By Richard Thomas Richard Thomas, Owner-Editor Best New Whiskey, Heaven Hill 27 Year Old Bourbon: This survivor of the greatest American distillery disaster of modern times, the 1996 Heaven Hill fire, is more than just a magnificent pour of ultra aged bourbon. It also somehow got to the grand old age of 27 years, ancient in bourbon terms, without becoming ...

By Richard Thomas One of the problems bedeviling Scotch is how daunting the wide range of single malts are to newcomers. While not all of the 120 active distilleries in Scotland produce single malt (or single grain) expressions, enough do that a whisky store could stock several dozen single malt brand names without even touching the creations of independent bottlers. ...

By Richard Thomas Once the province of bar, retail and industry pros, whiskey festivals have grown far beyond being mere conventions. These events are now so tourist-centered that it’s hard to find a festival not organized with enthusiasts first and foremost in mind. Most modern festivals were started with drinkers and collectors, not industry pros, in mind. Attending these events ...

By Richard Thomas Although the hot summer weather might not be ideal in terms of sipping on a fine whisk(e)y, that does not translate into it being a slow season for new whiskey releases. This summer is no exception, but is instead exceptional. A clutch of new, noteworthy bourbons are in the pipeline, as well as other American Whiskeys, Scotch ...

By Richard Thomas Japanese Whisky has been a victim of its own success. Long the best kept secret in world whisky, when the big duo of Japanese producers, Suntory and Nikka, decided to break out, they soon found themselves bedecked with awards and acclaim. Shortly thereafter, they were also overextended, with demand far outstripping and unsupported by the aged stock ...