@roadtodram.bsky.social
Born again whisky geek and blogger, exploring the water of life in its many variations Check my blog at http://www.roadtodram.com
Another week, another Rye review, Heaven Hill’s Pikesville Rye this time. It is a chance to try a bottle often suggested as a great affordable rye (in the US), and it allows me to have a peek at the story of a brand that traces its origins before prohibition.
roadtodram.com/the-drinker-...
Reviewing the New Riff Malted Rye 6-year-old Bottled in Bond gives me a chance to explore a different style from your standard North American Rye bottlings. Is it more Rye or more malted grain whisky, and maybe, is it just the perfect Rye for Single Malt lovers?
roadtodram.com/new-riff-mal...
Today I am looking at another entry-level Rye, the Sagamore Spirit Rye and taking the opportunity to learn about Maryland-style rye whiskeys, what they are today, and what they (possibly) were before prohibition.
For the full review: roadtodram.com/sagamore-spi...
With the weather turning cooler, I am in the mood to explore some Rye whiskey. To kick things off, I am tasting Redwood Empire’s Emerald Giant. As much as I love the artwork on the label, this is one of those times where the artworks beats the liquid.
roadtodram.com/redwood-empi...
New core range releases from Scottish distilleries are not a common thing. So when Glen Scotia released a new 12 year old, all naturally presented at that, I knew I had to take a pause from the planned posting schedule and have a taste.
For the full review: roadtodram.com/glen-scotia-...
Wrapping up my look at alternatives to popular entry-level whiskies, with peat. Specifically alternatives to one of the most popular reviews on my site, Ledaig 10. When it comes to peat, drinkers seem to be looking for a more intensity and integrity- great news!
roadtodram.com/five-alterna...
In part three of my series on alternatives to popular entry level whiskies, I dive into alternatives to Tamdhu 12.
It’s a bit ironic to suggest alternatives to a whisky which itself is often suggested as an alternative but I am easily amused.
roadtodram.com/alternatives...
For my next look at alternatives to popular entry level single malts, I put together five suggestions to explore for those who enjoy Aberlour’s 12 double cask.
roadtodram.com/aberlour-12-...
I am going back to the early days of my blog, started to help other whisky-curious drinkers explore the wonderful world of whisky. Offering some help with the early steps seems only fair. Starting today with my five alternatives to Glenfiddich 12.
roadtodram.com/glenfiddich-...
Last stop in my series on teen age statement whiskies and time to look at a brand which I have become a fan of but I am also concerned for seeing the direction their parent company is taking. Time to look at anCnoc/Knockdhu and their 18!year old release.
roadtodram.com/ancnoc-18-ye...
There are few single malts in the 18-year-old category that match the quality-to-price ratio of the Loch Lomond 18. Considering we still haven’t seen bottling fully produced under master distiller Michael Henry, I think the best is still to come for Loch Lomond.
roadtodram.com/loch-lomond-...
A surprising blind tasting result made me doubt my own Craigellachie 17 hype - was I a victim of the echo chamber effect? Patience and time brought me back to my initial excitement, a good lesson on not judging a whisky via an isolated dram.
roadtodram.com/craigellachi...
Today’s review of the Kilkeran 16 brings a reflection on scoring scales and why I decided to stick to Dramface’s 10-point scale from day 1, rather than the more ubiquitous, but flawed, 100 point scale. That this is also my highest rated review, is the cherry on top.
roadtodram.com/kilkerran-16...
Benromach has a special place in my whisky affections. The 10 year old is the ideal dram for budding enthusiasts, and the 2014 Cask Strength remains my highest scoring review.
So I couldn’t waste the chance to add another Benromach review, the 15 year old this time.
roadtodram.com/benromach-15...
Today’s review of the Old Pulteney 15 gives me a chance to revisit a distillery which I enjoyed during my early days but pretty much ignored since then. And the reason for that is a mixture of peer pressure and evolving tastes. Was it the right choice?
roadtodram.com/old-pulteney...
The l heatwave in Europe doesn’t make for whisky-dinking weather. So the temptation to take a small break has been strong. Instead, it is time to kick off a series of reviews dedicated to teen malts - I had to start with a summery whisky: the Glencadam 15-year-old.
roadtodram.com/glencadam-15...
And so, I get to the (temporary) end of this Global Intermission. Temporary because I have only touched a tiny part of the whisky scene outside of the British Isles.
I am wrapping things up with this review of the Westland American Single Malt Sherry Wood.
roadtodram.com/westland-she...
My little tour of world whisky brings me to Sweden and Mackmyra. After last year’s bankruptcy, the new ownership is trying to right the ship. I’ll wait and see, meanwhile i am reviewing their core range Svensk Ek.
roadtodram.com/mackmyra-sve...
I am using my short break from Scottish whisky to dip my toes into Japanese whisky, a category I have actively avoided for a few years. I am starting today with the Nikka Miyagikyo. Maybe I should reconsider my stance….but those prices still remain a pain point.
roadtodram.com/nikka-miyagi...
Over the next month, I’ll take a little break from Scotland and try a few World Whiskies. For once, availibiity rather than intention is deciding what I will review. I am starting with the Indri Trini, late to the party but keen to find out what the fuss is about.
roadtodram.com/indri-trini-...
Final sample from Cadenhead’s February 2025 releases, a maritime Lediag 14 yo with gentle smoke and just an edge of that typical lactic funk.
And with that this little 100th review celebration is over. Thank you for following and visiting the blog and to a 100 more!
roadtodram.com/review-100-c...
Two Cadenhead’s Enigma’s bottlings from the February releases. The Irish single malt is unusual, tropical but very reminiscent of corn spirit. The Speyside, finished in Pineau des Charentes cask is a rich and elegant Speysider, one of my favourites from this bunch of releases
17.05.2025 15:46 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
It is always refreshing to get a chance to try an ex-Boubon take from a distillery like GlenAllachie, which I always associate with Sherry and cask finishes. Fruity, spicy and, intriguingly, still nutty even with no Sherry in sight.
14.05.2025 23:17 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Cadenhead’s Original Collection 13 years old: as fruity and sweet as it gets.
13.05.2025 16:51 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
This week Road to Dram reaches its 100th review. Peanuts, but it still makes me proud.
To celebrate, I am going to dive into Cadenhead’s February 2025 releases. The full reviews will go live on schedule next Saturday but until then, I will share a little teaser every day, to a 100 more!
Finally, I come to the end of this series of reviews dedicated to cask finishes. To close things off, I am reviewing the Ledaig Sinclair series Rioja cask.
And while I am at it, I will try it side by side with the Ledaig 10.
roadtodram.com/ledaig-sincl...
As I continue exploring cask-finished whiskies, today I am reviewing the Glenglassaugh Portsoy. After a couple of bottles led by their cask influence, I am intrigued to see how Glenglassaugh’s more restrained approach fares.
roadtodram.com/glenglassaug...
Which distilleries are doing cask finishes best? Glasgow 1770 is definitely in my top 3. Haven’t had one of their Small Batch series that I didn’t like. So today, for my series on cask finish I am reviewing their Peated Marsala
roadtodram.com/glasgow-1770...
Craigellachie 13 is one of my favourite “entry level” malts. I was curious to see how the Bas Armagnac would compare. Extra kudos for delivering an age-stated cask finished product in a world that seems to relegate cask finished whiskies to NAS.
roadtodram.com/craigellachi...
Another stop in this series about cask-finished whiskies and another wine, this time Sauternes. But rather than pick one of the distilleries carrying cask finish as a lineup stable, I decided to go for Ardnamurchan’s Sauternes Cask Finish.
roadtodram.com/ardnamurchan...
