and enjoyment of great whisky.Whisky clubs are all about having a great time, but getting everyone involved in a tasting helps maintain the distinction between a pursuit and a party. If you are already a competent and confident whisky taster, make it your mission to bring everyone on board, assuming the role of train conductor rather than college...

Wood-aged tequila has a surprisingly short history, and American whiskey barrels have dominated it. While some tequila makers have borrowed from the scotch whisky playbook by using wine, sherry, port, and cognac casks for aging or finishing their spirit, most typically look north for their vessels. Price is the obvious reason. The most popular styles of American whiskey require new barrels, so a steady flow of less expensive used wood exists. But moreover, these vessels smooth the edges and add a dose of familiarity to a drink that can seem peculiar to American palates. Whiskey barrels impart a measure of caramel sweetness and evoke the natural vanilla tones in a drink that tends to be spicy and tart in the raw.
While most casks have gone incognito (Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam are assumed to be responsible for much of the trade), some tequila brands are calling out the names of whiskies that formerly inhabited their barrels. For instance, Espolòn looks to Wild Turkey for its...

Where a scotch is made determines how it tastes, right? Islay whiskies are peaty, Speysiders are honeyed and sherry-forward, and so on. The idea is practically foundational for many whisky lovers—but it bears critical examination, especially when confronted with evidence to the contrary.The road to formal recognition for scotch regions was a long one. In 1909, the UK government published the Report of the Royal Commission on Whisky and Other Potable Spirits, a comprehensive survey of Scottish and Irish distilleries that specified distinct whisky regions in Scotland, including the Highlands, Lowlands, Islay, Campbeltown, and Speyside. A century later, the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SWR)formalized three regions—Highlands, Lowlands, and Speyside—and two localities—Campbeltown and Islay—to boost scotch's European Union geographical indication (GI) and better protect its identity worldwide.The SWR does not, however, make any claims about regional flavor or style. “That...

Who wants a cookie?Those sweet little treats are a very big deal in North America, with packaged cookies accounting for $11 billion in sales in 2018 in the U.S. alone, and on track to total $12 billion by 2023, according to the National Confectioners Association. For Jim Dudlicek, editorial director of Progressive Grocer magazine, what's driving this growth is today's popular "treat yourself" culture.While Dudlicek says that cookies are “historically the top-selling item in the in-store bakery,” according to his magazine's annual bakery operations survey, it is the center-aisle packaged brands that account for the bulk of cookie sales, led by longtime best-seller Oreo. Despite inroads being made by niche brands from smaller producers, the balance of the top-ten cookies in the U.S. is composed of names familiar to most adults since childhood.For tasting purposes, I separated the supermarket cookie aisle into five categories: biscuit, chocolate sandwich, peanut butter sandwich...

You've heard of going around the world in 80 days, but how about going around the world in seven drams? Whether you're a bourbon believer or a die-hard scotch fan, a trip outside the realm of your own whisky boundaries is a great way to further your education and strengthen your palate. While the countries that produce whisky on a larger scale—the U.S., Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Japan—create top-notch whiskies, other nations are giving them a run for their money. Just last year, Adnams Rye Malt from England rose above hundreds of whiskies to earn a spot on our 2019 Top 20, while other world whiskies—like Sierra Norte Yellow corn whisky from Mexico and Rampur Select single malt from India—have placed on the list in years past.Several world whiskies are highlighted in our Summer 2020 Buying Guide, including the standouts below. Each whisky on this list comes from a different country, from Armenia to Australia. If you're feeling adventurous, seek out these bottles and take a...

Whiskies come and go, and while new releases are always heralded, expressions that are phased out get much less attention. But earlier this week, High West announced plans to discontinue Yippee Ki-Yay, its blend of ryes finished in vermouth and syrah barrels. Bottles can still be found on shelves, so if you're a fan, snatch them up when you see them.Moving on to new releases, which this week all come from these United States.Westland Distillery announced a new series called the Outpost Collection, which will encompass the existing Garryana expression ($150) as well as two new single malt whiskeys: Colere ($150), coming in the spring of 2021, and Solum, which won't be ready until 2023. All of these whiskeys will be released annually in limited amounts.Sagamore Spirit is also launching a new range called Distiller's Select, starting with Manhattan Finish, a rye finished in select barrel types to impart the classic cocktail's flavors. The whiskey is available in limited amounts, priced...

A small island nation with a cool, windy, and damp climate sits about 200 miles northwest of Scotland. It has a population of around 52,000 people and its main industry is fishing. And now it's home to a new whisky startup. The Faroe Islands—which, despite their proximity to Scotland, are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark—will soon welcome Faer Isles Distillery, which has just begun crowdfunding efforts.Sales for membership to the Faer Isle Founders' Club began on Aug. 1. For €200, members will receive lifelong membership, a bottle each of Faer Isles Founders' Club Edition Gin and new make Faer Isles single malt, and a bottle of Faer Isles First Edition 3 year old single malt once the spirit has completed its aging process. “The first edition will be a peated whisky [matured in a] bourbon cask, but we will also be experimenting with maturation in different casks from day one in order to see how the whisky will optimally mature,” says Dánial Hoydal...

Rare whisky season is in full swing with the annual Van Winkle releases announced earlier this week.Meanwhile, more luxury than rare, after first launching it at Travel Retail last year, Woodford Reserve is releasing its Baccarat Edition in select liquor stores. The cognac cask-finished bourbon is priced at $2,000 and packaged in a custom Baccarat decanter (of course).On to new releases. Ireland's Teeling Whiskey is unveiling its first peated single malt. Blackpitts Batch 1 will hit the states in early 2021 with 6,000 bottles available at $75.Cascade Hollow Distilling, home to George Dickel, has a new blended whiskey. Cascade Moon Edition No. 1 will cost $90 and is available in California, Tennessee, and Texas.Balvenie has released the seventh batch in its Tun 1509 series. There are a limited number of bottles available for $420 each.Renowned blender Barrell Craft Spirits has a new finished bourbon that includes three Tennessee bourbons, each finished separately in Jamaican rum, pear...

If you're seeking the next big trend in whiskey, look to American single malts. These highly original whiskeys belongs to a vibrant, sometimes contentious movement in American whiskey that isn't yet bound by a legal definition. But the lack of formal regulations hasn't prevented this budding style from flourishing, with distillers across the country creating a dazzling range of flavors.Leading the charge for recognition is the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, an organization founded by nine distilleries in 2016 that has since grown to include more than 150 distillers who seek to establish a standard of identity for American single malt. “What's most important is that the industry at large—the trade, the retailers, the bars and restaurants of the world, and ultimately consumers—starts to recognize this category,” commission president Steve Hawley tells Whisky Advocate. “We want consumers to have confidence that what they're picking up off the shelf, what they think is...

Ever in demand and always a topic of conversation, Japanese whisky has undergone some changes of late. As age-statement single malts skyrocketed in price, affordable blends from the likes of Nikka and Hibiki have come to the forefront. Whisky Advocate's 2018 Whisky of the Year, Nikka From the Barrel, is part of this trend, neatly highlighting the reasons for Japanese whisky's continued popularity. The blended whisky clocks in at a relatively powerful 51.4% ABV yet remains balanced and elegant.The Fall 2020 Buying Guide reviews 11 Japanese whiskies, encompassing a range of styles from blends and single malts to rice whisky and a “world blend” that combines whiskies from America, Canada, Ireland, and Scotland, as well as Japan. It is true, now more than ever, that you don't need to spend a lot of money to taste a great Japanese whisky, and while this list contains some bottles north of $200, it also has three under $80. For the curious drinker looking to dip their toe into Japanese...

The Spring 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate features over 100 whisky reviews, covering scotch, bourbon, Irish, Japanese, and many other whisky styles. Below, check out 10 of the bottles (excluding Editors' Choice and Collectibles) that scored highest, netting 93 points and above.Many of the top-scoring bottles come from distilleries featured in the issue's cover story on the best-kept secrets in single malt scotch. Others highlight the diversity of barrel finishes taking place in American whiskey or showcase up-and-comers in the distilling world.But don't stop here: There are plenty of other high-scoring whiskies in the Spring 2021 Buying Guide, and lots to discover. Check out the full slate of new reviews!Top Scores from Whisky Advocate's Spring 2021 Issue
George Dickel 15 year old Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey (No. L2029-5k-1010)95 points, 52.3% ABV, $60This has Dickel's distinctive oily grain aromas: It's packed with corn and peanuts, and also sweet with brown-sugar oatmeal and...

Whisky and wine share a lot in common, and in the case of Whisky Advocate and Wine Spectator, that includes an office. There's a good deal of crossover between the two worlds: Both publications engage in rigorous blind tasting when writing reviews, and the editors on each side have a deep appreciation for drinks made from both grape and grain.In whisky making, there's overlap as well. Some wine producers, like Napa Valley's Dave Phinney, have entered the world of spirits, lending a new perspective to the ever-growing field of wine finishes. Phinney's Savage & Cooke Second Glance American whiskey, finished in his own wine barrels, scored 91 points in 2018, an impressive showing for the upstart brand.Wine cask-finishing has, of course, been around for decades, initiated by scotch producers employing sherry barrels to impart sweet, nutty flavors to their single malt. But the trend continues to grow, with American producers jumping on board. The new Thomas S. Moore line of bourbons...

In each issue ofWhisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies they consider to be the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. For Summer 2021, two of our Editors' Choice selections—one single malt and one blended—are from Scotland, and one is a single malt from India.Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2021 issue.Standout Whiskies from Summer 2021
Highland Park 12 year old Viking Honour92 points, 43%, $55A whiff of peat and a maritime breeze of salt air, seashells, and beach bonfire embers, drifting into tropical notes of lime and pineapple, as well as baked apples. Sweetness on the palate, with a dash of peat atop vanilla cream, graham cracker, milk chocolate, zesty lime, and espresso beans. Water brings out fruit notes of melon, strawberries, and red apples, and the finish settles things with a back note of cocoa and a bang of winter spice. —David Fleming
Amrut Bagheera Sherry Cask91 points, 46%...

Single malt scotch drinkers, it's your day: The latest Diageo Special Releases have been unveiled, and aside from a 26 year old Lagavulin, they're remarkably accessible, coming in at $250 or less. As with previous iterations, this year's collection—called Legends Untold—was curated by Diageo master blender Craig Wilson and includes eight whiskies in total.It's an abundant week for American whiskey lovers, too, with new bourbons from Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve, the latest edition of High West's A Midwinter Night's Dram, and a cask strength single malt from Westward Whiskey. Read on for full details.

Wild Turkey Master's Keep One
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 50.5%
SRP: $175
Release: October 2021
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
Master’s Keep One is the sixth release in Wild Turkey's limited edition Master’s Keep series. This one blends 8 to 10 year old bourbon with 14...

The Fall 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate features over 130 whisky reviews covering a range of styles. Since the issue focuses on bourbon, the Buying Guide is chock-full of reviews that cover cask-finishing, non-Kentucky producers, Texas's growing craft scene, and more, but there is plenty else to enjoy, including single malts from Scotland, the U.S., Germany, Ireland, India, and Taiwan.As for high scores, we have those as well, with the below whiskies all earning 93 points or more. These don't include our Editors' Choice, Best Value, or Collectibles selections, but represent the very best from the whisky world, including two cask strength Irish whiskeys, age statements ranging from 6 to 24 years old, and a pair of single malt scotches that use home-grown barley. Familiar names like Barrell, Balvenie, and Ardbeg are joined by Bib & Tucker and Blue Note, two Tennessee-based brands proving that the Volunteer State can make high-quality bourbon in addition to the state's trademark...

WhiskyFest season has been in full swing, starting with Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest in Hollywood, Florida October 30, rolling into Chicago on November 5th, and drawing a big crowd in New York last night. The final WhiskyFest for 2021 will be held in San Francisco on December 3rd. Tickets are still available for a night that will feature pours from Ardbeg, Dewar’s, Four Roses, Glendalough, Redbreast, Westward, and many more.As for this week’s new whiskies, Teeling adds a 30 year old to its Vintage collection, Bowmore connects with Aston Martin for a new expression, Nikka unveils new versions of its Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts, and Jim Beam announces a special edition Baker’s just in time for the holidays. Read on for full details.

Teeling 30 year oldStyle: Single maltOrigin: IrelandAge: 30 year oldABV: 46%Price: $2,200Release: November 2021 at the distillery, January 2022 in the U.S.Availability: Limited edition; 4,000 bottles globally
Need to...

Distilleries cannot run year round. Prior to World War II, distilling's silent season started in late May and could last as long as last three or four months. Before scientific advancements and technology revolutionized farming in the post-war years, whisky making was tied more to the agricultural calendar than it is now. Barley prices would climb as summer approached, when supplies ran low from the last harvest, and the remnants of the previous year's peat became too dry and affected the smokiness of the malt. Germination was also harder to control in the warm, airy floor maltings, which impacted fermentation, and spells of hot weather taxed the reliability of the plentiful water supplies needed for cooling, cleaning, and condensing the vapor into spirit after distillation. Instead of making whisky, distillery workers would disperse to farms to gather the harvest and head to the bogs to cut fresh slabs of peat to stack in the fields.The modern silent season requires a shutdown of...

Tommy Brunett, founder of Iron Smoke Distillery in New York State, was smoking ribs in his backyard one day while enjoying a whiskey, when suddenly a thought occurred to him: “How do you combine these two American pastimes—great American barbecue and great American bourbon?,” the musician turned whiskey maker remembers asking himself. For roughly a year and a half, he smelled like smoke as he tried to get his whiskey idea just right. He was looking for just a whisper of smoke on the finish—not something that was overpowering or overdone. The end result was Iron Smoke straight bourbon, made using applewood-smoked wheat. The applewood is indigenous to the distillery's region, and smoking the wheat adds an unexpected dimension to the sweet grain. “From the backyard to now, it's been pretty amazing,” Brunett says.Indeed, just as smoke itself can drift anywhere, Darek Bell, Corsair's founder and distiller, thinks the possibilities for smoked American...

Season 5 of multi-Emmy award-winning drama “The Crown” returns to Netflix today, November 9th, picking up screenwriter Peter Morgan’s fictionalized account of events from 1991 onward based on the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Here are Whisky Advocate‘s five recommended royal whiskies to pour as you watch—as well as five collectibles available at auction for a king’s ransom (palace not included) if you’re so inclined. All 10 of these gems were chosen for their royal connections, their status as royal warrant holders, or because they commemorate significant royal events. So pour yourself a regal dram and enjoy the show.
FIVE ROYAL WHISKIES TO DRINK NOW

Dewar’s 25 year old—93 points, 40%, $225 Rich maltiness, flapjacks, whole almond, smooth caramel, chocolate orange, and cappuccino
Finished in Royal Brackla casks, this blended scotch is double-aged for a minimum of 25 years. Royal Brackla was the first single...

In the high desert country of northwest Nevada, about 75 miles from the California line, lies the city of Fallon. It’s an outpost along cross-country U.S. Route 50, on a stretch of highway known as The Loneliest Road in America for its endless reaches of dusty desert terrain. But Fallon is an oasis in this vast desert, with fertile farmland nurtured by snowmelt from the nearby Sierra Nevada range as well as Lake Tahoe on the California border. This bountiful land is most famous for its rich yields of alfalfa, which is prized by cattle ranchers and thoroughbred breeders around the world.
The Frey family has farmed here since 1854—a decade before Nevada even became a state. Frey Ranch spans about 1,500 acres and cultivates alfalfa as well as wheat, rye, barley, oats, and corn. Today the ranch is stewarded by Colby Frey, who represents the fifth generation of family ownership. Like his forebears, he devotes himself to the land. “I was just irrigating our rye...

Steve McCarthy began as a modest distiller in Portland, Oregon, founding Clear Creek Distillery in 1985 to make European-inspired eaux de vie. But whiskey had been on his mind since a 1980 trip to Ireland, where he was rain-bound in a cabin amply stocked with scotch. He later took a trip to Scotland, and returned to make his own whiskey, aged in sherry barrels and finished in Oregon oak casks. McCarthy released this creation in 1996, calling it Oregon Single Malt.
Over the years, other American distillers began making whiskey from malted barley, embracing the term “single malt,” with Scotland as the inspiration. Among the leaders has been Virginia Distillery Co., founded in 2011 by George Moore. George passed away in 2013, but today his son Gareth carries on his vision of taking, as he describes it, “traditions from the Old World and making them better.” Virginia Distillery Co.’s early releases were from distillate made in Scotland and aged at the...

Sailing is an oft-overlooked way to explore the coastline of Scotland’s Western Isles. This 130-mile-long archipelago, known as the Outer Hebrides, forms the extreme western edge of Scotland and is the perfect destination for those seeking freedom, solitude, and epic adventure. It’s an island hopper’s paradise with thousands of miles of coastline to explore— the land of Compton Mackenzie’s “Whisky Galore!,” the origin of Harris Tweed, and a wildlife haven of eagles and whales. There are golden sandy beaches lapped by turquoise seas, a moonscape of boulders across Harris, peat stacks drying on the bogs of Lewis, and the summer blooms of the machair, Uist’s fertile grasslands. The Calanais Standing Stones, Dun Carloway Broch, and the peat smoke-filled dwellings known as blackhouses provide an evocative insight into the old ways of the islanders, bringing to life a place rich with the history and culture of early civilizations. And there...

Thirty year old scotch is becoming increasingly scarce and pricey, but we’ve rounded up 15 selections with quality levels that range from very good to exceptional. Few distilleries have sufficient stock to release a 30 year old, so if you’re talking 30, note that these bottles won’t be found on the shelves of every liquor store in the land. But these complex decades-old scotches are available from all whisky regions, and the supply is bolstered by releases from independent bottlers. Lowland releases tend to be extremely rare—count yourself lucky if you can locate one of the last bottles of Littlemill or Rosebank distilled during the 20th century. The prices range from expensive to very expensive, of course, but here’s hoping that you can find one of these 30 year old gems; if not a bottle, then at least a pour at a great whisky bar.

96 points Macallan 30 year old Sherry Oak (2021 Release), 43%, $4,750Spanish oak casks raised from air-seasoned...

The coronation of King Charles III takes place Saturday at Westminster Abbey in London, and while the ceremony plan is somewhat less extravagant than coronations past, there will be plenty of pomp and circumstance for royal watchers. Many of the whiskies being released in honor of the coronation are anything but pared down. Among the most kingly is Royal Salute's The Coronation of Kings Charles III Edition, a $25,000 blended scotch that's presented in a richly hued sapphire blue Dartington crystal decanter. While the majority of these coronation whiskies are scotches, an English single malt was also in the mix—from The English Distillery's The English Coronation single malt. That one, priced at $105 in U.S. dollars, sold out quickly. But the list offers numerous other celebratory bottles at a variety of prices.
Coronation whiskies aside, there are new releases galore this week. New Riff continues its...

It’s not usually necessary to carry your passport when exploring the world’s whisky trails, but a newly launched whisky route straddles two countries—the U.S. and Canada. The new Northwest Whiskey Trail covers two U.S. states, one Canadian province, 540 miles, and at least one ferry. It’s designed as a way for visitors to experience the craft of whisky making on both sides of the border.
On the American side, the distilleries on the Northwest Whiskey Trail so far include Westward Whiskey in Portland, Oregon, and Westland Distillery and Copperworks Distilling in Seattle. Stops on the Canadian side are Goldstream Distillery, Shelter Point Distillery on Vancouver Island, Deep Cove Brewers & Distillers in Vancouver, and Macaloney’s Island Distillery in Victoria, British Columbia.

Among the experiences the trail has to offer are the beer barrel-finished whiskeys of Copperworks and Westward, whiskies produced from malt smoked in-house on...

Ireland’s spectacular west coast features some of the most stunning coastal scenery on earth. It’s a paradise for surfers, walkers, sailors, history buffs, food lovers, and whiskey fans—offering an epic coastline-hugging journey of 1,600 miles through ancient lands where towering cliffs have withstood the raw power of Atlantic waves for thousands of years. The route wends around the headlands of Cork in Ireland’s southwest, all the way up to Donegal in the northwest. Its shores fire the imagination with craggy islands, historic treasures, natural wonders, magnificent castles, quaint harbors, colorful towns, and deserted beaches. The entire route takes at least a week or two to cover, and more time will be required if you want to visit distilleries and sample the fine fare at the pubs along the way. But you don’t have to tackle it all, of course. The route can be started from either end, but since vehicles in Ireland drive on the left, go south to north if...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, our Buying Guide offers whiskies of all types from around the world and at a wide variety of prices. Within that long list lie some excellent bargains—something that can be tough to find in today's whisky world. Here's a sampling of our editors' picks for great value bottles with solid scores, friendly prices, and wide availability—including ryes, Irish whiskeys, scotch whiskies, and an American single malt.
92 Ezra Brooks 99 2 year old Rye, 49.5%, $25
The nose kicks off on a zesty and flavorful note, with loads of black pepper and peppercorn sauce joined by chlorine, an assortment of farmers market leafy greens, and menthol. The palate is more lightly peppered; here it’s also supplemented by a dollop of honey, some celery juice, and raw kale, keeping the greens going. More pepper on the finish, which has a fair amount of milk chocolate and lemon ice too.
91 Bart's Irish Blend, 46%, $50
Lough Ree...

Alexander Reid was a Speyside barley farmer and school teacher. In 1820, he began renting the Easter Elchies House on the eastern banks of the River Spey. He planted barley there and in 1824 opened a licensed distillery that came to be called Macallan—thought to be named after an ancient church nearby. Macallan is now toasting its 200th anniversary with a very Macallan-esque tour de force—an ultra-limited, ultra-aged release that channels those roots.
Tales of The Macallan Volume II was distilled in 1949 and bottled in 2022, and the unveiling was held to coincide with the anniversary year.  The 73 year old whisky, bottled at 44.8% ABV, is punctuated by lingering smokiness, according to tasting notes from whisky maker Euan Kennedy. That’s designed to evoke the scotches made in Alexander Reid’s day and is a marked departure from today’s Macallan, which contains no peat. The 81 year old Macallan The Reach, which set an auction record back in 2022...

Everyone knows what malt is, or at least they think they do. But most people don't ever look at malted grains in all their variations. Here's a breakdown of the variations that are at the disposal of whisky makers.
What is malting and why is it done?
Malting is a process whereby the grain is soaked so that it partly germinates, and then kilned and roasted, before being milled and added to a mashbill. Any grain can undergo the malting process, protein malts are the best at converting starches into fermentable sugars and then to alcohol to create the “beer” that will be distilled into whisky. For that reason, barley is by far the most commonly used malting choice for whisky makers, hence why the word “malt” in whisky parlance generally refers to malted barley.
Different Malted Barley Types
Within the malted barley space, there are different types, including base, specialty, caramel, and roasted. Base malts are the most commonly used, as...

The House of Suntory has unveiled the four Japanese single malt expressions in the 2024 Tsukuriwake Series, which aims to showcase its adventurous sense of creativity. The series lets Suntory chief blender Shinji Fukuyo demonstrate how blending can illustrate the intricacy of Japanese whisky making by spanning a variety of elements in barley strains, peating levels, and different cask types.
The Tsukuriwake Series (pronounced soo-koo-ree-wah-keh) debuted two years ago, and the word translates as “artisanship through the diversity of making.” The company marked its 100th anniversary in 2023 with special centenary releases, so there was not a Tsukuriwake Series release last year. The 2024 Tsukuriwake Series is driven by the core values of wa, which takes inspiration through harmony with Japanese nature, monozukuri, which means to be elevated by Japanese craftsmanship, and omotenashi, which is about the enjoyment of an authentic Japanese cultural...

Compass Box, whose blended scotch creations have won enormous critical acclaim over the past two decades, has undergone some big changes this year. In February, its founder and driving force, John Glaser, stepped down after 23 years at the helm. That news came atop an announcement that Hedonism, the grain whisky that vaulted Compass Box into the spotlight in 2000, would be removed from the core range to become a limited annual release. This month the winds of change blew once more,  as Compass Box discontinued its Spice Tree and Story of the Spaniard labels, replacing them with two completely new whiskies.
Spice Tree was first released in 2005, and Story of the Spaniard has been around since 2018. Both expressions aimed to spotlight cask/wood influence. Spice Tree explores the influence of French oak with a blend of malts including Glen Moray, Balmenach, and a proprietary Highland malt divided into three separate parcels, each aged in French oak barrels at different...

Higher-proof whiskies began growing in popularity around 20 years ago, thanks to bartenders who loved their ability to stand up to competing flavors in a drink. But over the years, whisky fans increasingly gravitated toward drinking them neat, with the perception that more proof means more flavor. Recently, proof bombs have gained a cult following, primarily thanks to American whiskeys like Jack Daniel’s Coy Hill and others. Most of the whiskies on this list are fairly gentle compared to those, but all have robust levels of alcohol. At their worst, high-ABV whiskies simply hide behind their proof, attempting to ride the high-proof craze without offering much beyond that. But at their best, well-made high-proof whiskies offer loads of accentuated flavors and complexity to sip and enjoy.
95 points - Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release Coy Hill Barrelhouse 8 Tennessee whiskey (2024), 67.35%, $80
Coy Hill is the highest...

If you had to pick an all-time favorite finish for whisky—scotch whisky in particular—it would be sherry. It's no accident that nearly all the whiskies in the list we present here are scotches, except for a Finnish rye and an American single malt whose inspiration comes entirely from Scotland. But there are many facets to the role of sherry in scotch whisky, including distinctions between the various sherry styles such as oloroso, manzanilla, and Pedro Ximénez, among others.  And there are scotch whiskies that are sherry-finished as opposed to being fully matured in sherry casks. The serious sherried scotch makers contract with bodegas in Jerez (and sometimes own them, in the case of Macallan),  and they provide very detailed specifications on how their casks will be built and seasoned. But the truly coveted sherried whiskies are those matured in barrels that actually held sherry for extended periods of time. Those are...

This is mighty; a nose of sweet malt, vanilla cupcakes, Creamsicle, marmalade, dried apricot, and grilled pineapple, bolstered by dunnage earth, peat, star anise, peppercorn, and a hint of chocolate. A swirl of honeycomb, malt, apple, berries, and sultanas on the tongue, there’s a crescendo of peat smoke, gingerbread, hazelnuttopped chocolate cake, brown sugar, and black pepper, spilling over to leave a long chocolaty, smoky finish. (Release date: 3/25

Matured in American oak and finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, this well-balanced dram has fruit sweetness, salt, and smoke, and sits on the juicier side of Glen Scotia’s signature style. Aromas of pear, apricot, peat smoke, and sea spray, with flavors of sweet melon, Golden Delicious apple, heather honey, salted caramel, fine spices, and vanilla. It ends with apricot, dried apple, and peat smoke on the finish. (Travel Retail exclusive; Release date: 2016...

Matured in a combination of oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, then finished in oloroso casks, the nose has sweet stewed plums, baked orange, peat smoke, and crème pâtissière. Smooth, creamy, and fruity, there’s peaches in cream, vanilla, light sherry fruit, raspberry cheesecake, cinnamon, and pepper. Lingering peat smoke on the finish with juicy stewed fruits and fading spices. (Release date: 10/24)

Matured in bourbon barrels and cabernet sauvignon red wine casks, this is intensely peaty on first sniff, but it’s wonderfully aromatic peat fires, verging on bonfire smoke at times. Paired with this are aromas of plum, black olive tapenade, black truffle, and toasted sourdough. The palate mingles chocolate muffin, dried cranberry, spices, and peat smoke, with hints of menthol and eucalyptus stretching into the finish. (Travel Retail exclusive; Release date: 3/25...

This final seasonal release in the three-year series was fully matured in 200-liter peated Islay casks. The nose is cereal-led, with warm bread, vanilla, lemon, green apple, toffee, and subtle spices. Sweet lemon, vanilla, malt, shortbread, and cracked black pepper on first sip, backed by nuttiness, smoked meat, and peat smoke. Dried orchard fruit, vanilla, and peat smoke round out the finish. (Release date: 3/25)

The still room at Stauning is silent.
Copper gleams in the morning light. Rows of stills —24 in total—stand in neat lines, like sleeping instruments waiting for a conductor. But there’s no heat in the coils. No sound of bubbling wash. No spirit dripping into the safe.
Stauning still sells whisky. Its warehouses are stocked, the brand remains strong, the whisky is flowing—into glasses, not stills. But what is a whisky distillery that no longer distills? That’s a difficult question. A distillery can stay alive on cask sales for a while. But when the spirit isn’t being made, it’s like a heart that’s stopped beating—waiting for revival or reality to sink in.
This isn’t a story of failure. But it is a story of reckoning, one that says as much about the state of craft whisky today as it does about Stauning itself. At its center stands Hans Martin Hansgaard, one of nine co-founders and reluctant witness to a dream in...

The youthful age statement may take many scotch drinkers by surprise, but don’t let double-digit bias prevent you from enjoying this exciting yet easy-drinking peat bomb. Salt water and seaweed, smoke and sweet peat tussle on the nose, while vanilla, fresh berries, and ample nuttiness spread out and take hold. The structured, balanced palate is creamy, nutty, and spiced, showcasing brown-sugar bacon, smoked salt, milk chocolate, pepper, and well-integrated oak, all wrapped up like a cigar with flakes of ash and sustained smoke. This precocious youngster shows more complexity than some whiskies twice its age, making it a remarkable find. Number 6 in the 2020 Top...

Part of the permanent Ardbeg range since 2008, Corryvreckan is created from a blend of standard Ardbeg and Ardbeg aged in virgin French Limousin oak casks. Smoky bacon and seaweed, plus dark berries, prickly spices, walnuts, lemon, and sweet peat on the nose. Sweet and savory on the palate, with more lively spice, woodsmoke, phenols, and licorice. The finish is lengthy, with peat, sea salt, pepper, and black coffee. Editors’ Choice

Your dad has enough ties, novelty T-shirts, coffee mugs, and socks. Upgrade your gifting game and get him something that will replace a forced smile with a wide grin: a wonderful bottle. Whether he’s a seasoned sipper or a whisky neophyte, we’ve selected 12 standout spirits ranging from special scotch single malts to cult-favorite bourbons to accessible, underrated ryes—and a few exceptional whisky-adjacent options—all guaranteed to earn you favorite-child status. Here’s hoping whatever you buy him, Dad will crack the bottle and pour a glass for you, too.  
93 points - Yamazaki 12 year old Japanese single malt, 43%, $150
A mainstay among the best Japanese whiskies for good reason. This single malt whisky matures in three types of barrels: bourbon, oloroso sherry, and mizunara oak. The resulting liquid is floral, light, complex, and balanced. It’s pleasing, sip after sip.
92 points - Bowmore 15 year old scotch single malt, 43%...

