Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2025 från Whisky Advocate

We’ve kicked whisky into travel mode for summer, discovering things and places near and far. We cover trains, airports, cruise ships, great golfing, and more, all in the name of expanding your whisky horizons. Our main story takes us to Ireland, where we explore how the Irish whiskey scene is faring after its renaissance of the past 15-20 years. We check in with three newer whiskey makers—Natterjack, Ardara, and Two Stacks—for a close-up on their progress in a market that’s grown a bit tighter over the last couple of years. These three companies are fairly representative of the broader Irish landscape, where distillers are refining their techniques to make new and different whiskeys. And it’s not just Ireland’s newcomers who are hard at work: The country’s two major players, Irish…

Welcome to sundae school, where we’ve got the scoop on identifying ice cream parlor flavors in whisky. Picture the first lick of a perfect vanilla scoop, a spoonful of affogato for a sophisticated after-dinner treat, or the joy of a sweet frozen dairy dessert coated with sprinkles, drizzled in hot fudge, and studded with cookie dough chunks, with swirls of whipped cream. Given the thousands of available scoop-shop flavors, arguably almost any ice cream or gelato flavor could turn up in a whisky tasting note, but when it’s found, the reviewer generally is not simply referring to a single flavor. Instead, the senses are being stimulated by a combination of mouthfeel, texture, creaminess, and strength in the whisky, while the taste buds are making multiple connections between different flavors and…

When the weather warms up and more of life’s pleasures take place outside, even enthusiastic home bartenders know that it’s not always practical to mix up cocktails to go. But nowadays, there are high-quality ready-to-drink (RTD) options that you can take almost anywhere. In 2019, entrepreneurs Neal Cohen and Yoni Reisman were taking stock of the drinks landscape. At the time, these two ardent cocktail lovers were regularly working major outdoor festival events, and they noticed there were plenty of vodka lemonades, but no prepared drinks for cocktail aficionados. “We had such a love of cocktails and felt the accessibility was so limited,” says Cohen, noting you either had to head to a bar or make them at home. So Tip Top Proper Cocktails was born to fill the void.…

The Irish whiskey narrative over the past 15–20 years has been a story of restoration, perseverance, and conviction, galvanized by a resilient spirit that recognizes how the island nearly lost its whiskey industry in the 20th century. Dozens of new distilleries and hundreds of new Irish whiskey brands were founded with aspirations of capturing the U.S. market, but now find themselves facing a post-Covid world battling the combined effects of geopolitical uncertainty, economic downturns in China, trade tensions, and a sober-curious Gen Z. Persuading whiskey drinkers to explore beyond Jameson has been a challenge, such is its dominance among Irish whiskeys. As all styles of whisky struggle, the global casualty list of distilleries keeps growing, the most high-profile Irish example being Waterford Distillery, which went into receivership in November 2024…

Golf and whisky just go hand in hand. It makes sense, after all, as the game was cultivated in a region where, for just as long, whiskies were crafted with similar attention to detail, care, and passion. And nothing celebrates a day on the links better than a dram. When the game was first introduced stateside in the late 19th century, it brought whisky enjoyment with it. Golf resorts have since flourished, both in the U. S. and throughout the British Isles, and so we celebrate golf courses with whisky programs that match the elevated level of their play. A visit to one of the following seven destinations will find exceptional whiskies being poured once the day’s final putts are holed. Adare Manor COUNTY LIMERICK, IRELAND For first-time guests, visiting…

For much of tequila’s history, barrel aging wasn’t a huge consideration—tequila was meant to be consumed young, with the spirit’s natural flavors unadulterated by wood. But as tequila moved up the ladder of respectability, distillers began to barrel-age their products. Today, aged expressions are an almost required part of a tequila distiller’s portfolio, and tequileros are pushing boundaries by trying different barrels, new techniques, and longer aging processes. Tequila barrel aging dates as far back as 1800, according to some historians, but whether those barrels were used for aging or simply for storage is unclear. Regardless, the vast majority of tequila consumed well into the 20th century was blanco, or unaged. The first laws distinguishing aged from unaged tequila weren’t laid down in Mexico until 1964, and even then the…

When chef Eileen Andrade opened Amelia’s 1931, she chose not to locate it in one of Miami’s classically trendy neighborhoods like Wynwood or South Beach, but rather in West Kendall, closer to where she grew up. It makes sense: Amelia was the name of her grandmother, and the restaurant is an homage to her love of Cuban food. And while tequila is of course not produced in Cuba, many of the flavors of the island are well-suited to pairing with it. The ceviche verde recipe below is a delicious example. “Tequila has a beautiful vegetal flavor that elevates food in general, and it pairs with so many different flavor profiles,” Andrade explains. “In this case, the heat of the salsa verde is mellowed by the tequila. Both [that] and the…

