May 16, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Our club members always appreciated the 1966/67 Tomintouls, especially for their crazy banana aromas and deep fruitiness. These distillates can really age well and are still reasonably prized. Let’s check out two recent releases: Continue Reading →
May 16, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Clynelish is one of the most reliable distilleries. Rarely do these drams disappoint, and occassionally they can even take your breath away. What I like about these apple-candlewax-stormcloud-whiskies is their austerity and the fact, that they are mostly about the distillate, not the cask they were matured in – even if these were ex-sherry casks. Let’s see how these two sherried teens taste: Continue Reading →
May 8, 2012
by Peter Krause
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When it comes to Laphroaig Malt matured in sherry, I have mixed feelings. Some of these bottlings are really messed up by the wine – yet others are really enhanced in their complexity. For me it is important that the distillery character and the balance are still there. Let’s see if these two versions are winners in another head-to-head. You are in for a surprise, both are amazing: Continue Reading →
May 6, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Talisker 10 has always been a bang for yor buck, a great whisky at a fair price – and it still is. Rumour has it that the older versions are a bit better than today’s releases from Skye. In general this is true for many distilleries. I am going to review two ‘Split Label’ versions to find out. I have the 2011 Talisker 10 at 89+ points. Continue Reading →
May 4, 2012
by Peter Krause
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A quick post today: I could try a new Highland Park on the go, so here are my quick impressions: Continue Reading →
May 2, 2012
by Peter Krause
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On the weekend, the old 21 y.o. dumpy Springbank parchment label (silver-red box) impressed the crowd. These old Campbeltown malts are monsters in terms of complexity yet very intellectual and demanding. As a follow-up, I am going to taste the 1968 Chieftain’s edition as a 40 y.o. today, one of the Dream Drams at the Whisky Show. Many Chieftain’s Springers from that period were good to great (very peachy), but never stellar. Let’s hope this one makes a difference due to its crazy prize tag around 1.000 Euro (earlier releases cost a fifth of that): Continue Reading →
May 1, 2012
by Peter Krause
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I love older Glen Keith from the 1960ies and 70ies, especially out of Bourbon wood. These underrated babies are exceptionally expressive and hard to find. Let’s see what this 1976 edition has in store for us: Continue Reading →
May 1, 2012
by Peter Krause
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There are a lot of peat beasts, reeks, monsters and smokeheads on the market, some Vatted (ooops, I used an outlawed term) and some Single Malts of various quality. Such names speak directly to the lovers of a style, not a distillery. Macho statements on the bottles, like ‘this one takes no prisoners’ or ‘not for bird watchers’, seem go with that and suggest that the whisky inside is for real tough guys, only. Well, let’s not discuss marketing … . Continue Reading →
April 28, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Los fährt die historische Whiskytram um 18:30 Uhr an der Haltestelle Ostbahnhof der Linie 19 stadteinwärts (München). Leider sind wir ausgebucht.
Die Fahrt führt uns dann über die Maximilianstraße zum Stachus, weiter über Continue Reading →
April 27, 2012
by Peter Krause
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At Bruichladdich they seem to be keen on the record of the peatiest malt – which is Octomore with ever higher ppm-levels in terms of phenol. As weird as it sounds, the less phenolic Port Charlotte tastes way peatier (and more complex) than the Guinness-Book dram. Here comes another comparison of the two: Continue Reading →
April 26, 2012
by Peter Krause
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It was a blast! I could try so many interesting beers, of which I found the IPAs (Indian Pale Ales) most enjoyable. There were wonderful whisky-beers (Bourbon-casked, peated malt, etc.), crazily concentrated Stouts (Molen!) and Lambiks. Even strawberry- and raspberry-beers were there (but less great), not to mention the lilac-IPA (fun!).
Some rememberable whiskies among many were the Springbank Rundlets and Kilderkins (89), the very dark 21 from 1999 (94-95), Pe1 (92) and the new C&S-Dram Series (all of them very good, esp. the Bunnahabhain 10, the Glendullan, etc.).