Everyone who enjoys whisky likely knows how to make a proper Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Sour, and other classic whisky cocktails. For one, they've stood the test of time—whereas the latest trendy drink is often only popular because it looks cool on Instagram, classics have been perfected, so you know they taste good. For another, most are easy to make yet impressive to serve to guests. 
At the same time, you can respect the classics while letting them serve as a starting point. The majority of contemporary cocktails are variations on these standards, and experimentation can lead to delicious results.
An easy place to start is by switching up the whisky you use as the base. “Swapping in different whisky styles lets you explore how [a whisky’s] grain, distillation, and aging change a cocktail’s whole character,” says Jason Hedges, director of beverage for LT Hospitality. “Just like jazz musicians state the basic theme before launching into...

Did you know there are palm trees on some Scottish islands? Take the tropical vibe all the way with this tiki cocktail, created at Mother of Pearl in New York City, that incorporates both Islay single malt and blended scotch.
INGREDIENTS

½ oz. Laura’s Mix (equal parts banana liqueur, cinnamon syrup, and dry curaçao)
¼ oz. Demerara syrup
¾ oz. toasted almond syrup
¾ oz. lime juice
¼ oz. Laphroaig single malt Scotch
1 ½ oz. Famous Grouse blended Scotch
Angostura bitters
Garnish: Mint sprigs, orchid, cinnamon stick

DIRECTIONS
Build all ingredients in a shaker tin. Add ½ cup cracked ice and shake. Pour into a snifter-style glass and top with more cracked ice. Dash Angostura bitters on top. Garnish with mint springs doused with Laphroaig, an orchid, a cracked cinnamon stick, and paper...

The smoky, peaty whiskies of Scotland invite cigar pairings. Check out this story from Cigar Aficionado that matches eleven scotch whiskies with two cigars

Billed as the most heavily peated single malts in the world, Bruichladdich’s annually released trio of Octomore single malts prove that high phenol levels don’t necessarily mean a smoke bomb in the glass. The whiskies are far gentler than the numbers would have you believe; this year’s .1, expression, for instance, is malted to 108.2 parts per million (ppm), putting it far above most (if not all) Islay whiskies, among them Ardbeg (around 55 ppm), Laphroaig (40 ppm), Lagavulin (35 ppm), and Bowmore (30 ppm).
This year’s lineup—the 15th in the series—kicks off with 15.1, distilled from 100% Scottish barley, bottled at 59.1% ABV, and, as mentioned, comes in at 108.2 ppm. It’s matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels and second-fill, re-charred bourbon barrels.
15.2, builds upon the foundation set by .1, distilled from the same batch of barley and malted to the same ppm; a shift comes during maturation, when it’s...

Farmer James Brown can converse with the Aberdeen and Highland cattle that roam Octomore farm, his sprawling lochside property, not far from the Bruichladdich distillery. This vast expanse is where he grows the barley Bruichladdich uses to make the ultra-peaty whisky named for the farm, which is named for the distillery that operated on the property until 1844. He beckons the majestic animals with a call: “RE-bit. RE-bit.” I can only assume that's bovine for “Food here. Come and get it!” because the cows' heads perk up and they trundle toward him. Brown, 63, is known as the “Godfather of Soil.” In 1960, his family moved to the Octomore farm from down the road. There was no electricity on the property. (He still lives there with his wife; they rent out three buildings, including the old Octomore distillery, as holiday cottages.) His family farmed beef, but Brown dabbled in other careers. His big break came around 2000 when the long-shuttered Bruichladdich distillery...

Iain remembers one morning, “many, many years ago” when a co-worker at Lagavulin distillery came to work in a wee scud. (“That's what we call it when you got too much to drink.”) The bloke was, “capable of doing his job,” Iain recalls, but he fell asleep, at which point Iain and his mate painted a full beard on the poor fellow.“In our young days we did those kinds of things. Nowadays it's more serious. Everything's all Health and Safety,” he told me. “We had a thing—a free dram. Got one every day. And old people were too glad to do anything there was to do. And if a dirty job came around they'd say, ‘Well, if we get another dram, well do it.' People can't enjoy the drink they had before. Company policy.”Iain, a 47-year industry veteran, has a stockpile of things-ain't-what-they-used-to-be tales. He'll tell you that in the 80s, when the industry was down, he'd work in the distillery five days a week, 25 weeks per year. Not so much, now that production clocks in...

Where It's From
Irish whiskey can be made throughout the island of Ireland, including both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
What It's Made Of
Irish whiskey must include malted barley and may include other unmalted cereal grains, resulting in four main types of whiskey.
Malt
Malt Irish whiskey is made using 100% malted barley and distilled in pot stills. Single malt whiskey comes from only one distillery.
Pot Still
Pot Still Irish whiskey is made from a mash of a minimum 30% malted and a minimum 30% unmalted barley, with up to 5% of other cereals added, and is distilled in pot stills. Single pot still whiskey comes from only one distillery.
Grain
Grain Irish whiskey is made using no more than 30% malted barley in combination with other whole unmalted cereals—usually corn, wheat, or barley—and is distilled in column stills. Single grain whiskey comes from only one distillery.
Blended
Blended Irish whiskey is a...

Humans have a weird binary when it comes to drinking alcohol—some beverages are strictly for cold weather, others for scorching hot days. So we drink rich stouts in the ski lodge, and save the crisp pilsners for golfing when it's 100 degrees. We pull out a full-bodied red wine for the Christmas party and chill the riesling and rosé for a summer picnic. The same thinking often holds true for whisky: Peated scotch, we are told, is best reserved for chilly drizzles or windy winter nights.But it doesn't have to be that way. For example, consider how camping, a favorite summer activity, and peaty whisky can make a perfect match. “When the evening cools down at the end of a hot, sunny day, and you're huddled around a fire pit, a peated whisky's campfire profile is a surprisingly perfect complement,” says Jessica Schultz, a senior brand manager at Bruichladdich.In fact, peated whisky has many traits that make it perfect for warm weather imbibing. Think of the classic smells of summer...

Scotland is undergoing a rye renaissance that has spiced up the debate about what can and cannot be produced in a Scotch whisky distillery. At least eight distilleries including Bruichladdich, InchDairnie, and Lone Wolf have been experimenting with rye, and while the spirit is aging in casks, distillers are busy scrutinizing the rules to work out how they can bottle it without falling foul of the Scotch Whisky Regulations, which dictate what can and cannot be labeled as scotch.Single malt Scotch whisky must be produced from 100% malted barley and must be distilled on a pot still, while single grain Scotch whisky is usually made from a mixture of malted barley with either corn or wheat, though any grain can be used. The historical record indicates that distillers in Scotland were using rye in the 18th century, with greater quantities used to make grain whisky in the 19th and 20th centuries. Rye is not a major crop harvested in the UK these days, but rye plantings have increased thanks...

Between forests, mountains, and a wide river, Japan's Mars Shinshu Distillery in Nagano is making whisky at full capacity again after taking a short break—for nineteen years. In 1989, a tax reform forced Japan's distillers to nearly double whisky prices. Many small Japanese distilleries either reduced their production or closed down entirely. While it seems hard to imagine today, there was so little demand for whisky that in 1992 Mars Shinshu abandoned whisky completely in favor of brandy. The now legendary Karuizawa and Hanyu Distilleries were able to hang on until the turn of the millennium.Now, Mars Shinshu is just one of at least ten small distilleries to join the nation's leading distillers—Suntory and Nikka—as silent distilleries come back to life and new passion projects emerge. The movement spans the country, from the island of Hokkaido in the north where the new Akkeshi Distillery is embracing the cold coastal climate, to Kyushu Island in the south, home to Japan's most...

Peated whisky is most often associated with the Scottish island of Islay, where names like Laphroaig and Ardbeg have become synonymous with smoky drams. But Islay isn't the only place where peaty whisky is made. In fact, there is far more diversity within the peated category than you might imagine, and the possible food pairings for peaty whiskies are equally varied.“To me, nothing balances a peated whisky better than nice, buttery salmon,” explains Marc Therrien, executive chef at Keeneland, the legendary thoroughbred track—and culinary and event destination—in Lexington, Kentucky. “The whisky imparts a smoky, sharp, tannin type of flavor when sipped. This salmon dish is savory, sweet, astringent, pungent, sour, and salty all in one shot, and really complements those complex flavors.”Pour This, Pair That: Peated Whisky and Torched Seared King Salmon with Togarashi, Japanese Cucumber, and ShoyuPour: Peated whiskyTastes like: The process of drying malted barley using peat...

Want to buy a $20 single malt scotch? Good luck. Desire a quality $30 Cognac? Yeah, right. Even vodka, which can be made in an instant, places its premium products north of $30. Fortunately, we do not need to settle for cheap beer or two-dollar jug wine. Hope awaits us penny-pinching spirits lovers: sitting in new charred oak barrels, resting in Kentucky rickhouses are copious amounts of delicious bourbon that will be bottled in the $9 to $30 range, delivering plenty of satisfying flavor, while still leaving some coin in our pockets.The recent interest in bourbon has priced once-hidden gems like Elijah Craig 18 year old out of the everyday drinking conversation for many of us. Lavish media attention made others, like Pappy Van Winkle, nearly impossible to find, but the bourbon standbys that so often go unappreciated are waiting on the shelves to offer solace.The Best Bourbons for $20 or LessJust ask Ernie Smith, a western Massachusetts resident who's been drinking bourbon so long his...

Just like their distilled cousins, smoked beers can be bold, complex, and, at times, aggressive. “It's like a slap of flavor in the face,” says Goose Island Brewing head of research and development Mike Siegel. “They can pretty much overpower everything else.” Fans of campfires and leaf piles, however, light up at the possibilities of smoked brews. Thanks to a diverse foundation of flavors and various methods of imparting smoke character—smoked malts, scotch barrels, spices, and so on—there's a beer to please every type of smoke fan. Your guide to entering the smoke show starts here.If you love Peated Scotch whisky...pour some Goose Island Islay Scotch Barrel-Aged Imperial StoutTo make this heavy hitter, Goose Island takes their potent Bourbon County Stout and ages it in casks that held peat smoke-laden Ardbeg whisky. “I think it's one of the most flavorful beers, with an incredible complexity and aroma, that we've ever made,” says Siegel. With 13% alcohol, this is...

When man created fire, he didn't realize the passions he'd inflamed. A few wisps of smoke from a bonfire or whiffs of barbecue on the grill is all it takes to draw a crowd to your backyard. It seems Homo sapiens are hardwired to love the smell of smoke—and perhaps we are.Since cooking with fire made food safer to eat, helped our bodies absorb more nutrients, and preserved food, “The use of fire to cook might have allowed our early ancestors to diverge from other primates and develop into modern humans, as the higher nutrient density allowed the development of our large brains,” explains Helene Hopfer, Ph.D., assistant professor of food science at Pennsylvania State University. Unlike other animals, humans often require cooked meat. And until relatively recently in our ancestral timeline—within the last 200 years—all cooked food would have tasted of smoke.In addition to this evolutionary benefit of a taste for smoke, some people develop personal memories around the smell of...

WhiskyFest is all about enjoyment—drinking great whiskies, learning from the experts, even making new friends—and the 2019 WhiskyFest San Francisco is set to bring all of that and more. Attend one of the expert-led seminars, and spend some time enjoying experiences like the Bowmore Oyster Luge (trust us—it's awesome) and the taste-focused Whisky 5, which helps you narrow in on different whisky flavors. And peruse the pour list ahead of time on our website or app.Since there are more than 400 whiskies on offer, we recommend devising a loose strategy (here are some tips to help you do that) and making a short list of the pours you don't want to miss. If you need some suggestions, Whisky Advocate's editors have noted a few recommendations below.If you don't have your tickets yet, don't wait to buy them: WhiskyFest is running a special promotion for VIP ticket holders through Sept. 27. Ten lucky VIPs will be treated to an exclusive whisky pour with Whisky Advocate's editors 30...

Most whisky clubs gather to enjoy tasting multiple bottles at the same time, and often a flight is the best way to do that. A well-considered tasting flight has a beginning, middle, and end. The right whisky selections and the ideal order will ensure everyone arrives happily at their final destination of whisky bliss. Pilot your club tasting event in a way that allows members to assess each whisky to its fullest. Good selection and sequencing is a skill developed over time, and with these tips you're ready to embark on your tasting journey.When determining the number of whiskies, consider both your group's experience level and the time you have to taste. We suggest no more than six whiskies at a single sitting, even for experienced participants. You'll want to plan for at least ten minutes per whisky, so attempting more than six can exhaust both palates and patience. You can also scale back to as few as two.Thematic tastings—such as rye whiskeys or peated whiskies—are usually the...

Scotch whisky is highly regarded for its diversity of flavors and complex taste. In fact, it can be hard for newcomers to know where to begin, especially when it comes to divisive qualities like smoke. While any attempt at categorizing whiskies is subjective, this simple flavor finder will help guests discover which styles they enjoy most, whether they explore the range on offer or focus their tasting on a particular circle of flavor.Make the teamSelect a variety of single malt scotch whiskies that clearly demonstrate different dominant flavors (blended malts and blended scotch are fair game too, but tend to be less flavor-specific). Be sure to include whiskies with and without smoke, with and without sherry cask finish, and the like. It's perfectly okay if you end up with multiple whiskies in one region of the diagram, but the more diversity, the better. You can be sure to cover the most ground by taking advice from our sample diagram and list of suggested whiskies.
Plot the...

St. Patrick's Day is upon us, and while it's the biggest time of the year for Guinness Stout, Irish whiskey also gets plenty of play on the big day. Times have changed quite a bit for Irish whiskey, and we've written extensively about the Irish renaissance and the explosion of variety across the spectrum, from single pot still to single malt, finished whiskeys, and ultra-aged gems. If you're looking for a great Irish whiskey to enjoy, these selections all rated 90 points or higher and are priced at $100 or less. Erin go bragh!

Teeling Blackpitts 94 points, 46%, $75 
Orchard fruit, panna cotta, sweet floral notes, tangy marmalade, and peppery spice (No. 3 in the 2021 Top 20)

Kilbeggan Single Pot Still 93 points,43%, $45
Orange, apricot, cake, vanilla, and pot still spices (No. 8 in the 2020 Top 20)

Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition 93 points, 46%, $86
Raspberry, red currant, plum, cherry, black tea, and spice
...

It's a big weekend on the American whiskey auction scene, as Chicago-based Hart Davis Hart (HDH) has commenced live bidding on its Finest & Rarest Spirits sale, which started earlier this morning and ends tomorrow. Of the 2,800 lots available, 2,189 are American whiskeys. HDH expects the total value of the American lots to reach between $1.9 million and $3 million, which would bring the highest value yet for an American whiskey sale. See the big-ticket items here.Of course, there are plenty of new whiskies to try—ones that are valued at quite a bit less than those! Kentucky Owl has added a new rye under The Wiseman label, Basil Hayden debuts a subtly smoky bourbon, and Compass Box introduces a new blended whisky that's evocative of old books. Read on for full details.Kentucky Owl Wiseman RyeStyle: Straight ryeOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: 50.4%Price: $60Release: March 2022Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This whiskey is made with a mashbill of 95% rye.Whisky Advocate...

Fall is in full swing, and so are new whisky launches. In a burst of good news for Pappy fans, the 2022 Van Winkle lineup has been announced, and with it the word that more bottles than usual are available this year. Does that mean it'll be easier to get your hands on one ahead of the holiday season? Not necessarily, but here's to staying optimistic.The Van Winkle whiskeys aren't the only specialty releases making their debut this week. There are two new whiskies from Hibiki—a cherrywood-finished blend and a 30 year old whisky—both of which are highly limited. Knob Creek, meanwhile, has introduced a rarity of its own, an 18 year old bourbon that marks its oldest release to date, and High West has unveiled the 10th edition of A Midwinter Night's Dram, along with a distillery-exclusive special to commemorate the 10th anniversary. From Scotland, Glendronach has debuted Grandeur Batch 11—aged for 28 years—while Gordon & Macphail is offering three new...

Welcome to our January 20th auction update. This week, we review the results from the Whisky.Auction sale, and look ahead to the final sales of the month.
Last week, we highlighted three notable bottles going under the hammer at Whisky.Auction. The 34 year old and 38 year old bottles of Karuizawa Ruby Geisha by Elixir Distillers fetched $23,297 and $25,749 respectively, while the Johnnie Walker 1805 The Celebration Blend made a respectable $16,676.
A bottle of Macallan The Red Collection 40 year old was the second-highest hammer price of the sale at $25,136. Taking a closer look at Macallan in this auction, there were 255 lots on offer, of which 83% sold. There was a noticeable abundance of Macallan The Harmony Collection bottlings available, with 148 bottles of the non-age statement Macallan The Harmony Smooth Arabica sold in this auction alone. Smooth Arabica was launched in November 2022 for a recommended retail price of $185. To act as a guide to your bidding in...

Whisky Auctioneer brought the excitement back to whisky auctions this month, breaking the auction record for Hanyu on its way to setting the highest hammer price of the year so far. Close on its tail was a huge bid for a one-off bottle of Macallan 1967 from the Anecdotes of Age Collection. Among an array of high-value sales, these two were Whisky Auctioneer’s highest-value lots to sell since their May 2022 auction. This helped set March on a trajectory that should see the 20-highest hammer prices break the million-dollar mark for the first time in 2025.
That outcome will largely depend on the results from Sotheby’s, whose parallel auctions in New York and Hong Kong conclude this week. Check here to see if Sotheby’s, Hong Kong beat Whisky Auctioneer’s new Hanyu auction record, as they too are selling a bottle of Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Card Series 1988 Ten of Spades this month. Not only that, but Sotheby’s, New York has an exclusive Macallan, a...

Many whisky lovers associate age with quality, though that’s not necessarily a correct line of thinking. Still, whiskies that bear age statements often have higher prices than their non-age statement brethren, and increasingly, those prices are rising. Lately there seem to be fewer and fewer products older than a decade that are still affordable for many drinkers. But if you know where to look—especially in the 12 year old range—you can still find some incredible, aged whisky for a great price.
Let’s start with where not to search, however. Well-aged Asian whiskey has exploded in popularity and is mostly hard to find at a reasonable cost these days. Likewise, many bourbon distillers are dropping age statements—which is why you’ll only find one example of a 12 year old bourbon on this list.
But Scotland, Ireland, and Canada all continue to offer an array of well-aged whiskies—mostly those that have long existed in the portfolios of...

The old A9 road had been the lifeline of the Highlands for more than 200 years. The routes through the glens followed the tracks of drovers who walked with their beasts to the markets in the south. General Wade's men built hundreds of miles of road in the 18th century, though the road was later shaped by Thomas Telford and John Macadam. As traffic increased in the 1960s, the towns became choked with trundling cars proceeding at a rapid crawl. I can just remember the torturous, congested routes north from my childhood in the 1970s. It used to meander through every little town, and the journey from Edinburgh to Inverness could take five hours. Under the scrutinizing eye of Garson Miller, an Orcadian and the superintendent engineer, the road was completely reconstructed from 1972 onward over the 137-mile distance between Perth and Inverness. Parts of the historic route through the Highlands had been little changed since the 18th and 19th centuries. Very little of the original road was...

The Fall 2022 issue is all about the many wonders Scotland has to offer, from gorgeous golf courses, to hospitable hotels, and of course, unforgettable whiskies. It should come as no surprise then, that the issue contains reviews for a number of high-scoring single malt scotches. Most notably, we highlight 15 single malts that bear a 30 year age statement, all of which scored between 90 and 96 points. Two of those whiskies, Macallan 30 year old Sherry Oak (2021 Release) and Springbank 30 year old, were named among the issue's most collectible whiskies reviewed. At 30 years old, all of the bottles included would make for a special toast and treat.The below list, however, aims to provide a bit more diversity, and there is something for everyone here, from cask strength bourbon, to inventive single pot still finishes, to peated American single malt. But that's not to say that these are all expensive. Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut scored 92 points and will set you back just $45. We have...

I've bought a time machine. And I'd like to take you back to 1985.It was not a happy time for whisky. As those of us who lived through it will recall, sales were falling—fast—and the roll call of distillery closures in the mid-1980s makes dismal reading. Banff, Brora, Coleburn, Convalmore, Dallas Dhu, Glen Albyn, Glen Esk, Glenlochy, Glen Mhor, Glenugie, Glenury Royal, Hillside, Linlithgow, Millburn, Moffat, North Port, Glen Flagler, Garnheath, and, of course, the long and loudly lamented Port Ellen. All closed, many demolished; none will ever work again.It was an unholy mess. Scotch whisky was, many thought, in terminal decline. As for Irish whiskey…well, basically, apart from novelty coffees, it was dead and gone. “Good ol' boys” may have been drinking whiskey and rye, but no one else was. Japanese whisky was confined to its local market and by the end of the 1980s, that industry too experienced its own wave of savage closures.White rum and vodka ruled and were eventually...

Convincing spirits aficionados that their beloved whiskies can and do pair admirably with food is a daunting task at the best of times. Extending that gastronomic linkage to cheese, long the domain of wine and, more recently, beer, can be nigh on impossible.But the fact is whisky really is an ideal accompaniment to many cheeses, in some cases superior, even, to wine or beer. The key, as ever, lies in making the right combinations under the most favorable circumstances.That latter part, the circumstances, is oft-times glossed over in beer and wine pairing, but can prove vital when partnering spirits with comestibles. Because aromatics are both intense and key to the appreciation of whiskies, how they are delivered can make or break a food pairing, and so care should be taken with respect to temperature, dilution, and even the shape of the glass, or in other words, the circumstances of the tasting.Where the more intense flavors of blue and aged hard cheeses are concerned, for example...

Every whisky drinker starts out with a single bottle, but many of us quickly acquire more and more. Different whiskies suit different occasions, after all. If you're looking to cover all the basic bases, but aren't sure where to start, use this list as a guide.1.A Versatile Mixer:JamesonA quality drop suitable for long, cooling drinks on hazy summer afternoons, but sufficiently flavorsome for everyday consumption.2.The Quintessential Blend:Chivas Regal 18 year oldA fine luxury that exemplifies the exacting skills of the blender's discerning nose and palate.3.A Dependable Straight Bourbon:Evan Williams Single BarrelFor evenings when you crave sweetness, corn, oak, and complex spices as you marvel at the reddening skies.4.A My-Oh-My Rye:High West Rendezvous RyeAn arrestingly powerful hit of spice and cinnamon for sipping or mixing.5.A Dram with Universal Appeal:Highland Park 12 year oldA can't-go-wrong whisky guaranteed to put a keen smile on every face.6.The Power of the Pot...

You might be wondering just who this guide to enjoying whisky is for. Is it for beginners? Absolutely, so you can learn how to approach new whiskies and to avoid bad habits that could lead to spending more than you need to or enjoying whisky less than you could. Is it for more experienced whisky drinkers who are looking to try new categories? Of course, because we can all use some guidance on what else we might like if we like Whisky X, Y, or Z; more whiskies to enjoy is a beautiful bonus in life.We wrote it for the young whisky drinker looking to build up their confidence with solid knowledge. It's most definitely for the newly-hired whisky representative, the bartender, the store clerk, the whisky bar chef, because we'd like you to have solid information to form your opinions and passions, and then pass that along to others. And yes, it's for you, the 20-year subscriber to Whisky Advocate as well, because no one knows everything. So read, enjoy, expand your knowledge!The...

It's no secret that there's been an explosion of new craft distilleries across the United States in the past decade. The exact figures are difficult to pin down, with the Distilled Spirits Council reporting 750 “micro distilleries” in 2015, up from 92 in 2010, and the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) tabbing a total of 1,280 “active craft spirits producers” in 2015. The American Distilling Institute (ADI) predicts an additional 1,000 net entrants in the craft distilling industry over the next five years. Perhaps even more intriguing is that certain geographic areas have become hot spots for craft distilling. As part of its Craft Spirits Data Project, the ACSA indicated that more than half of the country's craft distillers are located in just ten states. For whiskey that means its presence has been stretched far from the traditional home base of Kentucky. These new hot spots can be found in some cases around a particular city, such as Chicago and San Francisco; across...

News broke this morning that international drinks conglomerate Rémy Cointreau has signed an agreement to acquire Seattle's Westland distillery for an undisclosed sum. The deal will likely close by the end of the year. Paris-based Rémy Cointreauis best known for its namesake cognac and liqueur brands, but whisky lovers will remember its purchase of Islay's Bruichladdich distillery in 2012. And particularly clever observers will note the similarities between Westland and Bruichladdich. Both producers tout the importance of terroir in whisky, using different varieties of barley and unusual types of oak casks to create new flavors and expressions of single malt. For example, Westland's recently released Garryanna was aged in Oregon oak (Quercus Garryana), which is native to the Pacific Northwest and imparts heavy phenolic and tannic character. The limited-edition whiskey scored an 87 in Whisky Advocate's Winter 2016 Buying Guide.
Photo by Jose MandojanaWestland was founded in 2010...

Deftly preparing the carcass with her trusty six-inch paring knife, Rachel Hammond is an army of one. She quit the rat race of London for a rustic life in the Scottish Borders, and over the last three years she's become a self-taught butcher and maker of exceptionally fine charcuterie. Rachel's insistence on traceability, quality, and traditional methods has ensured that everything she sells is deliciously superior and a feast for the senses.The Hammond Charcuterie curing space is drafty, dark, and damp, the ideal conditions helped by being located just 100 yards from Eyemouth harbor. Her sublime air-dried ham starts at a farm about six miles away, where she deliberately selects rare-breed pigs. “Tamworths are fantastic for bacon and pancetta and they make really good sausages from the front end, where they've got this lovely, dark, gamey meat,” she explains, “that's had 18 months air drying, which means that it's fully cured. Most hams are not cured to that extent, so they...

There are some rebel whiskies out there. Whiskies with a reputation. Bristling with bravado, they carry a certain swagger and command everyone's undivided attention. Some cause a ruckus, throw a punch or two around, and ruffle a few feathers. Some flagrantly disregard the rules and become embroiled in the glare of a scandal, while the lucky ones emerge as accidental heroes. The fate of a rebel whisky can be condemnation, judged by the mocking commentaries to be heinous, abject failure, while others capitalize on the notoriety, ensuring fame propels them into the heavenly realm of legends. You can't argue with the fact that some rebel whiskies are just effortlessly cool.Compass Box Spice TreeThe year was 2005 and John Glaser released a vatted malt whisky mellowed in casks lined with inner staves of heavily-toasted French oak, provoking the ire of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). The practice was deemed non-traditional, leading to an effective ban, which in hindsight handed Compass...

Single malts get most of the attention, but the majority of scotch that's made goes into blends—and these days, boutique blenders are creating whiskies that punch well above their weight.Compass Box Whisky Co.Don't hang around; their attentive following quickly seizes upon each of John Glaser's hotly awaited new blends. Start exploring Hedonism, Flaming Heart, and limited editions like the Circus.Douglas Laing & Co.The Remarkable Regional Malts are the perfect way to explore Scotland's regional whisky styles. Come on, who could resist that wee Scallywag?Master of MaltAge statement blends with cultish labels come from That Boutique-y Whisky Company, and periodically they drop astonishing creations, like the Half Century Blend and Lost Distillery Blend.Wemyss MaltsWhen their hit small batch blended malts such as Kiln Embers and Velvet Fig sell out, the core range of Lord Elcho, Peat Chimney, the Hive, and Spice King still hit the spot.Creative Whisky Co.If you see ‘em, grab...

Brora 38 year old (Diageo Special Releases 2016)—48.6% ABV, $2,200There is something rather ironic about the fact that Diageo's Clynelish site in Sutherland is best known to aficionados for a whisky produced only during the period of 1969 to 1983. That whisky is, of course, Brora, one of the brightest stars in the firmament that is Diageo's annual Special Releases program.The distillery was founded in 1819 as Clynelish, and traded as such until the construction of a ‘new' Clynelish alongside the old two-pot operation during 1967-68. At that point the Clynelish name was transformed to the shiny, modern version, and ‘old' Clynelish was briefly mothballed before being resurrected in 1969 as Brora.Brora was tasked with producing a relatively heavily peated style of spirit for blending purposes, and it is this that has become so highly prized in recent years. The 2016 Special Release of 38 year old Brora was the fifteenth, and the oldest house bottling to be released. It was matured...

The Whisky Advocate Awards exist to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. Now in its 20th year, the program is still simply about the world's greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote them. As always, these awards are not simply assigned to the whiskies that get the highest ratings in our reviews. The winners might be the highest-rated, or they might instead be the most significant, the most important, or represent a new direction for a category or niche. The awards process is not, in short, a mere numbers-based formula. It is recognition of a combination of excellence, innovation, tradition, and…simply great-tasting whisky. Our Buying Guide reviewers reach a consensus on the awards. These awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. We taste and sample over the course of the year, at year's end we consider and confer, and then we make our decisions based solely on the merits of the whiskies…as we have done for...

This week, discover a couple of under-the-radar scotches—Tullibardine and Wolfburn—a series of new whiskeys from Texas, and if you’re feeling flush, a five-figure, half-century Tamdhu.Tamdhu 50 year oldStyle: Single malt scotchOrigin: SpeysideProof: 55.6% ABVPrice: $20,000Release: April 2017Availability: 100 bottles for the worldNeed to know:A single cask whisky that matured for 50 years in a first-fill European oak sherry butt, this is the oldest Tamdhu ever released and celebrates the distillery’s 120th anniversary. It was distilled in November 1963 and bottled in March 2017.Whisky Advocate says:Yes, the price is rather eye-popping, but it’s still less than half-century bottlings from Balvenie ($38,000 at time of release) and Glenfiddich ($26,000)—and it’s a pretty high cask strength to boot.Tullibardine The MurrayStyle: Single malt scotchOrigin: HighlandsProof: 56% ABVPrice: $75Release: Spring 2017Availability: NationwideNeed to know:Distilled in 2004, this is a...

The Macallan has unveiled part 6 of its Masters of Photography series, a partnership between the scotch brand and celebrated photographers that has included projects with Annie Liebowitz and Mario Testino, among others. This year's release features the work of Steven Klein, a frequent collaborator with Madonna, Lady Gaga, and other musicians.Klein explored the influence of time on Macallan through 10 still images and a short interactive film, which you can experience here. The 53.5% ABV whisky, created by Macallan's master whisky maker Bob Dalgarno, includes some influence from Rioja wine casks, as well as peat and smoke flavors that echo the industrial setting of Klein's film.There are 1,000 bottles of The Macallan Masters of Photography: Steven Klein Edition available worldwide, with 100 of them coming to the U.S. Each bottle is packaged with one of ten different prints, signed by Klein, as well as custom barware tools inspired by celebrated chefs the Roca brothers of El Celler de...

