I hadn’t heard of this brand until recently, when I found myself staring at a bottle at my local Total Wine. The packaging immediately caught my attention. What really intrigued me, though, was the fact that it blends Scotch and Irish whiskeys, something I don’t recall seeing before, and at $35, the price felt right….
Category: peat
Bowmore Aged 25 Years
I’ve long been a fan of Bowmore, and it’s been a while since I last reviewed one of their expressions, so when the opportunity came to sample this 25‑year‑old, I couldn’t have been more pleased. Let’s dive in. This expression was matured in a combination of American oak ex‑bourbon casks and European oak Oloroso sherry…
Laphroaig Aged 33 Year Strong Characters Donald Johnston
I enjoy a good daily sipper as much as anyone, but what I love even more are those special whiskies reserved for meaningful moments—occasions you want not only to remember, but to honor with something truly exceptional. The Laphroaig 33-Year-Old Strong Characters: Donald Johnston just might be one of those whiskies. A few years ago,…
Laphroaig Elements 3.0 Small Batch Whisky
I’m a long‑time fan of Laphroaig, and their latest release happens to be the third entry in the Elements series: Laphroaig Elements 3.0 Small Batch Whisky. This edition highlights an experiment in their kilning process, where peat was burned hotter and for a longer duration than usual. I should note up front that I haven’t…
Vintage 1995 Glen Garioch
This year’s Burns Night at The Citizen gave me a rare treat: a pour of vintage 1995 Glen Garioch. Since this whisky hasn’t been produced in decades and commands serious money on the secondary market, I figured I’d share my experience for anyone who might encounter it in the wild. Let’s jump in. Founded in…
Hinch Distillery
We’re less than a day away from St. Patrick’s Day, and for today’s review we’re heading to Northern Ireland to explore the Hinch Distillery. Founded in 2016, the distillery sits between Belfast and the scenic Mourne Mountains. I sampled several of their expressions: the Small Batch, the 5 Year, the Single Malt, and the Peated…
The Citizen’s 3rd Annual Burns Night
My whiskey journey started many years ago, and throughout that time, Citizens has been one of our go‑to spots in Boston for trying new pours. We’ve been coming here since it first opened in 2010—back when it was Citizens Public House & Oyster Bar. It’s where I tried Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year for…
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19-Year Small Batch Release: Batch TB/03-10.10.01/21.BL
This past Christmas, a friend surprised us with an incredible gift: the Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19-Year Small Batch Release (Batch TB/03-10.10.01/21.BL). Before this, we had the pleasure of enjoying Batch TB/02-18.09.00/20.JT, so naturally, I’m excited to see how this release compares. But first, a few additional notes before diving in. Traigh Bhan (pronounced “tri-van”) is…
UPDATE: Isle of Skye Whisky 12-Year
This whisky review has remained one of the most popular pieces on my blog. With our bottle now officially finished, I thought it was an ideal time to look back at the impressions we recorded when we first opened it in August 2024. Did it live up to our expectations? Is it worth buying again?…
Jura Travel Editions: Islanders’ Expression 03, The Road, and Perspective 01
And with that, 2025 is nearly behind us. This is my last review of the year, and I can’t wait to see what 2026 holds for us all. This year kept us closer to home, with fewer trips than usual, but that’s something we plan to change in 2026. Our goal is to explore more…
Bruichladdich Organic 2003 Anns An T-Seann Doigh
Over Thanksgiving weekend, we had the chance to sample Bruichladdich Organic 2003 Anns An T-Seann Doigh—a whisky I’d never encountered before. ‘Anns An T-Seann Doigh’ translated from Gaelic as ‘in the traditional way.’ This was Bruichladdich’s first organic release, distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2009. It’s likely no longer available, but I couldn’t resist…
Ardbeg Anthology 14-Year: The Unicorn Tale
I’ve always been a big fan of Ardbeg—so much so that it was the very first distillery we visited on our trip to Scotland. That said, some of their recent releases haven’t quite hit the mark for me—not because of flavor, but because of price. There are exceptions, of course (BizarreBQ was fantastic and I…
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