Whisky Whiskey

After being encouraged to try Rye Whiskies in the past, and was yet to find a Rye that I actually liked...I was nervous about trying this particular offering from High West, when I found it in my samples I got as a Christmas present from my oldest Sister and her family. Sometimes you have to try something new and oh, my goodness...did I just find the first Rye Whiskey I actually love? Let's see...
With John Chidgey.

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Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Whilst this offering from Scapegrace did not come from their new Distillery, I talk about their new location almost on the 45th parallel in the Otago Highlands of the South Island of New Zealand as well as review this interesting dram...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

When I got this sample for Christmas as a present from my siter and her family, I have to admit I was drawn to this one. Arran have proven to be a popular, relative newcomer, to the Scotch Whisky scene and set up on the Isle of Arran, this particular offering is the fourth and final in their Explorer series. It's a delightful dram, that's for sure.
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Having previously reviewed the Penderyn Celt and also tried the Myth at a Whisky Club night in mid-2025, I was thrilled that a sample of this was in the tasting set I got from the sister and her family as a Christmas Present! I'd heard good things about this one, and it's quite different to the Bushmills 21 Year Madeira Finish I'd tried in the past.
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

The first ever Distillery purchased by John Walker & Sons was Cardhu, though originally written Cardow. I'd always wanted to try a single malt release of this stuff, and thankfully my oldest sister and her family had given me a sample box as a Christmas present with this in it for me to try. I look at the history of Cardhu, starting with the original owner being busted multiple times for illegal Whisky distillation...as well as review their 18 year offering. It's not what I expected...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Upon receiving a Christmas gift of six Whisky samples to review on the show, I was delighted when I found this one in the pack... I'd heard a lot about BenRiach and it's connection with Billy Walker, of more recent GlenAllachie fame. For the first BenRiach I've reviewed...this one is a cracker!
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

The final of the Alchemical Series is the Fire, so named in part due to its colour and also in part due to its being finished in an ex-Islay Peated Cask. Being a growing fan of strongly Peated Whiskies at the moment, how does a Peaty-Amber-Lane Whisky taste? Finally I wrap up my thoughts on the Alchemical Series and rank them.
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

The Earth offering is matured in ex-Apera and finished in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks and the result is, well, an Earthy, Rich Sherry bomb. Just my kinda dram but how does it stack up against the others in the series...then again, how does it stand up against some of my favourite Sherry Bomb Scotch Whiskies? I have to admit, this one, blew, me, away...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

At the half-way mark through the Alchemical Series we've reached the Air, which was so described becuase of how it tastes...which is quite light. This one caught me by surprise about how dangerously easy it was to drink, but how does it compare to the others so far?
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Having just reviewed the Amber Lane Water, we move on to the unusually named Quintessence that is an alternative word for the more often-used word Aether. Whatever you call it, this was rapid-proofed rather than slow-proofed and the differences between this and the Water are striking. We also discuss how Amber Lane as a Distillery manage their water supply and of course, review the Whisky.
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.