Browsing Posts by Author: Billy

In the rum world, July is an important month. Not only is it the beginning of summer – a time when even the rain-lashed shores of the UK can pretend that they have regular Caribbean-style sunshine –…

Scotch whisky is very different to a few decades ago. Demand is up and as drinkers’ tastes change, distilleries tweak their recipes. The spirit, the casks and the resulting whiskies are all different to how…

We like the folks at Signatory. Andrew and his team know good whisky and we’re very pleased they sometimes let us into their warehouses to choose some casks. Our latest four TWE-exclusive drams have just landed…

The Martini is undoubtedly the king of classic cocktails. While other drinks may have more history – both in terms of time and colourful stories – the Martini stands out as an icon. With countless…

‘Islay is the eighth wonder of the world’ Colin Dunn knows how to open a whisky tasting. While invoking wonder-dom for Islay may seem hyperbolic, there are some tasting line-ups that justify such comments –…

This Saturday is World Gin Day, returning for an eighth year of juniper-related ridiculousness. With the British summer almost certain to disappear with a rumble of thunder and a weekend of pouring rain, there may…

Father’s Day is approaching rapidly and with it a busy time for The Whisky Exchange – you really like buying your dads tasty drinks. This year, we’ve decided to ramp up the celebrations by a…

Vermouth is a drink that’s definitely on the rise. For years it’s been relegated to the sorry state of being ‘just’ a cocktail ingredient, but more recently there’s been a resurgence in vermouth being appreciated…

The Islay Festival is drawing to close. Tomorrow is the last day, and in usual fashion, things are ending with a bang: it’s Ardbeg Day – or, as they are calling it this year, Ardbeg Night. Unlike…

Islay native Adam Hannett has some very big shoes to fill. As head distiller at Bruichladdich since summer 2015, he and distillery manager Allan Logan have taken over the running of one of Scotland’s best-loved distilleries,…

Spring has sprung and London Wine Week is upon us yet again. If you’re in London and are either a wine fan or someone who wants to learn more, then head over to the Wine…

It’s that time of year again. If you know any whisky geeks online, then Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are probably already filling up with pictures of the Scottish countryside, Calmac ferries and the Port Askaig…

Last week saw the end of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – five days of events across Scotland’s most densely packed whisky-producing region. We watched enviously as tweets, Facebook posts and the occasional bragging text message told tales…

Happy Glenfarclas 105 Day everyone! Now, while this may not be the most well-known of whisky-related holidays – those honours go to World Whisky Day and International Whisk(e)y Day – the 105th day of the…

Finding good whisky is difficult. I don’t mean on the shelves – despite loud online debates to the contrary, there has never been such a range of different, great-tasting drams available – but finding a…

With a year of 200th birthday celebrations behind them, you’d think that the folks at Laphroaig might want to have a rest. That’s not their style, and they have kicked off 2016 with a new ongoing…

Today is the start of Whisky Live London (tickets still available here) and that means that last night marked the announcement of the winners of the World Whiskies Awards 2016. I’ve been a judge for…

Tomorrow is St Patrick’s Day, and while I will inevitably drink a pint of Guinness and a shot of Jameson, I try to spend the day looking at another side of Irish drinks. Last year…