The first time I tasted Glenfarclas was the Family Cask brought to me by the Doc. It was rich, deep, and wonderfully sweet. It was last summer, during a period when I couldn’t bring myself to drink smoky whisky as usual, and the Glenfarclas landed perfectly for me. A summer […]
Read Morewhiskey magazine
Exploring the History of Alcohol and Whisky: The Excise Act of 1823
Lately, I’ve been delving into the history of alcohol, especially whisky, thanks to my Prohibition tour. One of the most important laws in the history of whisky in Scotland that I’ve been dissecting all day is the Excise Act of 1823. This law is ostensibly the date when whisky became […]
Read More
Whiskey Show: A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Discoveries
Wow. The Whiskey Show was intense, exhilarating, and emotional, with treasures to be found in every corner. Now, as I land back home, I’m feeling a bit confused and down after the high. For me, the strongest dynamic at the show was between the desire to learn from the experts […]
Read MoreA Delightful Conversation on Omer Ganor’s Podcast
I’m thrilled to share that I had the pleasure of being hosted by Omer Ganor on his podcast for Episode 77. As an Israeli living abroad for the past 20 years, mainly in the U.S., it was an incredible opportunity to connect with Omer and discuss my whiskey journey. Over […]
Read More
Heading Home: Prayers for My Flood-Prone Basement
Alright, I’m on my way home, and already the Governor of New Jersey has declared a flood emergency. So, I’m asking for the public’s help in praying for my basement, which holds many records (the whiskey is not there, don’t worry) and is at risk of flooding… Hoping I don’t […]
Read MoreThere’s Nothing Like Friday Whiskey
Even abroad, you can feel that special Friday energy. A friend invited me for an afternoon coffee with some gooey gluten-free brownies… so, of course, I brought along an essential addition for a Friday afternoon. 60.9% Red Snake— a single malt from an exceptional single cask, matured in an ex-bourbon […]
Read MoreThis Day in Whiskey History: Marking 105 Years Since the Start of Prohibition
Today marks 105 years since the onset of “Prohibition” in the United States—a period during which it was illegal to manufacture, transport, and sell alcohol. However, it was still legal to drink alcohol if, say, you were sick or happened to have a stockpile at home. This period continues to […]
Read MoreThis Day in Whiskey History: International Bootlegger Day!
If yesterday we marked the date when Prohibition was enforced, today we celebrate one of the key roles that played a part in resisting Prohibition—the bootleggers. Those of you who invested your best fortunes in stores like “The Third Ear” and “The Hole in the Black” are familiar with the […]
Read MoreAn Evening Honoring Robert Burns at the Burns Supper
This evening, I had the immense honor of participating in an annual Scottish ceremony that celebrates the life and poetry of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Burns wrote extensively about the many women in his life, nature, and he is credited with bringing whisky to the forefront of Scottish culture […]
Read MoreThis Day in Whiskey History: Remembering George Garvin Brown
Today, we commemorate 107 years since the death of George Garvin Brown, the man behind Old Forester and the Brown-Forman Corporation. Brown, with Old Forester, brought about the standardization of quality at a time when whiskey was classified as ‘medicine’ and there was no regulation on what could be added […]
Read More