You don't need a reason to spoil your mom—she did raise you, after all—but Mother's Day offers a great excuse. Go to brunch, take her for a pedicure, make sure she doesn't lift a finger all day. You could get her a corsage or a lovely bouquet, too, but why not give her something that lasts longer than a few days?Moving past a few obviously named candidates—we're looking at you, Four Roses and Rosebank—many whiskies offer floral aromas and perfumey notes. At this time of year, they're perfect for sipping or mixing into a cocktail. If your mom is a whisky-loving woman—whether she likes bourbon, scotch, Irish whiskey, Canadian, or even something a bit more esoteric—consult this list for our top recommendations. Click through each whisky to read the full Buying Guide review.Kilkerran 12 year old—88 points, $45A complex single malt from Glengyle Distillery in Campbeltown. Its flowerynose gives way to flavors of canned peaches, cinnamon, smoke, and licorice.Lot No. 40—94...

Distell is rolling out a series of limited-edition bottlings across its portfolio of single malt scotches—which includes Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Tobermory, and Ledaig—while Kilchoman is releasing its 2017 edition of Loch Gorm, and Copper Dog, a new blended malt from Speyside, is making its debut.

Bunnahabhain 46 year old Eich Bana Lir
Style: Single maltOrigin: ScotlandAge: 46 yearsProof: 42.1% ABV Price: $7,000Release: June 2017Availability: 198 bottles, including 30 for the U.S.
Need to know:
The oldest Bunnahabhain ever released. Eich Bhana Lir means "the great waves of the god Lir" in Scottish Gaelic and refers to the Gaelic myth of the ruler of the sea who used waves to wash gifts ashore.
Whisky Advocate says:
Like all Bunnahabhains, this whisky is non-chill filtered. In this case, it's also uncut with water. That low ABV is actually cask strength—after 46 years in the barrel, it has lost a lot to the angels'...

Scotch whisky has often traded on its history, and some producers have even sought to recreate whiskies of the past, like Macallan with its Decades Series, Glenfiddich's The Original 1963, and Mackinlay's Shackleton whisky, replicated by Whyte & Mackay a few years ago. Those products all drew on existing stocks of old whisky to match the modern flavor profile. No one had dreamed of attempting to recreate a whisky that no longer exists at all.That is, until now. The Lost Distillery Company releases Scotch whiskies named for distilleries that haven't operated for decades. The blended malts aren't meant to mimic precisely the products that existed way back when, however. “What we can say is if the distillery was still open today, this is the style of whisky they'd be producing,” says co-founder Brian Woods. He and Scott Watson initially aimed to be independent bottlers. “As we were delving into archives to look for a historically relevant name for the business, we came across...

Arouse your senses and prepare to deconstruct the flavors found in your whisky glass. Tasting Lesson is a drink hack to help anyone identify common whisky flavors and their origin.Fruity notes are one of the easiest flavors to recognize when you evaluate a glass of whisky. They are ascribed to esters, a group of compounds that form principally during fermentation, following the stage where yeast converts glucose to ethanol. Close to 100 different esters have been identified as originating during the fermentation process.Fruity ester characteristics can be concentrated during distillation and molded during maturation. Still size and shape, spirit cuts, and wood quality influence whether these characteristics are detectable in the whisky's final profile.Different people describe esters according to their own flavor vocabulary. Isoamyl acetate can be perceived as ripe banana or bubble gum-like, while in the UK it's likened to pear drop candies. Apple and dried or tropical fruit flavors...

When we gave Amrut Spectrum our World Whisky of the Year award in 2016, the Indian single malt wasn't yet available in the U.S. But as of this month, that's no longer the case—though the limited-edition whisky will still be tough to find. There are plenty of other new whiskies to try though: a brace of unique ryes from Woodford Reserve (available at the distillery only), bourbons from Redemption and George Remus (both made at MGP Distillery), single-cask scotches from the Exclusive Malts, and two bottled in bond whiskeys made by Laws Whiskey House.Amrut Spectrum 004Style: Single maltOrigin: IndiaAge: Not statedProof: 50% ABVPrice: $160Release: June 2017Availability: 1,800 bottles for the world, including 600 bottles for the U.S.Need to know:This Indian single malt whisky was matured in a cask made with four different types of staves: new American oak with a No.3 char level, lightly toasted new French oak, and ex-oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximénez sherry. The 004 is latest batch of...

It's a mean-spirited epithet hurled at 1960s musicians who lend their music to luxury car commercials, art photographers who shoot weddings on the weekend, and craft distillers purchased by big spirits conglomerates: “sellout!” The flurry of small distiller buyouts has certainly caused consternation among some craft whiskey drinkers, but the acquisitions can bring big benefits, according to those who make the deals. Emotions and loyalties run deep when it comes to what we eat and drink, says Tim Halloran, author of Romancing the Brand. Like discovering a band before it gets famous, drinking relatively unknown whiskies feels special and personal, explains Halloran. Longtime fans often fear that acquisitions will destroy that uniqueness. That feeling is often justified. “There's a lot of examples of companies that have done a very poor job of taking over,” Halloran says. “But if the consumer can be reassured that the product is still going to be the special brand they know and...

“Green malt” isn't some new marketing tagline for organic and sustainable malt. It refers to barley grain that is actively growing, and just a handful of distilleries worldwide make whisky with it. Typically, malt is made by tricking raw grain into sprouting and germinating, then it is kilned with air and heat to halt germination and add flavors, aromas, and colors. Most importantly, the process converts the complex starches of the barley into simpler sugars appropriate for alcohol fermentation. All malt is “green” (wet and growing) at some point, but forgoing the kiln to brew with that active, wet, cucumber-scented malt is a rare endeavor that yields some very unusual whiskies.Green malt can save time and energy during malting and boost efficiency during fermentation, but it comes at a cost. Green malt is tough to work with, spoils rapidly, and it produces unusual flavors—challenges that made the proposition of making an all-green-malt whiskey irresistible for New York's...

Take a trip around the world with this week's newest whiskies, starting on Islay with a 50 year old Bowmore—if you have the dough. For those with thinner wallets, there are new single malts from Glencadam (Scotland) and Paul John (India), plus a whisky distilled in Japan from rice. Come home to the US of A—specifically Tennessee—for a new Tennessee whiskey from Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, which launched on the Fourth of July. And then take a breath!Black Bowmore 1964Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Islay)Age: 50 years oldProof: 40.9% ABVPrice: $25,000Release: July 2017Availability: 159 bottles for the worldNeed to know:This whisky is from is the oldest—and last—cask of Black Bowmore, the name given to whisky from the Islay distillery that was filled into seven Oloroso sherry hogsheads on November 5, 1964 and aged in the No. 1 Vaults. Over the last 23 years, whisky from these casks has been released little by little. Back in 2002, Bowmore discovered that two casks...

Independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co. has announced plans to build a new distillery in Glasglow, Scotland. The £10.7 million (around $14 million) project will enable the company to produce its own single malt whisky for the first time in its nearly 70-year history. Douglas Laing's current brands include single cask bottlings from a number of Scottish distilleries, as well as blended malts like Timorous Beastie, Rock Oyster, Scallywag, and Big Peat, and the Clan Denny blend. The new distillery will lead to the creation of entirely new brands, which will help the company expand its domestic and export sales.The distillery—as yet unnamed (8/2018: see update below)—will be built in Glasgow's Pacific Quay area, and will include whisky production, warehousing, and bottling, along with a visitor center, bar and bistro, and the company's head office. Douglas Laing has received close to a million pounds from the Scottish government to support the construction, which is expected to...

A couple months after its launch at Fèis Ìle, Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017 is available stateside. The cask strength version of Laphroaig's Quarter Cask expression will retail at a recommended price of $80. There's more maritime scotch to be had, as Douglas Laing & Co. (which recently announced plans to open its own distillery in Glasgow) is releasing a sherry cask version of its Rock Oyster blended malt. Meanwhile, Hirsch has launched an 8 year old bourbon with a high-rye mashbill, and there's a new single grain Irish whiskey from the Egan's brand. Plus Hamilton Distillers in Arizona is debuting a cask strength batch of its single malt whiskey that's made with barley dried with mesquite smoke. Read on for full details.Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017 Quarter CaskStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Islay)Age: Not statedProof: 57.2% ABVPrice: $80Release: August 2017Availability: Limited quantitiesNeed to know:Each year, Laphroaig releases its special-edition Cairdeas ("friendship" in Gaelic...

Fall is right around the corner, which means lots of new whisky is about to hit shelves—including many limited-edition bottles. Diageo released full details for its 2017 Special Release collection—which, for the first time, includes a blended malt using whisky from all 28 of the company's active malt distilleries—and Old Forester has announced this year's Birthday Bourbon. Full details are below, but know this: There are two versions of Birthday Bourbon this year, each bottled at a different proof. Certain states will get one or the other proof, while Kentucky will get both.Also coming out this week: the first expression of Port Askaig available in the U.S. The Port Askaig brand brand is a series of single malts from undisclosed Islay distilleries, and past expressions have received a range of scores from Whisky Advocate reviewers. We look forward to trying this new one.In addition, The Dalmore is making its 25 year old single malt available for purchase at retail for the first...

In Quercus we trust. There are over 600 species of oak trees in the Quercus genus, to which whisky maturation owes all. Without time in oak barrels, whisky would remain white and fiery, devoid of the toasty, caramel, nutty, or vanilla notes that make our mouths water. It's simple—without oak, there is no whisky as we know it today. Considering oak's profound effect on the taste of whisky, it's not surprising that the details count. The specific type of oak, the origin of the tree, and all the finer points of its treatment during production will influence the flavors the barrel imparts, whether vanilla or citrus zest, baking spices or dark red fruits, or a myriad of other possibilities. To understand whisky, you must understand oak.Ancient TechnologyUsing oak for barrels isn't exactly an emerging trend. “Oak became a barrel of choice as far back as the Roman empire,” says Chris Morris, master distiller at Brown-Forman, producer of Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel's whiskeys.Oak...

Locating the best bang for your buck in single malt scotch can require some serious searching. It's no secret that scotch prices have crept up in the last few years and many releases are small in quantity. And while tasting through thousands of bottles to find the best values isn't an entirely unappealing endeavor, we realize not everyone has the time, or the budget, to do so. Here then are 9 splurge-worthy whiskies that top of our list of favorites and sell for under $100—some considerably less! Best of all, these whiskies are available on many store shelves—you may even have one in your liquor cabinet already. They deliver on aroma, flavor, and finish, offering superb quality for less money than you would spend on a night out.Try One of These 90+ Point Scotches for Less than $100Glenfarclas 17 year old—90 points, $99The sherry-centric house style of Glenfarclas is at its best here: fruity, oaky, sweet, and dense, a dram our reviewer described as “seductive…a femme fatale...

WhiskyFest San Francisco will be bigger than ever this year, with over 90 tables pouring more than 400 different whiskies. With so much choice, narrowing down your top picks is a must. (Read our advice about how to have an amazing WhiskyFest experience, including how to strategize your personal pour list.)Is scotch your game? Then don't miss these six special pours, all available to WhiskyFest attendees with a general admission ticket. (A few tickets are still available—buy yours before they're all gone!)Six Scotches You Have to Taste at WhiskyFest San FranciscoBladnochOne of only a few Lowlands distilleries, Bladnoch went through a couple of silent periods in the last two decades, and its whisky hasn't been widely available in recent years. Since 2015, the distillery has been under new ownership and just resumed making whisky in the summer of 2017. There will be several Bladnoch single malts, plus the Pure Scot blend, at WhiskyFest San Francisco. Try them all and see what you...

In Pour This, Pair That, Whisky Advocate asks professional chefs to share a recipe designed for a specific type of whisky. Learn why these food and whisky combinations work—and try them yourself at home!Sherried scotch tastes great on its own, and is also a versatile option for food pairings. With a wide array of characteristics—from fruity to nutty and creamy to oily—sherried whisky can play brilliantly with a number of different foods at the table. And because it's often robust and complex, it pairs especially well with rich, fatty dishes, like these Foie Gras Gougères by chef Michael Santoro of The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.“This dish works amazingly with sherried whiskies because the richness can stand up to the smoke and intensity of the spirit,” says Santoro. “The cheese element gives the dish umami and a savory quality that is very satisfying on the palate. The foie gras adds to the richness and full length flavor development of the pairing coming together...

Few commodities are as precious to 21st-century life as convenience and dependability, and whisky subscription services combine the two to benefit your bar. What's better than returning home to find a new bottle of whisky that literally has your name on it?For a monthly fee, these subscription services send curated whisky picks right to your doorstep. Each offers a unique spin that's sure to appeal to a particular type of dram devotee. Whether you're new to the world of whisky or looking to expand your base of knowledge and experience, these services can provide guideposts for the onward journey.Whisky Subscription Services That Ship Straight To Your DoorTaster's Club: For pursuing a particular passionPrice: $69 to $184/monthWhat you get: 1 full-size bottle every month, plus corresponding educational materialNot all delivery services let you pick your niche, but Taster's Club allows members to select a Bourbon, Scotch, or Whisky package that will determine which bottles arrive every...

Start spreading the news: WhiskyFest New York on November 16th will be the premier whisky event of the year. After all, it's WhiskyFest's 20th anniversary, and there will be over 115 tables tables pouring more than 480 whiskies to celebrate. And scotch lovers, rejoice—WhiskyFest New York will have a truly stupendous selection of single malts, blended malts, and blends for you to explore. These highlights are just a small portion of what's on offer, so be sure to check out the full list—and don't miss our guide to WhiskyFest, which will help you get the most out of the event. And if you can't make it to NYC or are already jonesing for the next one, start planning ahead: tickets for the 2018 WhiskyFest events go on sale on November 9.Ardbeg An OaFor ten years, there were just three flagship Ardbegs: 10 year old, Corryvreckan, and Uigeadail, each distinctive in its own right. Now there are four. An Oa, aged in new oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, and ex-bourbon casks and married in...

Long known for its country music scene, Nashville has recently built a reputation as a food and beverage destination. And after a 2009 law reintroduced distilling for the first time since statewide Prohibition in 1910, a crop of craft distillers has sprung up, making all sorts of whiskey. While some distillers are breaking new ground, others are reviving recipes passed down through generations.There are now enough local distilleries to support a Tennessee Whiskey Trail, established in 2017 by the Nashville-based Tennessee Distillers Guild. The trail features 30 distilleries across the state, ranging in size from boutique micro-distillers to the big guys, George Dickel and Jack Daniel's. With a number of innovative craft distillers showcasing regional ingredients and flare in Nashville and the surrounding area, there's good reason to break away from the honky tonks on Lower Broadway to sample some locally grown and distilled whiskeys.Nashville Whiskey DistilleriesCorsair Distillery601...

With just 24 shopping days left until Christmas (and only 11 until the first night of Hanukkah, which this year starts on December 12), there's no end of great whiskies lining up on shelves, waiting to be taken home and enjoyed.Johnnie Walker has a new, limited-edition Blue Label called Ghost and Rare, which includes whiskies from silent distilleries (though one, Brora, won't be silent for much longer). It costs $400 and comes in a gift-ready box.Jameson is launching a new expression of Caskmates, its beer barrel-finished whiskey. Whereas Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is finished in, duh, stout casks, this one is finished in IPA casks for a verifiable hoppy bite. The price is the same for both—$30.The latest release in the Orphan Barrel series of old whiskies comes from Canada's Crown Royal Distillery. Entrapment was intended for use in a blend when it was distilled from corn and a tiny amount of malted barley, but instead it aged for 25 years and is now being bottled solo. It...

Holidays are the time to get a little festive with your whisky. That might mean breaking out a rare bottle or dressing up an old favorite in a fancy glass, but for many whisky lovers—especially those who make it—a special holiday cocktail is the ideal way to celebrate. Often these recipes are family favorites, developed over years of gathering and enjoying whisky together.We asked several whisky distillers and blenders to share their holiday drink traditions. From Scotland to Seattle, single malt to bourbon, here are some favorite festive cocktails from the people who make whisky.Rachel Barrie of BenRiach Distillery Company: Blood & SandRachel Barrie, master blender for BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh in Scotland, likes to serve this version of the classic Blood & Sand cocktail, incorporating two GlenDronach expressions for balance. “I love the luscious zingy fruitiness balanced on a base of deep, velvety sherry cask notes,” she says. “It showcases the...

To drink whisky in Tokyo is to partake in centuries of culture—not just of whisky culture, but also of dedication to craft and service. Japanese hospitality and artisanship have few equals in the world, and it shows in the countless whisky outposts throughout the sprawling megalopolis. Drinkers at fine whisky establishments are greeted with a warm towel, small portions of curated snacks to accompany their drams, and white-coated bartenders ready to guide them through thoughtfully selected collections of scotch, bourbon, and Japanese whisky.Visitors should note that while there's plenty of Japanese whisky at bars and shops (scroll down for more on buying whisky to take home), there are countless other styles of whisky to enjoy as well, from Scotland, America, and further abroad, including many releases that are exclusive to Asia or Japan. Also important to note: many bars in Japan impose cover charges, usually no more than $10. Bars are often tucked into nondescript basements or on...

WhiskyFest Chicago is coming up on March 23rd, and it's time to start thinking about what you want to drink. Fans of bourbon, Irish, Canadian, and world whisky will have plenty to enjoy, but if it's scotch that takes your fancy, the night will be satisfying indeed. Here are our top recommendations for the tables you should visit and the whiskies you should try.Be sure to check out the full list of pours. Don't forget about the seminars, either—a great way to take a load off while continuing to sip whisky. And if you need some help strategizing the whole evening, check out our tips for how to make the most of WhiskyFest. Don't have your tickets yet? Buy them here.Alexander Murray & Co.You should be drinking whisky from independent bottlers, and the lineup from Alexander Murray is a great place to start. They'll be pouring eight different scotches, from a 13 year old cask strength Glen Moray to an 18 year old blend, plus several other options, many of them cask strength. Sample...

While many whisky lovers will be enjoying a drop of the Irish this week (and if you need some suggestions, here are 17 new Irish whiskeys to try), there are still plenty of bourbons, scotches, and other whiskies to get your hands on.Booker's is rolling out the first of four 2018 releases. Kathleen's Batch, named for longtime brand ambassador and friend of Booker Noe Kathleen DiBenedetto, was aged for 6 years, 3 months, and 14 days, and is bottled at 63.7% ABV. Having tasted it myself during the selection process, I can say with confidence that this will please avid Booker's fans.Another limited-edition bourbon, Blood Oath has released Pact No. 4. This year, the whiskey—whose formula changes with each "pact"—combines three bourbons, including one finished in toasted oak.A whole slew of new single malts from BenRiach and its sister distillery, GlenDronach, are hitting shelves, including BenRiach Classic Cask Strength Batch 2 and a duo of 21 year olds—the unpeated Classic and the...

This week brings new whisky for lovers of scotch, bourbon, and practical jokes.First up, Glenmorangie has released the second whisky in its Bond House No. 1 Vintage collection. Distilled in 1989, the single malt includes about 25% whisky finished in Côte-Rôtie wine casks. Like last year's release, the 1990 vintage, this whisky is available in limited quantities—just 6,178 bottles. It costs $665—not a bad price for a 27 year old scotch.Buffalo Trace is coming out with several new bourbons—but good luck getting your hands on them. W.L. Weller CYPB is the result of many thousands of whiskey fans designing their ideal bourbon on the "Craft Your Perfect Bourbon" website. The whiskey is 8 years old, made with a wheated mashbill, and bottled at 47.5% ABV. It will be released once a year in limited amounts, starting this summer, for $40.In addition, Buffalo Trace has three single barrel bourbons hitting the market, each available in extremely limited quantities. Bottled under the...

WhiskyFest descends on the nation's capital on April 17th, giving local whisky lovers the chance to taste from among hundreds of scotches, bourbons and ryes,craft whiskey, and more. One of the best reasons to attend? The opportunity to try brand-new whiskies, practically fresh from the barrel. These are seven of our top picks, but there are many, many more—check out the full pour list.Haven't gotten your tickets yet? Sort that out first, then read up on how to make the most your evening. See you on the 17th!Glenmorangie SpìosGlenmorangie releases a unique single malt each year as part of its Private Edition Series. The 2018 whisky, Spìos (Gaelic for “spice”), was matured entirely in Kentucky rye casks, lending it a spicy, full flavor. Get a taste for yourself alongside Glenmorangie's core range, from Original all the way up to Signet.Blood Oath Pact No. 4Growing in popularity as a collector's bourbon, Blood Oath isn't just a cool name and sleek package—it's tasty too. Stop...

BenRiach Distillery makes both peated and unpeated single malt whisky, which gives master blender Rachel Barrie a lot of options for putting together different expressions. Here she explains how using Speyside peat to dry locally grown barley, then distilling the grain with local water creates a terroir-driven style for BenRiach Curiositas. Compare that whisky with BenRiach 10 year old: Barrie describes both as having rich fruit flavors, but the 10 year old tastes like orchard fruit—apples and pears—while Curiositas has more forest fruit. Do a side-by-side comparison for yourself—do you taste the...

Blended malt scotch, a long-overlooked whisky style caught between single malts and blended scotch, struck a chord in 2017. Blended malt whisky is simply a combination of single malts from different distilleries (it specifically avoids the grain whisky permitted in blended scotch).“The beauty of blended whisky is that each component brings its unique character to the blend, to ultimately reveal a whisky that is even greater than the sum of its parts,” explains Chivas Regal's director of blending Sandy Hyslop, creator of Chivas Regal Ultis, the storied whisky's first-ever blended malt.Independent Scotch whisky blenders like Compass Box and Douglas Laing's Big Peat have long been practitioners of blending malt whiskies. With the recent revival of Johnnie Walker Green Label, along with Island Green, its new smoky accomplice, mainstream enthusiasm for blended malts is rising. And, Diageo added the first blended malt to its highly regarded annual Special Releases 2017 lineup...

It's been an exciting couple of weeks for Macallan. First, two bottles of Macallan distilled in the 1920s each garnered bids of over $1 million at auction. A few days later, Macallan's new, eye-popping distillery opened in Speyside, and it announced that the core lineup of single malts is getting a makeover. Now the distillery has unveiled the oldest whisky it has ever bottled, a 72 year old distilled back in the 1940s. Naturally, the grandparent-aged single malt—packaged in a custom Lalique decanter and elaborate wood box—will cost a pretty penny: $65,000. Only 600 decanters are available, including 156 for the U.S.Also new in scotch this week, Balvenie's  latest batch of Tun 1509 is rolling out. The limited-edition single malt combines 29 different casks, chosen by malt master David Stewart, in a marrying tun. Bottles run $399 apiece and, if past scores are any indication, this whisky will be very, very good.Kentucky Owl is releasing the second batch of its 11 year...

The world of whisky is ever expanding, with new expressions, distilleries, and brands popping up each month. While offerings from the U.S., Scotland, Ireland, and Canada account for the majority of bottles, there are dozens of other countries now producing whisky in a variety of styles. If you're looking to explore the flavors of world whisky, these high-quality recommendations from the Whisky Advocate Buying Guide are a great place to start.IndiaRampur Single Malt—93 points, $65Chocolate, coffee, and red berry fruits, with hints of exotic spice.GermanyPür Geist—92 points, $50Soft on the palate. Lychee, melon, and vinous notes turn spicy on the finish.JapanYoichi Single Malt—92 points, $80Earthy peat, briny seashells, and citrus are silky smooth on the palate.Fukano 2017 Edition—90 points, $80Light and candied, with watermelon and peach, but dry on the finish.Hibiki Japanese Harmony—90 points, $65Poised and complex, yet delicate, with bright fruit and a touch of...

While Louisville welcomed Old Forester Distillery back to its original location this week, new whiskies from Kentucky, Scotland, and beyond are rolling out to store shelves.Macallan just can't stay still. After opening its stunning new distillery, unveiling a packaging revamp, and announcing its oldest-ever single malt, the company is releasing two new limited-edition whiskies: Macallan M Black follows up in the M series, making a dramatic entrance in a black crystal Lalique decanter and with a price—$6,995—to match. Meanwhile, Macallan Edition No. 4 will hit shelves next month at $100 a bottle, showcasing the concept of structure in whisky.Revival is the name of the game for three Kentucky straight bourbons this week—literally so, in the case of Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival. The newest iteration of master distiller Eddie Russell's blending genius, Revival was inspired by Wild Turkey Sherry Signature, a sherry-finished bourbon created by Eddie's father, master distiller...

Whereas bourbon has its own barrel regulations, the scotch industry places no mandate on the casks used. As a result, many scotches rely on ex-bourbon barrels, and some take it a step further, integrating virgin oak at various points along the maturation process. From full aging to finishing to blending, these 11 scotches showcase the influence of new wood.Full Virgin OakAuchentoshan Virgin Oak—84 points, $130A Lowland single malt aged in fresh American oak for flavors of nutmeg, chocolate, and spiced orange.Benromach Organic 2017—87 points, $70A rare certified organic Scotch whisky with vanilla, toffee, and banana flavors.Glen Garioch Virgin Oak—85 points, $100Heavily charred American oak meets Highland whisky. A rich array of soft peach, vanilla,and wood.Octomore 7.4—83 points, $250A heavily peated, high-strength whisky that delivers a skillful balance of sweetness and peat smoke.Virgin Oak finishedDeanston Virgin Oak—82 points, $35Candied fruit, heather honey, and apple...

This week's newest whiskies are all for the bourbon, rye, and scotch lovers.First up, Basil Hayden's is rolling out a limited-edition whiskey. Two by Two is a blend of two straight ryes (aged 5 and 7 years) and two straight bourbons (aged 6 and 13 years), both made in Kentucky and blended together. The whiskey costs $45 and will be available for a limited time.Meanwhile, Heaven Hill has announced a 27 year old bourbon that will go on sale this fall. Less than 3,000 bottles of this whiskey will be available at a price of $399. Bourbon history buffs should note that it was distilled at Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery before the 1996 fire which destroyed the distillery and seven warehouses (and about 2% of the world's stock of bourbon at that time).Over in Scotland, GlenAllachie Distillery has unveiled its core range of single malt whiskies: 10 year old cask strength, 12 year old, 18 year old, and 25 year old. While the older whiskies will be available in limited amounts, the 10 year...

India drinks more whisky than any other country on earth, although the majority of whiskies made in India are not exported, and often wouldn't even qualify as whisky, due to their use of neutral spirit. Times are changing, however, and nowadays the country boasts a handful of single malt distilleries making high-quality drams. Here are five to try.AmrutAmrut Single MaltChocolate pecan pie, gingersnaps, cinnamon, and bananas mingle with cedar spice and incense on the nose. Tongue-coating oiliness, dried fruits, chocolate, and ginger cake lead into a milk chocolate, buttered pecan finish that just doesn't quit. The original Indian single malt rightfully retains its crown.Amrut PeatedScents of melon, fresh herbs, tea leaves, mango, banana, and papaya carry through on the palate, where brine, green apple and pineapple candies, jackfruit, and salted parsley leave me craving more. The Scottish peat is evident, but the structured fruitiness gives this whisky a soft edge that isn't often...

Heads up, whisky lovers! There are lots of new releases to get excited about this week.Jack Daniel's is rolling out a bottled-in-bond version of its classic Tennessee whiskey. Currently available in travel retail stores only, the whiskey will sell for $38 for a 1-liter bottle.Meanwhile, peat heads will want to look for this year's Laphroaig Cairdeas, the distillery's annual special release. The 2018 Cairdeas matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before a finishing period in fino sherry casks. It costs $80 and will be available in limited amounts.Freddie Noe, son of Fred Noe and grandson of the legendary Booker Noe, has unveiled Little Book Chapter 2 "Noe Simple Task." The whiskey combines rye from Kentucky with two whiskies from Canada. Priced a bit higher than Little Book Chapter 1 "The Easy"—which was ranked number 11 in Whisky Advocate's 2017 Top 20—this whiskey is available in limited amounts for $100.Another limited-edition—and bottled-in-bond—bourbon will be hitting...

To some whisky connoisseurs, “blended” is seen as a dirty word, and that's not without reason. A blend typically combines robust malt or flavoring whisky with lighter grain whisky. Historically, many blended whiskies included a large proportion of youthful, high-proof spirits, but some were comprised of a majority of neutral grain spirit and a lot of caramel coloring. In fact, according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which lays down the rules for alcohol in the U.S., “blended whisky” can contain as little as 20% straight whisky, with the rest being neutral grain spirits.But just because it's allowed to be that way doesn't mean that has to. In fact, many whisky-making nations, like Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Japan, have long and proud legacies of making excellent blends. These whiskies show off the blender's skill in the art of creating balance and layered complexity. They work splendidly in cocktails, and many can be sipped neat or on ice. Best of...

Updated May 30, 2024: Effective May 28, 2024, Golden Moon Distillery ceased operations.
Denver began as a mining town in 1858 with a whisper that gold had been found in the Rocky Mountains. Prospectors and fortune-hunters set up tents and shacks on the banks of the Platte river, and in their wake came entrepreneurs—gamblers, prostitutes, and saloonkeepers—ready to help “mine” the miners of whatever they might find. Though not much gold was found, there was plenty of whiskey to help wash away their troubles.160 years later, Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and the residents have not lost their taste for whiskey and other spirits. Craft distilleries are opening at a remarkable rate; the recently launched Colorado Spirits Trail includes more than 50 distillers around the state creating a wide variety of spirits, from whiskey to brandy. Denver alone has nine distilleries as of August 2018, plus several more in the greater metro...

For the casual drinker and collector alike, it's high time to visit one of Scotland's many distilleries. More than 70 Scotch whisky distilleries now offer visitor tours—some even give you a choice of four or five different experiences. So many tours, so little time! Don't panic: it may seem bewildering at first, but there are key strategies to making the most of your visit.If it's your first time touring a scotch distillery, let your favorite dram guide your choice of where to visit. Nothing beats that incredible feeling of standing in the place where the whisky you first fell in love with was made.Note that most distillery tours follow a similar formula, with a guide leading you through the steps of the whisky-making process (prepare ahead of time by brushing up on the basics of how whisky is made). You'll see the mill, mashtun, washbacks, stills, plus a warehouse if you're lucky—and then round off your trip with a tasting of the whisky.If you're a seasoned distillery visitor...

It's fall, and that means it's whisky event season! Just because the year is starting to wind down doesn't mean you have to do the same. In fact, there are a slew of great whisky events coming up in the last quarter of the year.WhiskyFest San Francisco takes place on November 2 at the Marriott Marquis, and it's shaping up to be the best yet. With hundreds of whiskies on offer, the choices will be endless—you literally cannot physically taste them all. So, develop a strategy. If you love scotch, plan your night around Speyside and Highland single malts, like GlenDronach, Glen Grant, Loch Lomond, Tamdhu, and Macallan. Or if you're a peat fanatic, make sure to hit the tables for Laphroaig, Bowmore, Lagavulin, and Highland Park. More of a bourbon and rye drinker? Don't miss the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Pappy Van Winkle, the new Parker's Heritage Collection, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel whiskeys, and Heaven's Door, a whiskey brand from Bob Dylan. If you're looking for world...