Willett-Bourbons, some R(h)ums, Grappe, Cognacs and old Glenglassaugh Malts rounded off a wonderful beer event.
More to come soon, sorry for the radio silence…loads to do here.
April 19, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Die Liste der Gewinner findet ihr auf der facebook-Seite von slowdrink.de – viel Spaß und danke für’s Teilnehmen!
April 17, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Liebe Genießer,
nach dem Austrian Whisky & Spirits Festival in Linz (schön war’s!) steht noch ein Hammer-Wochenende bevor. Ich möchte Euch zwei Messen ans Herz legen, die Ihr nicht verpassen solltet. Auf beiden Veranstaltungen sind wir vertreten und verlosen auch einige Tickets dafür. Dazu wird es in Regensburg noch eine ‘Open-Bottle-Night’ (Whisky, Rum, Cognac, etc.) im kleinen Kreis geben. Hier alle Details unter 1, 2 und 3: Continue Reading →
April 12, 2012
by Peter Krause
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I wanted to measure up the White Bowmore with small remnants of other great Bowies. And as the Austrian Whisky & Spirits Festival starts in some hours, where we have a stand, here are the short comments/scores of these: Continue Reading →
April 11, 2012
by Peter Krause
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For my Easter vacation I took some real treats with me, one of them being the White Bowmore. There wasn’t one 1964 Bowmore I didn’t like, some were “just very very good” (yeah, the price, let’s not get into this). My favourite expression was the Fino release. Let’s see what this older bottling still holds in store for me – in a restaurant after dinner (so shorter notes): Continue Reading →
April 11, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Diesen Freitag findet in Linz das Austrian Whisky & Spirits Festival 2012 statt, bei dem wir einen Stand haben werden. Wir freuen uns auf Euren Besuch. Auf dem Foto seht Ihr einen kleien Ausschnitt der Flaschen, die wir zur Verkostung anbieten werden.
Mit dabei sind mitunter ein alter dunkler Springbank 21 OB, BenRiach 1978 und 1994 Peated OB, Ben Nevis 1970 OB, Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist OB, Linkwood 1981 Port OB, Port Ellen Pe1, Highland Park Duthies/Cadenhead 19 y.o., Continue Reading →
April 10, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Back from Easter vacation, I just got lucky and could buy some of the last bottles of Serge’s recent favourite Caol Ila sampled in a head-to-head (in which I believe, too). The winning version of C.I. (1982, 56,4% from cask 6514) convinced me as well, but I had it only in a ‘drive-by-tasting’ 
a while ago, so no notes, sorry. I wasn’t in a hurry to buy it, but you know, once such a babe is rated well, you gotta be quick. More recommendable Caol Ila below: Continue Reading →
April 6, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Easter dramming is in full session. Following up on the recent review of pale drams, here are three more nice examples out of quite inactive casks. Check it out: Continue Reading →
April 5, 2012
by Peter Krause
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At the Finest Spirits Fair in Munich 2012, I found a new independent bottler I hadn’t come across yet: The First Editions. It is imported to Germany by the very nice Sondheims, and the friendly Scottish partner Andrew Laing (Stewart Laing’s son – from the famous Douglas Laing brand – Andrew is the head of this project) was there as well, who let me try an excellent Tomintoul from 1967 (to be reviewed soon). Check out their range here. Today, I am going to review Andrew’s recent Highland Park: Continue Reading →
April 4, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Whisky-Doris has brought us many great bottlings in the past. Doris and Herbert are real sherry-fans, but they know a good dram from an average one in every field. Recently they sent me their latest releases, let’s check out these two unusual whiskies from the Speyside. Continue Reading →
April 3, 2012
by Peter Krause
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For a long time, sweet wines were out of fashion here in Germany, but connoisseurs sticked to the wonderful Riesling Auslesen and the other worldwide high class elixirs of that kind. Sherry, Tokay and Port also sell much less in the English-speaking world today. Let me tell you, you missed out if you haven’t tried great sweet wines. The complexity of an old Sauternes, a Trockenbeerenauslese (Austria, Germany, Alsace), a Vin Santo, a great Port or other fine members of this category can be mindboggling. I just had three nice ones again: Continue Reading →
