Whisky Whiskey

The Alchemical Series was released by Amber Lane in October 2024 with five offerings, each named after an element of ancient Science. Each has a different twist on cask finishing and fast or slow proofing and the results vary considerably. We start this off with the Water and see for ourselves how slow-proofing has impacted this dram. It's not what you'd expect...
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.

The last of the Amber Lane Core Range is the Liquid Amber, and being partly matured in ex-Pedro Ximénez casks it might just be the kinds of Sherry bomb that I have a soft-spot for...but how well can it compete with similarly matured Scotches? I don't want to spoil the ending, but this dram...actually blew my mind.
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.

Now on to the second dram in the Core Range set of three from Amber Lane, this recently released offering is called the younger sibling of the acclaimed Silk Road, but at a more drinkable ABV the Silk Lane has been winning its own awards too. Does it stand up to the hype? Let's find out...
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 heard so many more good things about the Australian Amber Lane Distillery, I got my hands on some of their New Make called 'Pure Amber' as well as a sample pack of their new Core Range, which included their original Equinox Single Malt. I'd already reviewed it way back but nearly one year later, it's time to revisit it and re-review and see if it's the same dram that I remember.
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 2024 release of the Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak, I discovered what was left of my sample from many months ago of the 2017 release...so what's a good Whisky-reviewer to do...? Why, side-by-side compare them of course...and pick a winner. This turned out very differently to what I'd 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.

Many episodes ago I reviewed the 18 Year Sherry Oak but it was the 2017 release. When some very special people bought me a bottle of the 2024 release for my birthday, I was over the moon...that was many months ago and being slightly apprehensive about drinking it, it's time to review the 2024 release to see if it's the great Scotch that I remember...
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.

Unlike my last year in review, this has genuinely been a full 12 months of Whisk(e)y tastings, reviews and learnings and I feel far better positioned to provide recommendations this time around. There's some old favourites and some new discoveries to share! I pick my favourite recommendations for Easy-sipping, Sherried and Peated Whiskies that are reasonably priced...as well as throw in two of my absolute favourites of all time (so far). Strap yourself in...this is a good one!
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 Victoriana is a favourite of many Whisky enthusiasts so I just had to get my hands on a sample and give it a shot! I cover some more about the dark history of Glen Scotia and I also review the dram and contrast it with it's 15 Year brother. Is it worth the extra money?
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.

My exploration of Campbeltown continues as I shift from Glengyle to Glen Scotia. This particular dram I tried at a Whisky Club evening and I subsequently grabbed a bottle when it was on special. Perhaps that's spoiling the ending about how much I liked it...but let's review this properly shall we?
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.

On my trip to New Zealand in July this year, my son and I stayed near Christchurch and while there I stopped by at the lovely Whisky Galore store. They had so many I would have liked to have grabbed however this bottle caught my eye. I grabbed it, had some of it while I was there but couldn't bring it home to Australia with me, so just brought back a sample. I'd tried and enjoyed the Batch 6 at a Whisky Club night last year...how does the Batch 11 compare?
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.