There's a whisky to suit every palate these days—and for those who like to read with a dram in hand, a whisky book to match. If you're looking for new pages to turn, check out these recent and upcoming new whisky books, covering everything from single malt scotch, Japanese, and Australian whisky to moonshine and "whiskey hacks."Single Malt: A Guide to the Whiskies of ScotlandBy Clay RisenFollowing up on his widely acclaimed 2013 title "American Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye," Clay Risen delivers a definitive resource for lovers of single malt scotch. Written for an American audience, with "tasting notes that make sense to an American palate," Single Malt offers guideposts for the thirsty and curious, detailing the histories, profiles, and main whiskies of every single malt distillery in Scotland currently selling bottles in the U.S. market. Risen's introduction puts single malt scotch into its historical and contemporary context, and offers tips on the best way to enjoy whisky, how to...

Typically consumed before a meal as an aperitif or after one as a digestif, amaro also serves as a useful ingredient in sophisticated whisky cocktails.Italian for “bitter,” amaro (plural: amari) is any bittersweet liquor and is typically flavored with herbs, making for a complex and layered cocktail ingredient. “Amaro can literally be made of anything,” explains Sother Teague, author of I'm Just Here for the Drinks and beverage director at New York City's Amor Y Amargo. “It's the Wild West, as there are very few rules or guidelines to its production. As long as it's a bittersweet liquor, it qualifies as amaro.”And because rules are lax, amaro runs the gamut. Light amaro, such as Montenegro and Amaro Nonino, has citrus flavors and is lighter in color, explains Crystal Pavlas, bar manager at Bywater American Bistro in New Orleans. Medium amaro, like Averna, Meletti, and Montenegro, is more bitter, but still balances sweetness and citrus. Then you have amaro made from unusual...

Created by Bryson Downham, beverage director at Toups South in New Orleans, this cocktail mingles the smokiness of Campbeltown scotch with tart citrus.“This drink has a velvety mouthfeel and a zesty character up front from the grapefruit oil,” Downham says. “There are subtle chocolate and toasted orange notes, bolstered by the malt profile in the whisky. The smoke and peat provide a counterpoint to the dark sweetness of the cocktail.”
More Amaro and Whisky Cocktails
INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Springbank 10 year old single malt scotch (or other Campbeltown single malt)
¾ oz. Averna amaro
½ oz. Strega liqueur
Garnish: grapefruit peel

DIRECTIONS
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice until chilled. Strain into coupe or martini glass. Express grapefruit peel across the top of the drink and drop it...

Claims that whisky made using alternative technologies tastes as good as whisky made through traditional means deserve to be put to the test. We pitted several of these “tech” whiskies against similarly priced counterparts from mainstream and craft distillers, all tasted blind by members of the Whisky Advocate review staff. In the majority of cases, the tech whiskies averaged lower scores than the other whiskies in the flight. (The exception was Lost Spirits Abomination, which performed favorably even alongside some classic Islay malts.) Most of the time, though not always, the tasters were able to identify the alternatively aged whiskies, which often showed assertive wood and notes typical of young spirit. Here's how they measured up.Gimmick or Genuine? Blind-Tasting Alternatively Aged WhiskiesLost Spirits Abomination The Sayers of the Law87 points—54% ABV, $5018 months in barrelProcessing: Multiple peated malt distillates are aged in Scotland, then blended, exported, and put...

Many whisky lovers associate age with quality, though that's not necessarily a correct line of thinking. Still, whiskies that bear age statements often have higher prices than their non-age statement brethren, and increasingly, those prices are rising. Lately there seem to be fewer and fewer products older than a decade that are still affordable for many drinkers. But if you know where to look—especially in the 12 year old range—you can still find some incredible, aged whisky for a great price.Let's start with where not to search, however. Well-aged Asian whiskey has exploded in popularity and is mostly hard to find at a reasonable cost these days. Likewise, many bourbon distillers are dropping age statements—which is why you'll only find one example of a 12 year old bourbon on this list.But Scotland, Ireland, and Canada all continue to offer an array of well-aged whiskies—mostly those that have long existed in the portfolios of established brands. Seek out these bottles...

Millions of us spend our weekends grilling various forms of meat over open fires. Mostly, though by no means exclusively, those meats take the form of sausage, from the humble all-beef hot dog to bratwursts, chorizos, spicy Italian sausages, and the odd lamb merguez or Dutch boterhammenworst.Enjoyed alongside all those wursts and foot-longs will be plenty of cold beer, principally lager, or in a pinch, chilled white wine. What will only rarely merit grill-side consideration is whisky, and it's time to rethink that position.“Every kind of sausage is an emulsification of fat and protein,” explains Jesse Vallins, executive chef at Toronto's Maple Leaf Tavern and three-time champion of the city's chef-driven sausage cook-off Sausage League. “The main thing that gives it flavor is fat, plus obviously the various spices and seasonings.”Vallins's ideal sausage fat content of at least 30 percent can overwhelm many wines and even some beers. However, the higher alcohol of a whisky...

The Winter 2018 issue of Whisky Advocate includes over 175 reviews across all styles, including several special sections: the 2018 Top 20, dozens of private-label whiskies from big-box stores like Costco and Trader Joe's, the 2018 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and the 2018 Diageo Special Releases. While some of these whiskies rank among the highest scores in the Buying Guide, they aren't included on this list; rather, we're calling out the scotch, bourbon, and Irish whiskies that scored 94 points and above.Bushmills 21 year old Single Malt Irish Whiskey96 points, 40% ABV, $150Bushmills' sumptuous magnum opus spins aromas of sultana, brown sugar, walnut oil, date slice, chocolate-covered cranberries, leather gloves, and a hint of espresso. The dark, crepuscular mystique continues in the syrupy mouthfeel redolent of forest honey, banana bread, nuts, browned butter, sultana, date, and blackberry. Utterly beguiling, the Madeira finish works wonders here, right through to the last...

Finishing off a bottle of whisky can be bittersweet. It means you have to restock, but you also might reflect on the drams shared that got you there. Before you totally say goodbye and recycle the bottle, consider upcycling it so you can cherish those memories—or have the chance to show off a particularly enviable bottle—longer.You can put as much or as little effort as you want into repurposing old whisky bottles—there are projects for every skill level. Keep in mind that some require power tools and other equipment, so put safety first. Don't drink and DIY.Give an Old Bottle New Life With These DIY ProjectsTurn It Into a Carafe or VaseIf it holds whisky, it can hold any beverage—and more. Simply wash out the bottle and use it to hold water, iced tea, or anything you desire. Empty bottles also make a great flower vase. You may want to remove the label and paint or otherwise decorate the bottle, a method often deployed by restaurants.Make an Infinity BottleWhen you have just a...

Picture the cool creaminess of butter slathered over fresh bread, browning to a sizzle in a hot pan, or dripping from a glistening ear of corn. A slightly oily, mouth-coating quality is the calling card of a buttery whisky, but the tasting experience can span the aromas and flavors of butter as well.The buttery textural sensation that appears in many types of whisky is derived from diacetyl, a compound that arises naturally from yeast activity during fermentation that can accumulate due to the action of bacteria in the washback. Distillers aim to keep the level of diacetyl in check: this is where healthy, active yeast can make all the difference. In the stills, the low boiling point of diacetyl means much of it is eliminated with the foreshots, but it can extend into the final spirit cut. If too much diacetyl enters the still, it can be difficult to separate from the final distillate due to its similarity to ethanol.A little butteriness is a pleasurable quality, but too much is...

In Pour This, Pair That, Whisky Advocate asks professional chefs to share a recipe designed for a specific type of whisky. Learn why these food and whisky combinations work—and try them yourself at home!Irish whiskey is nearly impossible to pin down. Whereas styles like bourbon, rye, or peated scotch have an easily identifiable character, it's difficult to discuss Irish whiskey in such broad terms. Technically, Irish whiskey can be one of four different styles: malt, grain, blended, or pot still whiskey. But even within each of those categories, there can be significant flavor differences.“Irish whiskey can be potent and powerful sometimes, but very beautiful and delicate at other times,” explains chef Nihad Hajdarhodzic, of Ardiente in Philadelphia. “The beauty of Irish whiskey is its timelessness, its ability to transform even the simplest of dishes, while highlighting others. Notes of vanilla, oak, caramel, straw, all the way to the deep flavors of peat can all be found in...

The biggest whiskey news of the week came yesterday when Beam Suntory announced the debut of Legent, a new bourbon made by master distiller Fred Noe and master blender Shinji Fukuyo. We have full details below and in an in-depth article where both men discuss how they created the special blend.[caption id="attachment_13597" align="alignleft" width="300"] New packaging for Knob Creek[/caption]Beam Suntory also unveiled new packaging for Knob Creek. The updated look is a bit sleeker and more polished than before, but the whiskey is the same big, bold bourbon and rye.Diageo announced that it will release whiskies from the shuttered Port Ellen Distillery in the new Untold Stories series. The first bottling, Port Ellen Untold Stories: The Spirit Safe, is 39 years old. Just 1,500 bottles are available, priced at at £4,500; none are coming to the U.S., although online ordering is available through The Whisky Exchange.An aged single malt scotch you can actually get stateside—although it...

More than 150 whiskies were reviewed for the Spring 2019 issue of Whisky Advocate—everything from straight rye and single malt Islay scotch to Mexican corn whisky and whiskey distilled from beer. Here, we pulled out the ten most high-scoring whiskies (plus a bonus!) that are available for sale in the U.S. Each of these bottles scored 93 points or above.Chivas Regal The Icon Blended Scotch95 points, 43% ABV, $3,500 A spectacular citrus nose with incredible freshness; neroli oil, bergamot orange, an array of wood spices, baked apricot, dried strawberry, heather, lavender, honeysuckle, jasmine, and hyacinth. An intense array of citrus on the palate—the strongest being mandarin, it is thick-textured yet agile—accompanied by baked brioche, Ling heather honey, vanilla, and oak, with a hint of eucalyptus on the extraordinarily long finish. A masterclass in rare whisky blending. —Jonny McCormickMichter's 20 year old Straight Bourbon 2018 Release (Batch 18I1371)94 points, 57.1% ABV...

The first week of April has brought a whole lot of new whiskies, from blended and single malt scotch to bourbon, rye, and more.Dewar's announced a limited-edition trio of whiskies called Dewar's Double Double. Each blend—aged 21, 27, and 32 years—was finished in a different type of sherry casks. The whiskies are available in limited amounts, packaged in 375-ml. bottles and ranging in price from $50 to $150.WhistlePig has unveiled its first whiskey since master distiller Dave Pickerell passed away last fall. WhistlePig Piggyback Rye is 6 years old and sourced from Alberta Distillers; the pig on its label sports a stetson hat, Pickerell's trademark look. The whiskey is currently available for $50 in a few states, with expanded distribution to come.Several new whiskies from Islay's Bruichladdich Distillery will be hitting shelves soon. Black Art 06.1 1990, the mysterious blend of casks created by master distiller Adam Hannett, will sell for $420. Meanwhile, four heavily peated...

[caption id="attachment_14487" align="alignright" width="300"] Jack Daniel's Legacy Edition 1[/caption]Have you noticed any new Jack Daniel's packaging lately? You may have seen a green-and-gold bottle on shelves, and soon there will be another special-edition design. Jack Daniel's Legacy Edition features Old No. 7 Tennessee whiskey bottled at 43% ABV and priced at $30. It's available for a limited time nationwide.JD's Tennessee neighbor, George Dickel, has announced a new product. George Dickel Bottled in Bond 13 year old is just what it says: 13 year old bourbon, made according to the strictures of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. It's for sale at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. starting today, with expansion to California, New York, Texas, and the Southeast starting at the end of the month. And you're not going to believe the price (keep reading).Meanwhile, over in Kentucky, Woodford Reserve is releasing the 2019 edition of Batch Proof. The barrel-proof bourbon comes in at 61.6% ABV...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies that we consider themost impressive, considering score, price, and availability. For Summer 2019, our Editors' Choice whiskies include a Kentucky bourbon and two scotches: a blend and a single malt.For all whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2019 issue, check out the full Buying Guide.Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon (Batch A119)94 points, 67.6% ABV, $60This year's first of three annual releases has a higher ABV than Whisky Advocate's 2017 Whisky of the Year, which was 62.1%. The nose offers caramel, vanilla cream pie, cocoa powder, baking spice, baked apple, orange, marzipan, leather, and oak. Very well-integrated on the palate, but the high ABV cries out for water, which brings chocolate, butterscotch, bitter orange, coconut, almond, and creamed corn. The finish is a long, delightful reprise of it all. —David FlemingDewar's Double Double 32 year old Blended Scotch94 points, 46% ABV, $150/375ml.If a Scotch...

To quench the public thirst for visiting the places where whiskies are made, distilleries have transformed from merely production facilities to all-out tourist destinations. Many distilling regions have created dedicated whisky trails to help guide travelers along the way. Check out a few of our favoritesKentucky Bourbon TrailMany new places to eat, drink, and stay have blossomed along this trail since its debut in 1999. For those who want to travel by bicycle, the Bluegrass Cycling Club has mapped the safest routes.Bonus Trails: The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour features twenty small distilleries including Willett and Kentucky Peerless, while the Urban Bourbon Trail covers bourbon bars, restaurants, and history in downtown Louisville.Recommended Touring Time: Four days.Distilleries: Angel's Envy, Bardstown Bourbon Co., Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Four Roses, Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center, Jim Beam, Lux Row, Maker's Mark, Michter's...

A new scotch distillery officially began welcoming whisky lovers this month. Lagg Distillery lies on the southern tip of the Isle of Arran, near the village of Lagg—an area that was a hotbed of whisky production, both legal and illicit, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Following two years of construction and the start of production in April, Lagg Distillery has opened its doors to the public with a new visitors center and daily tours.Lagg is the island's second whisky producer, both owned by the same company; its sister facility, Isle of Arran Distillers, is located 25 miles north in the village of Lochranza. The two distilleries are designed to complement each other by producing different whisky styles. “The spirit for Lagg was decided pretty much as soon as the shovels went into the ground,” says distillery manager Graham Omand, who worked at the Lochranza distillery for nearly a decade before moving over to Lagg. “At Lochranza, what we aim for is a light...

Bruichladdich Distillery aims to express its origins—the island of Islay—through its whiskies, including the heavily peated Port Charlotte 10 year old. The whisky was named No. 4 in Whisky Advocate's 2018 Top 20, scoring 93 points and impressing the blind tasting panel with its balance of peat, fruit, malt, and rich character. Bruichladdich head distiller Adam Hannett gives some background on the whisky's creation and how it came to be a distinct single malt unto itself

It seems like high season for distillery openings, with two new facilities opening and a major project announced. Kansas City's J. Rieger & Co. has officially opened its new distillery, featuring a 40-foot slide for visitors, while over in Scotland, Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh is now welcoming guests to observe its innovative production. Meanwhile, Beam Suntory announced that it's building a 1.2 million proof gallon "craft" distillery at its Clermont, Kentucky Jim Beam plant. We spoke with master distiller Fred Noe to get details about the facility, which is slated to open in 2021.For whisky that's ready to buy now, however, there are plenty of options, starting with a super-aged Macallan single cask. The Exceptional Single Cask 1950 is nearly 68 years old, with just 336 bottles available and a price befitting its ultra-rare status: $58,000.Much more easy to access is Glenlivet's new 14 year old, finished in cognac casks. The whisky is exclusively available in the U.S. for...

For many whisky drinkers, scotch is defined by smoke flavors. But long before single malt drinkers developed a taste for intensely peat-smoked Islay whiskies, their main role was as a judiciously added component in blended scotch whiskies. Whether you are searching for a smoky sipper of your own, or introducing friends to the pleasure of smoke, we've arranged these classic blended scotches by their smoke character—from a whiff to wallop.Less SmokeBlack Bottle—83 points, $25J.Mossman Pink gold Crown 18 Year Old—89 points, $68Isle of Skye 8 year old—84 points, $29Medium SmokeThe Famous Grouse Smoky Black—89 points, $35Buchanan's Red Seal—91 points, $169Johnnie Walker Blue Label—97 points, $225Grant's Elementary Carbon 6 year old—85 points, $30More SmokeJohnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare—91 points, $400Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 year old—88 points, $30Johnnie Walker Double Black—90 points...

Imagine a country that has everything necessary for making whisky: robust agriculture, pure water, and centuries of distilling know-how—plus, its citizens love to drink the stuff. You probably aren't thinking of France. Yet from the jagged rocky shores of Brittany to the steep slopes of the Alps, from verdant Alsace-Lorraine to the patchwork fields and vineyards of Cognac, whisky is flowing throughout the Gallic nation.The French have long been the world leaders in per-capita scotch consumption, gulping down 178 million bottles in 2017, but the country's homegrown whisky industry emerged in the 1980s, and has taken off only in the last decade. Similar to craft producers in the U.S., many French whisky distillers are small businesses, and most of what they make is consumed locally. But a handful of French whiskies is reaching the U.S. and, with production doubling every year, that small cadre is likely to grow.Taste It Yourself: 9 Excellent French Whiskies to TryWith that growth...

France has long led the world in per-capita scotch consumption, but the country's own whisky industry has been gaining traction recently, with production now doubling every year. Many French whisky distilleries are small businesses, selling most of what they make locally, but a handful of bottles are reaching the U.S., with more arriving every year. Start your French education with the nine examples below.C'est Magnifique! These Whiskies Offer a True Taste of FranceArmorik Double Maturation single malt—93 points, $60Malt and lilacs, pineapple, and orange peel intertwine in a nose that shows the best of sherry finishing. The drying and spicy palate has minerality galore: salty oyster shell and sandy beach, along with cigar, dark chocolate, cherry Popsicle, and guava. Prepare to be wowed.Domaine des Hautes Glaces 100% Organic Rye (Cask #79)—92 points, $90Layers of spice—pepper, crushed chilies, ginger—along with oolong tea, raw hazelnuts, orange oil, and brown sugar make for an...

The candy bar is often an impulse purchase, grabbed while cashing out at the grocery or convenience store to assuage a grumbling hunger or satisfy a sweet tooth. Yet names like Snickers and KitKat, Reese's and M&Ms represent iconic treats that transcend generations and class, part of our shared identity.We actually devour candy bars at a fairly rapacious rate. According to a 2016 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, released to celebrate National Candy Month in June, Americans consume on average about 22 pounds of candy per year, most of it chocolate and candy bars, the equivalent of about 235 standard-size bars, roughly one bar every 36 hours.Candy bars are indeed big business. But according to Beth Kimmerle, author of Candy: The Sweet History and a consultant to the confectionary industry, it is also a business that is in the midst of fundamental change.“The top-sellers are still selling in the millions of dollars,” says Kimmerle, “but there are a lot of artisanal options...

Lemon is a prominent aroma and flavor in many whiskies, conjuring up thoughts of succulent lemons grown on the terraced groves of Italy's Amalfi Coast and the intensity of preserved lemons from North Africa. Your senses may pinpoint flavors of lemon peel, which is rich in essential oils, ranging from the waxed, pitted surface of fresh rind, to fine mustard-yellow strands from zested fruits, strips of candied peel, or fragrant ribbons of smoked and dried peel. Whether you love the sugary comforts of lemon bonbons, lemon curd, and lemon meringue pie, or revel in the acidic tartness that's so sharp it makes your nose wrinkle, lemon's familiarity as a flavor makes it easily recognizable for all whisky lovers.Where do lemon flavors come from? At the distillery, lemon flavors first emerge during fermentation as yeast converts sugar into alcohol, and having survived distillation, their presence is further enhanced during maturation in American white oak bourbon barrels. This can be due to...

Auberge Resorts was born in the heart of Napa Valley wine country before growing into an international collection of more than 20 luxury properties, so it is only fitting that they return to their adult beverage roots. Their new Lodge at Blue Sky, outside Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah, where guests enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits, summer and winter, has whiskey on its grounds. The sprawling 3,500-acre dude ranch-style property is home to both the new Auberge Lodge at Blue Sky and highly awarded whiskey maker High West.Worldwide, lodging and distillery combos run the gamut from rooms above the stills to small inns to historic Scottish cottages. Others might throw world-class skiing or equestrian pursuits into the mix. In every case, they make great vacation options for those who enjoy blending two of life's finest pleasures: travel and whisky.
The Auberge Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah sits on a 3,500-acre dude ranch-style property that's also home to High West Distillery...

Try with Water to Find Your Favorite Flavor Barrel-proof whisky (also known as cask-strength whisky) is literally the proof of a whisky as it comes from the barrel. That usually means in the 110- to 130-proof range, though some cask-strength whiskies soar above 140 proof. While that might sound like too much heat to handle, lately these high-proof pours have become a sensation among whisky connoisseurs. They offer an incredibly rich, almost oily mouthfeel and,of course, an explosion of complex flavors. Best of all, and what many drinkers particularly love about barrel-proof whisky, is that they can add water to both decrease the proof to a level they find most pleasing, and experiment with a drop or two or three to open the nose and palate profile. Adding small amounts of water adds dimension to the flavor journey. The high-proof whiskies in this tasting also work great in cocktails!Booker's® BourbonA favorite among more experienced bourbon fans, Booker Noe created his eponymous...

Ichiro Hiidome has been serving his homemade chocolates to patrons of b.a.r. Executive Bar for years. Like most of Hong Kong's better whisky dens—Butler, Club Qing—his domain hides in plain sight, on the 27th floor of a nondescript Causeway Bay office building overlooking Happy Valley racetrack. The view is framed by hundreds of precious pours that keep a 1983 Suntory Sherry Wood in good company, while beneath the bar sits something more likely to be found in Tokyo: a small Tupperware container, stacked with squares of Japanese dark and milk chocolate blended with Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt. The sweets represent a Tokyo bar trend that's found its way westward.A native of Japan, Hiidome is a purist behind the bar. The few whisky cocktails he serves are blended with fresh muskmelons and pione grapes imported from Japan. His ice is hand-chiseled. "And when customers requested we serve dessert, I went about devising my own recipe, recalling how popular whisky and chocolate pairings are...

Whiskey and ginger seem made for each other. “There is just something magical about the combination of oak-aged spirits and spicy ginger,” says Erick Castro, cofounder of San Diego's Raised by Wolves and Polite Provisions.No wonder variations of the Whiskey Ginger—a two-ingredient Highball with ginger ale or ginger beer as the mixer—have existed since who knows when. But Prohibition “blew up” the drink, says Darron Foy, head bartender at The Flatiron Room in New York City. “Ginger ale was a perfect mixer to temper the odor of the subpar whiskey of the time while providing its own unique flavor point,” he explains.On top of that, Greta Garbo may have helped the drink earn a classy reputation. While playing the title character in the 1930 film Anna Christie, Garbo said, “Give me a whiskey, ginger ale on the side, and don't be stingy, baby.” The movie was the highest-grossing picture of the year.Because the Whiskey Ginger is so easy to make and most styles complement...

The whisky community is responding in various ways to the COVID-19 outbreak. Distilleries are producing hand sanitizer, bartenders are broadcasting virtual happy hours, and whisky lovers around the world are sharing their at-home pours through social media. The hospitality industry is being hit particularly hard, as restaurants and bars are limited to pick-up and delivery orders only. One legendary whisky bar, Washington D.C.'s Jack Rose Dining Saloon, is responding to these developments by putting its entire 2,700-plus bottle whisky collection up for sale at a discount of up to 50% off.“When we come out of this on the other side I want to be debt-free and get everyone back to work—that means selling a shit ton of whiskey,” owner Bill Thomas told The Washingtonian. “It's going to take a little creativity, a little elbow grease. We're doing everything we can.”That includes discounting pour prices for anything below $100 per ounce at 20%; spendy pours over $100 an ounce are...

Today's Irish Drams Show Newfound Sophistication Once the most popular spirit in the entire world, Irish whiskey nearly went extinct after multiple wars, Prohibition in the U.S., and financial problems caused many Irish whiskey distilleries to close in the early part of the 20th century. Quickly, Irish whiskey was overshadowed by what was coming out of Scotland. For the last few decades, however, Irish whiskey has been steadily returning and today it is booming in a big way. Today's sophisticated offerings shouldn't take a back seat to scotch, whatsoever. In fact, and in many ways, Irish whiskey offers more diversity than scotch, with a variety of distillation methods and resulting whiskeys. Today you can enjoy Irish single grain whiskeys, Irish single malts, and even peated single malts coming from the Emerald Isle, offering a remarkably wide variety of flavor profiles fit for any kind of drinker.Kilbeggan® Small Batch RyeDouble-distilled in Ireland's oldest licensed distillery...

Whisky can be enjoyed just about everywhere, but not every place will offer the perfect tasting environment. (Hey, where are the Glencairns and water droppers?!) Nor will everywhere you go even have whisky—and for that reason, you should own a flask. While flasks might have once been seen as the purview of the closet lush, today many high-end design companies are making gorgeous flasks you'll be proud to pull from your pocket or purse.Now you just need to figure out what to fill them with.Since space is of the utmost importance here—some flasks are a mere 3 ounces—you absolutely want higher-proof whisky that can be stretched further. Since you won't necessarily be able to predict how you will be employing the flask (Discreet sipping? Pouring into a soda?), versatile drams are essential as well. And as you most likely won't be enjoying these whiskies in the most optimal tasting setting, this is no time to go for your priciest, rarest bottles.90+ Point Picks Perfect for A...

With the majority of Americans practicing social distancing, whisky drinking habits are being adjusted accordingly. Whisky clubs are still finding ways to enjoy each other's company from a safe distance, with education, tastings, and even barrel picks happening on Zoom and other platforms. We at Whisky Advocate are hosting Instagram Live sessions every Friday at 3 p.m.; this afternoon, I'll be interviewing Mike Vacheresse of Travel Bar Brooklyn to talk about how he's adjusted the business to continue bringing great whisky to his customers. Catch us live or watch later in our Story.There are several new whiskies hitting shelves imminently, coming from all over the world. First up, Laws Whiskey House in Denver is rolling out a 6 year old version of its San Luis Valley bottled in bond rye. The whiskey is priced at $75, available in several states.Penderyn is introducing a new single-cask expression for the U.S. only, aged 10 years in madeira casks. Priced at $110, there are 243 bottles...

Its name may not be the most appealing, but the Rusty Nail is an approachable drink, even for those who tend to shy away from using scotch as a base for cocktails. “The sweet honey and heather notes of Drambuie tame the robust flavor of blended scotch to create a slightly sweet and herbal cocktail that finishes with just a hint of peat and smoke,” says Leo de Rivera, head bartender at Red Phone Booth in Atlanta.The cocktail's exact origins are a bit cloudy, although it certainly didn't exist before the debut of Drambuie—a scotch-based liqueur flavored with honey, spices, and herbs—around the turn of the 20th century. “Most historians point to the British Industries Fair in 1937 for the debut of the combination of scotch whisky and Drambuie,” says Paul Taylor, head bartender at Columbia Room in Washington, D.C. “However, that cocktail—which was dubbed the B.I.F.—contained bitters,” whereas modern iterations of the Rusty Nail do not.Some attribute the Rusty Nail...

Imagine snacking on a bowl of nuts beside your evening cocktail; chances are that the bowl contains peanuts, salted or unsalted, dry-roasted or candied. But the thing is, peanuts are not actually nuts—they're legumes, like lentils and navy beans.So maybe it's time to up your nut-snacking game with cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, and other types of tree nuts as partners for just the right sort of whisky.According to numbers released by market-research companies IRI and Grand View Research, that's exactly what a lot of us are doing, with snacking nuts accounting for $4.8 billion of the $23.05 billion global healthy snack market in 2018. And it's a surging market as well, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 52%, bringing its value to $32.88 billion by 2025.But wait: “healthy snacks”? Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron? Not according to Pamela Fergusson, a British Columbia-based registered dietician who holds a doctorate in nutrition. “Nuts are a good source of both...

As COVID-19 continues to affect just about every part of our lives, its impact is being felt by secondary market buyers—now looking at potentially higher prices—and, more crucially, by small and independent distillers, who are struggling to weather the storm of disrupted markets and supply chains. If there's a local distillery you love, show some support by buying a bottle or reaching out with words of encouragement, and urge your representatives to keep the craft spirits industry in mind as they work to provide business relief.And when you need to stock up on more whiskey, consider this week's new releases—some of which will be easier to find than others. In the latter category falls Col. E.H. Taylor 18 year old Marriage, a straight bourbon made from all three of Buffalo Trace Distillery's bourbon mashbills. It's retail-priced at $70, but with a very limited amount available, the bottles are likely to fetch much more.The Hirsch name has adorned rare whiskey too, but the brand's...

LAPHROAIG'S DISTILLERY MANAGER, JOHN CAMPBELL, SPEAKS HIS MINDThere are different challenges when you're working with peated whisky over regular malts. You really need to manage the balance. Go too far with the peat and you'll start getting some really undesirable flavors; don't go far enough and it's too sweet. That's why blending plays such a huge part with peated whisky, just keeping everything consistent, marrying all those different flavors together.A sense of place is, of course, huge with our whisky. When you get to Islay for the first time, you immediately realize why it tastes the way it does—because it couldn't taste any other way! There aren't many trees, we're by the ocean, you're standing across from a bog, maybe a storm has spread seaweed all over our courtyard, and you just understand. You finally get it. I've heard people say, “Oh yeah…” It just makes sense.Tasting Tip:“As you sip, pay specific attention to the earthiness, the peatiness, and those medicinal...

A wall of whisky is impressive to behold, but it's not necessary. The truth is, no whisky collection can ever be comprehensive. As long as you have a bottle from each of these representative styles, you'll be well prepared to satisfy almost any whisky drinker, and perhaps create some new ones as well. Even with splurging on a trophy whisky, the average price to complete this impressive lineup is under $500.
1. A Trophy WhiskyEvery collection needs a crown jewel and whether you display it prominently or keep it under lock and key, you'll know precisely when the time is right to bring it out.Glenmorangie Signet—94 points, $220Johnnie Walker Blue Label—97 points, $225Midleton Very Rare 2018—94 points, $200Old Fitzgerald 13 year old Bottled in Bond—93 points, $130Yamazaki 12 year old—93 points, $85
2. Barrel-Proof BourbonIf strength is in numbers, then the ABV here says it all. By starting with full proof, these whiskeys are fine sipped neat, yet also adapt well to ice...

In every issue of Whisky Advocate, we select three bottles to recommend as collectibles: whiskies that are generally limited releases and show the most potential to gain in value. For Summer 2020, the top choices came from Ireland, Canada, and Scotland.For all whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2020 issue, check out the full Buying Guide.Collecting Alert: Grab These Bottles While You CanMidleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter One Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey94 points, 51.2% ABV, $35,000Powerfully smoky for 45 years old, with charcoal, burnt turf, smoked venison, dark chocolate, Brazil-nut dark toffee, roasted chestnut, and a hint of smoked haddock. Thick golden syrup, peppery spice, and vanilla caramel; the peat smoke is heavier initially, then fades and darts between other flavors. Toasted oak, dark sugars, cocoa, and smoke finish an incredible sip of Irish whiskey liquid history. (48 bottles)—Jonny McCormickWhistlePig The Boss Hog VI: The Samurai Scientist Umeshu...

