Chapter One

We took a poll among a bunch of our friends, and asked one question: “What are the best whisky distilleries no one has ever heard of?” The group included a couple of respected whisky bloggers, a handful of industry professionals, and a few very knowledgeable amateurs. We collated their responses and came up with a …

Everyone's heard of Blended Scotch. And if you're part of this group, then you know something about Single Malt. But what about Blended Malts? Thanks to the current tariff situation, that “other scotch” has been (and no doubt will continue to be) the subject of much discussion. But what, exactly, is it, and what's in …

Dearly Beloved, Please join the Orange County Scotch Club in celebrating The Day of the Dead, and honoring seven distilleries now passed on to the big warehouse in the sky. Some of the biggest names among the dead will be there. Many of these expressions are off the market entirely and some are rarities that …

Earlier this year we spent some time investigating the virtues of young whisky. This month we turn our attention towards the other end of the spectrum: Mature Malts. For your edification, we've assembled a selection of single malts from twenty-one to twenty-eight years of age. Is older whisky better whisky? Let's find out. You are …

This month we return to our exploration of the Five Whisky Regions with a visit to the Highlands. The largest region geographically, the Highlands are home to the second largest number of distilleries, after Speyside. We've selected half a dozen expressions showcasing the wide variety of whisky styles produced in what is arguably the first …

Bourbon Tasting with the OC Scotch Club

Last month we tasted a group of young, very peaty whiskies. This month we tackle some youngsters with no more than a whisper of peat. We've assembled a collection six bottles, from a "yesterday we couldn't call it whisky" three year old from the newest distillery in the Highlands, to an "almost grown-up" nine from …

The whisky world worships maturity, with age statements of even basic expressions pushing higher and higher all of the time. But in the last couple of years, connoisseurs have been rediscovering the joys of younger, more sprightly drams. Whisky producers, from independent bottlers to the distilling giants, have been releasing expressions with single digit ages. …

We will continue our exploration of the "Five Whisky Regions" by visiting the Lowlands. We've collected examples from all six working distilleries that currently have whisky on the market. Is there such a thing as a "Lowland style?" We'll find out as we try these rare bottles, including an Eden Mill Distillery,  making us some …