Diageo , which owns about a quarter of Scotland’s single malt distilleries, is reportedly planning new products and processes that could fundamentally change the nature of scotch. According to a story in the Wall Street Journal (paywall), the company formed a “secret task force” last year to determine how Scotch whisky is “constrained” in regulatory, legal, technical, and other ways, and to explore the “scope for reform.” That means Diageo is hoping to use its clout to force changes or adaptations to the rules set down in the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009 and upheld by the Scotch Whisky Association...

The biggest news of the week comes from the UK, where Diageo reportedly is exploring ways to innovate Scotch whisky that could fall outside the regulated boundaries of the style. Whisky Advocate took an in-depth look at why “scotch infusions” and whisky finished in tequila barrels might not meet the standards set down in the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009.

Meanwhile, new whisky releases are headed to shelves from Scotland, the U.S., and Japan. Independent bottler Chapter 7 has two 9 year old single cask single malts from the Allt-á-Bhainne and Aultmore distilleries. (If you’re wondering what independent bottlers are...

Drinking whiskey is experiential and requires almost all of the senses—you see the color and clarity, feel the glass in your hand, smell the range of aromas, and of course taste the final product. Other than an initial splash, you can’t much hear whisky, but adding music can elevate the experience.

The 60th Annual Grammy Awards take place on januari 28th (7:30 p.m. EST), and—much as every whisky is unique—the nominees for Album of the Year show off a range of diverse talent. We found a great whisky for every album, from the layered lyricism of Kendrick Lamar to the...

It’s not too late to get into collecting whisky. While the likes of Karuizawa and Macallan in Lalique might be out of reach for most whisky lovers, there are plenty of up-and-coming styles, brands, and bottles that experts predict will appreciate in value. With their fingers on the pulse, five auctioneers share what’s trending now and what they believe is up next.

Irish Whiskey

“We’ve seen a big increase in the number of Midleton whiskeys coming through to auction, especially if they carry a vintage statement or it’s single cask. It’s not just Midleton Very Rare; older single cask bottlings...

Burns Night is upon us. Expect the internet to be filled with pictures of steaming haggises, triple tartan outfits and more kilts than you can wave a sgian-dubh at. Here on The Whisky Exchange blog, I usually offer suggestions of how to break out of the traditional Burns Night mould, but I’ve recently been hit by a wave of nostalgia for Burns Nights of yore, and this year I’m sticking with the classics.

Burns Night 101

Burns Night is a celebration of Robert Burns and takes place on his birthday. He was a Scottish poet (and songwriter, farmer, political commentator,...

Karuizawa is an almost unobtainable whisky. I’m incredibly lucky in getting to try it from time to time, but I hold a strange opinion that gets me strange looks from whisky fans: I think bourbon-cask-matured Karuizawa is better than its sherry-cask equivalent.

Karuizawa’s warehouses back in 2012. Now long gone

Karuizawa has become a cult distillery over the past 10 years, with bottle prices soaring into the thousands of pounds and releases becoming more infrequent. It’s understandable, with the distillery not only closed for almost 20 years, but now also demolished – there will be no more whisky from Karuizawa, barring...

Karuizawa Emerald Geishas (The Whisky Exchange)

The Whisky Exchange is releasing two bottlings from the closed Karuizawa distillery. Like the Golden Geishas in 2017, they come in a pair that exists of a 33 years old sherry cask (54,4% – 170 bottles) and a 35 years old bourbon cask (59,1% – 265 bottles). Both are priced € 4300.

They will be available to buy via an online ballot (click to enter) , which will be running until 4 Februrary.

Karuizawa 51 yo 1964 (Wealth Solutions)

At the same time and even more exclusive Karuizawa 1964 cask #1917 was...

Douglas Laing ’s XOP series (Xtra Old Particular) is reserved for special drams, like this Caol Ila 1984 . We have great memories of one specific 1984 so we’re keen to find out how this one compares.

Caol Ila 33 yo 1984 (49,8%, Douglas Laing XOP 2017, refill hogshead ref. 11620, 216 btl.)

Nose: very refined and elegant. Seashells and beach bonfire, alongside subtle white fruits and lemon oil. A little kiwi tartness. Fresh whiffs of menthol and pine needles. Almonds. Smoked cereals underneath. Mouth: nicely fat, almost chewy with a sweetness coming out first (marzipan, lemon liqueur)....

Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask Finish has been double matured, first in ex-Bourbon American Oak barrels, then finished for 8 months in Chardonnay casks. This version was launched in januari 2016, there seems to be a 10 years old version as well, fully matured in Chardonnay Casks.

Glen Moray ‘Chardonnay Cask Finish’ (40%, OB +/- 2017)

Nose: a warm, oily and very buttery fruitiness. Apples and grapefruits, hints of melon and honey. Lemon cream and oranges. Hints of sawdust in the background. The white wine is easily noticeable, it’s okay but it took some time for me to appreciate...

GlenDronach 1993 , one of my favourite vintages, and we’re trying two single casks head-to-head.

The first one is cask #475 bottled in 2014 for The Nectar and La Maison du Whisky. Thank you, Wim, for this sample! I’m putting it against a bottle that I used to own, but that I opened in a tasting with sherry and whisky: cask #30 also for La Maison du Whisky.

GlenDronach 21 yo 1993 (56,4%, OB for The Nectar & LMdW 2014, Oloroso sherry butt #475, 627 btl.)

Nose: really aromatic, with this typical brandy-like note, polished furniture and all...

The Glengoyne 25 Year Old is matured entirely in sherry casks, predominantly first-fill European Oak sherry casks (the typical  seasoned sherry cask , if you like). Introduced in 2014, it is the oldest expression in the core range (the 30yo and 35yo are considered special bottlings).

It’s a bottle that many sherry lovers have on their wishlist, with a fairly high 90+ rating on Whiskybase (hence often temporarily unavailable in shops).

Glengoyne 25 yo (48%, OB +/- 2017)

Nose: nicely jammy, showing juicy figs and soaked cherries. Some caramel sweetness, vanilla pastry and cinnamon. Plums and blackberries. Chocolate....

A couple of weeks ago I reviewed the 2nd single malt (and single cask) release from Golan Heights Distillery, the brainchild of David Zibell. However, the bread and butter of the distillery is Golani, the two grain (wheat and malted barley) sour mash whisky offering. Golani releases were used to be a one year whisky offering but recently the line up was revamped and now consists of three different Golani products, all carrying a 3 year old age tag:

• Golani Black – matured for three years in new charred American
• Golani Vino – matured in European oak Cabernet cask (from Golan...

Hunter Laing Hepburns Choice Teaninich 2008 (9 year old) 46%...

Edition Spirits Glen Moray 1995 (21 year old) 51.9%...