Shortcross Irish Whiskey Rye & Malt, which is here now!Top 10 Rye Whiskies from Outside North America

Once upon a time, rye whisky was seen as a strictly North American pursuit – all spice and swagger, hailing from strongholds of Pennsylvania and Canada. But that’s changing fast. …

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Whisky + chocolate pairingsHow to Pair Whisky with Chocolate

Whisky and chocolate.  Two of life’s great pleasures – and, when paired properly, an outrageously good combo.  Done badly? It’s chaos. Sweet clashing with smoke, tannins turning bitter, and expensive…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
The three whiskes in Glendronach’s The Master’s AnthologyReviewing: The Glendronach The Master’s Anthology

Three bold single malts, one distillery, and a whole lot of sherry-soaked splendour. The Glendronach has unveiled its latest opus: The Master’s Anthology – a trio of Highland single malts…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
We review Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter SixMidleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six: Tasting the Last Drops

There are rare whiskies, and then there’s this. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six is the final release from the Old Midleton Distillery – a series-capping drop that’s as…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Chichibu makes Japanese whiskyChichibu: How it Became a Cult Classic

The fourth instalment of On The Way, Chichibu Distillery’s cult-status single malt series, has just been announced.  Which means I get the excuse to talk about a very fine distillery….

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Who wins? Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak vs. Highland Park 12 Year OldMacallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak vs. Highland Park 12 Year Old

Two single malts. One ultimate dram-off: Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak vs. Highland Park 12 Year Old. The world of sherried Scotch whisky is a rich and fruity one….

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
The First-Ever English Whisky Week Launches in April!The First-Ever English Whisky Week Launches in April!

The English whisky scene has been quietly booming for years – and now it’s getting a proper spotlight. The very first English Whisky Week (EWW) has been announced, running from…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Whisky waste is able to be convertedWhat Happens to Whisky Waste?

From animal feed to cosmetics, it’s not just the spirit that’s evolving. Even how we deal with whisky waste is getting smarter. For years, the by-products of whisky distillation –…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby buy from Master of MaltJohnnie Walker Black Ruby Review

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby is now available from Master of Malt. Following a low-key pilot in 2024, Johnnie Walker’s latest permanent expression – Black Ruby – is making its global…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Ardnamurchan: the best new wave Scotch whisky distillery?Ardnamurchan: The Best New Wave Scotch Whisky Distillery?

Ardnamurchan Distillery is a new name in Scotch whisky, but one that already commands a certain respect.  Set in the remote wilds of the Ardnamurchan peninsula – all untouched beauty…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Whisky does contain caloriesHow Do We Drink Responsibly In Our Industry?

I drink.  In fact, I’ve built my career around drinking. I’ve been doing this job 9-5, seven days a week, for over seven years, and I was a bartender for…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Devil's Botany absinthe at the Last Tuesday SocietyTop 10 Most Controversial Spirits

Some bottles are made to be shared. Others are made to make headlines. Controversial spirits are nothing new and over the years there’s been numerous examples.  Whether they ruffled feathers…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Kyrö Malt Rye Whisky, a 100% rye whisky available at Master of MaltEuropean Rye Whisky Can No Longer Be Called… Rye Whisky.

You read that headline right. European whisky makers can no longer use the term rye whisky. This is not an April Fool’s gag. But as of 1 April 2025, a…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
Dalry Milk 16 Year Old is not an April FoolDalry Milk 16 Year Old – Where Chocolate Meets Whisky

UPDATE: This product has now been discontinued*. Chocolate = good. Whisky = good. Dalry Milk 16 Year Old? Ridiculously good. New whisky alert! Introducing our latest whisky, a 16-year-old single…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
World Whiskies Awards 2025 winnersThe World Whiskies Awards 2025 Winners Are In – And GlenAllachie’s Having a Moment

The World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky returned to London with all the usual fanfare last week. It was a big night in London for both bottles and the…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell
The Glenrothes 51 Year Old and the hammer used to smash itThe Glenrothes 51 Year Old: A Whisky Worth Smashing Things For

The Glenrothes has just dropped its oldest-ever release – and you’re going to need a hammer to get into it… Meet The Glenrothes 51 Year Old, a single malt aged…

Adam O'ConnellAdam O'Connell