The Whisky Zone
@whiskyzone.bsky.social
I’m Rick, a sometimes over-enthusiastic whisky nerd who likes to imbibe (in moderation, of course), share (what hasn’t been imbibed), and talk (to anyone who’ll listen) about all things whisky. Also a Boston Red Sox obsession that might be a cry for help.
Back from a recent trip to Scotland and glad I didn’t need to bring home all those extra socks!
November 25, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Back from a recent trip to Scotland and glad I didn’t need to bring home all those extra socks!
In this Whisky Zone Cut Point interview, I talk with David Brodie, < @davidjbrodie.bsky.social > well-known tour guide at the Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay in Scotland. His long history with the spirits industry on Islay made it fun to get his insider’s perspectives. Enjoy! youtu.be/NjqTdevSIMI
October 27, 2025 at 5:24 AM
In this Whisky Zone Cut Point interview, I talk with David Brodie, < @davidjbrodie.bsky.social > well-known tour guide at the Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay in Scotland. His long history with the spirits industry on Islay made it fun to get his insider’s perspectives. Enjoy! youtu.be/NjqTdevSIMI
Attended an excellent tasting at The Whisky Shop in San Francisco yesterday with Kilchoman Distillery founder Anthony Wills! (although I think an apology is in order for my unusual posture in the photo with Anthony😁)
September 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Attended an excellent tasting at The Whisky Shop in San Francisco yesterday with Kilchoman Distillery founder Anthony Wills! (although I think an apology is in order for my unusual posture in the photo with Anthony😁)
In a departure from my regular take on individual whisky releases, I was asked to take part in a YouTube challenge to identify my Number One distillery. If you're a whisky lover with broad whisky interests, it's an interesting question.
If you're curious, here’s the link: youtu.be/nV-P5FbuEfY
If you're curious, here’s the link: youtu.be/nV-P5FbuEfY
September 16, 2025 at 6:52 AM
In a departure from my regular take on individual whisky releases, I was asked to take part in a YouTube challenge to identify my Number One distillery. If you're a whisky lover with broad whisky interests, it's an interesting question.
If you're curious, here’s the link: youtu.be/nV-P5FbuEfY
If you're curious, here’s the link: youtu.be/nV-P5FbuEfY
A core range expression from one of the oldest legally recognized distilleries in Scotland should be interesting. That’s why I’ve popped the cork on the Bowmore 15 year old. And with the video review lasting only 5 minutes, that turns into a win-win for everybody! www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2AU...
August 19, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A core range expression from one of the oldest legally recognized distilleries in Scotland should be interesting. That’s why I’ve popped the cork on the Bowmore 15 year old. And with the video review lasting only 5 minutes, that turns into a win-win for everybody! www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2AU...
This is the inaugural release of The Cut Point, interviews that allow me get to...the heart of the matter! This talk is with Jason Lujick, owner and founder of The Oakland Whiskey Library in Oakland, CA, someone on the front lines of putting spirits into the hands of consumers: youtu.be/rD3t1y2kPgo
August 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
This is the inaugural release of The Cut Point, interviews that allow me get to...the heart of the matter! This talk is with Jason Lujick, owner and founder of The Oakland Whiskey Library in Oakland, CA, someone on the front lines of putting spirits into the hands of consumers: youtu.be/rD3t1y2kPgo
International travel these days is often full of challenges beyond our control. So if you do it, maybe the Travel Retail Exclusive Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition from Bruichladdich is your reward! (I think so, btw.) If you're curious, here's the full 5-minute video review: youtu.be/GkzjX6xyzO4
July 29, 2025 at 7:44 PM
International travel these days is often full of challenges beyond our control. So if you do it, maybe the Travel Retail Exclusive Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition from Bruichladdich is your reward! (I think so, btw.) If you're curious, here's the full 5-minute video review: youtu.be/GkzjX6xyzO4
A fine send-off this weekend to a lovely bottle of Lore I picked up at the distillery a number of years back. And, yes, that is a Bunnahabhain glass. (Unfortunately, my Laphroaig glass was dirty for the bottle kill pour.)
July 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
A fine send-off this weekend to a lovely bottle of Lore I picked up at the distillery a number of years back. And, yes, that is a Bunnahabhain glass. (Unfortunately, my Laphroaig glass was dirty for the bottle kill pour.)
Atop the outdoor worm tubs cooling system at the Speyburn Distillery, photographed in Rothes, Scotland, October 2024. (And there are more photos, too, if you're curious.) www.thewhiskyzone.com/whisky-shots
July 8, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Atop the outdoor worm tubs cooling system at the Speyburn Distillery, photographed in Rothes, Scotland, October 2024. (And there are more photos, too, if you're curious.) www.thewhiskyzone.com/whisky-shots
BOTTLE DOWN!
Always a pleasant dram, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask has worked its way onto my Top 10 sweet-n-peat list and Saturday night turned out to be a good time to say goodbye!
#bottlekill
Always a pleasant dram, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask has worked its way onto my Top 10 sweet-n-peat list and Saturday night turned out to be a good time to say goodbye!
#bottlekill
July 6, 2025 at 5:38 AM
BOTTLE DOWN!
Always a pleasant dram, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask has worked its way onto my Top 10 sweet-n-peat list and Saturday night turned out to be a good time to say goodbye!
#bottlekill
Always a pleasant dram, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask has worked its way onto my Top 10 sweet-n-peat list and Saturday night turned out to be a good time to say goodbye!
#bottlekill
Enjoyed a SMWS Outturn tasting tonight at the Oakland Whiskey Library. The Bunnahabhain rocked!
June 2, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Enjoyed a SMWS Outturn tasting tonight at the Oakland Whiskey Library. The Bunnahabhain rocked!
