When I first started drinking whisky, I found myself regularly surrounded by whisky snobs. Some were Scotch single malt purists, others were Irish and bourbon drinkers. Myself? I’m an explorer. I think to understand what each distiller has done with their unique ingredients and this ancient method of making spirit. Like comparing Van Gogh to… Continue reading Next Week’s Tasting: A Whisky Worldview
Author: Tash McGill
Women Who Whisky 2017
A brief update to let you know more about this year’s upcoming Women Who Whisky event in Auckland. We started this annual event last year and I was delighted to sell out the venue as we toured through six exceptional whiskies that all feature prominent women as part of their history, present or future. Since… Continue reading Women Who Whisky 2017
I Once Went to Bruichladdich, on the Isle of Islay
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] There are some people and some places that have a certain magic to them. If you are lucky enough to encounter the magic people in the magic places, then things get turned around, upside down and put back to centre inside you – in a… Continue reading I Once Went to Bruichladdich, on the Isle of Islay
Kelpie, Ardbeg Day 2017
It’s the annual Ardbeg Day celebration, where all fans of peaty bog monsters come out to get their hands on deliciously rare and unusual Islay treats from Ardbeg.
Douglas Laing .. Aberlour 20
I’ve had a few of the Old Particular independent bottlings from Douglas Laing & Co. Their single cask bottlings are sourced from some of my favourite distilleries – Aberlour, Auchentoshan, Ben Nevis, Bowmore and Speyburn just to name a few. They are a third generation, family owned whisky business specialising in small batch, single cask… Continue reading Douglas Laing .. Aberlour 20
The Shout: 2017 Whisky Trends piece
I was asked to compile a short guide to emerging whisky trends for the April edition of The Shout. The big trends I see emerging are a little more subtle than some of the big talk recently. Japanese whisky is still popular but it’s new world whisky and American whisky that is trending big time.… Continue reading The Shout: 2017 Whisky Trends piece
A Must-See: The Intoxicating Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd is a must-see performance with an incredibly limited season in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Despite a plot full of depravity, woeful twists of fate and murder (plenty of murder – sometimes three in a minute!), Sweeney Todd is full of deeply human and occasionally sweet moments and endearing characters.
How To Become A Whisky Girl.
It was Curiosity that did it. The truth is while I was on the way to becoming a whisky girl, I was learning a lot about life and so here it is, the lessons so far. Apply them liberally to whisky, love and friends. You won’t regret it.
A Philosophy of Tasting & Treasure Hunting
The story of the day is simply a question: when you should drink whisky and when should you store it away? Which is in turn, closely followed by the question when should you invest in a bottle or just in a dram? And where do you find the very best treasures to be savoured or stored away? The answer to one of those questions is the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
FISH: Lunch With A View
Honest food, he says. “What is that, exactly?” I ask. Meanwhile, dessert is a difficult choice between chocolate tart and the exquisite cheese selection. I’m having lunch with Fraser Shenton, head chef at FISH at Hilton Auckland. Chef decides on the chocolate tart which is indulgent. Thankfully I’m good at indulgence.