There are 135 whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2020 Buying Guide, covering everything from scotch to bourbon to Irish single malt and beyond. Here, we highlight ten of the highest-scoring whiskies (not featured as Collectibles), each netting 93 points or above. There are plenty of other high-scoring whiskies beyond these as well, including the newest Angel's Envy, Barrell Cask Strength Rye, Redbreast 27 year old and its younger sibling, Redbreast 21 year old, and an enchanting American single malt made in Brooklyn, New York—and many more. For the full lineup of reviews, check out the Summer 2020 Buying Guide.10 of Summer 2020's Highest-Scoring WhiskiesDram Hunters 7 year old Southern Coast Distillers Single Cask Australian Single Malt (Cask No. 112)95 points, 63.6% ABV, $250Without water, this oddball is deeply herbaceous and spiced with aniseed, coriander, hardwood smoke, brown sugar, and powerful oak throughout the nose and palate. Add some water, and suddenly the sunbeam breaks...

Had they not been postponed until 2021, the Olympics would have kicked off today in Tokyo, and Japanese whisky makers had some truly special new releases planned to celebrate. While some of those plans are on hold, several are going ahead, and even American whisky lovers will be able to purchase some of the bottles.Now on to the bad news: Tariffs from both the U.S. and EU have devastated the scotch and American whiskey industries, and they may get even worse. We spoke with distillers large and small about the brutal effects of these steep levies, and what increased or expanded tariffs could mean for whisky lovers. Read the full article and, if you feel moved to act, use the Spirits United portal to voice your opposition on the American side of the fight.Back to good news: New whiskey! This week it's all about rye and bourbon, starting with Old Overholt. Earlier this week, we broke the news that parent company Beam Suntory is investing in Old Overholt's birthplace at West Overton...

New Riff Distilling lives up to its name with inventive takes on traditional whiskey styles and the latest release, Backsetter bourbon and rye, particularly highlights that approach. “Sometimes things just happen because you are of a creative bent. We do lots of different things and this is the happy result,” New Riff co-founder Jay Erisman said on Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on July 24.Erisman detailed the scenario that led to Backsetter's creation, explaining that the distillery had created a batch of peated malted barley whiskey and ended up using its backset in the next few batches of whiskey, which were all bourbon and rye. “We didn't even think it would make a flavor necessarily,” he noted. “We didn't say ‘Oh we'll make peated backset bourbon and four years from now it'll be really cool.' We just did it because it's what we had.”The end result is a pair of American whiskeys that boast a distinctly unique flavor of gentle peat smoke...

Guests love guidance—from where to hang their coats to what to drink. An open-ended “What can I get you to drink?” is too often met with blank stares or indecision. All the better reason to make whisky the center of your get-together. By building a party around a whisky theme, you'll share your passion with friends, secure your position as a great entertainer, and ensure a carefree evening. With a little pre-planning, there's nothing to do but pour a dram and watch it all fall into place.“Whisky makes a great theme for a party because, one, it's delicious and, two, it's a conversation starter,” says Katie Garrett, owner and founder of Old Hickory Whiskey Bar in Pensacola, Fla. “Since everyone has different palates and preferences, discussions about which whisky is ‘best' can be exciting and sometimes intense, but always entertaining.”Whisky is a big universe, with a lot of ground to cover, so it can be helpful to narrow your focus and give your party a theme that...

Speyside single malt distillery Benriach has unveiled a new look for its core range of whiskies—including new names, one rejiggered recipe, and a brand new expression. The lineup now includes Benriach The Original Ten and Smoky Ten, replacing Benriach 10 year old and 10 year old Curiositas, though the liquids are staying the same; The Original Twelve, which takes the place of the former 12 year old with a new flavor profile; and The Smoky Twelve, an entirely new release. Each of the whiskies features a unique maturation program using three different cask types. (The brand has also dropped the medial capital R in its name, much to the relief of copy editors everywhere.)Founded in 1897, Benriach Distillery operated for just two years before being closed due to a crash in the scotch industry. It was revived in the 1960s but closed again in 2001. A couple of years later, it reopened once more under an enterprise led by scotch whisky veteran Billy Walker and has been steadily producing...

Making single malt scotch can be a complex process, with dozens and even hundreds of barrels going into a single batch, each one of them different in terms of flavor profile, maturation history, or even ingredients, if the distillery uses various barley types and peat levels. Providing information about the exact makeup of a whisky can be an arduous task—but it's something Bruichladdich Distillery is committed to, because so many whisky lovers want to know. “I'm really interested in whisky,” said Bruichladdich head distiller Adam Hannett during Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on Sept. 11. “And I want to know when I taste whisky where those flavors are coming from.”Long an advocate for transparency in scotch whisky, thanks to changes in the Scotch Whisky Association's (SWA) policies, Bruichladdich is now able to tell drinkers precisely where the flavors they're tasting in its Classic Laddie are coming from; there's a code on the back of each bottle...

David Landrum is the founder of Two James Spirits, a small distillery in Detroit. His buddy, Jacques Driscoll, runs Johnny Noodle King, a nearby ramen shop. Driscoll was planning a bar program for the restaurant and asked Landrum if he might create a whiskey to complement his umami-rich broths.“I was an art student,” says Landrum. “I've always been pushed by creativity. I like to keep making new things.”He had been drinking a lot of Asian teas and lapsang souchong, a Chinese smoked tea, came to mind. It was a source of inspiration. Landrum infused a blend of corn and rye whiskeys with lapsang souchong and two other Asian teas. He calls it Johnny Smoking Gun. Driscoll loved it. Both the noodle shop and Two James's tasting room serve it in cocktails and also neat with a “broth back.”Interesting? Yes. Unique? Sure. Innovative? Absolutely! But is it whiskey?That question sits at an intersection of art, craft, tradition, culture, law, commerce, imagination, taste—and probably...

Rum and whisky are born of different parents—whisky from grains, rum from sugar cane. But then comes the upbringing, when these two often find themselves in the same classroom with the same teacher. They begin to talk like one another. Those classrooms are, of course, white oak barrels, which impart their own distinctive flavor to any spirit over time. It's this barrel aging that can transform a clear Caribbean cocktail mixer into a rum deserving of slow sipping and contemplation.
The Whisky Lover's Guide to Rum
The longer rum and whisky are aged, the more their tastes converge. After 3 years they may start to share a similar flavor profile, with tannins and vanilla and caramel notes taking the lead over their respective raw materials. After 5 or 6 years, they're all but finishing each other's sentences. This process of convergence is accelerated by the fact that rums are typically aged in barrels that formerly held bourbon, imbuing them with an initial burst of borrowed...

Recent releases have proved that bottled in bond whiskey is back and better than ever. To qualify as bottled in bond, a whiskey (of any style, not just bourbon) must meet the guidelines outlined in the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897—the whiskey must be 50% ABV, distilled by a single distiller in a single season, and aged for a minimum of 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse. Though the guidelines are specific, that hasn't stopped distillers from churning out a diverse range of new bottled in bond releases, and our Fall 2020 Buying Guide features several high-scoring ones.Among them is the follow-up to Whisky Advocate's 2019 Whisky of the Year, George Dickel 13 year old Bottled in Bond. The new release, an 11 year old distilled in 2008, scored a whopping 95 points in the Buying Guide—and it's in good company. These whiskeys are united by their high scores and bottled in bond style, but they vary in price and taste. So pour a dram and delve into this burgeoning style!8 BOTTLED IN...

Think you know single malt? In Scotland alone there's a wide diversity in flavor, from smoky peat bombs to rich and fruity sherry finishes and everything in between (though it isn't always wise to associate region with flavor, as we recently found out). Take your single malt journey to the U.S., and there's a growing segment of distillers making the style stateside, crafting unique and flavorful interpretations, even as the category currently lacks a formal definition.If that wasn't enough, there are producers worldwide making 100% malted barley whisky, each capturing a different profile based on their climate, barrels, length of maturation, and other factors. Some diehard drinkers believe nothing can touch the prestige of single malt scotch, but the more Whisky Advocate's tasting panel samples single malts from around the globe, the more examples we find that rival even Scotland's most established names.The Fall 2020 Buying Guide features more than 150 whisky reviews, among them...

Here at Whisky Advocate, we hear one question more than any other: “What whisky should I buy?” Whether for yourself or a loved one, the gift of whisky—a well-considered, out-of-the-ordinary bottle—is perfect for any occasion, and we offer plenty of tools to help you find the right one: from Best Value and Editors' Choice picks to the annual Top 20 list, plus the full Buying Guide with over 4,000 whisky reviews, sortable by price, score, and more.But what about the whisky lover who already has a fully stocked bar, or the one whose taste is so discerning you're afraid of picking something they won't like? Each issue of Whisky Advocate includes recommended whisky gear (everything from decanters to cocktail picks to glassware), and we've made some additional picks below. There's something here for every budget and all kinds of whisky lovers, including the at-home bartender, the aspiring taster, the outdoor enthusiast, and the cigar aficionado. Some of these come with whisky, while...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three whiskies that we consider the most impressive, considering score, price, and availability. For Winter 2020, our Editors' Choice whiskies include bourbon, island single malt scotch, and an Irish blended whiskey.For all whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2020 issue, check out the full Buying Guide.STANDOUT WHISKIES FROM WINTER 2020
Barrell Cask Strength Blend of Straight Bourbons (Batch 025)94 points, 56.7% ABV, $90This basks in beautiful baking spices—clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon—with toasty oak and candle wax hinting at its maturity. The palate is wonderfully dense with fruit, including flavors of marmalade, strawberry jam, and bright tropical fruits, woven with more spice. Even with water the richness and viscosity stand tall, as more caramel and butterscotch emerge. The spellbinding finish is long, sweet, and nutty. —Jeffery Lindenmuth
Highland Park Cask Strength (Release No. 1)92 points, 63.3% ABV, $90This first...

The start of the year is always a slow period for new whisky releases, as everyone catches their breath after the frenzy of the holidays—but the well is never completely dry.Ezra Brooks is adding a higher-proof straight bourbon to its core lineup. Ezra Brooks 99 is widely available, priced at $25.Compass Box's final 2020 limited-edition blend, celebrating the company's 20th anniversary, arrives in the U.S. next month. Magic Cask is priced at $175, with 1,800 bottles for the U.S.Finally, Glenfiddich is once again offering a special package for its core range of single malts in honor of the Lunar New Year. The whiskies are available in Asia-Pacific markets and at Travel Retail.Read on for full details.Ezra Brooks 99Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedProof: 49.5% ABVPrice: $25Release: January 2021Availability: Widely availableNeed to know:This is Ezra Brooks' core bourbon, bottled at a higher proof than the usual 45% ABV. It's also packaged in a rounded bottle, like...

There are over 150 whiskies reviewed in the Winter 2020 Buying Guide, covering the full spectrum of the whisky world, from Scotland and Ireland to Kentucky, Texas, and far beyond. Here, we highlight 10 of the highest-scoring whiskies (not featured as Collectibles or Editors' Choice, and not counting the Top 20 winners or the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection), each netting 94 points or above. There are plenty of other high-scoring whiskies beyond these as well, including Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake, Kentucky Owl Dry State, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Legendary Eight, Rabbit Hole Founder's Collection Boxergrail, Canadian Club Chronicles 43 year old The Speakeasy, the latest Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (Batch C920), and the 2020 Diageo Special Releases—and many more. For the full lineup of reviews, check out the Winter 2020 Buying Guide.High Whisky Scores from Whisky Advocate's Winter 2020 Issue
Ardbeg 19 year old Traigh Bhan (Batch 2)95 points, 46.2% ABV, $300The early nose offers...

Most of us forget about seasonal produce as the chill of winter arrives, but for bartenders it's peak season, as they prepare for the bounty of blood oranges, lemons, and grapefruit to arrive from California and south of the Mexican border. Great citrus can do much more than dress up an Old Fashioned or add zing to a Whiskey Sour. The bright acidity of citrus can balance the peat of an Islay malt or a sweet bourbon when pressed into service.Check out these bright and vibrant whisky cocktails made with lemon, yuzu, and more citrus fruits.Ferdinand the BullGrilled blood orange juice imparts richness to this smoked cocktail, which also includes bourbon, amaro, and cherry liqueur.Get the Recipe: Ferdinand the BullKnock OutGinger liqueur and cinnamon syrup add texture and spice, while the fresh-squeezed lemon juice brings out the brightness of blended Irish whiskey.Get the Recipe: Knock OutThe Corner StoreAustralian grain whisky, cherry syrup, and two kinds of citrus create a dead ringer...

Forgive us if we get romantic about our whisky, but some drams make it easy to fall in love. Whisky aromas can be described as fragrant and floral, textures can be lush and velvety, and some pours even have transportive abilities. Perhaps a whisky reminds you of time spent abroad, or a certain home-cooked dish, or even a special person—and suddenly, you're reliving some of your fondest memories.Any day can be a great whisky occasion, but sharing a dram with someone you love—whether a partner, friend, or family member—on Valentine's Day can heighten your enjoyment. Try pairing it with the usual treats of the day, like chocolates—this year, Woodford Reserve has teamed up with Memphis-based Phillip Ashley Chocolates to craft custom sweets to pair with its Double Oaked Bourbon. Or make your own special delicacy, like bourbon balls or donuts with maple-bourbon glaze. You might even try a whisky-chocolate cocktail.Or check out one of the whiskies below, whose names...

While limited-edition bourbons and ryes like the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch get lots of hype these days, scotch lovers aren't left out of the action, as each fall brings the Diageo Special Releases. These whiskies hail from the spirits company's 27 malt distilleries across Scotland, and vary in age, price, and availability from year to year—but there are a few things that never change: The whiskies are bottled at cask strength without chill-filtration or added coloring. The offerings are usually targeted at collectors, but priced within reach of those who want to drink them. There's always a Lagavulin 12 year old.The 2020 collection, called “Rare by Nature,” was created by Diageo master blender Craig Wilson and features eight single malts matured in a variety of cask types. Some of the bottle counts are known, while Diageo left others deliberately vague. Read on for full reviews.WHISKY ADVOCATE...

Great news for scotch fans: This week's new releases are almost entirely single malt scotch.First up, Balvenie is rolling out the fourth release in its Stories collection, a single malt whisky made entirely on-site, from seed to cask, at the distillery. Balvenie 19 year old The Edge of Burnhead Wood is priced at $300, with 19,000 bottles available worldwide and 1,200 in the U.S.Macallan has unveiled its latest artistic collaboration, the Anecdotes of Ages Collection. In addition to 13 unique bottles from a 1967 cask with labels by Sir Peter Blake, the rollout includes 322 bottles of the Down to Work Limited Edition, priced at $83,000 each, and unspecified amounts of the limited-edition An Estate, A Community, and A Distillery ($1,200).The latest Port Askaig single malts, both 12 years old, are hitting the U.S. Port Askaig 12 year old Spring 2020 release is $100, with 720 bottles available, while the Autumn 2020 release is $120, with 360 bottles available.Finally, Louisville-based...

Johnnie Walker has created three impressive new blends to celebrate 200 years since John Walker began blending whisky and opened his grocery store. The John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend is based on Walker's Old Highland Whisky from the 1860s, the first to use the iconic square bottle and slanted label, and includes modern stocks from distilleries that would have been operating at that time. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Legendary Eight builds on the Ghost and Rare series and is created from whiskies made at distilleries that existed 200 years ago. The aromas and flavors that might have been found in the grocer's store in the 1820s inspired the selection of rare aged stocks in the John Walker & Sons Bicentenary Blend, including Port Ellen, Cambus, and Pittyvaich.Johnnie Walker master blender Emma Walker led a tasting of Legendary Eight and the Celebratory Blend on Whisky Advocate's #TasteWithSpace Instagram Live series. Hear how she and her colleagues created these special...

Scotch whisky history is full of great rivalries, such as Ardbeg and Bruichladdich's Peat Bog battles over ppm and Dalwhinnie and Braeval's spat over which distillery is Scotland's highest. Now we can add the great auction duel of 2019-2021 between Whisky Auctioneer and Sotheby's to the list. This legendary contest was fought between two extraordinarily valuable whisky collections, with both auction houses claiming to have sold the most valuable collection ever seen—in the case of Whisky Auctioneer, the Perfect Collection, which when revealed in 2019,looked set to challenge Sotheby's sale of The Ultimate Whisky Collection in a clash of online versus live bidding. We previously speculated on the two collections' prospects for being crowned the greatest whisky collection of all time, but now that both stages of these auctions are over, it's time to take a deep dive into the figures to settle the matter once and for all,Our route to declaring a victor involved three tests that compared...

For a style of whiskey that nearly disappeared, Irish single pot still is making a comeback in a big way; three single pot still whiskeys made the Whisky Advocate 2020 Top 20, including one from Dublin's foremost distillery, Teeling. Alex Chasko, Teeling's master distiller, joinedWhisky Advocate on Instagram Live for #TasteWithSpace to discuss the reemerging style. “[Single pot still] has challenges—it's not an easy whiskey to make,” Chasko said. “There are certainly reasons why it's not made all around the world.”Fortunately, Teeling is well-equipped to make single pot still whiskey. The company opened its distillery and began making whiskey in Dublin's New Market Square just six years ago, three years after its founding in 2012. “This is the first whiskey that we made there,” Chasko said. “We thought, ‘If we're going to do this, what are people going to be interested in in six years' time?'” For the mashbill, Teeling stuck with a pretty traditional recipe, only...

Of all Scotland's many islands, few serve up such a heady blend of heritage, romance, folklore, and dramatic beauty as Skye, “the Misty Isle,” or Eilean a' Cheo in Gaelic. Despite measuring only 50 miles across, Skye is actually the largest of the Inner Hebrides, boasting a spectacular coastline of sea lochs and peninsulas. Of most importance to whisky lovers, Skye is the gateway to three whisky distilleries. The most well-known distillery is Talisker, producer of rugged single malts recognized for the way it captures the spray of the sea and delivers a distinctive peppery spice.If there is a drawback to this beautiful island, it is that we are not alone in realizing its many charms. The intimate island now attracts an outsized 650,000 visitors annually, often resulting in overcrowding as narrow roads are blocked by large motorhomes and parking lots overflow. However, with thoughtful planning, a visit to Skye will still be a delight: a destination of meals, vistas, and whiskies...

Travel just 100 miles north of New York City—a mere two-hour trip by car—and you'll reach Hillrock Estate, a distillery that's integral to the Hudson Valley's flourishing craft whiskey scene. Here, locality is everything; Hillrock's whiskeys exemplify grain to glass, with utmost attention given to the soil, grain, water, and yeast present in every bottle. In a first for #TasteWithSpace, on April 9, Whisky Advocate hit the road and journeyed to Hillrock to meet with Jeffrey Baker and Cathy Franklin, the husband-and-wife duo behind the distillery, and talk all-things Hudson Valley whiskey making, as well as how Hillrock got its start.“When we conceived of a space in the whiskey world that was terroir-driven, no one was thinking of whiskeys that way except Dave [Pickerell],” Baker said. “I called him up and told him we wanted to be a field-to-glass whiskey distillery, where we make whiskeys out of different fields, each of which has a different imprint on it.” The late...

A 50 year old blend is a rare thing in scotch—far more so than for single malt. The Last Drop Distillers, London-based purveyors of ultra-aged spirits, specializes in this sort of thing, and its latest tour de force in scotch whisky is The Last Drop Signature 50 year old blend. But this time the company is no longer simply curator, but also a maker. Instead of unveiling a rare whisky from a long-forgotten cask in its usual fashion, the Last Drop has created this blend itself.The company has tapped the renowned master blender Colin Scott, who served in that role with Chivas Brothers for over four decades before retiring last year. As master blender for The Last Drop, Scott explored the company's cellar of aged single malts, grain whiskies, and blends, where he selected all the elements for this expression.“There was no particular style to deliver—other than it would have to be remarkable,” Scott told Whisky Advocate. While the recipe remains a secret, the components originate...

EDITOR'S NOTE: In our “What's It Worth?” series, Whisky Advocate auction expert Jonny McCormick examines the current collectibility of a distillery or brand. With the long-silenced Brora Distillery now reopened, wepause to examine the auction values achieved over the last year for Brora bottlings in the Diageo Special Releases program and beyond.When the discussion turns to Scotland's silent distilleries, most collectors think of Brora and Port Ellen, which both closed in 1983. Following Diageo's announcement that it would reopen both distilleries, Brora has now embarked on a new chapter with the filling of the first cask of new-make spirit in 38 years.Brora was built in 1819 at a cost of £750—a sum that wouldn't buy a single bottle on this list today. Between 2002 and 2017, Diageo released 16 annual bottlings of Brora from the distillery's original stock as part of its Special Releases program, followed by Brora 40 year old 1978 200th anniversary in 2019. The values for most...

This week’s releases include whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, and the U.S., and most of them are limited in nature. If they catch your eye, you may want to act fast. Read on for full details.

Kilchoman Loch Gorm (2021 release)
Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Islay)Age: 9 year old (minimum)ABV: 46% Price: $125Release: May 2021Availability: 17,000 bottles worldwide, 2,040 for the U.S.
Need to know:
This is the tenth edition of Loch Gorm, which is named for Islay's largest fresh water lake, located near the distillery. It is Kilchoman’s only expression matured exclusively in oloroso casks, with the sherry influence taming the peat and smoke to give this expression its signature subtlety and finesse. This year's release is a vatting of 24 oloroso sherry butts filled in 2011 and 2012.

Kilchoman PX Sherry Matured
Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Islay)Age: Not...

Whisky Advocate’s Summer 2021 issue hit the newsstands this week, featuring the latest on Ireland’s whiskey renaissance, a look at Japan’s distillers under the country’s new classification guidelines, and a tour of heavy metal rockers who are making whiskey in collaboration with craft distillers. There’s also a feature on home whisky rooms and the folks who’ve created these elaborate spaces. Pick up a copy of our Summer issue today, or order a subscription here.This week’s new releases include a single barrel rye from Old Forester, a 13 year old bourbon from Wild Turkey, a light and sweet single malt from Glenmorangie, a pair of single barrel whiskeys from WhistlePig, and more. Read on for full details.

Old Forester Barrel Strength Single Barrel Rye
Style: Straight ryeOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: VariesPrice: $80Release: June 2021Availability: Limited
Need to know:
After introducing its straight rye in 2019, Old...

Father’s Day is fast approaching, and distillers are offering special items for the occasion. Teeling has a gift set that includes a bottle of Teeling single malt, two leather coasters, two rocks glasses, and a set of whisky stones for $80. Blackened has released The Black Album Whiskey Pack, comprised of a bottle of Blackened Batch 114, a collectible whiskey coin, and a Snakebyte cocktail booklet named after James Hetfield’s signature guitar, all for $50. Aberfeldy is offering personalized hand-dipped gold wax bottles for their 12, 16, and 21 year old whiskies, with the bottles stamped by hand with the initials of your choosing. Pricing starts at $60.Perhaps a new release might make a perfect gift. This week’s lineup includes cask strength offerings from Booker’s and Writers’ Tears, as well as limited editions from Dewar’s and Midleton. Read on for full details.Dewar’s 19 year old The Champions EditionStyle: Blended whiskyOrigin: ScotlandAge: 19 year oldABV: 43%Price...

The world of whisky is bigger than ever. Whisky drinkers have their choice of options when looking for a dram, including whiskies with big proof, big scores, and big peat. Of course, whisky can be physically large as well, and we aren't just talking 1.75 L bottles. From big barrels to vast collections, these whisky accomplishments caught our eye for their sheer scale and size.Massive MixersMonkey Shoulder blended malt whisky is giving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile a run for its money with two 2,400-gallon cocktail “shakers.” Fashioned like cement trucks, the two Monkey Mixers have traveled a combined 119,200 miles since their debut in 2017, visiting 135 different cities and serving 224,000 cocktails. The Monkey Mixers were sidelined in summer 2020 due to the pandemic but look for them to make a return in a city near you.Voluminous VesselsThe Barton 1792 Distillery is home to world's biggest whiskey barrel. Although this display was never used to actually age spirit, (it has no...

If you're whipping up cocktails this summer and putting orange juice to use, we have some recipes that let you go beyond the classic Blood and Sand, and use practically any style of whisky. And there are plenty of new whiskies to play around with from this week's Whisky Weekend lineup, including the return of Glenmorangie's single estate single malt, a finished rye from WhistlePig, a single grain scotch from Loch Lomond, and more. Read on for full details.Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate Batch #2Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Highlands)Age: 15 year oldABV: 43%Price: $85Release: July 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This is the second edition of Glenmorangie’s single estate whisky—made entirely from barley grown on its Cadboll Estate, which surrounds the distillery, and matured onsite. Like the first edition, this whisky was finished in American oak bourbon barrels.Whisky Advocate says:Cadboll Estate Batch #1 came out swinging, as it earned the No. 13 spot on our Top 20...

Update: Decanter no. 1 of Gordon & MacPhail 80 year old sold for $193,000 on October 7, 2021.Many of us consider an 18 year old scotch a treat, and regard a well-aged 25 or 30 year old expression as an indulgent luxury. These are mere youngsters compared to the new Gordon & MacPhail Generations 80 year old distilled at Glenlivet Distillery. Matured for eight decades, this whisky spans the term of office of 15 U.S. presidents. It was approaching 50 years old when President George H.W. Bush took the oath of office, making him the last sitting president to be older than the whisky, and from Biden back to Clinton, none of the last five presidents were even born when this cask was filled. It's a Speyside single malt disgorged from a sherry butt filled on February 3, 1940, which extends Gordon & MacPhail's unbroken run of releasing the world's oldest whisky, a record the company has held since the launch of the Generations series in 2010.Sir David Adjaye OBE has designed the...

This week, we covered yet another distillery opening, this one on the Glenmorangie campus in the Scottish Highlands. At the Lighthouse, Glenmorangie head of distilling and whisky creation Dr. Bill Lumsden will be able to pursue his wildest whisky dreams, and we're looking forward to the forthcoming fruits of his labors.While it'll be awhile before we see new whiskies from the Lighthouse, there are plenty of new releases to enjoy right now, including a new, aged bourbon from Hudson Whiskey, a fruit-forward blended malt from Compass Box, and a single malt meant for pairing with cigars from Tamdhu. Read on for full details.Hudson Four Part HarmonyStyle: Straight bourbon
Origin: New York
Age: 7 year oldABV: 46%
Price: $70
Release: September 2021
Availability: 1,200 for CT, NJ, NY with expansion planned Need to know:Pot distilled from a mash of 60% corn, 15% rye, 15% wheat, and 10% malted barley, and aged for 7 years, this limited-edition is the oldest release from Hudson...

Glenlivet is one of the world's most popular single malt scotches, due largely to its approachable 40% ABV and its house style, which is defined by light, fruity flavors. But Glenlivet also takes a more adventurous path with its "mystery" limited series, each release challenging tasters by offering no information about the whisky except for its ABV. The series originated in 2013 with Glenlivet Alpha, and was followed by Glenlivet Cipher in 2016, Glenlivet Code in 2018, and then Glenlivet Enigma, which won the No. 8 spot on our Top 20 Whiskies of the Year in 2019.In May 2020 came Glenlivet Spectra, a three-pack of 200-ml bottles. Our tasting panel continued to be impressed, scoring the three "mystery" whiskies between 92 and 93 points. Each expression aims to explore the spectrum of flavors that single malt scotch can achieve. While the bottle sizes are small, they contain enough to taste a few times and share with a friend. Read Whisky Advocate's tasting notes below—or look behind...

Plenty of us have favorites when it comes to whisky; perhaps you're loyal to bourbon, or rarely stray from single malt scotch. But there's a whole world of whisky out there, ripe for the taking, and if ever you're in the mood for exploration consider one of the more esoteric offerings we highlight here, such as Japanese rice whisky or grain whiskies.On to the new releases. This week, there are new single malts from Macallan, Balvenie, Paul John, and Penderyn, as well as a host of bourbons up for grabs. Read on for full details.Macallan Harmony Collection Rich CacaoStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Speyside)Age: Not statedABV: 44%Price: $160Release: October 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:The first in a series focused on sustainable packaging, this single malt whisky is presented in a fully recyclable and biodegradable box made from discarded cacao pod husks. Aged in a combination of European and American oak casks, this expression is inspired by chocolate, as whisky maker...

Last weekend, our sister publication Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke event teamed up with WhiskyFest to stage "Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest", a combined extravaganza at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. It was a day filled with exquisite cigars, world-class whisky, and great company, with over two thousand cigar and whisky fans in attendance. Tonight, WhiskyFest will be held in Chicago, then hit New York on November 11 before wrapping in San Francisco on December 3.As for this week's new whiskies, Johnnie Walker offers a blend made with a sky-high percentage of rye in the mashbill, Jack Daniel's has a new expression from its single barrel series, and Angel's Envy celebrates the 10th anniversary of its annual cask-strength port-finished bourbon release.Johnnie Walker High RyeStyle: Blended whiskyOrigin: ScotlandAge: Not statedABV: 45%Price: $35Release: November 2021Availability: NationwideNeed to know:This whisky, which will be a core offering from Johnnie...

The notion that age is synonymous with quality has eroded over the years, as non-age statement (or NAS) single malts have risen to prominence, and it has more or less been agreed upon that bourbon can at times be too old. When assessing a whisky labelto determine potential quality and character, the age of what's inside is only one factor to consider.However, there is no denying the allure of a whisky that has spent significant time, sometimes multiple decades, inside the barrel. When you sip a whisky that is up there in age, consider where you were when it was distilled. No matter the country of origin or casks used, advanced age statement whiskies have to be handled with care and monitored closely; to taste whiskies that is as old as these, all from our Fall 2021 Buying Guide, is a special treat indeed. While some of these, like the Craigellachie, are single casks releases, and others, like the Talisker, cost a hefty chunk of change, they all represent potential crown jewels for...

Indisputably, scotch is the world's most popular style of whisky, with single malt regarded as the epitome of this fine spirit, cherished for its unparalleled quality. While I make my home in Scotland and have a passion for her whiskies, my role as Whisky Advocate's world whisky reviewer presents me with a steady stream of fascinating whiskies from India, Taiwan, Mexico, Israel, Australia, and beyond!Just 20 years ago, it would have been considered laughable that anyone could challenge Scotland's dominance of single malt—butJapan gave scotch lovers reason to pause. Today, I'm in awe of the proliferation of whisky from around the world, and the vast range of countries that stand proudly behind high-quality products.A global community of distillers is transporting single malt whisky to new places, literally. By adding their own creativity and local techniques, resulting in exciting flavors and geographical styles, the single malt world is changing quickly. Because I sample and...

