Heavy, even oily, and powerfully peated, Lagavulin 16 Year Old is a whisky which attracts devoted followers. The robust palate and long woodsmoke finish makes it a great cold weather dram. In the past, before single malts became widely popular, Lagavulin was an important part of the White Horse blend, but these days it is […]
Created by former-Bulmers cidermaker, Mike Henneys, Vintage 2011 is the cider that took the all-important pork round in the first Cider vs Wine Contest at The Thatchers’ Arms earlier this year. It was up against pretty stiff opposition in the shape of a rich, Portuguese red, Quinta Do Crasto 2010, and the dish, to be fair, also included […]
Dubbed Black Oil by its good friends, this is a joy. Harviestoun’s already delicious Old Englne Oil Porter is aged in Highland Park 12 Year Old casks, a sojourn which adds numerous layers of complexity. Rich and dark, with plenty of dark chocolate, coffee bean and fig flavours, a subtle smokiness and a dark sweetness, this goes […]
Every whisky has its fans, but some whiskies garner fanatics. Ardbeg is one such. Perhaps it’s because the distillery was nearly lost. Mothballed and neglected during the 1980s, it took a huge commitment and the expenditure of more than £3.5 million by new owners the Glenmorangie company to restore it. Since its relaunch Ardbeg has […]
The latest release from Talisker distillery, Storm turns up the peat smoke and adds a touch more sherry to the mix. The new release is bottled at the same strength as the standard Talisker Ten Year Old – 45.8% – but is made up of a range of ages, including some younger whiskies. These younger elements add a fiery […]
Tamdhu distillery has, until recently, been overshadowed by its erstwhile stablemates Macallan and Highland Park. Now new owners Ian Macleod Distillers have re-packaged it and pushed it into the spotlight. The retro-stylish packaging, which aims to remind us of the late Victorian era when the distillery was built, is certainly very distinctive. But what about […]
A soft, smooth gin, with a bright palate which is well worth trying straight. Langtons No.1 hails from Skiddaw in Cumbria, where two local lads, intent on creating a gin that reflected their roots, discovered a million year old aquifer, or underground water source. It is this slightly sweet water, along with the use of […]
Hold a buttercup under your chin to get an idea of the colour that Shepherd Neame’s new release – Brilliant Ale – pours. Impossibly golden, with its halo of creamy foam, it’s a hugely enticing glass of beer. Lured in further by the gorgeous fresh peach and honey aromas, when you finally stop looking at it […]
Talisker fan James Forbes heads to Opium, a Chinatown speakeasy to meet two new members of the family, Storm and Port Ruighe in the company of Diageo’s Global Scotch Whisky Ambassador, Donald Colville Less a tasting, more a “sensory experience” – burning peat, brine and dry ice sea fog effects, glasses filled with coffee, pepper, […]
Frontier is Fuller’s foray into the craft lager market – not the first of big brewers, nor the last we’ll wager, to attempt this oxymoronic feat. Have they succeeded where others failed? Frontier pours a brilliant gold with an attractive lacy foam. Not astoundingly aromatic but there is a squeaky clean biscuity feel to it, […]
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