Author Archives: Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer
Clynelish 1988-2012, 23yo, Cask ES 009/04, 50% – The First Editions
In a recent purchase I got my hands on some weird older bottles of random distilleries. Some were bottle-shared, some were reserved for tastings, but from all of them I kept a sample for proper assessment. When, in that set … Continue reading
Posted in Clynelish
Tagged 1988, Clynelish, Edition Spirits, Highlands, The First Editions
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Ardnamurchan Batch 1 and 2!
Last September the first official release of Ardnamurchan happened. And if you’ve never been to a whisky festival between 2017 and early 2020, you might have never tasted their spirit either. It’s quite the anticipated distillery, since Adelphi, who runs/owns/built … Continue reading
Posted in Ardnamurchan
Tagged 2014, 2015, Adelphi, Ardnamurchan, Bourbon Cask, Highlands, Sherry Cask
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Guest post: 1980s Springbank, a rare treat
Once more, Tom van Engelen shares his take on things going on in his world of whisky. This time around he reviews a sample he got his hands on, of a Springbank bottling from yonder year. The 1980s were hard times … Continue reading
Posted in Springbank
Tagged 1985, Bourbon Cask, Cadenhead, Campbeltown, Guest Post, Springbank, Tom van Engelen
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The Alrik, 1st Fill European Oak Sherry Quarter Cask L1972, 56.5% – Distillery Exclusive
Well, this one takes a bit of explanation. Let’s start with where it’s from. If you look this bottle up on Whiskybase, it states that The Alrik is made by Hercynian Distilling Co. / Hammerschmiede. Then, if you check that … Continue reading
Posted in Alrik, Hammerschmiede, Hercynian
Tagged Distillery Only, Elsburn, Germany, Glen Els, Hammerschmiede, Hercynian Distilling Co., The Alrik
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Writer’s Tears, Mizunara Cask Finish, 55%
To continue with the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration I decided to try my part of the bottle-share of this Writer’s Tears release. I don’t have too much experience with the brand, but I do remember having a previous cask strength … Continue reading
Posted in - Irish Whiskey, Walsh Whiskey, Writer's Tears
Tagged Ireland, Irish Whiskey, Mizunara cask, Walsh Whiskey, Writer's Tears
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Redbreast 21 (2019 release), 46%
As far as excuses to have a drink go, it being Saint Patrick’s Day is a very good one. Of course, that meant I had to have some Irish whiskey. Luckily, I have some lying around. Interestingly, I remembered the … Continue reading
Posted in - Irish Whiskey, Midleton, Redbreast
Tagged Ireland, Irish Distillers, Irish Whiskey, Midleton, Redbreast, Single Pot Still
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Blair Athol 2015-2020, Oloroso Hogshead 900093, 48% – Skene
Yet another incredibly young whisky from Skene. This time from Blair Athol distillery in Pitlochy. I visited the distillery about three and a half years ago. I only now realize that I never wrote a blogpost about it. I just … Continue reading
Posted in Blair Athol
Tagged 2015, Blair Athol, Free Sample, Highlands, Pitlochry, Sherry Cask, Skene
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Jura 8, 1970s bottling, 40%
Jura doesn’t really have a great reputation nowadays, and every time a good one pops up it’s an exception instead of a rule. Quite a shame since it’s a rather pretty distillery. Within my group of friends we often call … Continue reading
Tomatin 2015-2020, First Fill Oloroso Cask 990461, 50% – Skene
Honestly, when this came in the mail I wasn’t too enthusiastic about it. A 4 or 5 year old Tomatin from a first fill sherry casks. That almost sounds like it’s just some over-fortified sherry in itself, right? Also, I … Continue reading
Malt Fascination 