Scotland may have put single malt on the map, but in the past few years, more and more countries are embracing the style, curious to see how different climates and techniques can impact flavor. As a result, whisky drinkers have even more ground to cover when exploring and educating themselves. Here, we survey the global single malt landscape to determine where the next great single malt is most likely to arrive from.The Front RunnersThese regions are leading the way, already showing the ability to compete on the world single malt stage.
NordicThere are numerous Nordic distilleries making intriguing whiskies with innovative techniques: Eimverk in Iceland using sheep dung for drying malt, the meticulous recipes at High Coast in Sweden, the underground maturation of Mackmyra's casks in a mine, the intricate spirit cuts at Spirit of Hven, and the floor malting of local barley at Stauning in Denmark. This is a region bursting with inventive ideas and a commitment to making...

Worn leather cowboy boots, cream-colored Stetson hats, and wide-open desert space dappled with cacti—these are visions of Texas in the mind's eye. But there's much more to the Lone Star State, including a dynamic whiskey scene. The ties to whiskey are not deep, as distilling arrived here just over 15 years ago. Yet even as a newcomer, Texas is rapidly building its whiskey credentials as distilleries become firmly rooted across the state, creating a colorful patchwork of styles and flavors.A key part of the picture in Texas is its multifaceted climate. Roughly the same size as France, it has a landscape that's nearly as varied. In Texas Hill Country west of Austin, dense forests, wildflower fields, and sparkling blue lakes see extreme temperature swings—daily averages can vary from 42°F to 95°F over the course of a year. In the southern reaches of Texas, sweltering humidity creates tropical conditions all year, thanks to proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. By the northern borders...

The year 2021 was packed with exciting new whisky releases and a busy calendar of whisky auctions around the globe. Our annual list ranks the world's 20 leading auction houses by the most expensive bottle of whisky they sold in 2021 (excluding cask sales and multi-bottle lots). Hammer prices of the winning bids are shown without buyer's premiums. While half of the bottles are Macallan, the remaining auction houses served up a diverse mix of single malt scotch, rye, bourbon, Irish, and Japanese whiskies to top their sales this year.2021 MOST EXPENSIVE WHISKY BY AUCTION HOUSE
20. Unicorn Auctions: Michter's 25 year old Straight RyeSold on: December 19Hammer Price: $21,000Chicago-based Unicorn Auctions broke their house record several times in 2021, setting a new world record with this 2011 rye from Michter's.19. Whiskyauction.com: James McArthur 12 year old (distilled at Port Ellen)Sold on: May 3Hammer Price: $25,469This European auction house sold several bottles of this cask...

Whisky Advocate's Spring issue hits the newsstands on March 22nd and takes a deep look at rye whiskey's rebirth. Here, our auction correspondent checks out the recent hammer prices on WhistlePig's collectible series of rye whiskeys in his column What's It Worth?WhistlePig The Boss Hog series has emerged as one of the market's most collectible annual rye whiskey releases. Fans eagerly await each year's edition, along with the latest pewter pig that adorns the stopper—a collectible that has become the porcine equivalent of Blanton's racehorse stoppers.When The Boss Hog was first released in 2013, the goal was to deliver a yearly treat to collectors and connoisseurs that represented the finest rye in WhistlePig's stock. WhistlePig commits to five promises for each release: It will be a single barrel, bottled at proof, powerfully complex, distinctly unique from anything they've done before, and it will be stupendous. The liquid is sourced from Canada and shipped to Vermont for further...

The Spring 2022 issue of Whisky Advocate hit newsstands this week, and inside you'll find a deep exploration of all things rye whiskey. We offer up new cocktail recipes, purchasing recommendations for any budget, and a look back at what made Pennsylvania such a titan of rye production. Plus, there are more than 95 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide, all of which you can browse right now.As for new whiskies out this week, GlenDronach has announced Batch 19 of its single cask series, Old Line Spirits adds a bottled in bond American single malt to its range, and The Irishman shares details for this year's Vintage Cask bottling. Read on for full details.GlenDronach 1992 Vintage (Cask 217)Style: Single maltOrigin: ScotlandABV: 55.4%Age: 29 year oldPrice: $820Release: March 2022Availability: 383 bottles; GA, MA, NJ, NYGlenDronach 1992 Vintage (Cask 6052)Style: Single maltOrigin: ScotlandABV: 50.8%Age: 28 year oldPrice: $720Release: March 2022Availability: 658 bottles; CA, ID, IN, KY, LA...

Single malts with elevated age statements carry lofty reputations, but age isn't always indicative of superb flavor, and non-age statement (NAS) single malts can be just as tasty as their mature counterparts (and oftentimes for a more appealing price). That's not to say that NAS whiskies don't include aged components, either; in the case of High West's new single malt, for instance, there's whiskey as old as ten years in the blend. Master blenders can also get more creative with their NAS single malts, as evidenced here by Waterford The Cuvée, an expression that marries 25 different Waterford single-farm whiskeys together to great effect.Once most synonymous with Scotland, fantastic single malts are now proliferating across the globe, too, with the following five whiskies from the Spring 2022 Buying Guide representing, yes, Scotland, but also Wales, Ireland, the U.S., and Japan. There may be no age on the bottle, but the flavor inside is undeniable, a fact bolstered below by a...

When it comes to aging whisky, there's no one size fits all approach. There are a number of variables that can impact the final flavor, from cask type and size to climate to warehouse style. Bourbon, for example, requires a new charred oak container, while scotch whisky can be aged in used barrels. This means that bourbon often extracts more flavor from the wood it is being held in, and is at risk of becoming over-oaked if it sits too long, while scotch whisky can continue to climb in age upward of 50 yearsand beyond. The question of whether bourbon can be too oldis a legitimate one, whereas with scotch, extreme aging is only an issue with regard to price.However, if there is one common sweet spot for both bourbon and scotch, it seems to be at 12 years. Across all styles, in fact, whisky at that age performs well, earning high scores and offered at relatively low costs. The Spring 2022 issue features a number of 12 year old whisky reviews, including some from our piece on the whiskies...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select three great value bottles: whiskies with solid scores, modest prices, and wide availability. For the Summer 2022 issue, an Indiana rye, 12 year old blended scotch, and Oregon blended whiskey all ranked as Best Values.Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Summer 2022 issue.
HIGH SCORES, LOW PRICES: BEST VALUE WHISKIES

Hard Truth 4 year old rye88 points, 50%, $40Initially as classic as rye gets on the nose—dill pickle, pumpernickel, peppery spice—but this is filled out by powdered sugar and a touch of honey. The palate is spicy, but not overtly so, with Red Hots and black pepper up front, softened soon after by crème brûlée, vanilla bean, and a hint of cacao. That chocolate is stronger on the finish, but it's overtaken by caraway and dill pickle spear in the end. (41,000 bottles)—Julia Higgins
Old Parr 12 year old blended scotch88 points...

As rational human beings, we are all aware that some things we eat and drink are better for us than others. A glass of water is superior to a sugary cola after exercise, for instance, and an apple is nutritionally more sound than a cream-filled Twinkie or Swiss Roll.So why do we so often reach for the less beneficial option? The answer, of course, is indulgence. That is why the snack cake endures as an American favorite, even many decades after America's fitness obsession first took hold.After fully exploring the category by wandering through the snack food aisles of various grocery stores, I settled on five principal snack cake categories: cream-filled vanilla cakes, cream-filled chocolate cakes, fruit pies, oversized cookie sandwiches, and various forms of glazed or frosted dough, from packaged donuts to honey buns. Then I got to work.What became quickly apparent is the satisfying symmetry of the American snack cake partnering pretty perfectly with the iconic American spirit...

American single malt can sometimes be difficult to describe, taste-wise, even if the rules are clear—made in the U.S., like bourbon and rye, but from a mashbill of malted barley, like scotch and other single malts from around the globe. With no regulations regarding the type of barrel used, some distillers turn to charred new oak, making a whiskey more in line with bourbon and rye, while others rely on used oak, in the style of most scotch producers.No matter your preference, American single malts appeal to most whisky lovers. Our Summer 2022 issue looks at the current state of American single malt, which has come a long way since we first examined the efforts to define ittwo years ago. Whiskey makers across the country are offering their unique takes on this burgeoning style, with some choosing to use peat or other smoke types, others focusing on cask finishing, and a separate group exploring barley varietals. These whiskeys all scored 88 points or more, with McCarthy's among...

Your natural impulse come summertime may be to grab a low-proof whisky and you wouldn't be alone. The typically low ABV of blended scotch in particularmakes for great summertime sipping, approachable on its own, or in a cold, refreshing cocktail like the Penicillin. If you are imbibing in the summer sun, it is always wise to pace yourself, and low ABV whiskies will help you do just that.But there is something appealing about a cask strength pour in the summer months as well—letting the heat in your glass match the heat outside. High-proof whiskies can handle a nice large ice cube, as the whisky slowly dilutes and flavors begin to change. If you are the type to grab something high proof no matter the season, these cask strength whiskies all scored between 88 and 92 points in our Summer 2022 Buying Guide. Some underwent inventive cask finishes, while others are age stated single barrels. They all pack a serious punch though, ranging from 55.4% to 65.41% ABV.
Embrace the Summer...

After years of concentrated efforts, false starts, and anticipation, last week American single malt distillers received the long-awaited news. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) released guidelines for the category, making it all but certain that American single malt will be an official part of the American whiskey lexicon before year-end.Under the TTB's proposed rule—this is technically just a notice to define and recognize American single malt whiskey and isn't final quite yet—the whiskey must be distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery, and must be mashed, distilled, and aged in the U.S. It also has to be made from a fermented mash of 100% barley, stored in oak barrels no larger than 700 liters, and while it may not contain neutral spirits, additives like coloring, flavoring, and blending materials are allowed. As with all other whiskeys produced in the U.S., American single malt must be bottled at 40% ABV or higher as well. Over the next 60 days, the...

Smoked salmon from Scotland is revered the world over, but it may surprise some to learn that Scottish salmon is a different species from those popular in the Pacific northwest. The Atlantic salmon is Scotland's variety, while those fished in the Pacific include chinook, chum, coho, pink, and sockeye. Experts have their opinions on which are the best, but a more important consideration is whether the salmon was farmed or caught in the wild—the consensus being that wild-caught is best. The simplest way to prepare salmon is to pan-fry fillets, which when carefully executed will yield a moist, delightful result, with bigger and bolder flavors coming from wild-caught chinook or sockeye, and the mildest taste found in farmed Atlantic salmon. Either way, a rich scotch single malt makes an ideal partner, with my wild-caught Atlantic fillet benefiting greatly from the accompanying richness and soft spiciness of Aberlour 12 year old. Now shift the fish from the stovetop to the oven and...

When touring northern California, it's not grain that comes to mind, but grapes. A mere hour north of San Francisco lie Sonoma and Napa Counties—home to over 1,700 wineries and the crown jewel of American wine, Napa Valley. While picturesque wineries and verdant vineyards are the main draw, craft distillers have staked their claim in wine country too, and are offering up something different for the wine-loving masses.
Making your way to Sonoma, Napa, or beyond from San Francisco, the closest major transportation hub, is not too difficult—just hop in a car and hit Highway 101, wine country's main artery. In an hour's time, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush expanses of vineyards, and quick trips off the highway will also take you to a number of distilleries. One of the first is Sonoma Distilling Co. in Rohnert Park, a small city with redwoods, creeks, and distant mountain views located on the doorstep of Sonoma County. The distillery is housed in a modern...

If the autumn leaves make you long for brown spirits, there's no better place to sample whiskies from around the globe than WhiskyFest. The fall slate of events is quickly approaching, with whisky lists and seminar schedules still growing. Whisky lovers in San Francisco, New York, and Las Vegas are in for a special evening of rare pours and insights from some of the brightest whisky-making stars from around the world.First up is WhiskyFest San Francisco on October 28. VIP attendees are granted early access and are able to taste a number of limited releases exclusive to the VIP hour, including, Blanton's Gold Edition, Bushmills 29 year old Pedro Ximénez Cask, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 year old (Batch 4), Compass Box Ultramarine, Parker's Heritage Collection Wheat whiskey, and more. Japanese whisky will be well-represented, with Nikka, Hibiki, Kikori, and other distillers pouring a range of styles. Meanwhile, Bay Area favorite St. George Spirits headlines a cast of craft producers...

Good news for stateside scotch lovers: The pound recently fell to its lowest position against the dollar in 37 years (dropping below $1.14 at times), meaning that whisky aficionados can benefit from substantial savings at retail, in duty-free, and the auction market abroad. In UK travel retail, savings can soar as high as 59%; a 1-liter bottle of Caol Ila 12 year old, for example, will set you back just $39 at Heathrow, compared to $97 in U.S. stores. If you're visiting the UK in the near future, it will be well worth it to do some whisky shopping—either in duty free or local stores—to score some whisky at prices below U.S. retail prices. Meanwhile, there's plenty on offer among this week's new releases. Metallica's Blackened has collaborated with Angel's Envy co-founder Wes Henderson on a port cask-finished bourbon, Glenfiddich has added a sherry cask-finished single malt to its core range, and Dewar’s has reintroduced its flagship 12 year old blended scotch...

It’s mid-October, which means we’re drawing ever closer to the spookiest time of year: Halloween. This year, match your favorite sweet treat to a whisky—take Raisinets, for instance, which are a fantastic complement to George Dickel 11 year old Bottled in Bond given the lush, deep, dark fruit qualities of that whiskey. Of course, it's not just chocolate treats that suit whisky, and this guide offers up our favorite Halloween candy-and-whisky pairings.
As for new whisky, being in the thick of fall also means that new releases continue to flood in. Aberfeldy is back with an 18 year old whisky aged in red wine casks—this one from a Tuscan winery. Kentucky Peerless brings back its absinthe-finished rye, while Michter's returns with its 20 year old straight bourbon. Read on for full details.

Aberfeldy 18 year old Tuscan Red Wine Cask
Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Highland)Age: 18 year oldABV: 43%Price: $130Release: October 2022Availability...

It's all about bourbon in the Summer 2017 issue of Whisky Advocate. Explore the storied roots and exciting present of America's native whiskey—now made in nearly every state—and find out why its future is so bright. Plus, get to know the legends of the bourbon world—people like Parker Beam, Booker Noe, and Elmer T. Lee—and discover the best whiskies that showcase their legacies. And try out seasonal cocktails, as well as food recipes designed to pair perfectly with bourbon.

Planning a summer road trip, or heading to another city for work? We'll help you find the best local whisky bar, including recommendations for places that have live music, great food options, amazing cocktails, and even cigars. And even if you're just passing through, check out our top picks for airport whisky bars.

Plus, learn to pair whisky with steak (or incorporate it into your burger), explore the nuances of peat, and delve into the science of barrel entry proof and...

Last Friday, we kicked off the fall WhiskyFest season with WhiskyFest San Francisco, where throngs of whisky lovers came together to enjoy over 400 different whiskies. And last night, the fun continued with WhiskyFest New York, an event that drew even more fans and had plenty of top-tier whisky names in attendance. If you’ve missed out on these events, or want to get in on some superb sipping once more, WhiskyFest Las Vegas is on December 2nd at Resorts World Las Vegas; for now, tickets are still available.
In new whisky this week, there are plenty of limited releases coming out ahead of the holiday season. Angel’s Envy returns with the 11th edition of its cask strength port wine barrel-finished straight bourbon, Booker’s has released its third whiskey of 2022, and Balvenie adds three new rarefied single malts to its Stories lineup. Read on for full details.



ANGEL’S ENVY CASK STRENGTH (2022...

What a year it’s been for American single malt whiskey! Over the summer, the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau (TTB) released guidelines for the category, a decision that was years in the making. Following a 60-day required commentary period that concluded in late September, the guidelines are in line to be finalized; this is expected to happen before the end of the year. While recognition of the category and the emergence of formal guidelines didn’t change anything in the day-to-day for most distillers, it likely marks the start of a much broader understanding of what American single malt can be.
Now other distilleries are certainly lending credence to this newly minted category—look no further than Jack Daniel Distillery, which launched an American single malt of its own earlier this month. With that release alone, it seems safe to say that we can expect plenty more American single malt whiskey in the months and years to come.
For our Fall 2022...

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, the holiday season is upon us, but we've also spent the week counting down our annual Top 20 list, with the full list officially out today. Check out our pick for Whisky of the Year, a bonded Tennessee whiskey priced at just $30, and see if any of these exciting whiskies catch your eye or look right for the whisky lover in your life.
New releases this week include the latest iteration of High West's High Country single malt, the third release in the Bushmills Rare cask series, and the 2023 bottling of Barrell's New Year blend. Read on for full details. 

High West High Country
Style: Single malt Origin: Utah Age: Not stated ABV: 44% Price: $80 Release: December 2022 Availability: Limited
Need to know: 
High Country is High West’s ode to Scottish single malts, and as such it blends single malt scotch techniques with American whiskey making. Its 100% malt mashbill...

As autumn's cooler temperatures drift over New England, travel to the region heats up. Vacationers may have flocked to New England’s beaches and coastal destinations during the summer, but in fall they focus farther inland, where the vibrant display of autumn foliage blankets much of the region.
Vermont-based WhistlePig’s blender Meghan Ireland.
Yet there’s more reason to travel to New England in the fall than just those treebound pops of color—or for the apple and pumpkin festivals that inject a bit of revelry into many of the region’s quaint towns. Distilling in New England is back in a big way. Making spirits here can be traced back to the 17th century, and although rum was the primary product for centuries, whiskey production has come on strong over the past two decades, which means there’s no shortage of great whiskey distilleries to see and experience.
Here we spotlight eight New England distilleries that make carefully...

Of Canadian whisky, legendary whisky writer Michael Jackson once wrote, “Whatever their labels say, all Canadian whiskies are of the same style.”
While that may have been true in 1987, when Jackson penned those words in his “World Guide to Whisky,” one needn’t be a whisky expert to know that things are much different today. Not only are the ranks of Canadian whiskies now populated by a large number of straight ryes—a style that Jackson bemoaned as “a shame” that Canada lacked them in his day—and all sorts of other whisky types, including ersatz “bourbons,” triple distilled whiskies inspired by the Irish tradition, and a steadily growing coterie of single malts.
It is in that final camp that Canadian whisky may have its greatest potential.
“We have some of the best grain growers on the planet,” says Tyler Dyck, CEO of British Columbia’s Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, “If...

American whiskey makers are staying busy in the new year. Shortly after reporting that Nelson's Green Brier plans to renovate its Nashville distillery, news broke that Traverse City Whiskey Co. began construction on what will be the largest whiskey distillery in Michigan. Traverse City is targeting early 2024 to have production up-and-running, with a plan to open to the public several months later.
While Michigan whiskey drinkers will have to wait for more Traverse City, there are a number of new releases this week worth getting excited about. Heaven Hill extends its Heritage Collection with a 20 year old corn whiskey, Westland announces the 7th edition of its Garryana single malt, and Sagamore Spirit is bringing its 8 year old rye nationwide. Read on for full details. 
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection (2023)Style: Corn whiskeyOrigin: KentuckyAge: 20 year oldABV: 57.5%Price: $290Release: March...

To understand rye whiskey’s remarkable revival, one first needs to understand the modern renaissance of the cocktail—because both have followed the same curve. As America moved through the latter half of the 20th century, rye had become about as unfashionable as the top hat and cane. In the mists of childhood Christmases past, I can recall rye as a drink favored by my great-aunt Mary, who always requested it—rye being her shorthand for a Manhattan. The rye in the home liquor cabinet was Old Overholt, the workhorse of rye’s wilderness years. My dear old auntie certainly knew how to appreciate rye, but she was part of an aging, dwindling generation of devotees.
It was a bleak time for rye whiskey, and years would pass before its revival would show even a flicker of life. The first spark came in 1987, when bartender Dale DeGroff—nobody would have called him a mixologist back then—helped relaunch the Promenade Bar at the Rainbow Room, high atop...

These days, there’s more Japanese whisky on the shelves than ever before, and you don’t necessarily have to spend an arm and a leg to get it. Distillers are exploring unique barrel finishes and highlighting specific regions of Japan, meaning that there’s a true world of whisky to explore from this small island nation. The following releases reviewed in our Buying Guide encompass a range of styles, including peated single malts, blends, and rice whisky, and they come from a variety of producers—not just the Japanese names you may be familiar with already. If you're looking to delve deeper into Japan’s whiskies, consider one of these fine bottles.
Savor One Of These Japanese Drams
Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu The U.S. Edition 202192 points, 53.5% ABV, $325
The nose is abundant and generous, with a delicate integrated fruitiness and a fine sprinkling of cask spices: peach, dried apricot, baked orange, polished wood, rose-scented...

The Vendome pot stills at Michter’s Fort Nelson distillery in Louisville have had quite a life. They were built in 1976, and first made whiskey in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, for Pennco Distillery—a contract distiller whose clients included a small brand called Michter’s. How did those very stills end up in Kentucky, and what other hands did they pass through? We detailed their origin story, and how they ultimately landed with Joseph Magliocco, owner of the Michter's brand today.
There’s new whisky aplenty this week, starting with the annual Ardbeg Day single malt, this one a particularly peaty dram. Elsewhere, Crown Royal returns with the final edition of its Noble Collection, and Proof and Wood has another Polish rye in the offing. Read on for full details.
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: Not stated
ABV: 46%

The historic county of Perthshire in central Scotland, home to such famous scotch whisky names as Aberfeldy, Edradour, Tullibardine, and Glenturret, is set to welcome a newcomer. Kythe Distillery will aim to create a “beautiful, old-style” Highland single malt, inspired by some of the most historic scotch whiskies ever bottled.
Kythe—a Scots word meaning to demonstrate or make known—will be a farm distiller based at Hills of Bendochy Farm, three miles outside the twin towns of Bengowrie and Rattray. The project is currently awaiting planning approval, with production slated to begin in late 2024.
The venture is led by three whisky experts. Jonny McMillan, currently a Berry Bros. & Rudd whisky specialist, will be the distillery manager. Aaron Chan, founder of Hong Kong-based independent bottler and whisky bar Club Qing, will serve as Kythe’s chairman. Angus MacRaild, an old and rare whisky specialist, consultant, and writer, will be the whisky...

We regularly cover new whiskies here at Whisky Advocate, but with some bottlings, we delve just a little deeper. This week, for instance, there are two new projects in the mix: a single barrel Empire rye from New York Distilling made exclusively for the Brooklyn-based Wythe Hotel, and an entirely new brand from master blender Dixon Dedman. The Empire rye is a celebration of Brooklyn's rich distilling and cocktailing cultures, which both have been reborn in the past decade, while Dixon Dedman's release marks an exciting new chapter for this acclaimed Kentucky blender, who's best known for reviving Kentucky Owl back in 2014.
Of course, there are plenty of additional whiskies to present this week. Michter's is back with the latest edition of its highly coveted 10 year old Rye, Nikka returns with an age-statement Japanese single malt, and Nelson Green Brier sweetens its range with a bourbon finished in a honey-coated cask. Read on for full details.
Michter’s 10...

Fresh fruit, syrups, and kiwi liqueurs all make for a great twist on traditional serves for a Caipirinha, Martini, Margarita, or Mojito. Encountering the aromas and flavors of kiwifruit in a whisky sipped neat is not common, but it is perceptible if you know where to look. The trick is to not try to isolate the flavor. Start your search among tropical fruit notes, where mango, papaya, guava, and passion fruit are the more typical flavors to be found. Kiwifruit notes can also be discerned in acidic citrus notes, and occasionally the artificial flavor of fruit candies.
Kiwifruit is native to southern China, and was once known as Chinese gooseberries. The main commercial genre, called Actinidia deliciosa, is now grown around the world in warm climates, with California producing the biggest U.S. crop. The cut surface of the kiwifruit has a white firm core, ringed by tiny black seeds that in turn are surrounded by a flavorsome and fleshy green apple-colored outer layer. The skin...

This Sunday is Mother's Day, and while the classics are always a safe bet—think flowers, chocolate, and jewelry—what better way to celebrate the whisky-appreciating mom in your life than with a memorable trip to a distillery event? Distilleries across the country are hosting events this weekend, ranging from a gift market at Westward Whiskey in Portland, Oregon happening tomorrow to a special guided tour of Sagamore Spirit in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday. Of course, the "Succession" lovers among us know that Sunday is also the eighth episode of the final season—we've rounded up a complete list of whiskies spotted on the show, as well as some recommendations of our own that will have you sipping as the Roys do.
As far as new whiskies go, Hirsch pays homage to a past release with a new single barrel Kentucky bourbon, Santa Fe Spirits debuts an American single malt from New Mexico, and Colorado-based Laws Whiskey House is back...

With six taps of a golden hammer, Brora’s master distiller Stewart Bowman sealed the bung on cask 001—the first cask of Brora whisky to be laid down in more than 38 years. The iconic Brora Distillery in the Scottish Highlands reopened last week, ending a long silence that began with its shuttering in 1983. At a ceremony to mark the occasion, master blenders Jim Beveridge and Craig Wilson looked on as Diageo archivist Jo McKerchar recorded cask 001 in the distillery’s ledger—on the same page as the records from Brora’s last working day.
The distillery’s buildings are now once again alive with warmth and light, and filled with the aromas of a working Scottish malt producer. With the endangered Scottish wildcat as its emblem, Brora has tradition at its heart: it’s equipped with a rake and gear mash tun, the two original copper pot stills refurbished by hand, and their corresponding worm tubs. The restoration team scoured...

It’s fun to sip and discuss the ins and outs of Islay’s various whiskies, and most peat lovers have their favorite. But when it comes to picking the Islay distiller with the strongest suit in aged whiskies, there is no debate: it’s Bowmore. As the oldest distillery on the island, Bowmore’s reputation for ultra-aged releases somehow seems fitting. It’s very much Islay’s elder statesman, standing somewhat apart from its more precocious fellow islanders with a certain dignified, almost aloof, image. The peated element in Bowmore’s whisky doesn’t scream quite as loudly as the others do either, but is instead more subtle and understated, defining the Bowmore style.
Despite a somewhat imposing image, Bowmore is a friendly place that welcomes whisky lovers to visit its centuries-old cellars and its airy malt barns. Yet there is a mystique to it all, and much of that aura swirls about those aged whisky archives—most notably those from...

In this new round of releases, Beam Suntory is at it again with yet another collaboration whisky, this one a blended scotch called Ardray, curated by the Scotland and Japan production teams. It's the third cross-global collaboration by Beam Suntory since the company was formed in 2014. The first came in 2019 with Legent, a Kentucky bourbon distilled at Beam and finished by the Japan blending team in a variety of wine and sherry casks. Next came Ao, first launched in Japan and Travel Retail in 2019 and introduced in the U.S. earlier this year, made with whiskies from Beam Suntory distilleries in five countries. Now comes Ardray, as the company seems determined to create some sort of collaborative, international niche within its vast whisky portfolio.
There were lots of other whiskies unveiled this week, including a new Weller family member, the latest red wine cask finished expression from Aberfeldy, the third release of Colere from...

Throughout my childhood in Montréal, summer vacations were spent in Maine. Each July, my parents would bundle us kids into the family car for the long drive to Kennebunkport, where we would spend days on the beach and nights at the self-catering School Days Inn.
For my mother and father, a highlight of the trip was the opportunity to dine on lobster, an experience pretty much confined to high-end restaurants back when the Atlantic fisheries weren’t as developed as they are today. And because my siblings and I were freaked out by these odd-looking creatures, we were more than content to eat hot dogs in front of the television while my parents cracked claws by candlelight.
I don’t recall what they chose to accompany their lobster back then, but I’m pretty sure my parents weren’t drinking any sort of whisky. Which is a shame, because so long as the heft of the spirit is kept in check, whisky can be a superb companion to all sorts of...

Diageo is getting set to release its annual edition of Prima & Ultima, its most collectible whiskies on offer. This year’s edition, which goes on sale next month, contains 8 bottles in all, as with previous releases. Only 413 sets will be available for sale, at a price of £45,580 ($56,865), up 25% from last year. The company has created a web page for collectors to log on and register their interest at theprimaandultimacollection.com, and that site will close on October 11.
Whiskies in the collection are from Brora,  Clynelish, Lagavulin, Pittyvaich, Oban, Port Ellen, The Singleton of Dufftown, and Talisker. Highlights from this year’s releases include a Talisker 46 year old (its oldest bottling ever), the last 1996 Oban casks from 1996,  the last 1977 American oak hogheads from Brora, the last 1978 American oak hogsheads from Port Ellen, and the final 30 year old from Pittyvaich. Read on for more details.

Brora 1977
Style: Single...

A bounty of new whiskies is on offer this week, with American whiskey weighing in heavily as usual. Blackened and Rabbit Hole have teamed up on a collaborative bourbon, while Russell’s Reserve offers its second single rickhouse release. Still Austin has a new bottled in bond high-rye bourbon, and Ross & Squibb is asking a cool $200 for its 15 year old limited edition Remus Gatsby Reserve. In scotch whisky, we all received great news with the return of Glenglassaugh. This distillery was acquired by Jack Daniel's owner Brown-Forman back in 2016, and that purchase also included Benriach and GlenDronach. While we've seen master blender Rachel Barrie turn her formidable talents to Benriach and GlenDronach, it's been a quiet time for Glenglassaugh. But now it's back and with a troika of new releases that should delight single malt scotch drinkers. Also from Scotland, Johnnie Walker Blue has a new collaborative effort...

Whisky can be transportive, evoking memories of places you've been and trips you've taken. Distillers know this well and sometimes use it to great effect. Look to Dr. Bill Lumsden, the director of whisky creation for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, who has time and again used his own experiences as inspiration for his creations. In the Glenmorangie "A Tale Of" series, he's explored Scottish forests and the delights of enjoying a dram by the fire, and now he's fathoming Tokyo through a glass with Glenmorangie's A Tale of Tokyo release. And while only the most adventurous among us have been to the  Isle of Harris, this tiny island in the Outer Hebrides has a distillery. This week it introduces The Hearach, its very first single malt—a  gently peated Islands expression that arrived on the eighth anniversary of the distillery's opening. That one seems likely to be a transportive experience of its own.
Isle of Harris isn't...

From each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select whiskies they consider to be the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. From the Fall 2023 issue, we've selected this honor roll. Four of the Editors’ Choice selections this time around are American single malts, three are scotch whiskies, and two are ryes.
95 McCarthy’s 6 year old Oloroso Cask Finished American Single Malt (2023 Limited Release), 56%, $120
Yet another 6 year old from McCarthy’s single malt from Hood River Distillers in Oregon, this one finished in oloroso sherry casks. Lots of smoke on the nose: smoked meat, barbecue, and sooty charcoal aromas reminiscent of Laphroaig. On the palate, more smoke but with some fruit notes of apple, cherry, and orange, along with bitter chocolate and charcoal embers, all wrapped in beautiful campfire smoke.
94 Santa Fe Colkegan Cask Strength Small Batch American Single Malt (BBL98), 59%, $80
This offers aromas of sweet...

