Peat

Dewar’s 21 Year Double Double

Dewar’s scotch is a brand of blended scotch with a history as storied as many single distilleries. Created in 1846 by John Dewar and expanded by his sons so that by the turn of the century, their scotches were winning awards and being gifted to multiple US presidents by Andrew Carnegie. The Dewar’s brand have constructed or bought distilleries to add to production and they currently own Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Macduff and Royal Brackla. While each of these produce single malt offerings, part of their output is allocated to the Dewar’s blended mix. The Dewar’s 21 Year Double Double is thus named for the four-stage process where two parallel batches of single malt and single grain whiskies are aged and blended on their own before finally being married together in ex-sherry casks. Curiously only a 375ml bottle, though the box offers a nice presentation. Heavy marketing around sensation – “Ultimate Smoothness” and “silky smooth finish” versus taste or smell.

By Adam | June 5, 2021 | Blends | No Comments |

The Laphroaig distillery was founded in 1815 by Donald and Alexander Johnston and has a richly storied history on Islay. Though the distillery has changed ownership after passing out of the Johnston family’s hands in the mid-1950s, production has continued unabated. The current portfolio is large and made up of several age-statement offerings, some cycling in and out of availability, along with a few non-age statement whiskies. Few scotches are more common in liquor stores, restaurants and bars (and home bars), even those not specializing in whiskies, than the Laphroaig 10 Year. Because of its wide availability, it is often the first Islay or first scotch in general that some people experience. Another iconic feature of the brand is the Friends of Laphroaig, a brand loyalty program established in 1994 that purports to give the purchaser of every bottle of the brand a lifetime lease of a square foot of Islay, though the program was revamped in 2020. A popular feature of visiting the distillery is being shown one’s personal square foot while enjoying a dram.

By Adam | April 20, 2021 | Islay | No Comments |

There has been a growing trend for the past decade and more of fading age statements on scotches as distilleries are feeling the crunch in supply from demand in an exploding global market. Brands have replaced age statements with whiskies lacking them, to varying success, so it is a surprise to see a major distillery like Ardbeg release a new core offering to their line that carries an age statement. Even more unusual is that it is a young age. The unofficial benchmark for most single malts to list their age is 10 years, as evidences by the many 10 or 12-year scotches on the market. Going younger, especially to 5 years – only two years more than the minimum regulated age required to even be called a whisky in the EU – is even more against the grain. While the Wee Beastie is so named to market the rawness of youth, it already holds a place of interest simply for its bold choices.

By Adam | April 5, 2021 | Islay | No Comments |