whisky

Old Pulteney, known as the "Maritime Malt," is located in the northern Scottish town of Wick. When I saw Northern I really mean it, being a mere 16 miles from John o' Groats. The distillery is deeply intertwined with the maritime heritage of this historic port, as I discovered on a recent visit.

Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts 2024 edition - £64.95 from Master of Malt

Red Bank Whisky by Kiefer Sutherland

I have had the privilege of attending numerous events and meeting an array of fascinating people. Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Kiefer Sutherland at the launch of his new whisky brand, Red Bank. As both a fan of the television series 24 and a whisky writer, this encounter was particularly special for me. 

Tiffon Cognac

Rooted in the heart of Cognac, this family-owned distillery boasts a history dating back to 1875. The distillery was established by Medéric Tiffon, whose passion for cognac laid the foundation for the brand. The early 20th century saw significant expansion under the stewardship of Sverre Braastad, a Norwegian who married into the Tiffon family. Braastad's influence was instrumental in expanding Tiffon's reach, particularly in the Scandinavian markets.

The Whisky Event

One of my favourite whisky events of the year takes place in The Great Room at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane on the 2nd June. Over 60 exhibitors will be present with over 600 whiskies to taste. Unlike other events, the quality of the whisky here is always exceptional, with many fine and rare bottles shared by the distilleries and Independent Bottlers. One of the highlights of the evening is the food - a lavish Kosher buffet that is included in the entry price of £100 (£180 for two people).

In the heart of Scotland's rugged northeast, the Cabrach distillery is breathing new life into one of the country’s most storied whisky-producing regions, 170 years after the last distillery here closed. Nestled within the wild, windswept landscapes of the Highlands, this distillery, with the legendary Master Distiller Alan Winchester, formerly of Glenlivet, at the helm, Cabrach Distillery is poised to make a significant impact in the whisky landscape over the coming decades.

The global spirits industry is witnessing a significant shift towards premiumisation, with consumers increasingly seeking out unique, high-quality products with authentic stories. This trend is particularly pronounced in whisky, where there is a growing appreciation for craft spirits that offer something beyond the mainstream offerings. Arbikie’s launch of Scottish rye fits squarely within this narrative.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society

As a whisky lover, I am unsure why I hadn’t joined the Scotch Malt Whisky Society before. Not only are there a serious amount of their own bottles, but also members rooms throughout Scotland and one in central London. With 32k members worldwide, I am rather slow to get on board!

My desk has been full of samples of late, from a diverse range of distilleries, with little time to write introductions to each. I have therefore elected to focus on tasting notes for this issue, from the historically rich Never Say Die Bourbon to the smoky depths of Morris Single Malt Smoked Muscat. I have included a large array of whiskies, from the peated complexities of Bruichladdich, to the innovative maturation processes seen in whiskies like Abasolo 100% Ancestral Corn from Mexico.