Whisky isn’t the only spirit that’s caught the cask-finishing bug. Beam Suntory’s El Tesoro tequila has unveiled a new añejo expression: El Tesoro Mundial Knob Creek Rye Edition. The new tequila from La Alteña Distillery features a 12-month cask finish using barrels that held Knob Creek rye for seven years. The aim is to give the tequila some of the rye’s sweeter and spicier notes, namely vanilla, dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, and orange peel.
This is La Alteña’s second whisky cask-finished expression. In 2021, the distillery released El Tesoro Mundial Collection The Laphroaig Edition, its first showcasing of this style. That release saw an El Tesoro añejo tequila spend an additional 12 months in Laphroaig 10 Year Old casks. The goal was to impart some of the Islay single malt’s maritime salinity and peat smoke notes onto the tequila. That was the first release in the Mundial Collection, an experimental line that...

WhiskyFest San Francisco is just a week away and, as always, will be the West Coast’s whisky event of the year! With 245 whiskies available for tasting it’s the place to be for everyone—from those just setting out on their whisky journey to aficionados alike. In addition to whisky, brandy, gin, rum, and tequila are available for tasting.
VIP ticket holders will have the opportunity to taste rare and interesting pours like Compass Box’s Metropolis, Dewar’s Double Double 21 year old and a 27 year old, and Johnnie Walker Blue, to name a few, for scotch lovers. American whiskey fans have the opportunity to taste expressions like Elijah Craig 18 year old, Dickel x Leopold Collaboration rye, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra, Parker’s Double Barreled, and more. Irish, Japanese, and world whiskies are also in the lineup with the likes of Nikka Japanese whisky, Kavalan from Taiwan, and Redbreast Irish whiskey, among others.
Beyond the VIP hour, all...

On March 25th 1981, Ardbeg Distillery closed and the stills ran cold, and at the time, nobody knew if they would ever run again. A downturn in the scotch market saw Islay pay a heavy price as demand for peated stocks of whisky for blending diminished. Distilleries around the island closed or shifted to reduced production. New hope for Ardbeg didn’t come until the end of the summer in 1989 when the distillery reopened, using moderately peated malt from nearby Port Ellen Maltings for its production. But there was more turbulence in the whisky markets during the 1990s and Ardbeg’s fortunes were short-lived as then-owner Allied Distillers Ltd shut the distillery again in 1996 and put it up for sale.
The Glenmorangie Company Ltd. bought the distillery and remaining inventory in 1997 and set about its restoration, upgrading the equipment and buildings to make the distillery operational again. “I undertook a comprehensive review of the character of the Ardbeg stock, and...

The Single Malt Society of Madison knows how to have fun with whisky. The club holds monthly themed tastings under epic titles like Ardbegeddon and Laphroiagasm. They know how to go the extra mile, too: The annual Halloween meeting typically is held in a graveyard, and each January, the members have a Burns Night dinner.
“We have one main rule for people who want to be a member,” says club president Jason Craig. “And that is, no wet blankets. We try to make the club very fun as opposed to stuffy.”
Society members credit Craig for his colorful ideas and advanced planning; for the past two years, he has constructed yearly themes like peat and cask-finishing, with each month’s meeting a sub-genre of that theme, a single-brand vertical or a flight of oloroso sherry-finished whiskies, for example. “The theme-ing of it,” Scott Rogers, a member since 2016, says, “I think it has really helped define things and make it more of an...

From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its remarkable rise as a global whisky powerhouse, Japanese whisky reflects a journey of innovation, craftsmanship, and international acclaim. Rooted in traditional techniques yet always pushing boundaries, this spirit has captivated connoisseurs worldwide, earning prestigious awards and setting auction records, all while staying true to its unique Japanese essence.
Japan Whisky on the World Stage
It can be easy to dismiss Japanese whisky as merely a late to the party, East Asian facsimile of what the Scots had been producing for centuries, but that’s hardly the case. Yes, Japanese whisky lovers did have a palate for scotch, and initially, Japanese whisky was built on a scotch whisky profile, but even from the get-go, they had the desire to make it their own. As early as 1937, Suntory had released Kakubin, fueled by Shinjiro Torii’s earnest desire to take advantage of Japan’s remarkable terroir to...

No matter the style of gin (and there are a few), you can always count on a bounty of botanicals, as the spirit harnesses some of the most potent and arresting flavors nature has to offer. Generally speaking, gin can be distilled from any raw material; from rye, wheat, barley, or corn, to potatoes or grapes. Genever, the oldest style of gin, is an exception to this rule, as it must be made from grain. The majority of gins are dry and juniper-forward—think London Dry as the pinnacle of this style—and they’re augmented by the likes of citrus peel, coriander, and countless other botanicals in bespoke blends. Old Tom gins are outliers in this respect, as unlike their dry and herbaceous counterparts, they’re notably sweet, be it from the addition of sweeteners or barrel aging. Of note: Old Tom is the only style that can be called “barrel-aged” according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). All other gin exists only as an unaged...

There’s no more fitting time to raise a dram of your favorite scotch whisky than January—specifically on January 25, or Burns Night, which honors the birthday and legacy of 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns with special events and suppers throughout Scotland and around the world. These "Burns dinners" typically include traditional Scottish fare, from haggis to neeps and tatties to, of course, scotch whisky, as well as poetry reciting, most notably of Burns’ “Address to a Haggis,” bagpipe playing, and general merriment.
If you can’t make it to Scotland to toast the country's national poet, worry not: here are some venues across the United States that are holding their own Burns Night celebrations to immerse you in Scottish culture, and scotch whisky.
BOSTON
Not Your Usual Burns Night
Thursday, January 25, 2024, multiple entry times, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square...

This week welcomes a handful of unique cask finishes that aim to sweeten the deal. In Kentucky, Woodford is releasing the latest edition of Double Double Oaked, a fan-favorite bourbon that’s finished for an additional year in heavily toasted, lightly charred new oak. From Tennessee, the Nelson’s Green Brier Cask Series gets a maple syrup cask-finished bourbon, adding a touch of natural sugary sweetness to its flagship whiskey. And across the pond, there’s a brand new range of peated Speyside single malts from Glenallachie Distillery, each of which is finished in a different combination of casks but with the intent of drawing out a sweet, smoky house style. Elsewhere, there are new ryes from Green River in Kentucky and Texas’ Devil River, as well as blended American whiskey from Buzzard’s Roost. There's also Lodestar, founded by cousins and entertainment industry veterans Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroderthe. Read on for more details.
Green...

We firmly subscribe to the notion that Irish whiskey should be consumed all year round and not just one day a year, so with St. Patrick's Day in the rearview mirror, we figured your home Irish whiskey selection might need a bit of restocking. So here’s our whiskey version of Johnny Cash’s “Forty Shades of Green”—in the shape of 40 wallet-friendly Irish whiskeys.
The 40 Best Irish Whiskeys Under $50
94 Limavady Single Barrel, 46%. $50
This butterscotch and candied peel-tasting single malt made our Top 20.
93 Kilbeggan Single Pot Still, 43%, $45
Inspired by an old Locke family recipe, this has citrus, stone fruit, and fizzing pot still spices.
92 Knappogue Castle 12 year old, 40%, $42
This easy sipping single malt has notes of green apple, lemon meringue pie, and vanilla custard.
92 The Legendary Dark Silkie, $46, $44
Peppery barbecued meat, brown sugar, and orchard fruits on this peated blend.
92 The...

WIth tax season upon us, many of you might be feeling a bit lighter in the wallet around this time of year, and one way to stretch your dollar is by choosing a higher-proof whisky. While these powerful whiskies aren't for everyone, the best ones deliver bold flavors and aromas that are well worth savoring. But the buyer must sometimes beware because high proof is not always an indicator of quality. Some lesser whiskies will keep the proof jacked up to mask imperfections, banking on the idea that a drinker will expect a high-powered liquid to taste brawny and more rustic.  But the best high-proof expressions are not necessarily like that. Our panelists will often write about a high-proof expression that "holds its proof well," meaning that the structure and essential flavors are very much discernible, the key advantage being that they are delivered in a more bold and powerful way. The best examples are sometimes described as being easy to taste...

The origin of the names of most whiskies is pretty easy to fathom—usually founders’ names like Jim Beam, Jack Daniel, and George Dickel—or recognizable locations like Bardstown or Breckenridge. But sometimes you come across names and have no clue about their provenance. Frankly, if we love the whisky, most of us don’t spend much time thinking about the meaning behind its name. Just for the fun of it, we’ve taken a look at some of whisky’s more unusual names, and precisely what they mean.
Buffalo Trace
The earliest American pioneers forged through the wilderness on paths first trod by buffalo herds—called buffalo traces—and Buffalo Trace Distillery is built on an ancient buffalo crossing along the Kentucky River. The distillery has had a number of name changes in its history. Once owned by E.H. Taylor, it was named O.F.C. in 1870, and then was renamed George T. Stagg Distillery in 1904. It was purchased by Sazerac in 1992 and...

John Glaser launched Compass Box Whisky Company in 2000, bringing a breath of fresh air to the somewhat hidebound image of scotch whisky that was prevalent at the time. With whisky fans convinced that single malts were far superior to blends, Glaser brought new thinking, radically enlivened the appearance of whisky labels, and ushered in a new culture of transparency about the source and age of whiskies in a blend. The legacy of limited-edition Compass Box expressions makes this a highly collectible brand, but those investing for profit are advised to pick and choose wisely and study carefully.
Compass Box came to wider prominence for many whisky lovers following a David and Goliath-style clash with the Scotch Whisky Association in 2005 over the release of Spice Tree, after objections were raised regarding the legality of using French oak inner stave inserts to age a portion of whisky. In order to comply with the regulations, Glaser’s workaround was to switch to French...

Driving down the road, you pass Rob Cameron’s work every day. The 39 year old is a design manager for a major Detroit automotive manufacturer, overseeing a team of five designers and a sculpting group to develop future automobiles. While his impressive designs may be parked in your very own driveway, you’ll definitely be interested in displaying his stunning side hustle in your bar.
At the height of the pandemic, while on paternity leave for the birth of his second daughter, Cameron needed a creative outlet more than ever. Hunkered down in his home office in the idle hours after the kids were bedded down resulted in extra pours from his collection of 200-plus bottles of whisky. Eying a bottle of Mayor Pingree’s Black Label 13 year old bourbon, he sketched it out one night.
“I love Mayor Pingree,” Cameron says of Valentine Distilling’s offering. “It’s a Detroit whiskey— it’s sourced, but aged in Michigan. It’s...

Scotland and Ireland have been heard from this week after a recent stream of new American whiskeys. In the west of Scotland, May is festival time for Campbeltown and Islay, which brings forth a slew of special releases, including Laphroaig Càirdeas, which we cover here.  Also from Scotland comes the very limited  Daftmill, the Lowlands farm distillery whose highly sought-after whiskies are notoriously difficult to find. From Ireland, Teeling is out with the third edition in its Wonders of Wood series—this one aged in Swedish oak—while Bushmills offers a 31 year old as the fourth edition in its Rare Cask series and The Whistler unveils a 21 year old madeira-finished single malt.
From the U.S., Barrell has a new batch, while Colorado distiller Laws has a trio of bottled in bond expressions. NBA superstar Steph Curry, who came out with his first whiskey, Gentleman's Cut, last year, last week...

Auctions have been buzzing this month, with a frenzy of summer whisky sales delivering impressive results. Yamazaki 55 year old set a new highest auction price of the year this week, with another bottle of The Macallan The Reach 81 year old recently fetching a six-figure sum (see below for further details). Not to be outdone, this weekend’s Whisky Hammer sale includes the chance to bid on both of these collectibles again. We are predicting that June’s 20-highest hammer prices will break $1 million, and it’s looking like it will be the first month of 2024 to outperform the year-earlier period, reversing a downward trend of recent months.
We reported that American whiskey is performing particularly well at auction recently, making notable gains while some scotch and Japanese whisky values have been on the slide. Competition for rare bourbon and rye has pushed prices to new heights and made American whiskeys a regular fixture in our monthly list of the 20-highest...

Booker's is out with its second release of the year, while Elijah Craiig makes a splash during this quiet summer season with its new toasted barrel rye. Jack Daniel's is now on the 13th iteration in its Distillery Series, the experimental annual releases that give the distilling team a chance to tinker with new ideas. This one has Jack Daniel's rye getting a secondary maturation in a new oak barrel. As with the other whiskeys in the Distillery Series, it's being sold only at the Jack Daniel's Distillery gift shop and at selected Tennessee retailers, so enjoy it if you get the chance. From Scotland, single malt whisky Aultmore, which is one of the malts in Dewar's blended scotch stable, gets to shine on its own with the release of 4 cask finished expressions. Elsewhere, Three Chord's Backstage Series, which partners with rock brands, is now live with an Allman Brothers whiskey, while Seattle-based Copperworks has three new American single...

Port and scotch have a long history, as distillers know using barrels left over from aging wine will impart the perfect level of sweetness and fruity notes. But most of the time, red port or tawny port is used. Head bartender Robyn Marfurt and owner Matt Parkinson of The Monkey’s Paw in Chicago, Illinois, decided to play around with white port and whisky. The result, Partly Cloudy Skye, is a beach vacation in a glass.
Knowing acidity and sweetness would play well in a Whisky Sour, Parkinson chose Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry port, a bright white port. “Its minerality called for a complimentary scotch,” he says, so he selected one with plenty of sea salt: Torabhaig Allt Gleann single malt. “The light smoke is an added bonus, giving more complexity to the cocktail,” he says.
Aquafaba adds mouthfeel and also a visual play on seafoam, which both accentuates the whisky's maritime character and gave way to the name.
Whether you want to celebrate the...

On a dreary, rain-slicked day, the grounds of Tenmile Distillery feel more like Scotland than Wassaic, New York, a hamlet of only 210 people that’s tucked away on the eastern edge of the Hudson Valley, just two hours north of New York City. The distillery, which filled its first barrels in January 2020, sits on 70 acres of lush green farmland, surrounded by temperate forests and rolling hills. In a previous life, it was the site of a dairy farm; the single-story white brick stillhouse and barrel warehouse are well-preserved remnants of the farm, with four stills—two pot stills, a column still, and a custom gin still—now located within the century-old dairy barn, and the barrel house (set up in dunnage style) was once used as a cow barn and mill. Altogether, the picturesque setting calls to mind a Highlands distillery, but the Scottish influence doesn’t stop at the exterior—the mash tun and stills were custom-built by Scotland-based still maker...

Update October 16, 2024 – Mackmyra has been rescued from bankruptcy after  approval was granted for it to be acquired. The distillery’s new owners are its principal shareholder Lennart Hero and Swedish investment company No. 1 Capital. Hero briefed Swedish newspapers that the business was purchased for just over 100 million krona, which is close to $10 million. The new owners pledged to retain as many of the existing staff as possible and to develop the Mackmyra brand to give it a greater global presence. It also offers fresh hope to Mackmyra’s many private cask holders who, following the bankruptcy, discovered they had only paid for the whisky but not the casks, which were still owned by the bankruptcy estate. Barrel owners were not entitled to remove their casks either, due to Sweden’s alcohol laws. As a long-term backer of Mackmyra, Hero is expected to honor the existing agreements with barrel owners as the distillery gets back to work. ...

Founded in 2010 in Seattle, Washington, Westland Whiskey has long been known as the leader in American single malt. Because the burgeoning category is so new, by its very nature and existence, Westland has stood as one of the more innovative distilleries in the game. That’s whether by showing full transparency in ingredients and production methodologies in their flagship Westland American Single Malt or in exploring the provenance of the Pacific Northwest through their Outpost Range, working with new grains, local oak, and even peat in producing their iconic whiskey. The Cask Exploration Series might be Westland Whiskey’s most exciting innovation yet.
While the distillery’s previous maturation techniques have looked at virgin Quercus garryana, the Pacific Northwest’s native oak, this new series explores the vast possibilities of cask finishing still available. And yet, with this series, Westland Whiskey still stays very much committed to their home...

Angel’s Envy is creating excitement with today’s official unveiling of a new addition to the range, its first in many years. Elsewhere in the bourbon world, Jim Rutledge, formerly of Four Roses fame, continues his revival of Cream of Kentucky, the legacy brand acquired in 2019, with two new releases. Rutledge's whiskeys are still sourced for now as he moves toward opening his own distillery. Meanwhile, Lux Row has a new sherry cask-finished bourbon, and WhistlePig revs it up with another Formula 1-themed release.
There’s much more on offer, including new bourbons from Hidden Barn, Wyoming Whiskey, and O.H. Ingram, as well as a new cask finished scotch from Speyside single malt maker Speyburn. On the collectibles side, scotch distiller Benromach has a 50 year old single malt, made before Benromach was acquired by its current owner, Scottish independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, in 1993. Alas, the price for this precious liquid falls into the...

Twenty years ago, Danish whisky didn’t exist. Lasse Vesterby, co-founder and CEO at Stauning Whisky considered that peculiar. After all, Denmark is similar to Scotland. Both countries have quality grains and water, as well as a similar climate. Thus in the early 2000s, a few Danes took the plunge into whisky making. 
As it turned out, there was nothing similar between Danish and scotch whisky. Everything from Denmark’s terroir to the Danish bacteria living on the barley was different. In the last two decades, the two dozen Danish whisky distilleries have emerged to produce flavors, processes, and creative thinking that mark out those differences.
As Lasse Öznek, master distiller at Copenhagen Distillery, says, “We do Danish whisky in Denmark…Why should I copy Scottish whiskies?” Located two miles from Copenhagen’s city center, this eponymously named distillery takes every step of the whisky-making process and reinvents it, from...

It was a meandering road that led Barry MacAffer to Laphroaig. A born-and-bred Islay boy, he was well familiar with the distilleries that dotted the island, but never considered working at one; in school, his teachers would tell him and his classmates to do their homework, lest they risk getting stuck on Islay, at a distillery, forever. “They were a wee bit right—I didn’t do my homework, and I did end up getting a distillery job, but they were wrong about being stuck here,” he muses. 
MacAffer landed at Laphroaig in January 2011, after first pursuing careers in the British Merchant Navy, commercial fishing, and dentistry. “I had this idea to move back to Islay [from Glasgow] and build my own dental lab once I was a qualified technician, and that’s when I took a job as an agency worker at Laphroaig,” he explains. “I reckon I was at the distillery for a month before I forgot about the dental lab completely, having found an...

Since its founding in 2000, Compass Box has had plenty of big announcements and tons of game-changing releases, like Hedonism, the grain whiskey that launched the company, the controversial Spice Tree in 2005, and the Extinct Blends Quartet, which got its fourth and final member, Celestial, earlier this year. But 24 years in the making, the company might have just made its biggest announcement yet:  the introduction of a new Core Collection of whiskies.
This is the first big release since the installation of James Saxon as their new whiskymaking director. This new core range has been pared down to four key Scotch whiskies, with each whisky navigating the diverse flavor territories within the category. Fan favorites The Peat Monster (first released in 2003), an intensely smoky blended malt, and Orchard House (2021), a fruit-forward blended malt, remain, with two new whiskies added to the collection in Nectarosity and Crimson Casks.
Nectarosity is a blended Scotch; custom...

This year’s Ardbeg Day release, using whiskies aged 9-13 years, 35% matured in bourbon barrels and the rest in port casks. A peat blast on the nose, softened by tart and sweet notes of lemon. The palate is peated and spicy, with Golden Delicious apples, honey, cracked pepper, charcoal, candle wax, and light soapiness. The finish is long, with apple, smoke, and honey, ending with subtle pepper spice. Spectacular is aptly named. No. 11 in our Top 20 of 2024. 

Port, second perhaps only to sherry, is the most traditional cask used to finish whisky. As with sherry, various styles of port can be used—tawny, ruby, white, rosé, and even vintage port. Port-finished whiskies are often noteworthy for their deeper color and flavors that include plentiful berry notes of cranberry and blackberry, cherry, plum, and chocolate nuttiness, among others. 
Even peated whiskies can be finished in port barrels, and Islay, the spiritual home of peated scotch, has many smoky port-finished offerings. Port-finished bourbons have only been around for a little more than a decade, but they too are now figuring more prominently in port cask finishing. And almost every other whisky country in the world nowadays offers port cask-finished whiskies.
While port finishing’s flavors are discernible to the experienced palate, identifying them is unimportant. Why? Because if you can identify the finish too easily, then...

The House of Suntory has announced the release of the highly limited (400 bottles worldwide) Hibiki 40 year old, the vision of chief blender Shinji Fukuyo. The whisky showcases the art of blending using just five carefully selected whisky styles from three Japanese distilleries, matured for over 40 years.
The blend contains Yamazaki matured in three different oak cask types. The white oak casks were filled in 1978 and 1983, and these components contribute antique notes, pleasing creaminess, and delicate fruit flavors. Yamazaki distilled in 1980 and matured in Spanish oak casks that bring intense dried fruit flavors and astringency, so chief blender Shinji Fukuyo used it sparingly to add depth, complexity, and texture. The mizunara oak casks contain Yamazaki distillate from 1983 which add intensity, richness, and a distinct Japanese character with its aromatic spiciness, incense, and its ability to add textural elements to the mouthfeel. From Suntory's other single malt...

Barrell is back with two releases in its ultra-aged Grey Label series, a bourbon and a rye, the latter being a blend of two whiskies with 100% rye mashbills from an undisclosed Canadian distiller (most likely Alberta Distillers, which is known for its high rye mashbills.) That Canadian entry is the only non-U.S. whiskey on today’s list, which also includes a new 7 year old, high-rye expression from Baker’s—a welcome new addition for Baker's fans, who always want more from this somewhat sparsely available label. Louisville distiller Rabbit Hole, meanwhile, has a limited edition 8 year old rye from its Boxergrail label.
Elsewhere, Blue Note is offering a new honey barrel expression, while Log Still Distillery has a new rye, and Lost Lantern is out with a new collection of 10 year old single cask whiskeys.  Although Halloween and Thanksgiving still await, some whiskey makers are already unveiling their holiday whiskeys. Old Potrero...

The best high-proof whiskies offer a combination of balance, power, and amped-up flavor. Generally defined as being above 50% ABV but often going far higher than that, they make for great whisky sipping any time of year but are perhaps best suited for the winter months. Sipping over ice or with a bit of water—which coaxes out additional flavors—is the preferred tasting method for most people, though some brave souls enjoy them neat. We've assembled this list of high-powered sippers that will make great gifts for the holiday season, or you can enjoy them on your own. There's quite a bit of variety here, with American whiskeys leading the way, joined by a strong contingent of scotch, an Irish expression, and an Irish-American blend. The good news is that they're all priced at $100 or lower, with some coming far below that threshold.
13 High-Proof Whiskies Perfect For The Season
95 points - Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release Coy...

We’d wager that for most people, it’s only natural to think first of Kentucky, and then perhaps Tennessee, when thinking of American whiskey. After all, the two southern states possess rich distilling histories that stretch back hundreds of years, and today Kentucky makes about 95% of all bourbon on the market. But there’s another state right next door with a rich whiskey history of its own: Indiana.
The Hoosier State is home to the city of Lawrenceburg, once known as Whiskey City, USA thanks to its prolific rye production from the mid-19th century up to Prohibition. The city, which lies just west of Cincinnati, and under 2 hours northeast of Louisville, built its first distillery in 1847. Originally called Rossville, it has gone through a series of name changes over the years—from Rossville to Jos. E. Seagram Lawrenceburg, then Lawrenceburg Distillers, more recently MGP, and currently Ross & Squibb. It’s a distillery that has supplied whiskey for...

For the kid in all of us, pairing whisky with cookies can be a delicious combination that highlights the best flavors of each. Or you can enjoy a liquid version of a dessert with the Tough Cookie, created by San Francisco-based mixologist Heather Hoffman. This playful, buttery, spiced cocktail is something only those with mature tastes can truly savor. It blends caramel shortbread cookies with a hint of coffee and a whisper of gentle peat smoke.
The cocktail is a tribute to Hoffman's visits to her grandparents in the Midwest. “They were truly the epitome of cool—a couple whose warmth and charm left a lasting impression,” she says. “I find myself reflecting on cherished memories of hopping on a plane back home to gather with them by the crackling fire.”
No matter your relationship with your elders, this cozy cocktail may at least take you back to simpler times.
The Tough Cookie

1 1/2 oz. Highland Park 12 year old (or other lightly...

Burns Night, the annual celebration that marks the birthday of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, is toasted every January 25th with suppers, songs, drams, and readings around the world. A few years ago, the University of Glasgow built a Burns Night interactive map that showed more than 2,500 Burns Night celebrations taking place globally, leaving out the countless number of private Burns Night parties and suppers. You can celebrate Burns Night like a true Scot, but the occasion calls for any type of gathering you wish. The only de rigueur item for the evening is whisky, which was an integral part of Burn’s everyday life and is mentioned frequently in his poems and songs, including Tam O’Shanter, John Barleycorn, and many more.

All of which begs the question: What scotch whiskies are best for Burns Night? While any scotch will do, it’s fun to toast the bard with whiskies of his old stomping grounds.
Burns was a child of Lowland Scotland, and...

Koji whiskies are essentially barrel-aged shochus, typically made from locally grown rice or unmalted barley. They’re produced in Kyushu, southernmost of the five main islands that make up Japan. Koji is a type of mold that’s a catalyst for fermentation under the right conditions. The base spirit is usually single-distilled in stainless steel, often by a process called vacuum distillation, which lowers the boiling point. The spirit comes off the still at 42–45%, and koji whisky quickly takes on the flavors of the chosen cask as it matures, whether it’s a sherry, sakura, or Islay cask. A very similar drink is awamori, made from Indica rice on the distant island of Okinawa.
The U.S. is the only country in the world—including Japan—where koji and awamori are classified as whiskies. It’s an anomaly that has developed a cult following here. This fandom has been created by Chris Udhe of California-based importer ImpEx Beverages Inc., who is so...

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, it's easy to fall on reliable standbys like a dozen roses and a candlelit dinner, or for the whisky lover, a favorite bottle. While all are fitting, this year, go the extra mile for that special someone who enjoys a dram with one of these whisky-centric gifts. Step out of the hours-long florist line and opt for a flower-adorned bourbon cocktail kit, or treat the whiskey lover in your life to a customized bottle with a special message on the label. Single malt scotch lovers will be head over heels with a truffle assortment infused with their favorite whiskies. 
J. Mattingly 1845 Custom Bourbon Experience 
Kentucky-based J. Mattingly 1845 is offering a choice of their signature double staved bourbon or rye in a customized 750ml bottle for $99.00. Send a sweet message with a fully customized label, followed by a selection from three different bottle shape options...

Known for its strikingly dark appearance, stout beer has a fairly successful relationship with whisky. Both work well served side by side—especially to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, when it’s all but expected to pair your favorite Irish whiskey with a creamy pint of Guinness. Other drinkers even mix the two together, for popular concoctions like Irish Car Bombs. But some whisky makers have taken things to the next level, using stout cask finishes to elevate their expressions.
Stout casks are quite popular with distillers who specialize in single malts. Part of the reason for that lies in the fact that both drinks are made from barley, and thus have complementary flavor profiles—rife with dark chocolate, coffee beans, espresso, fudge, and roasted coffee. That combination is perhaps best seen in Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask Finish, a 95-point beauty from Islay that was named our 2021 Whisky of the Year. It was finished for 4 months in Guinness...

The exemplary 17 year old, discontinued in 2004 and revived as last year’s Ardbeg Day special release, returns. A blast of balanced and beautiful peat on the nose, with lemon tea and charcoal. The spiced palate also offers raisins, brown sugar, and dark berries. There’s lots of punch and flavor considering the low ABV. Great length on a finish of vanilla, peach, and red berries, with the fruit and sweetness in command. (Release date: 9/24

The nose brings lemon shortbread, coastal breezes, and salted caramel, joined by earthy peat smoke, which verges on a beach bonfire aroma, then damp moss and seasoned oak. It’s a solid pour with a substantial mouthfeel, sweet and honeyed initially, with sea salt, smoke, ginger, and candied pineapple, fading to pear and vanilla with touches of supple oak. The finish is delightful, with tobacco, allspice, and vanilla seeds. (Release date: 3/25; 274 bottles worldwide

Regardless of how or where you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, you'll need to have Irish whiskey on hand. Whether for sipping neat, with a splash of water, on ice, in a cocktail, or chased by a Guinness, we have you covered! There are four main styles to explore: Single malt, made from 100% malted Irish barley and either double or triple distilled; single pot still, known for its spiciness and distinctive oily mouthfeel, made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, and occasionally adjunct grains such as oats and rye; single grain, made from different grains in a column still; and blended, made from a combination of any two of the above styles. For the Irish diaspora scattered across the world, St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to raise a glass to the old country. When it comes to which whiskeys to pour, we’ve selected everything from neat pours to make-at-home Irish cocktails. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, whether you’re Irish or...

Ginger manifests as an earthy, pungent, and spicy influence in whisky, but it’s a flavor with the versatility to complement savory and sweet flavors too. Unquestionably, it can be hot and fiery, yet it can yield citrus, herbal, and woody notes as well. It’s one of the world’s most familiar spices and has strong associations with cooking, baking, and drinking traditions.
There’s fresh ginger, with its bulbous, gnarly rhizomes, there’s ground ginger sitting in the spice rack, and there’s the sweetness of crystalized or candied ginger. Many associate ginger with comforting treats such as gingersnap cookies, ginger cake, and gingerbread, and its close cousins lebkuchen and pfeffernüsse. For others, it’s about the fresh ginger that perks up stir-fries, broths, salads, and curries in Asian and Indian cuisine, or the slivers of pickled ginger or gari served alongside sashimi.
Ginger's Flavor in Whisky 
Ginger brings a host of...

What ages together, goes together. Or at least that’s the case with whisky and rum. Though one starts with starch and the other with sugar, both are imparted with color and flavors from their time spent in barrels and while they’re distinctly different, they share similar flavors. So when you shake or stir whisky and rum together, the uniform flavors fade into the background, allowing their unique attributes to take the spotlight. “It creates a beautifully layered and balanced drink,” says Keena Hanson, training and development bar manager for Ida Claire and Haywire in Dallas, Texas.
To form a harmonious marriage for a tasty cocktail, note the spice levels, alcohol contents, and flavors of your spirits. Since rum tends to be sweet, it lends itself to partnering with peated scotch, spicy rye, or other bold, heavy whisky. Still, if you prefer bourbon, you may want to choose a drier rum. Or simply let the recipes below guide you to sugar and spice...

The modern whisky business is driven forward by innovation, and distillers have many avenues to explore in creating bold and dynamic flavors. Sometimes the focus is on the mashbill, using uncommon grains like rice or quinoa, or employing unique strains of grains like Jimmy Red corn or Orkney-grown Bere barley. Some smoke their grains with things other than peat—including mesquite wood and even sheep dung. Others play around with finishes, tapping casks that previously held unusual contents or virgin barrels made from exotic woods.
One area that’s seen great attention recently is maturation. It seems like a simple enough process without much room for innovation: Barrels are loaded into a warehouse where they’re stored until coming of age. But some whisky makers have turned that notion on its head—putting their distillate through unconventional aging regimens, which run the gamut from gimmicky to far outside the box. Here we’ve rounded up some of the...

