Reviews

Mexico and whisky? To many, this initially sounds like tequila with a Scottish accent. However, the Destilería y Bodega Abasolo defies this expectation. In the heart of the Mexican highlands, it is not a classic single malt that is produced here, but a whisky based on nixtamalised corn – an ancient, traditional process used in indigenous cuisine.

The name sounds like a yodel after three pints of beer: UUAHOUUA! But this seven-years Austrian from the Wieser distillery is actually much more reserved than its name suggests. Matured in Pinot Noir barrels, it attempts to bridge the gap between whisky and wine. Spoiler alert: it ends up somewhere in the middle and can't quite seem to make up its mind.

Deep underground, where NATO secrets were once stored, liquid gold is now maturing. Whisky Bunker AG has taken advantage of an extraordinary maturation location for its second limited edition bottling: a former military bunker in the Odenwald forest, whose constant temperature and humidity create ideal conditions. The selected casks come from the exclusive vintage stock of St. Kilian Distillers and have undergone intensive development here.

When whisky romantics rave about the mist-shrouded Highlands and wax lyrical about centuries-old traditions, the Schlitzer distillery smiles mildly. Spirits have been distilled here since 1585 – although back then, no one had the crazy idea of producing whisky in Hesse of all places. That would take a few more centuries. Since 1983, the traditional distillery has been trying its hand at the Scottish supreme discipline, and the result is... well, the Schlitzer Single Malt Classic.

There are whiskies that tell stories – and then there are those that merge worlds. The Nc'Nean Aon Calvados 2017/2025 belongs to the second category. Originating from the young, ambitious distillery in the Scottish Highlands, this seven-years single malt presents itself as a fascinating experiment: matured in former Calvados casks, it combines the rugged beauty of the Highlands with the fruity sophistication of Normandy.

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.