Reviews

While the whisky world looks spellbound to Scotland and Kentucky, something special is brewing in the far north of Canada. Lot No. 40 Rye Whisky from Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. is not just another rye – it is a statement.

In keeping with German Unity Day, this whisky combines brandy casks from East and West Germany – a symbolic fusion of two traditions. The oak casks used make it even more fascinating: Palatinate oak, representing Helmut Kohl, meets Russian oak, representing Mikhail Gorbachev. Two statesmen whose work made German reunification possible, united in a whisky.

The High West Distillery is located in Utah - a state that is usually better known for Mormons and skiing than for whiskey. But hey, sometimes the best surprises come from the most unexpected places! The distillery is located in the Wasatch-Uinta Mountains and is the first legal distillery in Utah since 1870. The Double Rye with its 46% vol. is, as the name suggests, double: two different rye whiskeys are married here. It's like pairing two different herb gardens together and hoping they get along well.

Imagine sitting on the terrace on a warm summer evening, the sun low in the sky and amber-coloured gold sparkling in your glass. The Fettercairn 2006/2024 from Malts of Scotland is just the whisky to turn such moments into unforgettable experiences. This independent bottling from the Scottish Highlands is not only a delight for the senses, but also a real value-for-money wonder.

When German distilling expertise meets Portuguese heritage, something extraordinary is created. With its Signature Edition Sixteen, the St. Kilian Distillery in Rüdenau has created a statement that transcends boundaries – both geographically and in terms of taste. This edition is dedicated entirely to Portugal's rich heritage and combines distillates that have been matured in selected tawny port, ruby port, Madeira and Moscatel de Setúbal casks.

1990. This was the year Germany won the World Cup and in a warehouse on Islay, Laphroaig filled a cask that would wait patiently for 34 years to enchant us today. What do you do with a whisky that is older than many of its connoisseurs? You let Signatory Vintage, one of Scotland's most respected independent bottlers, who have teamed up with Wu Dram Clan to get this liquid historical document into the bottle.

Brave New Spirits, the Glasgow-based independent bottler, has selected a cask that lives up to its name: "Called to Submission". And indeed, with an alcohol content of 50.3% and a colour spectrum reminiscent of deep ruby red, this whisky commands respect. The colour alone is a promise – this is no harmless grain sweetness, but an aromatic demonstration of power.

When this Longmorn was put into the cask in 1975, the Vietnam War also came to an end. Longmorn itself is one of those distilleries that prefers to work in the background – most of its single malts traditionally end up in blends. This makes it all the more exciting when such a mature specimen finds its way into the bottle.

There are whiskies that you greet politely. And then there are those that walk through the door and immediately dominate the room – not through volume, but through pure, undeniable presence. The Strathisla 24 Years Old 1992/2016, bottled by Malts of Scotland at a powerful 56.2% ABV, definitely belongs to the second category. The Strathisla distillery in Keith, Speyside, may be known to many primarily as the heart of Chivas Regal, but independent bottlings like this reveal what the distillery is really capable of when given time – a lot of time. This malt was allowed to mature, philosophise, meditate and build complexity in its cask for 24 years. The result? A whisky that can be described as a "sturdy dog" – and that is definitely a compliment.

Oat whiskey? Yes, you read that correctly. GORFH from Merdingen is venturing into unconventional territory and proving that German distillers no longer have to stand in the shadow of Scottish or American producers. With 7 years of maturation and an impressive 48% alcohol content, this limited release presents a fascinating alternative to classic barley distillates.

After 11 years of maturation in Scottish warehouses, this Royal Brackla is presented at 46% ABV – a strength that promises to unfold its royal flavours while remaining drinkable for us mere mortals.

Imagine standing on a windswept North Sea beach, a campfire blazing behind you, salt spray misting your face. The Westfalian TW34 captures this very scene in liquid form – and it comes from the heart of Germany.