Aberlour A’Bunadh is a Superb, Strong Scotch
I’ve got a new gimmick — collecting cask-strength (barrel proof, if you will) whiskies from around the world. I want to keep at least an outstanding Rye, Bourbon, Scotch and Japanese (which I tapped Nikka Whisky from the Barrel for) on hands at all times…
Hibiki Harmony and a Story of Heroic Hospitality
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the best part of writing about alcohol is how eager people seem to be to share it with you. This is especially true when they’re sharing a whisky as good as Suntory’s Hibiki Harmony. This summer (after months…
Bearface Is a Weird and Welcome Canadian Whisky
Think of a Canadian whisky. I wouldn’t be surprised if Canadian Club, or Crown Royal popped into your head. The taste of those whiskies — or rather the lack thereof — is the hallmark of a dram from the true-north-strong-and-free. That is to say, boring…
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Is a Bourbon Worth Tracking Down
For Americans, finding an amazing bourbon is as easy as popping down to the grocery store and grabbing a bottle for $30. For Canadians, your most basic bottle is gonna set you back a cool $50 — and that’s just for the basics. Outside of…
The Glenlivet Code: A Secretive Scotch for the Discerning Drinker
Having a scotch-drinking mom and a scotch-drinking aunt certainly has its perks. One of those is when a new, cool bottle hits the market, we can split the cost three ways instead of each nuking our wallets for a chance to try it. And few…
Té Bheag Scotch is Decent as a Dram, Heavenly in a Highball
I’m a recovering single malt snob. Like many novice scotch drinkers, I bought hard into the marketing that single malts were the superior whiskies. After decades of dominating the top shelf, this is true often enough. But turning your nose up at affordable blends means…
Oban Little Bay Scotch is More than a Little Good
There’s very few whiskies produced on this earth that I’ve been in the same town in which they’re produced. In fact, outside of my distillery tours to Talisker and Yamazaki, the closest I’ve ever come was driving through the town of Oban during my trip…
Yamazaki 18: A World Whisky Worth Exploring (If You Can Find It)
During my trip to Japan, I had a few goals in mind. Japanese Baseball, sushi in the Fish Market, and tasting the Yamazaki 18. Of course, anyone who knows anything about Japanese whisky knows just how hard it is to find a dram of this…
Yamazaki Distillery Tour: A Behind the Scenes Look at Japan’s Premier Distillery
I am a sucker for a good distillery tour. I was like a kid in a candy shop when my partner and I went to Scotland and I had the opportunity to visit Talisker, and I fully intended on visiting a distillery while in Japan….
Behind the Bar: Ray Zwicker Talks Booze and Beer at Boxcar Social
It’s not uncommon to receive a good whisky recommendation from a knowledgeable bartender. It is rare, however, to have that recommendation come from someone with the official title of “Whisky Director.” But if you’re at the Boxcar Social location on Temperance Street in Toronto, it’s…