The Story of Border Whiskey and the Republic of Indian Stream The folks up in Pittsburg, New Hampshire have created a great product based on an interesting piece of history. One of the most famous lines in movie history is "If you build it, they will come", from Field of Dreams. That's pretty much been … Continue reading – Bordering on Independence – →

Lots of Things You Can Learn About Whisky by Reading the Label You are in your favorite boutique liquor shop, looking to try something new. But the selection is huge. Almost mesmerizing. Unless you spend countless hours on your computer researching whisky (like me, sometimes), the label is your most important source of information. It … Continue reading – What’s in a Label? – →

The question that everyone loves to ask I'm retired. From normal work. Now, I spend my time doing stuff that I really love. Like collecting, tasting, and writing about whisky. I collect it because I like to do whisky research, and every time I read something interesting about a whisky, I want to buy it. … Continue reading What’s Your Favorite Whisky? →

Whisky Gifts Suggestions at an Affordable Price Christmas is getting expensive. Especially if you are giving whisky. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are tons of great drams out there at an affordable price. So, strictly in the spirit of giving, here are a few recommendations that will treat your taste buds … Continue reading The Gift of Christmas Whisky →

The Importance of Oak Barrels in the Whisky Industry Barrel aging is the cornerstone of making great whisky I've written about the whisky aging process and the importance of the oak cask in how whisky gets its flavor. But what about the barrel itself? What are its origins and how did it make its way … Continue reading – Cask and You Shall Receive – →

Understanding Peat and Smoke Flavors Let's start with the obvious. What is peated whisky? It's a descriptive term in the whisky world that describes a smoky whisky. Smoke and peat go hand in hand because the smoky taste is a result of burning peat moss to dry different types of grain in the malt making … Continue reading – Where There’s Smoke…. – →

The People Behind the Whisky Names We all know the labels. Famous whiskies. Household names. Chivas Brothers, Johnnie Walker, Jim Beam, Jack Daniel, John Jameson. Founding whisky fathers whose legacy is on their bottles for all time.But there are many more whose legacy comes from more unique, if not obscure, places in history. Names that … Continue reading – What’s In a Name? – →

Campbeltown Whisky once ruled the industry Campbeltown - the forgotten whisky region. Or so it seems. One hundred years ago, Campbeltown was the center of the Scottish whisky industry, with thirty active distilleries. Today, it is, by far, the smallest. Three active distilleries. A region in name only that produces a meager 1% of Scotland's … Continue reading Campbeltown – The Forgotten Gem →

With the holiday season approaching, I thought that it would be nice to wish our friends around the world all the best. And, of course, if you're having a dram, perhaps we can offer a toast in your native language. So.... here goes. For our friends in Italy, Buon Natale. If you're enjoying a Puni … Continue reading – A Little Holiday Cheer – →

While the Islands are not officially designated as a Whisky Region (they are included with the Highlands), the five whisky producing islands of Arran, Jura, Mull, Orkney, and Skye are often considered the sixth region. No doubt because of their uniqueness. And they are. Not only to the other regions, but to each other.Let's start … Continue reading The Islands – Each One Unique →