It takes the post office a few extra days to make it over the Rockies and Sierras to reach California, but when they finally do, they bring special things, like David Stirk’s latest book, Whiskyopolis. Can’t wait!
May 4, 2025 at 6:27 AM
It takes the post office a few extra days to make it over the Rockies and Sierras to reach California, but when they finally do, they bring special things, like David Stirk’s latest book, Whiskyopolis. Can’t wait!
The Bunnahabhain folks on the Isle of Islay are known for doing interesting things with whisky so if you’re curious if their Banyuls wine cask finished release is any good (OK, spoiler alert: I think it is), I promise I don’t talk about it for more than 5 minutes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PVw...
April 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The Bunnahabhain folks on the Isle of Islay are known for doing interesting things with whisky so if you’re curious if their Banyuls wine cask finished release is any good (OK, spoiler alert: I think it is), I promise I don’t talk about it for more than 5 minutes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PVw...
Attending this year's Fog City Social in San Francisco was a treat, full of special moments, with amazing people, tasty food, great conversations, and ample pours of the best that a wide variety of producers had to offer. #fogcitysocial #sfws
April 27, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Attending this year's Fog City Social in San Francisco was a treat, full of special moments, with amazing people, tasty food, great conversations, and ample pours of the best that a wide variety of producers had to offer. #fogcitysocial #sfws
Noticed this on a whisky auction site yesterday and it got me thinking. If overseas companies like auction houses charge tariffs up front on their end, does that money go to the U.S.? Or does the U.S. CBP collect a second tariff?
April 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Noticed this on a whisky auction site yesterday and it got me thinking. If overseas companies like auction houses charge tariffs up front on their end, does that money go to the U.S.? Or does the U.S. CBP collect a second tariff?
Had an enjoyable start to Fog City Social Week last night with an Isle of Harris tasting at the Cold Drinks Bar in San Francisco with Robin Coupar! Two very flavorful, just slightly-peated Hearach pours. And gin.
April 23, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Had an enjoyable start to Fog City Social Week last night with an Isle of Harris tasting at the Cold Drinks Bar in San Francisco with Robin Coupar! Two very flavorful, just slightly-peated Hearach pours. And gin.
I dipped my toes into the independent bottling pool with a single malt from one of the granddaddies of independent bottlers. The whisky is from the Macduff Distillery, the bottling’s been done by Berry Brothers & Rudd, and the video review is only 5 minutes long. Check it out!
youtu.be/p2nZ3eKv7Jc
youtu.be/p2nZ3eKv7Jc
April 2, 2025 at 8:36 PM
I dipped my toes into the independent bottling pool with a single malt from one of the granddaddies of independent bottlers. The whisky is from the Macduff Distillery, the bottling’s been done by Berry Brothers & Rudd, and the video review is only 5 minutes long. Check it out!
youtu.be/p2nZ3eKv7Jc
youtu.be/p2nZ3eKv7Jc
The only thing better than killing an older Classic Laddie bottle is knowing there's another, newer release just secretly waiting in the wings, biding their time, knowing their own cork pop is coming very soon...
April 1, 2025 at 4:41 AM
The only thing better than killing an older Classic Laddie bottle is knowing there's another, newer release just secretly waiting in the wings, biding their time, knowing their own cork pop is coming very soon...
Upon returning from Scotland this week, the officer at US Customs asked, “Do you have anything to declare?” and I replied, “Well, I brought back some whisky.” He said, “Have a nice day.” So, under direct orders from US Customs, I think I will.
March 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Upon returning from Scotland this week, the officer at US Customs asked, “Do you have anything to declare?” and I replied, “Well, I brought back some whisky.” He said, “Have a nice day.” So, under direct orders from US Customs, I think I will.
What a brilliant Scottish day! Had an exceptionally fun time at The Independent Spirits Festival and Film Premiere in Leith. Good whisky, amazing film, and the best people!
March 15, 2025 at 10:34 PM
What a brilliant Scottish day! Had an exceptionally fun time at The Independent Spirits Festival and Film Premiere in Leith. Good whisky, amazing film, and the best people!
Currently at SFO, enjoying a very nice Balvenie 14 (at lovely airport prices!) awaiting boarding to start for my flight to Edinburgh! An adventure awaits!🥃
March 12, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Currently at SFO, enjoying a very nice Balvenie 14 (at lovely airport prices!) awaiting boarding to start for my flight to Edinburgh! An adventure awaits!🥃
I don't usually follow the awards train but since it won some prominent ones I thought, what the heck. Bottom line: not a bad pour at all. Once you get past the price tag. My 5-minute take: youtu.be/XwrD_1MX218 #laphroaig #friendsoflaphroaig
March 3, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I don't usually follow the awards train but since it won some prominent ones I thought, what the heck. Bottom line: not a bad pour at all. Once you get past the price tag. My 5-minute take: youtu.be/XwrD_1MX218 #laphroaig #friendsoflaphroaig
Enjoying my birthday whisky pour tonight, the exceptional Bruichladdich Rock'ndaal 01.2, along with the wonderfull present "Peat and Whisky: The Unbreakable Bond", from exceptional wife Catherine.
February 25, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Enjoying my birthday whisky pour tonight, the exceptional Bruichladdich Rock'ndaal 01.2, along with the wonderfull present "Peat and Whisky: The Unbreakable Bond", from exceptional wife Catherine.
Had some outstanding, delicious drams last night at a friend's house. It's nice to have friends who like to stock - and share - excellent malt! And, yes, there were some bottle kills, but they were given a proper sendoff.
February 19, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Had some outstanding, delicious drams last night at a friend's house. It's nice to have friends who like to stock - and share - excellent malt! And, yes, there were some bottle kills, but they were given a proper sendoff.