As I made a left turn from the A6 in Derbyshire to visit White Peak Distillery located in the stunning Derwent Valley, I was transported to a bygone era, steeped in decades of industrial history. This locale evoked the ambience of an environment where workers might have toiled for 12-hour shifts, clocking out at the end of the day, covered in the grime of their labour, fatigued, and longing for a full plate of homecooked food. It held a certain charm, which resonated with me, as it must have with Max and Claire Vaughan.

As you might expect, this time of year is pretty busy for all drink writers, and I for one have a desk of samples to taste through. This seems to pale into insignicance though compared to the sheer amount of Whisky Cask investment firms adverts I am being fed on social media. I urge you to avoid these and the promises of great returns unless you have specialist expertise. It is not regulated, casks are often vastly overpriced and you may not even own the cask you think you have bought. Buyer beware. 

On to this editions tastings:-

GlenDronach

The first ever bottle of serious whisky I purchased (that is non-supermarket) was a GlenDronach, so it holds a special place in my heart. In September I was able to visit the distillery for the first time and enjoy a tour and tasting, in a rather opulent room whilst sitting at a large round table.

To fully savour the Lexus RX experience, we embarked on an unforgettable journey through the scenic landscapes of England, beginning our adventure in Surrey and making our way to Cornwall, where we enjoyed a delightful stay at the St Moritz Hotel in Polzeath. Our return trip to Surrey coincided with the transition from the last rays of summer sun to the arrival of October storms.

Henrietta has written her own account of the Cotswold garden and her creative process.   Her words reveal a spontaneous enthusiasm, heartfelt with a touching sincerity. 

‘The cottage is in the most idyllic spot, we have an uninterrupted view of rolling valleys without seeing another house for miles.  Every inch of the cottage is covered with climbing plants.  We even have a pair of tame robins that feed out of our hand and come when you call them. ‘

Audi, In a stroke of creative genius that amply demonstrates their spirit of adventure, sponsored the 2023 Queens Cup Balloon Race.

Definitely one of the most exciting and thrilling races I have ever covered. Imagine a fusion of rally car driving, classic yacht racing, Georgian airships and three-dimensional chess and you have a rough idea of the Queens Cup Balloon Race. Now throw in a massive sprinkling of great British eccentricity and a dash of those magnificent men in their flying machines and you're there.

Roll out the barrel. After a hiatus of two years since the last Czech ‘Beer Day’ due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual event saw a healthy turnout on its return this September to the grounds of the embassies of the Czech and Slovak republics in London’s Notting Hill.

Mid-October, saw the port of Southampton welcome the first call of MSC Euribia, ready to begin her winter sailings around Northern Europe.

Lug Sole Loafers
Lug-sole loafers are still very popular this season, with many fashion brands incorporating them into their collections. The chunky, rubber sole of the lug-sole loafer provides a practical and comfortable option for those who want to wear a stylish shoe that is suitable for everyday wear. Plus they add a little height if you fancy stretching the look of your outfit.

Prada Soft Padded Nappa Leather Loafers - £960

https://www.prada.com

As a whisky writer, I have the privilege of receiving invitations to a multitude of events, allowing me the opportunity to sample a wide variety of fine and rare whisky. While my passion for whisky would ideally lead to comprehensive articles for each event and whisky, the constraints of time render this impractical. Consequently, I will be introducing a column to provide succinct summaries of my impressions.