Some of the drams on offer for World Dram Day. Credit: Drinks By The Dram Spirits retailer, Master of Malt has teamed up with Drinks By The Dram to launch World Dram Day, to be celebrated annually on the last Thursday in April. The inaugural World Dram Day will be celebrated on April 25th, 2024.  With the global recognition of whisky as a luxury asset increasing, it is becoming more and more expensive to buy old and rare whiskies on a budget, especially for drinkers. World Dram Day aims to encourage whisky connoisseurs and beginners to seek out drams of rare whiskies to sample.  Smal ..read more

The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five. Credit: Midleton Very Rare Midleton Very Rare has, in its 40th anniversary year, unveiled the fifth release in the Silent Distillery Collection. The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five is a single pot still whiskey that has been aged for 49 years.  Distilled by Max Crockett using the famous pot still (the world’s largest) in 1973, the whiskey is the oldest expression to be released by Midleton Very Rare.  The whiskey is also some of the last spirit to be distilled at the Old Midleton Distillery ..read more

Rye whiskey always seems to be very hit-and-miss for whiskey drinkers. Like peated whisky, rye is an acquired taste, with the spice suited to certain palates. However, there are many rye whiskeys that you can sample if you are unsure. These rye whiskeys are the perfect gateway for the drinker who just doesn’t know where to start.  Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof (50% ABV) BUY NOW: $20.99  Let’s start with the bigger, bolder ones. Rittenhouse was a style of whiskey based in Pennsylvania, some would say that this is the home of rye whiskey.  But when it was purchased by Heaven Hill a ..read more

We review Waterford Cuvée Fumo, made using barley from four Irish farms that’s been influenced by Irish peat. (image via Waterford Whisky) Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.  The Irish whiskey scene, like the American, is defined in part by a mix of traditional larger brands and a newer crop of craft-style outlets. One of these younger distilleries, Waterford Whisky, was founded by Scotch industry veteran Mark Reyneir, formerly of the forward ..read more

We review Waterford Organic Cuvée Gaia, made from the organic Irish barley of six different Ireland farms. (image via Waterford Whisky) Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.  The Irish whiskey scene, like the American, is defined in part by a mix of traditional larger brands and a newer crop of craft-style outlets. One of these younger distilleries, Waterford Whisky, was founded by Scotch industry veteran Mark Reyneir, formerly of the forward-thin ..read more

Value is an extremely important word in every industry that exists, but within whisky, it has become the number one buzzword for consumers. And rightly so. Despite some things I’ve written in the past that have laid into bigger companies that own whisky distilleries, there are ones that exist to offer whiskies, both official and independent bottlers, for the best prices possible.  Below is a list of official bottles and single-barrel expressions that are wonderful but once they’re gone, that’s it.  Official bottlings of whiskies from distilleries that offer you, the drinker, the bes ..read more

We review McConnell’s Irish Whiskey Sherry Cask Finish, which was aged five years in 1st-fill select Bourbon barrels and finished for nine months in Oloroso sherry casks. (image via Belfast Distillery Company) Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.  Ireland is a land rich with whiskey history and heritage. One of the more prominent brands once belonged to the McConnell family of Northern Ireland, who, in 1776, founded the original McConnell’s Irish Whisky (t ..read more

In the run-up to St Patrick’s Day, numerous Irish whiskey releases have been making their way onto the market. This week, a small batch pot still whiskey from The Busker, and two rare releases from Bushmills.  Royal Oak Distillery The Busker Small Batch Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey  Royal Oak Distillery has launched a new small-batch offering of The Busker single pot still whiskey. This limited-edition Irish whiskey, retailing at $50, showcases a new look and a slightly higher ABV of 46.3%, compared to the original 44.3% ABV of its $30 expression. The whiskey was matured in first ..read more

It’s no surprise that it’s that time of year already, St. Patrick’s Day is upon us! So while you celebrate in a bar, at home, or at a whiskey tasting, keep an eye out for all of these on the back bar or whoever you may find yourself that has some of the best Irish whiskeys available for a worthy celebration.  Redbreast 15 Year Old, 46% BUY NOW: $99.99  Kicking off with a personal favourite, and something that I find myself buying at least once a year, Redbreast 15 year old. The 12 year old is wonderful, as is the 21 year old, but those prices are creeping up and up whilst this seem ..read more

Image via Midleton Very Rare In a celebratory move that has caught the attention of whiskey connoisseurs worldwide, Midleton Very Rare has just unveiled its latest one-of-one offering.  The Irish whiskey maker is marking its 40th anniversary with the release of an exclusive whiskey, the Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition, available via NFT.The Ruby Edition is the culmination of years of meticulous work by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and his team. The Ruby Edition is a blend of single grain and single pot still Irish whiskeys that have been matured for up to 40 years. As ..read more