Author Archives: Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

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.

Octomore 08.2/167ppm, 2008-2017, 8yo, 58.4%

Posted on 27 June 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

Slowly but surely slightly older Octomore are being released. In the case of Octomore it’s a bit weird since the age on the label will not entirely reflect a decent price point. Mostly because producing the whisky is ridiculously expensive. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bruichladdich, Octomore | Tagged 2008, Bruichladdich, Cask Strength, Islay, Octomore, Wine cask | 2 Comments

My accidental blend…

Posted on 18 June 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

Last week I blogged about Ardbeg and spontaneously comparing it to my ‘accidental blend’. This blending happening deserves a post of its own, which also is a bit of a ‘look at me fucking up’ post… I’ve embarrassed myself in … Continue reading →

Posted in - News and Announcements, Glen Scotia, Glenlossie | Tagged 1994, 2001, Bourbon Cask, Cadenhead's, Campbeltown, Glen Scotia, Glenlossie, Scotland 2018, Sherry Cask, Speyside, Warehouse tasting | 1 Comment

Two Clynelishes from the mid-nineties

Posted on 13 June 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

Ah, Clynelish. Another one of these Diageo distilleries that doesn’t release a lot under their own name (except for the great 14 year old and Distiller’s Edition). Of course, there is the occasional Select Reserve from 2014 and 2015, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Clynelish | Tagged 1996, Brora, Clynelish, Diageo, Highlands, Sherry Cask, Signatory, The Ultimate, Van Wees | Leave a comment

Some Ardbeg and some realizations

Posted on 6 June 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

The best way to describe this here blog is ‘whisky ramblings’. I don’t consider myself to be a very capable whisky taster, with inconsistencies over the years at best. Every now and then my preferences change and with it, my … Continue reading →

Posted in - Opinion, Ardbeg, Glen Scotia, Glenlossie | Tagged Ardbeg, Ardbeg Committee, Ardbeg Day, Glen Scotia, Glenlossie, Islay | 2 Comments

A dram in the morning

Posted on 2 June 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

Over the last decade I have read a lot about whisky. About the production process, the background and history of distilleries and (semi)scientific writings about which molecules have which influence during fermentation and maturation. In many whisky books and magazines … Continue reading →

Posted in Dalwhinnie, Highland Park | Tagged Dalwhinnie, HIghland Park, NAS, Valkyrie | 1 Comment

Strathisla 25, 1989, 56.1% – SMWS (58.15 – Gravitas in a Glass)

Posted on 28 May 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

I think that virtually all whisky lovers I’ve ever met agree on the fact that old Strathisla is a great thing. Those sherry casks that were mainly bottled by Gordon & MacPhail with their retro labels are stunning drinks, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Strathisla | Tagged 1989, Bourbon Cask, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, SMWS, Speyside, Strathisla | Leave a comment

Old Pulteney 2004-2018, Cask 128, 62.1% – OB for The Whisky Exchange

Posted on 24 May 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

Old Pulteney is an underrated distillery, in most cases. People now know that older versions, like the 1990 or 1989 that won Jim Murray’s Best Whisky thingy, are good, but there’s a lot more that’s good from the Wick distillery. … Continue reading →

Posted in Old Pulteney | Tagged 2004, Free Sample, Highlands, Old Pulteney, Sherry Cask, The Whisky Exchange, Wick | Leave a comment

Croftengea (Loch Lomond) 2008-2018, 9yo, 54.8% – OB for The Whisky Exchange

Posted on 17 May 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

The Whisky Exchange have been bottling some nice stuff over the last couple of months. The most recent one, apart from this Croftengea, is an Old Pulteney from 2004, which I *just* realized I haven’t reviewed yet. Shame on me. … Continue reading →

Posted in Croftengea, Loch Lomond | Tagged 2008, Bourbon Cask, Croftengea, Free Sample, Highlands, Loch Lomond, Private Label, The Whisky Exchange | Leave a comment

Longrow 2001-2016, 14yo, Fresh Sherry Butt, 53.2% – Springbank Society

Posted on 14 May 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

It’s not very often that I go through my own bottles at a rapid pace. But somehow, with sherry casks from the Springbank Society that never seems to be a huge problem. In this case it only took a while … Continue reading →

Posted in Longrow, Springbank | Tagged 2001, Campbeltown, Longrow, Sherry Cask, Springbank, Springbank Society | Leave a comment

Glen Scotia, 2018

Posted on 7 May 2018 by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer

Around September last year I posted on Facebook, asking for tips for me and my friend FV to spend an afternoon and evening in Campbeltown. While I did get some way-too-obvious things, like Springbank and Cadenhead’s, I also got the … Continue reading →

Posted in - Distillery, Glen Scotia | Tagged 2001, 2005, Bourbon Cask, Campbeltown, Distillery Only, Distillery tour, Glen Scotia, Littlemill, Travel Retail | 1 Comment