April 2, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Sometimes we look for the most awkward independent bottlings out there to tickle our fancy – which is perfectly alright with me, I do just the same. What tends to be forgotten is how good some standards can be, they are worth revisiting. Just pour a friend a glass of Lagavulin 16, Talisker Distillers Edition or many others from that category blindly – you will be surprised how convincing these whiskies still are. The 18 years-old Talisker is a perfect example: Continue Reading →
April 1, 2012
by Peter Krause
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On a Saturday night when people go out, we should taste accordingly – so I put together some odd ‘nightlify’ products as an interesting review for April fools tomorrow. I’m starting out with a pre-dinner vodka aged for ten years, the digestifs are a Caribbean/German rum liqueur and two flavoured rums from Mauritius. Continue Reading →
March 31, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Due to several factors, we get more and more modern whiskies these days. A comparison to wine is making sense: fewer bad ones, but less personality, more resemblance. Don’t worry, enough unique drams are still out there, and that is what makes the category Single Malt so exciting, but they are in a decline, and with more research in the field of wood management (which makes up to about 75% of the final taste, some experts claim) and cost effective production this shift will gain movement in the future. Today, I have picked two drams in the old style for a review (one of them is actually old): Continue Reading →
March 29, 2012
by Peter Krause
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I felt the need for fruit today (no, not the healthy stuff, the liquid equivalent) – and so I went straight to the sample room and grabbed three Glenglassaughs from the old days. Check out this uber-cristalline head-to-head: Continue Reading →
March 25, 2012
by Peter Krause
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The Single Cask Collection by Roland Hinterreiter, who also organizes Austria’s Whisky and Spirits Festival on April 13th in Linz, where we will have a stand with some old malts and monsters (visit us there!), has a good hand in chosing his casks. These often come from private people like John McDougall. I had no disappointing dram Continue Reading →
March 23, 2012
by Peter Krause
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The Caol Ila Distillery sometimes gets put down as soulless – may that be true or not, some amazing whiskies were made there, my favorites being from before 1974, esp. the 1960ies versions. For many peatheads Caol Ila simply delivers at a fair price and rarely disappoints – but rarely flies high as well – believe me, I have tried about 300 versions so far. Nevertheless, there were some stunning versions recently, like the Archive 2000 or the SMWS 53.147 from 1999 (reviews here on slowdrink.de). Let’s check out three recent releases. But before I do so, I am going to warm up my tastebuds with a new Longmorn by WIN. Continue Reading →
March 21, 2012
by Peter Krause
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–> High-End-Whisky-Tasting mit Profikoch in Regensburg <–
Hier klicken für die komplette Einladung als pdf:
Slowdrink-Einladung (24. Whiskytasting Regensburg) Continue Reading →
March 21, 2012
by Peter Krause
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After a bloody rare steak (its smoke still filling the room), I feel like having some Ardbeg. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has released some really decent bottlings of the cult distillery recently. Let’s give three new ones a go: I am focusing on differences again in this head-to-head (not on typical aromas in detail). Continue Reading →
March 20, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Some Single Malt connoisseurs don’t try Bourbon Whiskey by category at all, which makes them miss a world of taste. It’s not all Jim and Jack! Openly spoken, the diversity of Bourbon is much smaller than in Scotch Single Malt in general, but nevertheless there are huge quality differences and amazing Southern Belles from Kentucky not to be missed. Continue Reading →
March 18, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Laphroaig Single Malt is very reliable for connoisseurs and usually the casks aren’t that different from each other, but now and then one stands out (positively or negatively). This time it was different, as you will see. In my review of these four recent bottlings from 1998 (four pale Bourbon cask versions), I am not going to describe the obvious Laphroaig character they all share, I am trying to point out the differences – head to head: Continue Reading →
March 17, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Exciting – a whole lotta new samples reached home, and as the Islay drams usually are sold out first, let’s get started with three Bowmore and one Port Ellen. Continue Reading →
March 13, 2012
by Peter Krause
