Caramel in Whisk(e)y? What is Caramel colouring anyway?!

What is the Caramel colouring in Whisky? Why is there caramel colouring in Whisky? anyways? You always hear about the E150a in Scotch. Is E150a a Caramel colouring? What is the Caramel Colouring in Whisky? The answer to this questions...

How do we smell and taste whisky?

I have been looking for some actual science that explains how we smell and taste whisky. How do whisky-chemicals interact with you brain.? I say brain because your brain is the end point. ps: if you replace whisky by whiskey,...

OCTOMORE OBA CONCEPT OBA/C_0.1, first tasting notes

I was reminding the Feis Ile 2016 Masterclass when Octomore Black Art was first presented. If you missed the introduction you can look at it here If you have not seen the introduction. Please take 10 minutes to watch the...

Same WATERFORD Spirit in 4 different Wood Type Casks

I have been wondering for a long time what the effects would be of putting the same spirit in different kinds of wooden Casks. That is why I have been keeping track of "The Funnies" which have been maturing over...

Terroir Research Update December 2019

Just some links to Terroir related Research. PS: I keep track of all research published anywhere. I will not mention all the research with a terroir link since that would result in over 2840 papers for 2019 alone. If you...

My Whisky Trend 2019

2019 has been a year of, trying, to explore terroir and oak species influences in whisky. What does that mean from a buying perspective for me? Well it meant that I have been buying very purposefully. I have bought Westland...

The Octomore X4+10 opened

Yes yes, some people buy Octomore Bottled like this for investing and some people open it and enjoy it! So the first impression of the Bruichladdich Octomore Concept 02 is very positive! I have to write down notes but I...

Why Buy Octomore X4+10?

Every ones in a while you get an email that sets your mind racing. Most of the times this is somehow whisky related. And this time I had an idea what it might have been. The team at Bruichladdich had...

Westlands American Oak Whiskey vs Garryana 2/1

I have, finally, had the time to compare two WestLand Single Malt Whiskeys. Today I had a free hour and so I could sit down and have a moment with these two drams. Ok, I needed my Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones...

Oak Species Flavour Profiles

Different Species of Oak give different flavours to a wine, beer or spirit. We all know this. There are some general indications for the origin of the oak. These are "American Oak", "European Oak" and "Japanse Oak". To sort the...

Angels’ Share is Time, Humidity, Temperature, Chemistry, etc etc

I have always been interested in the actual Science behind the "Angels’ Share" phenomenon ever since I first heard the term. This phenomenon is currently mostly explained in simpleton terminologies. I am always glad somebody has actually done some science....

Whisky Droplets Create “Unique” patterns

I was pointed to a synopsis that investigates the origins of Bourbon Whiskey and Scotch Whisky by looking at how the "solids" in the Whisky for "coffee ring" when evaporating. The way this is done as meant to be yet...