Phew...  Where did the time go?
I started this Liquid Log in 1997 and now a decade has
passed. I'm still as mad about malts as I ever was, but
the symptoms of my malt mania have changed over time.
And so have the whisky world and the audience of MM.
So, I decided this website needed a full refurbishment.
During the reconstruction I'll keep you updated on my
alcoholic adventures via these six special reports;

300A - Past, Present & Future (Observations & ideas)
300B - Hamstergeddon 2006 (our 'six malts' mission)
300C - Festivities (Meetings, festivals and tastings)
300D - Vox Populi (Interesting questions from readers)
300E - A Beginner's Guide to Amsterdam (Off-topic)
300F - The Raveling (Tying up unraveling 'loose ends')
 
 
The 'main' Log Entry #300 contains monthly reviews & dram diaries.
On this page you can find a full list of all entries I've written since April 1, as well as all the E-pistles published on Malt Maniacs. The E-pistles are listed in green. Scroll further down for a quick & dirty 'Hamstergeddon' checklist.

01/08/2006 - Government Conspiracies? (Once again I found myself in mysterious circumstances)
15/07/2006 - Whiskey In The Wild Wild West (distilling activities along the west coast of the USA)
12/07/2006 - Malt Maniacs Awards 2006 (yes, it's on: the fourth edition of the Malt Maniacs Awards)
08/07/2006 - Glenglassaugh Distillery Profile (Craig Daniels chimes in with his silent distillery profile)
04/07/2006 - Maniacal Tasting in Ingooigem ('maniac in waiting' Bert Bruyneel is writing E-pistles like mad)
01/07/2006 - We're Pregnant! (We're expecting our new and improved virtual offspring in six months)
30/06/2006 - The Hamsterdam Sessions (My delayed tasting notes for the 'Hamsterdramming')
28/06/2006 - The Art of Blending Prune Wine & Whisky (Lawrence Graham did some historical research)
28/06/2006 - Bottle Codes (III) (Fred Prins argues that we'd better keep the secret formulas... eh, secret)
24/06/2006 - Glen Flagler / Killyloch Distillery Profile (Robert Karlsson dug deep to get to the bottom)
23/06/2006 - Lowland Whisky (Allan Old finally dares to reveil his deep dark secret: he loves Lowlanders)
21/06/2006 - 1.618 & The Da Vinci Dram (Ralf Mitchell takes a look at whisky from a different perspective)
15/06/2006 - An Interview with George Grant (Luc Timmermans fires a few questions at George Grant)
15/06/2006 - Bottle Codes (II) (Joe Barry's question made me think. And then think some more...)
13/06/2006 - Hamster Fight! (Davin visited Amsterdam for a MASSIVE Hamstergeddon session)
11/06/2006 - Super Wigman Tasting (My doubts about a tasting calling itself 'super' were unfounded)
04/06/2006 - Warming Up  (Davin will drop by tomorrow for a few days of serious 'Hamstergeddon' tasting)
01/06/2006 - Glencraig Distillery Profile (Ho-cheng had a hard task - Glencraig wasn't even a building)
01/06/2006 - Spirit of Speyside Festival 2006 (Yes, Feis Ile isn't the only whisky festival in Scotland.
01/06/2006 - Musings about the original question (3) (The third instalment in Lex's research report)
01/06/2006 - Glen Albyn Distillery Profile (Michel van Meersbergen reports on another silent distillery)
01/06/2006 - Another Look at Oak (Belgian correspondent Bert Bruyneel looks at the physics of oak)
01/06/2006 - Alsatian Adventures 2006 (Part 1) (A partial report on my recent visit to Serge in Alsace)
28/05/2006 - Fame & Fortune (Wow... The malt maniacs have received quite a bit of 'press' lately)
25/05/2006 - Feis Ile 2006 (Needless to say, a number of maniacs will attend the 2006 edition of Feis Ile)
21/05/2006 - Hamstergeddon Status Report 1.5 (My visit to Alsace was a massive hamster-boost)
19/05/2006 - Fresh Casks for Sale? (Richard Secrest asks a common question: where can I buy a cask?)
15/05/2006 - AaA: Old Bottle Effect (Well, that's how the discussion started out. It drifted off topic a bit)
11/05/2005 - A Shifting Paradigm (Why doesn't the current site structure meet our needs anymore?)
10/05/2006 - Editorial Comment on MG Interview (I've been biting my tongue for almost a month)
04/05/2006 - Bottle Codes (Joe Barry from South Africa worries a bit about the small print on the label)
01/05/2006 - Why Oh Why (Let's take a trip down memory lane to explain why I'm wrapping up this log)
30/04/2006 - Status Review (So, what's the progress on Hamstergeddon and my To Do List?)
29/04/2006 - Walpurgis 2006 (Yes, it's that time of the year again. Just a micro-session this time)
27/04/2006 - Amsterdramming (A few assorted tasting notes on recently sampled drams 'in town')
25/04/2006 - Groundhog Day (As so often before I've allowed myself to get a little bit side-tracked)
23/04/2006 - Amsterdam Hot Spots (A quick overview of some useful spots in Amsterdam's city centre)
21/04/2006 - Short Report from Singapore (Kevin Chia offers us a very brief glimpse of life in Singapore)
17/04/2006 - Bang For Your Buck (Kennet argues that my BFYB List is wrong w.r.t. Strathisla 12yo)
16/04/2006 - Martin Green Interview (Ralf Mitchell interviews McTears whisky auctioneer Martin Green)
15/04/2006 - PLOWED Invasion (Some of the American PLOWED people dropped by here in Amsterdam)
14/04/2006 - Limburg 2006 Report (Michel van Meersbergen sent a fresh, piping hot report from Limburg)
09/04/2006 - Chocolate & Whisky? (Martine Nouet's first E-pistle deals with, indeed, culinairy delights)
09/04/2006 - A Beginner's Guide to Amsterdam (Some overdue pointers for tourists on my home town)
08/04/2006 - Live Limburg Video connection (A snapshot of seven maniacs in hog heaven - Germany)
07/04/2006 - Distillery Profiles (It didn't take long for the maniacs to 'overtake me' on the challenge)
05/04/2006 - Wilson & Morgan; Talking & Tasting (Luca Chichizola interviews W&M's Fabio Rossi)
01/04/2006 - First Things First (I had to sample just six more drams to reach the 1500 malts mark)

Oh yeah.... You may have noticed that these entries are listed in an anti-chronological order for a change.
I've sent a questionnaire to the members of the mailinglist and a large majority expressed a preference for a 'blog' structure (latest entries at the top of the page) over the 'chronological' structure I've used so far. So, consider this the first step in that direction. The new version of the site should have a similar logic (which still seems illogical to me ;-)

And now.... (drumroll)...
 

The Hamstergeddon Score Board
(Last Updated: 01/07/2006)

For those who just tuned in: the Hamstergeddon project is our latest maniacal challenge: trying to get at least six expressions from all 'relevant' (i.e. operating or recently closed) distilleries in Scotland on the matrix. Conveniently enough, my progress on my personal Track Record was more or less on par with our group efforts, so I could tag along. The list below shows the number of expressions we still need for the matrix first and the number I personally need to fill the required half a dozen bottlings for my Track Record between brackets. Distilleries that I (and often the other maniacs as well) still need to work on are printed bold, so it's easier for me to check where I need to direct my efforts.

3 (1) x Allt A'Bhainne - an obscure distillery for sure; we need to find no less than three more bottlings.
2 (0) x Auchroisk (Singleton) - as luck would have it I have some samples on my shelves at the moment.
1 (0) x Blair Athol - Almost there.... Well, the maniacs still have one more expression to go...
0 (2) x Coleburn - Somehow I only recently noticed that I hadn't had my fill of Coleburn yet.
0 (1) x Convalmore - Another distillery that has somehow managed to slip under my radar.
0 (1) x Dallas Dhu - this distillery probably doesn't qualify as 'obscure', but I need to try one more.
3 (0) x Deanston - Already wiped from my personal 'to do list', but the maniacs still need three to go!
1 (0) x Dufftown - When I write this we are still looking for one more expression for the matrix.
0 (1) x Fettercairn - Not all that obscure, so the omission should be rectified soon enough.
2 (0) x Glenallachie - I have a Glenallachie 13yo 1989/2003 (60.8%, Cadenhead) on my shelves.
1 (0) x Glenburgie - Just in from Davin: Glenburgie 10yo (40%, Gordon & MacPhail).
1 (0) x Glencadam - Just five expressions on the matrix for this recently reopened distillery.
1 (2) x Glencraig - Just in from Davin: Glencraig 30yo 1974/2004 (40.1%, DT Rarest of the Rare).
3 (0) x Glenesk (Hillside) - Just in from Davin: Glen Esk 13yo 1982/1995 (66,5%, Cadenhead's).
1 (0) x Glenglassaugh - One expression still unaccounted for. We'll keep our eyes peeled.
1 (0) x Glenkinchie - When I write this we are still looking for one more expression for the matrix.
3 (2) x Glenlochy - Quite an obscure one as well; I'm one step ahead of the other maniacs here.
1 (0) x Glen Moray - When I write this we are still looking for one more expression for the matrix.
2 (0) x Glentauchers - Just in from Davin (I think): Glentauchers 1990 (59.2%, James McArthur).
4 (0) x Glenugie - Here we'll still need a lot of work to do; just two versions on the matrix so far.
1 (0) x Inverleven - When I write this we are still looking for one more expression for the matrix.
1 (0) x Kinclaith - After the sessions in Alsace and Amsterdam there's just one more version to go.
2 (0) x Knockando - I happen to have not two but three different expressions available for the maniacs.
2 (0) x Littlemill - Davin just ordered a 5cl mini of the Littlemill 13yo 1990/2004 (43%, SigV, C#2976).
1 (0) x Milburn - A problem here is that most available bottlings seem to be from Gordon & MacPhail.
1 (2) x Mosstowie - Another distillery where I'm just a tad behind on the other maniacs. Fixable...
2 (0) x Pityvaich - Two more to go for the other maniacs before we've filled our quota for the matrix.
2 (0) x Speyside - Davin just ordered a 5cl mini of the Speyside 10yo 1993/2003 (46%, Hart Brothers)
2 (0) x Strathmill - A forgotten distillery; I have a Strathmill 11yo from Cadenhead's on my shelves.
2 (0) x Tormore - When I write this we are still looking for two more expressions for the matrix.

I'm not completely sure yet how the latest 'Hamstergeddon' session has affected the maniacal 'to do list' for the matrix, but I've already checked the progress as far as my personal Track Record mission is concerned. If I'm not mistaken, the only distilleries remaining on my 'to do list' are Allt A'Bhainne (1), Coleburn (2), Convalmore (1), Dallas Dhu (1), Fettercairn (1), Glencraig (2), Glenlochy (2) and Mosstowie (2) - eight distilleries and twelve bottles.

That's it for now. Check out Log Entry #300 for more recent events...

Sweet drams,

Johannes
 

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DRAM DIARY JUNE 2006
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My Track Record is usually updated once a month with my latest scores.
Since the last update I've sampled and scored the following Scotch single malt whiskies;

75 - Allt-A-Bhainne 9yo (58.8%, Cadenhead)
70 - Allt A'Bhainne 16yo 1985/2001 (50%, DL OMC) - updated score
84 - Auchroisk 12yo 1978/1990 (59.3%, Cadenhead's Dumpy)
73 - Auchroisk 28yo 1974/2003 (56.8%, UDRM)
72 - Aultmore 12yo 1989/2001 (43%, Signatory, Butt #2394, Distilled 30/05/89, Bottled 8/10/2001)
86 - Aultmore 14yo 1989 (60.5%, James MacArthur)
77 - Aultmore 15yo 1989/2005 (46%, Whisky Galore)
70 - Balmanach 25yo 1972/1997 (43%, Hart Brothers, January 1972, May 1997)
84 - Banff 31yo 1965/1998 (50%, DL OMC, Distilled November '65, Bottled August '98, 181 Bottles)
89 - Banff 1966/2003 (54%, Blackadder Raw Cask, C#3494)
85 - Benriach 1966/1997 (45,7%, Cadenhead's Dumpy)
86 - Benrinnes 1968/1987 (57,1%, Sestante)
85 - Blair Athol 12yo (43%, Flora & Fauna, Bottled mid 1990's)
86 - Caledonian 1963/1994 (48.7%, Cadenhead's, Distilled January 1963, Bottled February 1994, grain)
91 - Caol Ila 12yo 1978/1990 (65,5%, Cadenhead's Dumpy, Distilled October 1978, Bottled October 1990)
83 - Caperdonich 31yo 1970 (52.3%, Caledonian Selection)
88 - Cardhu 'Over 8 Years Old' (75 Proof, OB / John Walker & Sons)
76 - Convalmore 1981/1998 (40%, G&M Connoisseur's Choice)
75 - Dailuaine-Glenlivet 14yo (59.6%, Cadenhead's, 18.75cl)
89 - Dalmore 30yo 1966/1996 (51,7%, The Bottlers, Cask #6868)
76 - Deanston 12yo (40%, OB, Burn Stewart)
69 - Deanston 12yo (40%, Glenkeir Treasures The Whisky Shop, Bottled 2005?)
82 - Dufftown-Glenlivet 15yo (56.6%, Cadenhead's, 35cl)
51 - Edradour 21yo 1968/1990 (43%, Signatory, D. 27/11/1968, B. 2/1990, Casks #1990-1994, 1300 Btl.)
56 - Glen Albyn 15yo 1980/1996 (43%, Signatory Vintage, Cask #2950-51)
85 - Glen Albyn 26yo 1975/2002 (54.8%, Rare Malts)
85 - Glenburgie-Glenlivet 16yo (59.6%, Cadenhead's, 18.75cl)
87 - Glencadam 1974/2001 (59.9%, MacKillop's Choice)
88 - Glencadam 32yo 1973/2006 (46.4%, The Whisky Fair 'Artist Edition', 87 Bottles)
87 - Glendullan-Glenlivet 20yo 1978/1999 (64.2%, Cadenhead)
74 - Glenesk 1982/1994 (40%, Connoisseur's Choice)
83 - Glenesk 1975/2005 (55.3%, The Cross Hill, Jack Wieber's, 210 bottles)
87 - Glenfarclas 28yo 1970/1999 Sherrywood (55,9%, Cadenhead's, Bottled August 1999, 180 Bottles)
75 - Glen Flagler NAS (70 Proof, OB, Black & Red shield label, 1 2/3 Fl Osz., Bottled 1970's)
79 - Glenflagler 23yo 1970/1994 (50.1%, Signatory Vintage, Casks #1260+7861)
78 - Glenglassaugh 12yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 1992)
71 - Glenglassaugh 38yo 1967/2006 (59.3%, Signatory, Cask #98/635, 109 Bottles)
88 - Glenlivet 19yo (80 Proof, Cadenhead's Black Label, 75cl, Bottled 1970's, Sherry)
83 - Glenmorangie 1993/2005 Truffle Oak (60.5%, OB, 886 Bottles)
80 - Glen Mhor 35yo 1966/2002 (45%, DL Platinum, 230 Bottles)
82 - Glen Spey 13yo 1981/1995 (62.3%, Cadenhead's, Distilled June 1981, Bottled March 1995)
82 - Glen Spey 1985/1999 (60.9%, Cadenhead's, 222 Bottles)
72 - Glentauchers 1990/2001 (40%, G&M OB)
91 - Highland Park 21yo 1959/1980 (43%, OB, J. Grant Dumpy)
60 - Inchmurrin 28yo (40%, OB, New packaging, Bottled 2006)
87 - Isle of Jura 35yo 1966/2001 (47.8%, Douglas Laing OMC, Distilled April 1966, Bottled May 2001, 204 Btl.)
57 - Kinclaith 20yo (46%, Cadenhead) re-tasted, score stays the same.
85 - Kinclaith 36yo 1969/2005 (50,1%, DTC Rarest of the Rare, Cask 301456, 152 Bottles)
74 - Knockando 1978/1993 (43%, OB J&B)
81 - Laphroaig 19yo 1969 (40%, Sestante Sailing ship label)
81 - Lochnagar 35yo 1970/2005 (46.2%, Jack Wieber's Old Train Line, 167 bottles)
87 - Longmorn 38yo 1968/2006 (49,8%, SMWS 7.35, 'Dense Dark Fruits', D. 2/1968, B. 2/2006, 393 bottles)
83 - Macallan 34yo 1967 (51.2%, Peerless, Distilled September 1967, Bottled Juni 2002, Cask #7676)
73 - MacDuff 16yo 1989/2005 (46%, Cadenhead's, 678 Bottles)
83 - Millburn 29yo 1974/2004 (53,9%, Cadenhead's, Bourbon hogshead, 296 Bottles)
84 - Milton-duff-Glenlivet 12yo (43%, OB, Italian import square bottle)
81 - Miltonduff 1963 (40%, G&M, Old brown banner label, Bottled early 1980's)
78 - Miltonduff 1963 (40%, G&M, Old map label, Bottled early 1990's)
72 - Mortlach 22yo 1957/1979 (54%, Cadenhead's Dumpy, Distilled January 1957, Bottled April 1979)
89 - North Port 25yo 1981/2006 (56,1%, Whiskyfair, Sherry butt, 120 Bottles)
87 - Rosebank 1967/1988 (46%, Cadenhead's Dumpy, 10.67 / 02.88 'Sherry Wood Matured')
84 - Royal Brackla 1976/2003 (57.1%, Scott's Selection)
86 - Royal Lochnagar 30yo 1973/2003 (57.9%, Douglas Laing Platinum)
80 - Strathisla 37yo 1965 (43% McKillop's Choice)
74 - Tamdhu NAS (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2005)
89 - Tamdhu 1961/2000 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail's Rare & Old) - updated score
87 - Tamnavulin-Glenlivet NAS (75 Proof, OB, 'TG' Western Lettering, 12/3 Fl. Ozs, Bottled 1970's?)
84 - Teaninich 14yo 1983/1997 (58.3%, Clan des Grands Malts)
92 - Tomintoul-Glenlivet 38yo 1966/2004 (52% JWWW Gentle Noses, Cask #5260, D. 9/66, B. 10/04, 120 Btl.)
57 - Tullibardine 1988 (46%, OB, Bottled +/- 2004)
83 - Tullibardine 17yo 1988/2005 (57.1%, Blackadder RC, Sherry B.#269, 539b.)
79 - Tullibardine 1987/2005 (46%, Unknown Bottler - Teln. Anttr.? -, 'Remade Hogshead')
88 - Tullibardine 33yo 1972/2006 (43.1%, Dewar Rattray, Cask #2597)

So, it seems I can add some fresh entries to my Track Record again.
My malt mileage so far: 1600+ single malt Scotch whiskies...
 

01/08 - Malt Maniacs Awards 2006 (XX)
15/07 - Whiskey In The Wild Wild West (SP)
08/07 - Glenglassaugh Distillery Profile (CD)
04/07 - Maniacal Tasting in Ingooigem (BB)
15/06 - George Grant Interview (LT)
15/06 - Malt Maniacs Matrix Update (XX)
01/06 - Another Look at Oak (BB)
17/03 - Corks & Other Seals (OH)
01/02 - The Colour of Whisky (MV)