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An Cnoc 16 y.o. 46%
Comment: Revisiting a classic, that is how I feel. Let’s see how this baby tastes nowadays. The nose reveals honey, dried flowers, grapefruit- and lemon juice and hints of ginger. It tastes spicier than the nose would suggest, I am getting an ever-increasing pepper catch, licorice and ginger. The finish is all about Continue Reading →
March 7, 2012
by Peter Krause
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–> High-End-Whisky-Tasting bei einer Straßenbahntour durch München <–
!!! Jetzt noch anmelden und dabei sein !!! Continue Reading →
March 6, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Today, I have some wine notes again – mostly from recent celebrations and dinners. Maybe some of these are to your liking. Enjoy. Continue Reading →
March 6, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Littlemill 22 y.o. Archives, 1989, refill Sherry Hogshead, 48,3%
Comment: I have heard great things about this bottling – and it is exciting to try rare whisky from this closed Lowland distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland, by the way (established 1772). However, there were great variations in quality and I had terribly soapy Littlemills but also quite decent ones. Menno Bijmolt from whiskybase.com has unearthed this inaugural bottling for their brandnew Archive series. Let the spirit talk: Continue Reading →
March 4, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Natural colour is not always suitable to predict taste, although most of us usually go for ‘the darker one’. Bright drams are underestimated. Thinking back I must say that some of the finest whiskies I had were as pale as young Chardonnay. With a good distillate and long maturation, inactive wood can be a blessing and display the true style of a distillery.
The following five Single Malts range in the ‘pale category’. Let’s see if Continue Reading →
February 28, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Liebe Genießer,
zuerst einmal vielen lieben Dank für Euer sehr positives Feedback auf der Finest Spirits-Messe sowie bei unseren Veranstaltungen. Wir freuen uns sehr darüber und arbeiten hart daran Euch im Frühjahr wieder viele schöne Verkostungen und Aktionen bieten zu können. Bitte denkt daran Euch für diese schnell anzumelden, da die Plätze in der Regel sehr schnell weg sind.
Besonders ans Herz Continue Reading →
February 25, 2012
by Peter Krause
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This Skye-born dram is one of the true Single Malts with a unique profile that rarely fails to impress connoisseurs. However, I think it needs 9-10 years to age to reach this quality. Don’t judge it by younger versions like the ’57 degrees North’. Continue Reading →
February 20, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Here comes part two of my review of the recent SMWS Christmas releases from those not so crazily sought-after distilleries we all often underestimate. Have a look if the second tier could surprise and step up to the plate. Continue Reading →
February 17, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Just before Christmas, these bottlings filled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society rolled in. Let’s put them to the test while we have a white landscape out there. The second load will be reviewed soon. Continue Reading →
February 15, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Back from Munich’s Finest Spirits Festival 2012 (thanks for the many nice conversations and the great time) – in full spirits. We had a wonderful weekend there and found many potential partners. I am going to review some festival finds in the coming days, but until then here are some reviews that I still had in the drawer. Continue Reading →
February 8, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Nowadays, independent bottlers pop up by the dozen each month. Among the many new ones, there is Meadowside Blending/The Maltman, about which I have blogged in short before. The very friendly Andy Hart is behind the project, which partly draws stock from the old Hart Brothers brand his father had founded. He was so kind to send me some samples for an unbiased review. Continue Reading →
February 7, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Vielen Dank für Eure Teilnahme, ich konnte einige Leute mit Tickets beglücken, sie wurden bereits benachrichtigt (Postadresse senden!). Wir hoffen, Ihr kommt aber auch ohne Gewinn vorbei und freuen uns auf Euch. Die guten Stoffe muss ja einer trinken…Slainte!
February 6, 2012
by Peter Krause
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Der erste Starkbier-nachgereifte Single Malt
In meinem Artikel ‘Beer goes Barley’ erfahrt Ihr die Hintergründe. Klickt auf den folgenden Bierglas-Link, um Euch diese beiden raren Abfüllungen zu sichern: