Notebook – October 2021

A Speyside whisky from The Wine Society is among the bottles reviewed by drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe. THERE’S a distinct “Speyside” theme to the latest in this occasional series of articles, during which I delve into my tasting notebook to share some recent discoveries. In a move you might not expect, there’s also a “smoky”…

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Smokehead launches a brand new whisky first

Smokehead has created a whisky industry original product with the first-ever pre-mixed single malt in a ready to drink can serve. Kick-starting the brand-new ready to drink range are two eye-popping serves: ‘Smokehead mixed with Cola’ and ‘Smokehead mixed with Ginger + Lime’. Both 330ml cans offer accessible flavours with the Smokehead twist, priced at…

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Notebook – August 2021

Torabhaig whisky from Skye is among the new spirits reviewed by Peter Ranscombe. IT’S time once again to dip into my notebook and share some reviews from recent tastings. Ahead of its release on Thursday, the second malt whisky from Torabhaig distillery on Skye is among the spirits I explore in the latest in this…

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Glen Scotia: Preview of dunnage tasting whiskies

Glen Scotia is taking its malts festival online again next week – and Peter Ranscombe has had a sneak peak at the whiskies it will serve. TODAY, Campbeltown is home to just three distilleries – J&A Mitchell & Co’s Springbank and Glengyle, and Loch Lomond Group’s Glen Scotia. Wind the clock back to the Victorian…

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A collection of vital whiskies for the 21st century

The Whisky Exchange is launching a tasting set that takes drinkers on a journey through the ground-breaking whiskies of the 21st century. In the two decades since brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh founded The Whisky Exchange, the whisky landscape has evolved dramatically. From the meteoric rise of peated styles to the emergence of stellar whiskies…

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The best sake and shochu for whisky fans

Japan’s brewed and distilled drinks have lots to offer Scotch lovers, as Peter Ranscombe finds out. YOU’VE heard of sake, but how about shochu? While sake has been growing in popularity and prominence in Scotland, I confess that shochu was a new one on me. Sake is brewed like a beer, while shochu is distilled…

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GlenDronach releases its ninth limited edition

The GlenDronach Distillery has released its ninth limited edition release of its cask strength Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, this richly-sherried expression offers connoisseurs a deeper insight into the distillery’s signature profile, by bottling the whisky at its natural cask strength of 59.4%, to bring…

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NOTEBOOK – JANUARY 2021 – WHISKY FOR BURNS NIGHT

Scottish Field drinks blogger Peter Ranscombe dips into his notebook to share his selection of whiskies to mark Burns Night at home. “IT’LL be a [insert name of event here] like no other…” has become one of the most hackneyed phrases during the pandemic – including by yours truly. Burns Night is no exception. Burns…

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Glen Scotia toasts entrepreneurs

GLEN Scotia will be toasting innovative business owners as part of a new deal with the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The Campbeltown distillery has signed up as the competition’s “entrepreneurial spirit partner”. Under the agreement, the whisky label will sponors the contest’s entrepreneurial spirit award and will also celebrate an entrepreneur each month on social…

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Hydrogen-powered whisky and gin

TWO distilleries on Orkney are investigating whether they can use hydrogen to make their whisky and gin. Whisky maker Highland Park and gin producer Orkney Distillery are looking at powering their distilleries using hydrogen. Orkney’s European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is at the forefront of hydrogen technology. The centre is using electricity generated by renewable…

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