Port Charlotte Lighthouse, Islay, Scotland. This photograph always makes me homesick for the wonderful two years I lived in Port Charlotte (where I met Roddy). While the sky seems bigger in Australia (weird, I know) nothing beats a blue-sky day on Islay.

We recently updated our Scotch Whisky Map Poster to include the 2025 list of @scotchwhiskyswa.bsky.social distilleries, as well as a few others that are producing whisky but not SWA members. Worldwide shipping available. shop.wanderingspiritsglobal.com/collections/...

Caught the ferry in...

Lovely day for a whiskey festival! The American Whiskey Fest, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Sydney. Thought we'd expand our horizons, as we've consumed a lot of Scottish, Irish & Aussie, but very little from the USA. It was a great opportunity to try a range of bourbon and rye.

Friday night dram. Highwayman Dark Horse, 2nd fill bourbon, 55%. Lots of earthy peat, salted burnt caramel (think creme brulee)/maple syrup, massive depth of flavour (usually is with Highwayman). Roddy got it while I was away and it's my first tasting of it. The bottle won't last long!

Sunday night cocktail...a Brandy Manhattan. Kawal Rock's Hunter Brandy is made from grapes tainted with smoke during bushfires in 2019. It was a very clever and experimental use of grapes that were otherwise destined to be binned.

Saturday night cocktail and a bottle kill... a rum Manhattan, aka a Palmetto. Equal parts rum (Archie Rose Triple Molasses tonight) and sweet vermouth (I like Cocchi di Torino) with a splash of bitters. Also, don't let your Luxardo cherries freeze at the back of the fridge or they'll get sugar pox.

Friday night Martini. Yes, i really like olives. The gin is my current favorite.

Sunday afternoon dram... SMWS 44.155. Wasn't a fan when we first got it as it was surprisingly harsh for a 19yo, however, it's been open for about 9 months and Roddy's demolished half of it. It's now rather lovely and going very well with my dulce de leche icecream dessert.

Friday Night Dram #3. Roddy (who is an Islay native) prefers Scottish peat, so now we're onto Kilchoman Sanaig. And I agree, they are completely different beasts.

Dram #2. Keeping it Irish but upping the stakes to peated, Waterford Fenniscourt.

Friday night drams...
Thanks to @coldorak.bsky.social for the recommendation.

Bottle kill ☹️ The Gospel (Melbourne, Australia) Solera Rye. Very much looking forward to this Manhattan though. It's 35C outside, hence the large ice cube, to try and keep it cold! And yes, 3 Luxardo cherries (not just for decoration, I love them).

Planning a trip to Islay in 2025? The newly refurbished Ardbeg House (formerly Islay Hotel) in the heart of Port Ellen, is now taking bookings for April onwards. There are only twelve bedrooms and suites available. https://www.ardbeg.com/en-gb/visitus/ardbeghouse.html

Bridge Road Brewery Beechworth

Roddy and I are on our way back to Sydney along the Hume, and decided to stop for lunch in Beechworth. I wish we had time to stay longer as there are so many fantastic breweries and distilleries in the area!! Today we stopped by Billson's Brewery, Hotel Nicholas, and Bridge Road Brewers.

Final dram for 2024 and it's one of my favourites. PX/Reposado finish by Highwayman Whisky (Australia). Wishing everyone a fantastic new years eve and a spectacular 2025.