Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 574: Scotland 2025 – 5 of 6 – Ben Nevis, Dalwhinnie & Tomatin

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, travels to Scotland. This is part 5 of a 6-part series about his trip to Scotland this year. In this video, he takes the ferry from Skye to the mainland and passes by the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous from the Harry Potter films. Then he heads towards Fort William, where he visits the Ben Nevis distillery. He continues his journey to the Dalwhinnie distillery, passes by the Centre of Scotland Stone, and on the way to Inverness, he makes a brief stop at the Tomatin distillery. Enjoy the beautiful scenery.

https://youtu.be/89gUi1E0P9U

Johnnie Walker Black Label, 40%

THE REVIEW

In the world of massive brand deals and the still premiumisation of Scotch whisky, here we have a constant that hasn’t changed much in the space of the whisky industry. A combination of so many different flavours from across all of Scotland, malts and grains, aged for a minimum of twelve years and blended to create this multitude of balance, style, and timelessness.

As you can tell, Black Label is a favourite of mine. The story of how this whisky hooked me is an important one and is included in this video, but please do share your stories with me, even if they don’t include Black Label in any way.

This bottle has the history to put many other brands to bed, and indeed without this bottle, the Scottish whisky industry, along with many others wouldn’t be anywhere near as successful or important as it currently is.

(johnniewalker)

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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 573: Scotland 2025 – 4 of 6 – Talisker The Wild Blue

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, travels to Scotland. This is part 4 of a 6-part series about his trip to Scotland this year. In this video, he tastes the new Talisker The Wild Blue at the distillery in Carbost and then heads to another distillery on the Sleat Peninsula: Torabhaig. Enjoy the beautiful scenery.

https://youtu.be/-IHhfTeTHWA

ralfy review 1088 Extras – A different malt-moment !

Speyside (Tam) Signatory Vintage 2013 – Whisky Folk Review

Balvenie 12YO Double Wood, 40%

THE REVIEW

A brand that still sits on the lips of so many people, but is it still for all of the right reasons?

Balvenie, in my opinion, has had its modern reputation built on its ease of drinking and an affordable price tag. The first point is certainly questioned in this video as I feel I’ve been disappointed on two separate occasions by batches of this particular product. The second point is that this is now getting to that £50 a bottle price tag in the UK. For that money, so many other approachable and more complex offerings of whisky are available.

This isn’t meant to be a rant at Balvenie, but I think this brand has been in the sliding doors situation in whisky, where some brands have driven into the high value category, whereas others have stayed in the good value area.

I’ve worked in specialist whisky retail for a decade, and since the price increases in the Balvenie range came in, even before, I wasn’t seeing people rush to buy bottles off any of the shelves, top or not. Although Balvenie 21YO remains popular, in the same vein as Glenmorangie Signet, for reasons that go beyond my understanding.

That did turn into a Balvenie rant, didn’t it? Anyway, let me know your views on what is happening with Balvenie. If your opinion mirrors mine, what can they do to get back in the good books? If it doesn’t what do you love about this distillery?

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 572: Scotland 2025 – 3 of 6 – Talisker Storm

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, travels to Scotland. This is part 3 of a 6-part series about his trip to Scotland this year. In this video, he visits the stunning Neist Point before heading down to Carbost for a hearty lunch at The Three Chimneys. Then, he visits – at last! – the Talisker Distillery, where he enjoys an exclusive Cask Draw Experience. He concludes with a tasting of the Talisker Storm at the sunlit Loch Harport. Enjoy the beautiful scenery.

https://youtu.be/nX37aamVQIY

The Good Dram Show – Episode 602 ‘West Midlands Distillery’

Welcome to a very special episode of the show, in which I’ll be taking a look at the inaugural single malt whisky releases from the West Midlands Distillery. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 602 – Mother Know’s Best…!     Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

West Midlands Distillery Inaugural Release – First Fill Bourbon Cask 52.1%
West Midlands Distillery Inaugural Release – Bourbon Quarter Cask 53.8%
West Midlands Distillery Inaugural Release – Caribbean Rum Cask 53.2%
West Midlands Distillery Inaugural Release – Oloroso Quarter Cask 53.9%
West Midlands Distillery Inaugural Release – The Matriarch 51.9%

www.westmidlandsdistillery.co.uk

ralfy review 1087 Extras – Why Scotch Whisky is Changing.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 601 ‘Brave New Spirits Whisky Hereos’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at the latest releases in Brave New Spirits Whisky Heroes range. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum: Episode 601 – But It’s the Juice In The Bottle That Counts…! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes Back to the Roots’ Linkwood 2012 (12 year old) 56.7%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes Highland Huntress: A Silent Pursuit’ Royal Brackla 2015 (9 year old) 53.5%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes The Watch’ Mannochmore 2012 (13 year old) 55.3%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes The Might of the Moor’ Auchroisk 2013 (12 year old) 57.2%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes Silent Night’ Benrinnes 2011 (13 year old) 59.1%
Brave New Spirits ‘Whisky Heroes The Mask of El Peaton’ Undisclosed Peated Highland 2010 (15 year old) 50.4%

www.bravenewspirits.com