Denver was one of the birthplaces of the craft brewing movement, which led to craft distilleries, some helmed by pioneering brewers. The city boasts some of the nation’s oldest craft distilleries, with an unusually strong focus on whiskey compared to other spirits, especially American single malt. But, from distilleries to bars with elaborate cocktails, Denver covers all the bases and is arguably the nation’s best big city for whiskey lovers. It’s also quite affordable. Making Denver even more appealing is a reliable international airport with non-stop flights from around the country and the world. It has the best public transport connection to downtown of any U.S. airport, with direct rail service into the city’s Union Station, the heart of downtown, at just $10 for the 37-minute ride. Once there, most…

Scotch whisky’s independent bottlers undoubtedly helped popularize single malt scotch in the late 20th century. But the number of independent bottlers grew with the market, and soon more companies were chasing casks. Some distillers terminated their supply contracts with independent bottlers when business was booming, keeping supplies for their own bottlings and thereby making it harder to acquire the best barrels. Without equal distribution and marketing muscle, independent bottlers struggled to get noticed at the height of the whisky boom. Top-tier independent bottlers including Gordon & MacPhail, Hunter Laing, Wemyss Malts, and Adelphi changed their business model, pivoting to become distillers and take control of their own destiny. Now, with the whisky market contracting, new opportunities are on the horizon for independent bottlers to build up inventories as distillers’ supply…

International travel opens up a world of unforgettable experiences, and a world of opportunity for whisky shoppers. Airports, border shops, ports, airplanes, cruise ships, and ferries all offer a chance to buy whisky in Travel Retail with no taxes or duties, and thus potentially cheaper than what you’d pay at home. Over the years, Travel Retail has become very big business, with airports in particular offering sophisticated high-end shopping venues. Modern Travel Retail is engineered to steer a captive audience through a gauntlet of eager salespeople and flashy advertising for alcohol, tobacco, fragrances, cosmetics, oversized chocolate bars, toys, gifts, souvenirs, sunglasses, electronics, and travel accessories. In some airports, passengers must pass through the shopping areas right after security before they can reach the main lounge. But even the most time-pressed…

Tequila truly embodies the spirit of Mexico, in both the literal sense—it’s the country’s national drink—and more figuratively for its importance in Mexican culture and tradition. The story of tequila is woven into the country’s history. Just as bourbon is to the U.S. and scotch is to Scotland, tequila is a celebration of Mexican craftsmanship, and it has risen to become a dominant spirit for drinks enthusiasts around the world. What Is Tequila? Put simply, tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue Weber agave plant. But of course, there’s a lot more to it than that. To be classified as tequila, a spirit must be made from at least 51% blue Weber agave in one of five Mexican states. Tequila is big business in Mexico, and its production…

Back in the ’90s, you’d be hardpressed to find a decent tequila list anywhere in town. Today it’s a completely different story. Whether you’re in the mood for blanco-based Margaritas or ready to sip some rare extra añejo, these places have what you’re looking for—and then some. Barrio Minneapolis This spot prides itself on authentic scratchmade Latin cuisine and bold cocktails. It offers 12 Margarita variations ($10-$15), including the Pink Elephant, made with Maestro Dobel tequila, Aperol, Cointreau, and grapefruit and lime juices; and the Diamante Pepino, featuring Maestro Dobel, Cointreau, jalapeño, cucumber, and lime juice. The backbar holds a large selection of 150-plus agave-based spirits and more than 40 flights. barriotequila.com Cantina Dos Segundos Philadelphia This Mexican restaurant has over 100 different tequilas available, with highlights including Gran…

Ask someone what fruit they associate with whisky, and chances are their answer will be a dried, citrus, or stone fruit. After all, they are common tasting notes and cocktail garnishes. But the humble banana surely deserves a shout-out. “While they may seem an unlikely combo, whisky and banana present similar flavor components and, as a result, go well together,” explains Wil Schultz, bar manager of Oak Steakhouse in Nashville. That hint of banana you may detect in a bourbon or Irish whiskey? That’s isoamyl acetate, an oily liquid that naturally forms during the fermentation process and tastes like the fruit. Adding a banana syrup or liqueur to your cocktail can easily bring this subtle flavor to the forefront, says Colin Bugbee, bartender at Cure in New Orleans. And since…

