Author Archives: Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

Unknown's avatar

About Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

I'm very interested in booze, with a focus on whisky. I like to listen to loads of music and play lots of Magic: the Gathering, and board games too. I'm married to Anneke, have two daughters Ot and Cato, a son Moos and a cat called Kikker (which means Frog, in Dutch). I live in Krommenie, The Netherlands.

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 27, 1992-2020, Refill Sherry Butt, 42% – The Maltman

I don’t really try whiskies from the Maltman that often. It’s one of those bottlers that I know exists and releases rather high-scoring drams, most of the time. But when push comes to shove I often have to make a … Continue reading

Posted in - Blended Malt, Aberfeldy, Aberlour, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Cardhu, Glenallachie, Pittyvaich, Tomatin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Benromach 8, 2011-2019, 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 400, 59.1% – OB for The Whisky Exchange

Another single cask from Benromach distillery! Don’t mind if I do! And while I say that, let me also tell you that I tried this one blind. It was another sample I got from BvdP, and I tried it right … Continue reading

Posted in Benromach | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ayrshire 37, 1975-2013, Bourbon Barrel 3422, 48.5% – Signatory Vintage

I tried this sample blind. And now that I’ve looked up what it is, I am very grateful for having been given the opportunity to try it by BvdP. It’s not every year you get to try Ayrshire whisky. And … Continue reading

Posted in Ailsa Bay, Ayrshire, Girvan, Ladyburn, Rare Ayrshire | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

North British 25, 1991, Virgin Heavy Toast Mediam Char Oak Butt, 63.9% – SMWS (G1.15, Could Pacify a Mob)

That’s a new one, as far as cask descriptors go! One of these samples that I found on my sample shelf, and a grain whisky to boot. Apart from ‘SMWS G1.15’ there was nothing on the label, so I had … Continue reading

Posted in - Grain Whisky, North British | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Distillery 291 “Colorado Rye Whiskey”, 50.8%

This single barrel is a bit of an oddity in my book. A distillery I’ve never heard of selling single barrel rye whisky at pretty steep prices. Or at least, in Europe the bottles go for pretty steep prices. This … Continue reading

Posted in - American Whiskey, - Rye Whiskey, Distillery 291 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Chichibu ‘The Peated’ 2012-2016, 54.5% – Ichiro’s Malt

It’s not often that I get to taste Japanese whisky that actually makes sense. That’s quite a bold statement, but my case is this: A lot of contemporary and available Japanese whisky are cheaply made and try to profit of … Continue reading

Posted in - Japanese Whisky, Chichibu | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cameronbridge 1974 and North of Scotland 1971 by Boogieman Import

Last week Stefan van der Boog, the BOOGieman himself asked me if I would like to review the two new Single Grain Whiskies he just released under his own label. Of course, that’s flattering, and knowing these are from several … Continue reading

Posted in Cameronbridge, North of Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dingle, PX & Bourbon casks, 60.6% – OB for Whisky & Rum aan Zee 2021

Next weekend the 15th Whisky & Rum aan Zee (..by the sea) is held in the port town of IJmuiden. For that festival this Dingle PX cask was bottled. Slijterij Zeewijck in the same town started the festival over 15 … Continue reading

Posted in Dingle | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glenrothes 1980-2007, 56.7% – Scott’s Selection

The always interesting, but also weird Glenrothes. Why weird? Because in general they make awesome whisky, but they tend to not bottle it themselves. The official bottlings are rather generic, most of the times, while the independent bottlers tend to … Continue reading

Posted in Glenrothes | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Benromach 11, 2009-2021, First Fill Bourbon Cask, 48% – OB for Germany

About half a year ago I reviewed a Benromach 11 for Germany too. That one was drawn from a sherry cask, at cask strength. This one isn’t a single cask, and has been brought down to 48%. Which just happens … Continue reading

Posted in Benromach | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment