Circumnavigating Ireland – July 2023

I’d been to Ireland numerous times over the past 20 years; however, I’d never been to Northern Ireland, nor to the northwest coast of County Donegal. On my various journeys, I’d visited family and friends, and, of course, distilleries. In July of 2023, I traveled with my partner, Maggie, along the Wild Atlantic Way, hiking,…

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Whisk(e)y Value

When I started Whisk(e)yPoints a few years ago, pricing was somewhat stable. Recently, however, with rising popularity, inflation and international tariffs, some of my original value assessments may no longer be valid. So, I have updated the algorithm to correspond to today’s market prices (see chart below). For any whisky I have rated, the price…

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More Octomore, Please

I was first introduced to Octomore Single Malt Scotch in August of 2015. And, I’ve been hooked ever since. I was eating dinner at the bar at Sperry’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs, NY; and I struck up a conversation with the guy sitting next to me. He saw that I had ordered a cocktail and…

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Feis Ile 2019

I’m back home from Feis Ile 2019, the Islay Festival of Music and Malt held during the last week of May every year on the Isle of Islay. This was the 33rd year.  What began as a small, fairly local event, has blossomed into one of the biggest whisky extravaganzas in the world.  The tiny…

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Scotch Whisky Course – April 2019

If you’re looking to learn about Scotch Whisky, please join Mike Sirianni from 9 Maple Ave and Charles Grabitzky from The Saratoga Whiskey Club on a 4-week educational course on Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The classes will be held once a week on Tuesday evenings at 9 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY from 6pm to…

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My Favorite Whiskies

Friends occasionally ask me what are my favorite whiskies. I have many favorites, depending upon my mood. Sometimes I want a bourbon, other times a smoky Islay malt, a spicy rye, a creamy Irish Single Pot Still, a sweet and fruity Speyside, a funky Campbeltown, a sherry-finished and mildly smoky Islands whisky, or a light…

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My Top 10 Whisk(e)y Experiences of 2018

I had so many fantastic whiskey-related adventures last year. I visited multiple distilleries in Kentucky, Scotland and Japan, courtesy of Rascal + Thorn; and I had numerous wonderful tastings in Saratoga Springs with the Saratoga Whiskey Club. My top 10 whisk(e)y experiences of 2018 (in no particular order): 1 Chichibu Distillery (tour & tasting room)…

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