Cruising the high seas and sipping fine whisky may seem like something from the movies, but nowadays it’s a reality. Led by luxury lines like Holland America, Regent Seven Seas, and Celebrity, today’s ships offer a full range of exclusive whiskies, including private barrels and allocated labels that are sometimes hard for even landlubbers to find. Holland America recently added several single barrels to its fleet, served aboard its ships in venues like the Ocean Bar and Gallery Bar. Holland’s whisky cruising started last year with just one private barrel—Buffalo Trace bourbon—which sold out in two months. It has since expanded to include nine single barrel offerings. The current lineup includes Weller Full Proof, Weller Antique 107, two Angel’s Envy port barrel finishes and a madeira finished, plus single barrels…

One of the more curious appetizers of the 21st century must certainly be the slider. After all, they’re simply sparingly garnished small hamburgers, yet sliders hold an allure their larger and more copiously accessorized cousins do not. Perhaps it’s their cuteness. Or their portability. Or maybe they really are something quite different. First introduced by the White Castle restaurant chain in 1921, it’s been said that the slider served to assuage the American public’s widespread distrust of the cleanliness of ground beef at the time, presumably the same reason the castle was white, suggesting hospital-like sterility. It’s only within the past two to three decades, however, that the slider has made the jump from fast food and hors d’oeuvres to restaurant staple. Leaving aside for the moment the many variations…

Tendrils of smoke bobbed and weaved through the air and Glencairn glasses clinked with abandon at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, Florida on March 29th, as avid cigar fans joined forces with whisky lovers at the annual Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest, now in its fourth year. The night kicked off with the 5:30 p.m. VIP hour, during which ticket holders were among the first to access the evening’s 30-plus cigars—hailing from Arturo Fuente, La Flor Dominicana, J.C. Newman, and more—and rarefied pours from the likes of Johnnie Walker, Lagavulin, Bardstown Bourbon Co., Penelope Bourbon, Redemption, and Crown Royal. Among those wandering the VIP floor was Eddie Coronado, a longtime Big Smoke attendee (this year marked his 15th), and a regular at the Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest…

Everybody loves a good train ride, and whisky lovers are often among those fascinated by the romance and history of the rails. Here we’ve assembled train journeys suited to the scotch whisky lover—with stunning views and destinations, mainly in the Highlands. Some are luxury travel experiences with full-on dining and amenities, while others are simply trains offering beautiful views of the countryside on their travels through whisky country. Certainly, Scotland has a wide array of scenic train rides for whisky lovers to enjoy, as well as great railway history—it’s home to the Flying Scotsman, the most famous steam locomotive of its day when it was built in 1923, which pulled the first non-stop train from London to Edinburgh and became the first locomotive to reach 100 miles an hour (in…

While much has been written about the downturns in whisky sales of virtually all kinds, the trend hasn’t quite led us back to the bargain days of before the boom, when many of today’s most coveted labels sat on retail shelves unwanted. But what we have been seeing is a rise in aged whiskies, as companies start to move some of their more mature inventories. That’s been good news for whisky lovers, as the days of rushing out young or non-age stated whiskies appear to be over. We have some well-aged high scorers in the guide, with 95 pointers from Deanston 18 year old and Bernheim Barrel Proof’s first release of the year, and 94 pointers for Bushmills 21 year old Three Wood Cask Reserve, Glengoyne Oak Masters’ 24 year…

High-end tequila has all the ingredients to become the next major collectible spirit. Connoisseurs and collectors are drawn to tequila by its artisanal production methods, cult master distillers, celebrity-backed brands, and innovation. There has also been a jump in luxury-packaged bottles, a rise in tequila appearances at auction, and the arrival of the first tequila NFT. “We’ve seen a lot of crossover between our whisky clients and those starting to invest in agave-based spirits,” says A.J. Heindel, co-founder of Chicago-based Unicorn Auctions. Online auction houses are a good source for rare tequila, but the traditional salerooms like Sotheby’s, Bonhams, and Christie’s have yet to embrace it. Whisky.Auction has handled over 1,500 lots of tequila over the past 10 years, and sold a bottle of Patrón En Lalique Serie 1—a 100%…

Whisky may be your ride or die, but don’t let your loyalty keep you from enjoying the other spices of life. Using tequila in place of whisky in cocktails makes them brand new yet still recognizable. Reposado tequila is ideal to use as your base swap. “The two spirits share a deep barrel-aged complexity that offers rich notes of oak, spice, and caramel,” explains Alberto Guzman Ontiveros, food and beverage manager at Casa Salles in Tequila, Mexico. “The reposado tequila adds smooth agave elements with touches of natural sweetness that keep classic whisky cocktails familiar, yet refreshingly unexpected.” But you can also use blanco tequila, which can add bright agave sweetness, earthiness, and spice. “It transforms classics into something fresher and more vibrant, while still delivering depth and balance,” says…