January 2024

The Whisky Exchange 

Irish whiskey, alongside rum, are two categories I want to delve deeper into during 2024. They both excite me in different ways. Irish whiskey is gaining momentum and there is a real keenness to explore flavours and different finishes. This may not be for the purist, but I actively seek out the different. Single Irish Post Still Whiskey is made from both malted and unmalted barley, making it quite different from Scotch in its flavour profile. 

I recently called into Piaggio UK for a sneak peek of the new Moto Guzzi Stelvio and Aprilia RS457.

These all-new models both represent important steps for the manufacturers. Unfortunately, they were jus for display and we didn't get a chance to ride, but wow!

First up is the Aprilia RS457. This sits between the RS660 and RS125 providing both an A2 stepping for those moving up from smaller capacity bikes and a fast, fun alternative to an unusable litre bike. 

In the heart of Napa Valley lies Joseph Phelps Vineyards, a winery that I fell in love with during a visit in 2004, while conducting research for a book on North American wines. Unlike many other estates, Joseph Phelps had a human touch, an absence of corporate sterility that left a lasting impression. Here, the emphasis was on genuine care and the people who worked there.

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, Stoll and Wolfe was established in 2016 by Dick Stoll, a legendary figure in the whisky industry, and Avianna & Erik Wolfe. This partnership drew deep inspiration from the historic legacy of Pennsylvania distilling, a region once celebrated as the heart of American rye whisky.