Introducing the Old Fashioned

23 July 2015

It is 9pm and I am in 7 Grand in Los Angeles, a bar well known for not only its great whisk(e)y selection but also its well crafted cocktails. I order a Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Fashioned from Pedro Shanahan, who is the head of the extensive whisky program there and also someone I have come to know very well over the past five years from living in California. Pedro does not bat an eyelid at my order; some may do so when ordering a 15 Year Old scotch whisky in a cocktail, but Pedro gets to it straight away. He takes his time and puts in a lot of effort to create this fabulous drink, which tastes fantastic as always. Back in my bartending days I always told my guests that a lot of love went into making this drink, and to make it right this is definitely the case.

Read more

The Great Whisky & Water Debate

21 July 2015

So, here we are again, a few friends sitting around a table asking that long debated question. When should you add water to whisky?

Before I begin, let’s get something straight. When it comes to whisky, blended, malt or otherwise, there are NO RULES. I hear all sorts of “you must always” or “you should never” in my travels, which make me shiver. The whisky we drink today is rather far removed from its origins, so over time, rituals and rules have been added to create a sense of belonging. You know the rules - you join the club. 


Read more

>