May 2026

Regular readers will know that I have a particular affinity for House of Hazelwood and tend to anticipate each annual release with genuine interest. The 2026 Charles Gordon Collection continues a philosophy shaped by Charles Gordon, one that places patience at the centre of whisky making and recognises that time, when handled with restraint, remains the most valuable asset at a producer’s disposal.

I had some unfinished business in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl; the last time I had skied at this very resort was in November 2024 during the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup Race, where the likes of Mikaela Shiffrin and Dave Ryding were competing on the Kirchenkar race slope. At that time, seated upon a chair lift, Dominik my ski-instructor had pointed his ski-stick towards ‘Top Mountain Star’ and said your goal is to ski down from there.