Scotch Regions Guide

(Credit: Richard Thomas)

Understanding Scotland’s Whisky Terroirs By Richard Thomas Scotland is unique among the world’s whiskey-making countries because, first and foremost, it has a well-established concept of terroir. This is truly a characteristic in world whiskey known only to Scotland, and Scotland alone. After all, Japan has adapted the Scottish style so well that it produces single… Continue reading Scotch Regions Guide

Big Scotch Whisky: Who Makes It And Where It’s Drunk

Guide To The World’s Biggest Scotch Consuming Countries And Brands By Richard Thomas Although the bourbon and Scotch industries are roughly equal in terms of raw value, in world terms it’s still Scotch whisky that comes out on top. According to Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) figures, the UK exported £3.95 billion ($5.5 billion) in Scotch… Continue reading Big Scotch Whisky: Who Makes It And Where It’s Drunk

The Old Taylor Distillery

Old Taylor in its heyday
(Credit: University of Kentucky)

By Richard Thomas Come this summer, the whiskey news should be full of stories about the grand reopening of the Old Taylor Distillery, heretofore the prettiest distillery ruin in America, what with its fantasy castle facade and decadent, decayed gardens. If the restoration of a lovely old ruin into a functioning distillery. If that weren’t… Continue reading The Old Taylor Distillery

The Biggest Modern Whiskey Disasters

World Whiskey’s Five Worst Industrial Calamities By Richard Thomas Industry is prone to accident and calamity, and the whiskey industry perhaps moreso than most. This is due to the salient fact that it is an industry dealing in a highly flammable substance, namely concentrated alcohol in its vaporous and liquid forms. The history of the… Continue reading The Biggest Modern Whiskey Disasters

The Biggest Rye Whiskey Myths

Despite the labeling, Pikesville isn't a Maryland-style rye.
(Credit: John Rayls)

Debunking The Five Major Myths About Rye Whiskey By Richard Thomas The explosive growth of rye whiskey has drawn more interest in the spirit than it has enjoyed at any time since before Prohibition, but unfortunately all that interest has not wiped away some of the ignorance attached to good, old fashioned rye. Worse, some… Continue reading The Biggest Rye Whiskey Myths