By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Ian Macleod Distillers is one of those fixtures of the Scotch industry that the average, casual drinker (even Scotch drinker) has never heard of. That is nothing to be ashamed of; I’d put down some money that 9 out of 10 of the folks who know what The Macallan is …
By Kenrick Thurston-Wilcox Rating: C+ Celebrity-endorsed spirits have become common, using the established star power to boost the status and sales of their products. With products like vodka and gin, it’s relatively easy for a distillery to roll out a product soon after conception, as they do not have to wait any time for the …
By Douglas Fraser Rating: A Blue Run Spirits has been making a name for itself within the bourbon industry over the past few years, helped by their adviser, Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge. Blue Run Reflection I drew on a carefully selected lot of 200 barrels distilled under contract at Castle and Key Distillery in …
By Kenrick Thurston-Wilcox Rating: B Situated at the base of Mt. Fuji, 7.5 miles from it’s peak, the Fuji Distillery has been making whisky in the shadow of Japan’s most famous mountain since 1973. Despite that, their first US release came only in 2021. The location was most likely chosen for a few different reasons. …
By Randall H. Borkus Rating: A The GlenDronach Distillery was established in 1826, and is one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries. This is slowly and steadily taking a place among the upper tier Sherry cask matured whiskies, using barrels that have previously held Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry. GlenDronach is located near Forgue, by Huntly, …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- It’s been several years since I was fortunate enough to visit The Glenlivet Distillery, but I remember it well. It was May, but it being Scotland, it had snowed the night before. The great Alan Winchester, who stepped down as Master Distiller at The Glenlivet last year after nearly five …
By Kenrick Thurston-Wilcox Rating: B Finishing whiskies in a cask that previously held red wine is not the newest idea, but it is one that Stephanie Macleod, Dewar’s master blender and malt master for Dewar’s five malt distilleries (Aberfeldy included), is passionate about. With an interest in red wine, as well as whisky, she has …
By Randall H. Borkus Rating: B In September 2022, Michter’s Distillery released its US*1 Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey, for the second time only in U.S. and export markets. This expression was originally released in 2019 and it had some mixed reviews because of the overwhelming marshmallow sweetness. I personally took to it as a …
By Andrew Graham Rating: A- If you don’t know what the Remus Repeal Reserve series is, here’s what’s up: MGP is the giant whiskey factory on the border of Kentucky and Indiana that mostly does contract distilling, selling the juice that other whiskey brands (“non-distilling producers”) put their labels on and market. You’ve heard of …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B Liquor generally and whiskey specifically is so popular these days, it seems many celebrities want to get in and own their own brand, and musicians in particular seem drawn to whiskey. Keeping that in mind, it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that Bob Dylan partnered with an outfit called Spirits …