The week's new releases are led by Wild Turkey 101 8 year old, which isn't a new release at all, but one that's been enjoyed for some time in overseas markets and is finally coming home to U.S. distribution. Elsewhere, Jefferson's has a new cask strength offering, and Indiana's Old Hamer label has a new 10 year old bourbon. Smaller releases were announced from Copperworks, Lasso Motel, and Round Barn. In scotch, Royal Salute adds to its Polo collection. Among collectibles, there's a new iteration from Macallan Distill Your World,  Glenrothes tops the age charts with a 51 year old, and The Last Drop has a three-bottle release showcasing an ultra-aged bourbon, scotch, and Japanese whisky. 

Royal Salute 21 year old Rio de Janeiro Polo Edition Blended Scotch
ABV: 40%
SRP: $250
Availability: Limited; specialty retailers including  Flaviar and Caskers 
Royal Salute is releasing a new expression in its Polo Collection, its globe-trotting...

In scotch whisky, Ledaig, the peated label of Torbermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull, has released a cask strength 10 year old, while Oban offers a very sherried 15 year old. From the Irish whiskey space, Midleton Very Rare's 2025 Edition uses six different whiskeys of two styles—three single pot still and three grain. Of equal interest is Dingle's U.S. debut of a single pot still whiskey, while Natterjack introduces The Deliberate Mistake, aged in virgin oak casks for a year longer than intended.
Ledaig Hebridean Moon Scotch Single Malt
ABV: 58.8%
SRP: $113
Availability: 7,000 bottles worldwide
Ledaig is Tobermory Distillery’s peated label (the Isle of Mull distillery also makes the Tobermory unpeated label). This new single malt was aged in bourbon barrels and is Ledaig’s first-ever cask-strength 10 year old, and the distillery is billing it as a one-off, with just 7,000 bottles available. It also holds the distinction of being the...

Mashing is the stage in whisky production that takes place right before fermentation, but it’s seldom mentioned in discussions of the whisky-making process. Distillers touting flavor usually talk about maturation, finishing casks, rare heirloom grains, exotic brewing yeast strains, or specialty malts. Mashing is not a big topic, and high-gravity mashing even less so. 
While high-gravity mashing sounds like something that might require assistance from NASA, it’s actually fairly straightforward. It involves scaling back the amount of water added to the mash tun, to create a more concentrated and flavorful wort prior to fermentation. The “gravity” part merely refers to the overall density of the wort, which contains a higher intensity of certain flavor-bearing esters. It’s a technique used by scotch distilleries including Inchdairnie and Teaninich, and has now been deployed by Ardbeg for Smokiverse, its Fèis Ìle release for...

Initially matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, this was finished in Spanish wine casks for 5-6 months. A mingling of smoke, dark fruits, maraschino cherry, juicy red berries, vanilla wafer, peppercorn, and chocolaty peat smoke invade the nostrils. Beautiful expression of apple and raspberry fruit, the smoke more apparent after the alcohol peaks, retaining the smoke, then bold spices, creaminess, and fruit into the finish. Preferable with a dash of water. (Release date...

Finished in ruby port casks after an initial maturation in bourbon and European oak sherry casks, this indulgent, satisfying dram is the standout in this collection. Assuredly peaty on the nose, with cranberry, strawberry bubble gum, black currant mousse, and fine spices. It’s soothing and smooth in the mouth, showing milk chocolate, fudge cake, brown sugar, and salty smoke, then a finish of chocolate lava cake and peat smoke. (Travel Retail exclusive; Release date...

An experimental combination of PX sherry- matured Ardbeg and spirit made from roasted malt matured in bourbon barrels. Mallo Cup, Ricanelas, peat smoke, creosote, burnt sugar, and Sun-Maid chocolate-covered raisins on the nose. This succeeds in shifting Ardbeg’s resilient core profile to show flavors of snickerdoodle, milk chocolate, peppercorn, roasted spice, and smoked meat, lightening the mood with red apple, roasted nuts, smoke, cinnamon toffee, and a thick chocolaty finish. Sip it neat. (Release date...

Finished in PX after maturing in bourbon and oloroso casks, the nose offers dark chocolate, coffee bean, morello cherry, peat stacks, and pineapple delight. It’s elegantly smooth on the palate, with orange peel, chocolate, dried vine fruits, vanilla essence, and a well-balanced delivery of smoke before a drying finish of dark chocolate. This expression encapsulates the best features of Bowmore in the new Sherry Oak collection. (Release date...

Matured in bourbon barrels, octaves, and calvados casks, this has excellent balance on the nose with pear, star fruit, heather honey, summer blooms, sand dunes, and breezy peat smoke. An opulent mouthfeel with harmonious transitions between flavors, it shows syrupy orchard fruits, brioche loaf, peppery smoke, creamy almond, vanilla sponge, dried pear, and orange peel. A mouth-coating finish brings sweet honey, woodsmoke, and banana. No water needed. (Release date...

The oldest release in the Sherry Oak range is finished in first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks after being matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. The aromas are captivating with aged tobacco leaf, oolong tea, velvety peat smoke, manuka honey, and vanilla pod. On the palate, strawberry and peppery smoke, but the sweetness fades to savory notes of smoked duck, with plums and red berries lingering into the finish. (Release date: 10/24

Gaelic for “morning sky,” the recipe includes whiskies matured in French and Italian red wine casks. Jammy fruits and spice on the nose, with bramble, raspberry, maritime notes, allspice, and clove. The palate abounds with fruity freshness, showing apple, orange, and fruit Life Savers, developing flavors of sweet honey, cashew, salted caramel, and candied orange, giving way to citrus peel and peat smoke on the finish. (Travel Retail exclusive; Release date: 2014...

The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is a series of collectible Irish whiskeys released between 2020–2025, representing the last whiskey distilled at Old Midleton Distillery and totaling six releases in all. The four single pot still whiskeys, peated malt, and blend in the collection sell for a combined $291,000, with the early releases making several appearances in our auction coverage of the 20-highest hammer prices of the month. As the final chapter is released, Whisky Advocate has reviewed every bottling over the six years of this remarkable project, and our ratings and full tasting notes are below.
Chapter 6 Details
The sixth release is a 50 year old single pot still whiskey priced at $60,000, the oldest Irish whiskey released to date, that has been bottled to mark the 200th anniversary of the distillery’s founding. It was distilled by Max Crockett, the forefather of modern Irish whiskey, whose son, Barry Crockett, master distiller emeritus, was...

Matured in bourbon barrels and finished in sauternes casks, the subtle peat smoke dances among honeyed fruits, with aromas of white peach, apricot, mango, lemon zest, almond cookie, and vanilla. Concentrated honey and orchard fruit flavors on the sip, plus ginger root, peppery spice, vanilla, and crème caramel, followed by a syrupy finish of vanilla, honeycomb, and lingering candied ginger. Yes, it’s sweet, but complex too, thanks to the ginger, smoke, and spice. (Travel Retail exclusive; Release date...

Heaven Hill’s Grain-to-Glass bourbon returns after its successful debut last year, which also featured a rye and wheated bourbon. Thus far, the 2025 edition includes only the bourbon, with the other two labels in the trio due out later in the year. Elsewhere in bourbon, Old Fitzgerald’s Spring Edition is right on time this year, in contrast with some previous years where this seasonal release was delayed by a few months, and Chattanooga Whiskey has a 2021 vintage bottled in bond expression. In scotch, Speyside distiller Glenrothes has a new 15 year old, which joins the permanent portfolio, while Dalmore is out with a new Luminary expression. From the Lowlands, the innovative InchDairnie Distillery has two new expressions, both flying under the  KinGlassie name.
Heaven Hill Grain-to-Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2025 Edition)
ABV: 52.5%
SRP: $100
Availability: Limited
The second edition of Heaven Hill’s grain-to-glass bourbon—a...

The whisky inside the final Bowmore Distillery and Aston Martin ARC-54 series spent 19,710 days inside barrels nestled within the distillery’s cool, damp No. 1 Vaults. Distilled in November 1968, the liquid comprises the second and final collaboration between Bowmore and the luxury British automaker. It spent 54 years in two separate casks before marrying for 15 months. The price for one of the 130 handblown decanters produced? $80,000. (Given that a Bowmore ARC-54 The Iridos Edition just sold at auction for $121,384, that SRP doesn’t look quite so high.)
How Was Bowmore ARC-54 Made?
We got a chance to taste this whisky—notes are forthcoming—but first, a little on how it was crafted. Bear in mind, in 1968, then-owner Stanley Morrison had only recently purchased Bowmore, one of less than a dozen distilleries on Islay, and installed a new steam heating system, which became instrumental in producing the iconic Black Bowmore offerings.
Bowmore...

For many whisky fans, the Orkney-based Highland Park is synonymous with the name Gordon Motion. That’s because, for 27 years, this accomplished blender has been a prominent figure at the distillery, leading its production team and spearheading its many innovations over the years. Now, after nearly three decades at the helm, Motion has retired from his post as master whisky maker and the distillery has appointed a successor.
A Long and Storied Legacy
Motion’s journey into the whisky world was unlikely. He was first bitten by the whisky bug during his university years, while he was working on a degree in computer science. He was already an avid homebrewer at the time, but he fell in love with the idea of working in spirits after visiting some scotch distilleries. Thus inspired, he earned a postgraduate degree in brewing & distilling and found work in the industry.
After cutting his teeth at a few breweries and a malting house, Motion was hired by Edrington in...

One of the more curious appetizers of the 21st century must certainly be the slider. After all, they’re simply sparingly garnished small hamburgers, yet sliders hold an allure their larger and more copiously accessorized cousins do not.
Perhaps it’s their cuteness. Or their portability. Or maybe they really are something quite different.
First introduced by the White Castle restaurant chain in 1921, it’s been said that the slider served to assuage the American public’s widespread distrust of the cleanliness of ground beef at the time, presumably the same reason the castle was white, suggesting hospital-like sterility. It’s only within the past two to three decades, however, that the slider has made the jump from fast food and hors d’oeuvres to restaurant staple.
Leaving aside for the moment the many variations served today, the basic mini-burger slider differs from its regular-sized counterpart due to the way it is cooked. Often...

In 1940, an American oak sherry cask was filled with new make scotch whisky from Glenlivet Distillery, and today it’s set to become the latest chart topper as the world’s oldest whisky. Scheduled for release in October 2025, this Gordon & MacPhail 85 year old from Glenlivet Distillery was laid down in cask No. 336 by John Urquhart, and his son George, great grandfather and grandfather of the current owners. Only 125 decanters of this 85 year old whisky were created, bottled at 43.7%, with bottle No. 1 heading for auction at Christie’s, New York in this coming November. The decanter will be unveiled in October, designed around the theme of “Artistry in Oak” in partnership with American architect Jeanne Gang. The retail price of this 85 year old Speysider will not be revealed until after the auction, but collectors can register their interest here. Proceeds from the auction will go to the non-profit group American Forests.

With this release...

Independent scotch blending house Compass Box has been going through many big changes since its acquisition by London-based investment group Caelum Capital in 2022. In February 2024, Compass Box announced that Hedonism—the grain whisky blend that launched the brand in 2000 and had been a staple of the core range for over 23 years—would become an annual expression going forward. Fans would be rocked again just days later when John Glaser, the brand’s maverick founder, parted ways with Compass Box after over two decades at the helm. He was succeeded as whisky making director by James Saxon, who had been with the brand for over five years.
With its flagship whisky turned into a high-end limited release, the face of the company gone, and a new blender at the helm, Compass Box was set to usher in a new age at the start of last year. The first major shift was a shake-up of the core range, with Spice Tree and Story of the Spaniard getting replaced by two new blends...

The Whisky Advocate Awards system has evolved over the years, just as the industry itself has undergone impressive changes and progress. We started giving out awards in 1994 and continue to so today. Many of the whiskies we once loved are no longer available, and some of people we've honored have since passed on, but we continue to celebrate their legacy.
Whisky Advocate's 17th Annual Awards (2010)
Best Buy Whiskey of the Year—Tie:Evan Williams and Very Old Barton 6 Year Old Bottled in Bond
Artisan Whisky of the Year: Kilchoman (Summer 2010 Release)
American Whiskey of the Year: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Canadian Whisky of the Year: Forty Creek Confederation Oak
Irish Whiskey of the Year: Redbreast 12 year old
World Whisky of the Year: Amrut Fusion
Scotch Whisky Blend of the Year: Compass Box “Flaming Heart”
Scotch Whisky Single Malt of the Year: Glenfarclas 40 year old
Industry Leader of the Year: Glencairn...

With around 50 operating whiskey distilleries and thousands of traditional pubs, the Irish drinking scene has much to offer the whiskey lover. While the island is small enough to fit into California five times over, it packs in a huge amount of distilling power and whiskey history for its size. Our suggestions will help you tailor your itinerary to ensure you take in the very best distillery tours, bars, restaurants, whiskey shops, and visitor attractions the Emerald Isle has to offer.
DISTILLERIES

Midleton Distillery Experience
County Cork
At the recently revamped Midleton Distillery Experience, visitors enter the lobby to find a wall of 1,100 whiskey bottles before being ushered into the new auditorium to watch an immersive video as the tour begins. Midleton, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, is home to all the Irish Distillers labels—including Spot Whiskeys, Redbreast, Powers, and Method & Madness. It’s worth taking the extended...

In addition to the upcoming launch of Old Forester Statesman and a new Islay cask-finished bourbon from Berkshire Mountain Distillers, there's a new whiskey from Buffalo Trace's Experimental Collection hitting shelves. Plus, Crown Royal has unveiled the second release in its limited-edition Noble Collection.Buffalo Trace Organic 6 Grain WhiskeyStyle: BourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: 7 yearsProof: 45% ABVPrice: $46.35 (375ml.)Release: May 2017Availability: Extremely limited quantitiesNeed to know:Buffalo Trace's latest Experimental Collection release combines six grain types—corn, buckwheat, rice, brown rice, sorghum, and wheat—into a single bourbon. The whiskey was distilled in 2010 and matured in just eight new charred oak barrels so, as with other Experimental Collection releases, there's very little of it.Whisky Advocate says:Although most bourbon uses some combination of corn, rye, wheat, and/or malted barley, this one has a six-grain mash bill. At over 51% corn, it still...

I've always found Father's Day gift guides kind of pointless. Then, a magical thing happened: I became a father. Hey, maybe dads do need a gift guide! One that includes only things we truly need and love, like whisky. Of course, my young daughter has no money, lacks an acceptable ID, and couldn't get herself to the liquor store if she wanted (she can't even walk yet). So perhaps I'll have to hope someone helps her with this year's father's day whisky purchase. (Hint, hint!)A Whisky For Every DadFor the new Dad:WhistlePig Boss Hog 14 year old—92 points,$300Nobody needs or deserves a whisky more than a new dad. (Ask me how I know.) For the third annual Boss Hog release, this Vermont distiller/bottler took 100% Canadian rye and finished it in scotch hogsheads. The barrel-proof result is an intriguing, one-of-a-kind spirit that's fruity and earthy with a chocolate cake-like heft and a burnt, smoky finish. Whisky may be forbidden for teething infants these days, but dad will be thankful...

There is a lot of new whisky this week, but the biggest release has been out for a while. Lagavulin 8 year old first debuted in 2016 as a special edition whisky celebrating the distillery's 200th anniversary. It has now officially been added to the Lagavulin range permanently, joining the 16 year old and Distiller's Edition.While more bourbon will soon be made in Bardstown at Kentucky Owl Park, this week's new bourbons all come from outside the state. Virginia's A. Smith Bowman is releasing a $40 port-finished bourbon as part of its permanent lineup. Isaac Bowman Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Casks is available in Virginia only right now, but will expand to other states in the near future. And FEW Spirits in Illinois has three new whiskeys with unusual finishes as well: FEW Bourbon and Rye finished in Copper & Kings brandy barrels, and FEW Bourbon finished in Sicilian wine casks. There are limited amounts of each whiskey, available mostly in Illinois and, for the wine cask...

Whisky: it's so hot right now. Especially if it's finished in Tabasco hot sauce barrels, which is the case with a new flavored whiskey from Tennessee's George Dickel. In fact, "Hot Dickel" takes things even further by blending in distilled Tabasco, creating a spicy spirit with a capsaicin kick. If you're into it, the whiskey is a permanent part of Dickel's lineup and will cost $25.For those who don't like to mingle condiments and whisky, there's a new blended American whiskey from Hotaling & Co. (formerly Anchor Distilling), makers of Old Potrero. The blend includes Old Potrero 18th-Century Style Whiskey, Old Potrero Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Port Casks, and Kentucky bourbon. Called J.H. Cutter after a historic whiskey brand, the 48% ABV whiskey costs $50 and is available in a handful of states.From Scotland come two new single malts in the Port Askaig line: an 8 year old and a 14 year old. Each sourced from a different, undisclosed single malt distillery on Islay, the...

Bourbon is required to rest in new oak vessels, and the oak-forward flavors the barrels impart are a hallmark of this American whiskey. Scotch whisky distillers traditionally mature their whisky in the second-hand vessels that once held bourbon or sherry, which eliminates the astringency of fresh wood. However, some scotch producers are being wooed by new oak casks, frequently dubbed “virgin oak.” While a few scotches are matured entirely in virgin oak, often times virgin oak casks are used in combination with traditional used casks or applied only for a brief secondary maturation known as finishing.11 Great Scotches Aged in Virgin OakNew charred oak imparts a flood of color and flavor that can give the initial impression that a spirit is older than it really is. Benromach Organic is aged in new oak and bottled between 5 and 6 years of age, but the whisky's color resembles that of scotch aged in sherry casks for 12 years or more, according to Keith Cruickshank, Benromach's...

It's been another big week for whisky lovers. Westward Whiskey announced a partnership with Diageo's Distill Ventures unit, a move that allows the American single malt brand to expand its production and availability.Diageo also unveiled full details of its 2018 Special Releases, including pricing. While some information was previously available, the company announced that its tenth Special Release whisky this year is a blended malt called Cladach. Not every whisky will be available in the U.S. We got all the details.Meanwhile, there are many other new whiskies coming out now and in the next few weeks. The third 2018 batch of Booker's is hitting shelves. Called "Kentucky Chew," it was aged 6 years, 4 months, and 12 days and clocks in at 63.35% ABV. It has the usual price tag of $70-$75.Bowmore has unveiled the third and final whisky in its Vintner's Trilogy, a 27 year old that matured first in ex-bourbon barrels and then in port pipes. The second maturation actually exceeded the first...

In an industrial section of Los Angeles, a fantasy jungle grows inside a warehouse. Populated by animatronic topiary dinosaurs, talking plastic parrots, and an autonomous AI personality named Tessa, this steampunk theme park houses Lost Spirits Distillery. Here, ideas about whisky—and whisky itself—are deliberately challenged, broken apart, and remade.Lost Spirits founder Bryan Davis ushers me aboard a flat-bottomed wooden boat, which he pilots through darkness filled with simulated thunder and wind, toward an “island” of tiny fermenters and pot stills topped with dragon heads. Here, behind a heavy wooden door, in a starkly bare room, futuristic-looking devices emit otherworldly bright light, while hoses snake like tentacles to the ceiling. It all appears too outlandish to be true, but Davis has a slightly mad twinkle in his eyes and chuckles as he tells me, “One thing you'll catch as you go through this: all the jokes are real.” It would be easy to dismiss Davis as a...

According to the latest figures, over 1.9 million people flocked to visit over 40 Scotch whisky distilleries open to visitors in 2017. And there's more to come, as both new and established distilleries welcome whisky lovers with larger venues, new experiences, and greater access. Peak months are June to August, so make sure you leave enough time to check out the latest visitor experiences on your whisky vacation itinerary.Best Insider TourBowmore Vaults Secrets Tasting TourBehind-the-scenes access to Bowmore Distillery, including the traditional floor maltings and a peek inside the thick-walled vaults that protect the casks from the waves. Enter the Vaults Secrets tasting cellar for a cask tasting and leave with a precious Bowmore 100 ml cask sample in your back pocket. £70/$100Best Romantic StayLuxury Overnight Stay at Isle of Raasay DistilleryBe among the first wave of visitors to experience Scotland's newest island distillery, on the Isle of Raasay between the mainland and the...

There are few better ways to earn a fine dram or a cold cocktail than riding a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon or scrambling over boulders to the summit of Grand Teton. Fortunately, America's national parks offer surprisingly forward-thinking alcohol policies and sophisticated dining and drinking experiences. Many of the historic lodges offer modern cocktail creations and interesting whiskies that would be at home in any major city. Best of all, they're a bargain: the national parks are a federally owned public service and mandate reasonable food and drink costs, so you'll find luxury resort selections at small-town prices. Beyond the in-park lodges, you're generally welcome to pack a whisky into the wilderness. There are 59 national parks in the U.S. and these are just a few of our favorites, so grab your boots and go track down some whisky in the wild.Yellowstone: Wyoming, Montana, and IdahoThe first Western explorers who visited Yellowstone described it as a land of fire and...

The biggest news of the week was the reveal of Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year and full Top 20 awards—a list that has something for everyone. Be sure to check it out! And then keep reading to discover the week's newest whiskies.First up, Balvenie has crafted a new 50 year old single malt, priced at $38,000. Just 110 bottles are available worldwide.Compass Box is rolling out its Myths & Legends trio in the U.S. The series includes two single malts and one blended malt scotch, all priced at $150 apiece; availability is around 4,400 bottles of each variant.Clyde May's is re-releasing its cask-strength expression with an added year of age. There are 3,000 bottles of Clyde May's 11 year old Cask Strength, priced at $120.Royal Salute has debuted a blended grain whisky, the Snow Polo Edition. It's available at travel retail for $155.High West is launching a single malt whiskey (sort of) that's all made in-house. Initially for sale in Utah for $80, it will go national in 2021.Wigle...

We all welcome that rare guest who's able to happily mingle with others. Likewise, a whisky mixer with personality really enlivens an evening compared to yet another dull soda or ho-hum ginger ale. These sodas and cocktail ingredients are so tasty and original they might end up being the life of your whisky party.Put some pep in your cocktail with these top-shelf whisky toppersBittermilk Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned—$20/250 mlTastes like: Gingersnaps and root beer-like earthiness; gentian root and cinchona bark lend bitterness, balancing golden cane sugar, orange peel, and spices.Mix this: An elevated Old Fashioned, using high-proof rye or bourbon such as Wild Turkey 101.Fentimans Dandelion & Burdock—$6.50/750 mlTastes like: A medicinal yet balanced blend of fermented ginger root extract, beet sugar, pear juice concentrate, and other herbal infusions.Mix this: Herbal intensity pairs well with big caramel flavors of a high-proof bourbon.Fentimans Ginger Beer—$6.50/750...

It's a fixture of nearly every introductory scotch tasting and leather-bound whisky list: the map of Scotland's whisky regions. Literally a wayfinding device, the regional map is meant to assist in navigating the diverse flavor landscape of scotch: peaty Islay, grassy Lowland, fruity Speyside, and so on. These “regional styles” are usually presented as unquestioned truth, but the reality is much less clear-cut. On the surface, regional styles are a way to quickly get oriented, but at times they can be misleading.These Scotches Embody—And Refute—Regional Identity“Regionality is quite useful for helping people to explore Scotch whisky—it's a good starting point,” says Gregg Glass, blender and whisky maker at Whyte & Mackay. Liquor stores organize scotch by region; tastings start with Lowland single malt (alleged to be light and easy) and end with Islay (heavy and peaty); and that map seems to be everywhere. But if you taste enough single malts, you'll eventually try a...

Whisky Advocate reviewed 135 whiskies in the Summer 2020 Buying Guide—everything from peaty scotches to age-statement bourbons, plus half a dozen American single malts. These highly original whiskeys belong to a vibrant, sometimes contentious movement in American whiskey that isn't yet bound by a legal definition, and tasting them is the best way to explore this new frontier.The lack of formal regulations hasn't prevented American single malt whiskey from flourishing, with more than 150 distillers across the country creating an incredible diversity of flavors. The Summer issue features an in-depth look at these producers and their whiskeys, exploring the issues around the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission's effort to officially define the style, and hearing from distillers who believe it's too soon to establish strict regulations.Can such a disparate group of innovators reach consensus? Pour a glass of one of these American single malt whiskeys from the Summer 2020 Buying...

If Peter Piper really did pick a peck of pickled peppers, what sort of whisky do you think he chose to drink with them?The question is not entirely fanciful, particularly if Peter lives in the U.S., since it is estimated that in 2019 the per capita consumption of pickles was around nine pounds. Granted, most of these pickles are made from cucumbers rather than peppers, with roughly 100,000 to 125,000 acres devoted to growing pickling cucumbers in 30 states, led by Michigan and North Carolina. The relatively mild flavor of these cucumbers makes them the perfect blank canvas for several pickling procedures.According to Linda Ziedrich, author of three editions of "The Joy of Pickling," the principal separation in pickles concerns preparation, specifically whether they are fermented or pickled in vinegar. “Vinegar pickles are sometimes called ‘quick pickles' and come to us mainly from British and German traditions,” she explains. “Fermented pickles, on the other hand, come from...

Strap in, because there's a whole lot of new whisky headed your way.First up, Four Roses has unveiled the 2020 Limited Edition Small Batch. Details on the recipes used are below. With a recommended price of $150, there are 14,040 bottles available.Buffalo Trace will release limited amounts of Blanton's Straight From The Barrel starting this fall. Previously only available overseas, the whiskey has a recommended retail price of $150.Ardbeg is rolling out the 2020 release of 19 year old Traigh Bhan. The whisky is priced at $300 and available in limited quantities.GlenDronach's latest whisky in partnership with the Kingsman movie franchise is a 1989 vintage. It's priced at $1,299, with just 3,052 bottles available worldwide.Bardstown Bourbon Co. is releasing a bourbon finished in Copper & Kings Destillaré orange curaçao barrels. There are 3,000 bottles available, priced at $125.Pinhook is launching its flagship Bohemian bourbon, distilled at Castle & Key. The whiskey is widely...

When is a whiskey not actually a whiskey? We explored the question in our Spring 2020 issue, and that feature is now online. Take a read if you haven't already—you'll be better equipped to understand why we call brands like Angel's Envy "finished bourbon" and not just "bourbon."On to new releases. Bushmills is debuting a 28 year old single malt that spent a very long time in a cognac cask. The first whiskey in its Rare Casks series, it's priced at $500 with less than 500 bottles available.Highland Park is launching a cask-strength single malt. Produced in batches, the whisky will be widely available, priced at $90.The 2020 release of Angel's Envy Cask Strength hits shelves next month—and this year, it's available in all 50 states. There are 17,400 bottles to go around, priced at $200.Bruichladdich is launching all of its annual Octomore whiskies at once: Octomore 11.1 ($200; 30,000 bottles), 11.2 (£140; 8,000 bottles), 11.3 ($260; 18,000 bottles), and 10 year old ($235; 12,000...

In "What's It Worth?" our resident auction expert examines the collectibility of a distillery, brand, or series. Here he breaks down the value of Ardbeg's popular Committee Releases.Just three years after reopening, on Jan. 1, 2000, Ardbeg Distillery launched the Ardbeg Committee, a fan club that's free to join and offers members access to special releases and other privileges. The goal was to build up a loyal following and ensure the Islay distillery never fell silent again; during the 1980s and 1990s, production had been spotty, with long periods of disuse at the distillery culminating in closure in 1996.One large perk of joining the Ardbeg Committee is access to its exclusive bottlings, many of which have become collector's items—though plenty are opened and enjoyed. The earliest releases were available by mail order and took time to sell out, but as Ardbeg's fan base grew, release days were marked by chaotic online scrambles to acquire a bottle—even though quantities are now...

Rabbis are asked to sign many things—marriage certificates, contracts, and the like—but Rabbi Sholem Fishbane never expected to be scrawling his signature on a bottle of whiskey. A neighbor asked him to sign a bottle of Buffalo Trace kosher whiskey. In some ways, Fishbane had already made his mark on the bottle. He's the kashrus administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc), the kosher-certifying organization that worked with Buffalo Trace to ensure compliance of its trio of kosher whiskeys.
Though not subject to the same rules as wine, whisky—just like any other food or drink—can be kosher. To “keep kosher” is to follow the rules of kashrut (also known as kashrus or kashruth), a set of Jewish dietary laws from the Hebrew bible dictating which foods Jewish people can eat and how those foods may be prepared. “Many, many ingredients are inherently kosher, like water, sugar, salt,” says Rabbi Akiva Niehaus, director of kashrus...

Exploring new whiskies is among the joys that we’re able to experience regularly as whisky lovers. But there’s something to be said for familiar favorites—those bottles that first sparked your passion for whisky, or have stayed faithfully in your home bar since the very first sip. For a look at these old reliables, check out this list, which highlights some of those still-great first loves.
Elsewhere, the dog days of summer are delivering a handful of new whiskies, including three different styles of Irish whiskey from Jameson and W.D. O'Connell. The Dalmore has added a new aged single malt within its Principal Collection, High West is re-introducing its Campfire blended whiskey, and Bruichladdich takes another deep dive into Islay terroir with its latest release of Islay Barley. Read on for full details.

The Dalmore 14 year old
Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Highland)Age: 14 year oldABV: 43.8%Price: $90Release: September 2022Availability...

Earlier this week, Woodford Reserve announced a changing of the guard: Elizabeth McCall is now master distiller, while Chris Morris has moved into a master distiller emeritus role. Morris has mentored McCall since she joined Woodford in 2015, and in recent years her influence at the distillery has grown, as she's taken the lead on series like the Master's Collection and guided the distillery toward more in-depth grain research. She's only the third master distiller in Woodford's history, and she joins a growing rank of women at the helm of whisky's biggest names.
In new whisky, there's plenty to celebrate this week. Heaven Hill has released a barrel proof version of its Bernheim wheat whiskey, previously a Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience exclusive; Bowmore has collaborated with luxury automaker Aston Martin on yet another whisky; and Woodford is back with the 18th edition of its Master's Collection. Read on for full details.

Bernheim Barrel Proof 

WHERE IT’S FROM
American whiskey comes in many forms. Bourbon, the most recognized type of American whiskey, can be produced only in the United States, but—contrary to popular belief—does not have to be produced in Kentucky, though most of it is. Tennessee whiskey, however, must be made in Tennessee.
Rye whiskey, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily have to be made in the United States; it’s also widely produced in Canada (see Instant Expert: Canadian Whisky for more information), and elsewhere. Rye that’s made in America is American whiskey, but rye made elsewhere is not.
WHAT IT’S MADE OF
American Whiskey
The United States requires all whiskey to be produced from a fermented mash of grain. Specific categories of whiskey have more exacting requirements.
Bourbon
Bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn, although it often contains substantially...