Some very brief highlights from The @whiskyexchange Cognac Show (as ever, spent more time yapping/sipping than taking photos!) but such a great weekend with so many amazing things to try and a lovely to see a record turnout of guests, many of whom were new to the category and keen to explore more.
Lovely to see all the hard work from our team and producers paying off đ„
I used the excuse of an unseasonably sunny day to cycle out to @copenhagendistillery , knowing their bar was closed but hoping to pick up some miniatures to take home for sampling, and maybe discover something new and interesting.
What I actually got was a full tour of their amazing space and many samples of incredible liquids ranging from bright and grassy newmake to whisky distilled with deerâs blood (the most metal thing I will ever drink!) and even a fascinating port-aged agave spirit.
The effort and the passion from Master Distiller @lasse_oznek shines through not just in the glass but in the generosity of time (and liquid!) I was shown, and how willingly and enthusiastically I was welcomed into the distillery to discover every step of their meticulous processes.
An appropriate reminder, as the #wearewhisky campaign kicks off, that itâs people rather than products that make this such an exciting industry to work in.
#whisky #whiskey #danishwhisky #singlemalt #copenhagen #denmark #distillery #spirits #distilling #copenhagendistillery #whiskyexchange #gin #agave
#WeAreWhisky is a tribute to all the individuals who contribute to making whisky culture so rich and diverse...the makers, the educators, the writers and the bartenders and, most importantly, whisky drinkers the world over.
Whether itâs that elusive sip of a coveted Springbank release or vintage Macallan, or a warm Jack and Coke at 2am in a dingy dive bar; whisky has the potential to be much more than a drink, but to elevate experiences and bring people together regardless of the occasion.
Iâve spent the best part of my career behind a bar talking mostly about beer, while whisky remained an unpaid passion or post-shift treat, and canât stress how privileged I now feel to not only be a part @whiskyexchange but entrusted to head up the @londondistilleryschool , a pivotal touch point for consumers to engage with, and learn more about, this wonderful and versatile spirit!
#whisky #whiskey #distilling #spirits #whiskies #scotch #singlemalt #bourbon #rye #whiskyexchange #distilleryschool #gin #rum
What better way to toast a Lunar New Year than with the worldâs most popular spirit you may never have seen.
Over 5 billion litres of Baijiu are consumed every year, almost exclusively in China. This grain spirit usually made from sorghum comes in many different expressions ( or âaromasâ) and often showcases a wide array of fermentation character from Qu, a culture made of various yeast, fungi and bacteria.
This example from Ming River is full of super funky esters giving a massive tropical hit, reminiscent of Fruit Salad sweets and overripe pineapple, up front but followed up with spicy pepper phenols that verge on burnt rubber.
Certainly unusual to the Western palate, but well worth a go for anybody into the crazy funk of high-ester rums or slow-fermented mezcals đ„
What better excuse to get back on the #whiskeywednesday train than to toast a new adventure heading up the @londondistilleryschool , and what better juice do so with than another @buffalotracedistillery Stagg.
The dropping of the Jr. feels pretty appropriate as nothing small about this - massive hits of cherry cola & chocolate on the nose, with a hefty palate of burnt caramel and vanilla which does a great job of disguising its 65% strength!
Delicious (and dangerous)
#whiskey #bourbon #buffalotrace #stagg #staggjr #georgetstagg #whisky #distilling #distillery #bourbon #whiskyexchange #distilleryschool #glencairn #dram #wset #spirits
I know itâs still a few hours until December, but getting into the spirit of Chocolate Orange season with this Negroni ft. @58andco London Dry Gin, infused with @land_choc cacao nibs & husks, and @londonvermouth Camilleâs Red (plus Campari obvs).
Tacky garnish optional.
#negroni #chocolate #orange #chocolateorange #chocolatenegroni #cocktail #gin #vermouth #campari #prebatch #londonvermouth #christmascocktail
Seeing as itâs getting colder outside and Iâm still getting over missing @whiskyshow , it seems like a good #whiskywednesday to dive into some @caolila.distillery Distillerâs Edition from 2002. đ„
At first the nose is classic Islay â tons of medicinal peat, but lingering behind that is a hint of spicy fruit from finishing in Moscatel casks. đ·
The palate provides a bit of balance with more sweet spice and dried fruit hitting first, followed by the rich drying smokiness of barbecue embers and autumnal bonfires đ„
#whisky #islay #scotch #singlemalt #caolila #distillersedition #peat #smoke #moscatel #diageo #dram #instadram #glencairn
#MezcalMonday ft. @sin_gusano once again, and today enjoying this Lamparillo - nothing to do with lamps but a species of agave found growing where Mexico meets the US.
As with many of these small batch bottlings, this is a great mezcal to offer someone who typically finds the spirit category âtoo smoky.â
The first whiff on the nose is bright green jalapeño pepper followed up by a rich earthiness almost reminiscent of goatâs cheese(!) The palate is a pleasant surprise of rich savoury olive and roasted pepper with an ever-present hint of bbq that never quite dominates.
Very easy drinker, thank goodness I donât work TuesdaysâŠ
#mezcal #agave #spirits #lamparillo #distilling #distillery #singusano #mezcalappreciationsociety #durango #ultramundo #mexico #smallbatch #agavespirits #wset
