Newer distilleries 7 : Forgan

This is the seventh in an occasional series about newer distilleries, and is all about one you may not have heard of - one of England's smaller distilleries Forgan.

They distil Gin, Rum and Corn Whisky, I first tried their Corn Whisky in a BlindTasting and we were all very impressed!

Side by side : Loch Lomond & Glen Scotia Entry Levels

As I'm sure you've noticed I'm a bit of a fanboy when it comes to @LochLomondMalts and @GlenScotiaMalts whisky - especially the single casks but what about their 'standard' entry level drams? Let's have a look for this latest side by side!

Loch Lomond's Original and Glen Scotia's Campbeltown Harbour are what the distilleries call their 'entry level' drams, these are just about the cheapest drams you can buy from each coming in at around £26 and £35 respectively.

Whisky from...? Germany

Another in the Whisky from...? series and this one again asks the question how many distilleries can you name in.... this time Germany?

I must admit I struggled too but there are a few!

Fettercairn 12yo PX

Just before Christmas last year I got to try 4 drams from a little known, to me anyway, Highland distillery called Fettercairn - you can read all about it here. Located halfway between Dundee and Aberdeen it properly out of the way!

After the tasting I contacted the distillery to ask a few questions and clear up a few points on their website. I got the impression they weren't quite switched on to social media.

Whisky from...? South Africa

OK hands up how many distilleries can you name in South Africa? No looking in the Malt Whisky Yearbook..... Well if, like me, you'd be hard pressed to name one.....

JUST A MINUTE - HAVEN'T WE BEEN HERE BEFORE WITH SWITZERLAND?

Ooops....

And yes actually I could name one - the James Sedgwick Distillery which distils Bain's Single Grain.

GlenAllachie Wood Finishes TweetTasting

Recently @GlenAllachie launched their new range of Wood finishes and they kindly sent out samples for a @TweetTastings

The range includes an 8yo Korval Rye Quarter Cask Finish, a 10yo Port Wood Finish and a 12yo Pedro Ximenez Wood Finish. For the tasting they'd also included a special 2006 Single cask sample from a Port Pipe.

Side by side : Paul John Peat

I received a couple of interesting drams from a sample swap with @dram_gazette and was able to split them to allow @ScotchB78 to join in the fun!

I've tried a few Paul John drams in my time so was really looking forward to these!

Whisky from...? Switzerland

OK hands up how many distilleries can you name in Switzerland? No looking in the Malt Whisky Yearbook..... Well if, like me, you'd be hard pressed to name one never mind the twenty or so that are actually there here's a clue - it's also the name of a brewery! Still no idea?

In my book Switzerland is known for four things:

• High mountains
• Complicated, highly accurate watches
• Private banking
• Toblerone

#MiniTasting - Cask Strength Night

Cask Strength Night - the #MiniTasting gang take on 3 cask strength drams for our 9th #MiniTasting.

Side by side: Three Speyside Single Cask 60's

Unfortunately not 60yo (but if you have any I'm more than happy to do a side by side) instead these are all 60%+ ABV.

They are all Speyside Single Casks, two distillery bottlings and one from the now sadly defunct Creative Whisky Company.