We've got a few new weird wonderful little malts from the beautiful Isle of Mull on the western coast of Scotland.
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Upon arriving at the headquarters of Maison Ferrand, one is greeted by a lovely 18th century chateau set against the bucolic scenery of Cognac. The fields, vineyards, and country lanes, all give a distinctly old world feel. This staid environment, which is imbued with centuries of history, conveys an inescapable air of stodginess. But, as it turns out, looks can be deceiving. While Maison Ferrand certainly pays due respect to the great traditions and history of the property (as is evidenced by countless paintings and references to the founder throughout), the current team, led by Alexandre Gabriel, have made great strides in infusing this historic estate with a new vitality.
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Lous Pibous Gascogne seems like a land lost in time. Time simply stops here. A few days can seem like an eternity, while a few years disappear in the blink of an eye. That’s how the locals describe it. It’s an old place, not only historically, but there are simply not a lot of young people around. They move away to Toulouse, Bordeaux or Paris for school or to find work. There seems to be plenty of work around here, but not the type of work most young people want.
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It is always a thrill and a treat for me when I get a chance to learn more about the history and connections of things that I am passionate about. In Glasgow, at the start of our whisky trip, I was fascinated to learn how important this city is to the story of Scotch. Somehow, I had completely missed the relationship that this city, and its placement on the Clyde, has both with familiar brands and with the export of the Scottish “Water of Life” across the globe.
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Every so often we get that special little email from our suppliers with the magic words in the subject line: INVENTORY REDUCTION. It's never usually worth getting excited for since the list typically consists failed types of flavored vodka, schnapps or some goofyball shimmery liqueur. But, every so often we open them up to find prices for serious products so ridiculous that we just can't hold back. The deals below make us question just how much margin these guys are taking to begin or who's losing their shirt on this deal.
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