Single Malt Savvy

🥃 Whiskey insider
📖 Storyteller
✍️ Forbes spirits writer
🎤 Whiskey tasting curator and host
📍 CT Original whisky related content and analysis.

05/29/2026

What’s it like being the ONLY one?⁣
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My recent story about Batch 3 of Old Commonwealth 10 Year got me thinking about what it means to be the very first person to write about a new product.⁣
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Many of us in this space have the pleasure of trying previews of upcoming whisk(e)y fairly often, but it’s a completely different experience when you get the exclusive first crack at a new release. I have been given the opportunity on several occasions, and I take that responsibility very seriously. Aside from promotional material from the brand itself, my words will be the first to be written about a new expression.⁣
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How much will my review and tasting notes influence the reviews that follow it? Do casual consumers take any real stock in a professional review? Did I fully understand the vision behind the product’s creation? What if I don’t like it? What if I like it TOO much? Will that seem like I’m just appeasing the brand?⁣
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Knowing that my voice is trusted enough to introduce the world to a new release is an honor, and it’s something that I thoroughly enjoy. Whether it’s an exclusive first look or the 500th review of a whisk(e)y, know that you’ll always get my honest, objective analysis.⁣
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Cheers!

05/28/2026

How to shop duty-free right ⬇️⁣
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One of my favorite travel routines involves browsing the spirits selection at duty-free shops.⁣
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If you’re not familiar, the concept is pretty simple. When you travel from one country to another, you have the opportunity to purchase items, especially alcohol, at duty-free stores tax-free. Note that tax-free doesn’t necessarily mean MRSP.⁣
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Many brands create duty-free or “travel retail” exclusive expressions you can only find in duty-free shops. The information around these bottles is sometimes spotty, but if you know your way around your favorite brands well enough, these limited expressions stick out like a sore thumb.⁣
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The best part is that, depending on the country, you may realize incredible savings on bottles in these stores. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prepared to purchase a bottle at its listed price, only to find that it was actually 30-40% CHEAPER than I expected.⁣
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Now, I don’t mean to single out bourbon drinkers, but every time I see someone post on social media about a bottle of Blanton’s or Eagle Rare they got at the duty-free shop, it makes me sad. Instead of snagging an exclusive bottle (including some bourbons) they will never find in the US, these consumers come home with a standard-range bottle that is attainable with relatively little effort these days…and probably still over MRSP.⁣
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You probably have time before your flight. Take a few minutes to explore the duty-free selection.⁣
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The Loch Lomond is a 17 Year duty-free exclusive finished in Limousin oak. The Hendrick’s is a duty-free exclusive that tastes like sunshine in a glass. The over-MSRP Blanton’s is the display you see in most duty-free shops and walk right past.⁣
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Follow me for more travel tips 😁⁣
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05/21/2026

An EXCLUSIVE first look at Old Commonwealth 10 Year Batch 3⁣
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The newest batch of Old Commonwealth 10 Year is not like the others, and I think that’s a good thing.⁣
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This is the first batch in the (revived) series that was not bottled at barrel strength. Instead, it was bottled at 107 proof, just like the original OC 10 Year bottled by Julian Van Winkle III in the 1990s and early 2000s.⁣
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The Old Commonwealth team had a clear vision for this release, focusing heavily on the “dusty” flavors often found in vintage whiskey. ⁣
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Did they achieve their goal?⁣
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I got the exclusive first taste of this new whiskey before it goes on sale tomorrow (May 22) and caught up with Zac Joseph, Old Commonwealth’s President of Operations, to learn more about this release.⁣
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You won’t find this info anywhere else. To get all the details and read my full review, please check out the link in my bio. Cheers!⁣
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Photos 3-6 courtesy of ⁣
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05/18/2026

Anna Sawai Is Hibiki’s New Global Ambassador⁣
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Hibiki recently launched a global campaign entitled “The Masterpiece of Japanese Artistry,” featuring internationally acclaimed, award-winning actress Anna Sawai as its first Global Ambassador. The initiative features a collaboration between Hibiki and Chiso Kimono House, Japan’s oldest-running kimono house.⁣
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Anna Sawai is best known for her work in Shōgun, where she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.⁣
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Chiso Kimono was founded in Kyoto in 1555 and has been continuously operating for almost 500 years. Chiso is commonly associated with the kyo-yuzen style of yuzen dyeing: a Japanese resist-dyeing technique used especially for kimono. ⁣
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To learn more about this collaboration, please check out the link in my bio. Cheers!⁣
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Photos courtesy of ⁣
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05/14/2026

Glenfiddich has a new look and gift pack just in time for Father’s Day⁣
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The distillery that introduced the concept of single malt scotch to the world is still evolving. Glenfiddich has updated its branding with a modern look that balances forward progress with maintaining the heritage the distillery is known for.⁣
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Glenfiddich has also released a new gift pack in the U.S., centered around a full-size bottle of Glenfiddich’s 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve, along with 50 ml bottles of the 15 Year Solera Reserve and the 18 Year Small Batch.⁣
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I learned more about the brand’s latest strategic initiatives and the new gift pack from Will Peacock, Glenfiddich Global Brand Managing Director, and longtime Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman.⁣
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Check out the full story at Forbes.com. The link, as always, is in my bio and in my stories.⁣⁣
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Photos courtesy of ⁣
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05/11/2026

Nashville Barrel Co is a MUST STOP location.⁣
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I walked into Nashville Barrel Company’s tasting room having heard two things about this whiskey hotspot:⁣
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1. They have an insane selection of single barrels available by the pour (and many by the bottle).⁣
2. The entire staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable.⁣
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Both were true.⁣
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I spent my visit with Justin Wilson, who set me up with a blind flight (my favorite way to try new whiskey). I started the experience writing down a few tasting notes, but gave up after a few minutes. I was off the proverbial clock and wanted to enjoy my whiskey in a more relaxed way. Wouldn’t you know it, that’s when the whiskey in front of me really started to vibe.⁣
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The last pour in the flight—a rye whiskey—was my favorite of the bunch.⁣
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While I was there, I also observed a diverse cross-section of patrons walk in, receive the personalized guidance they needed to make their purchasing decisions, and leave happier than when they arrived. Every person who sat down was met where they were on their whiskey journey, and many of the phrases I overheard are talking points I use myself when educating others.⁣
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In other words, these folks really get it.⁣
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Hats off to and the entire NBC crew for running a great operation. If you’re ever in downtown Nashville, I highly recommend stopping in.⁣
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04/22/2026

Trying Glenrothes 32 Year was a real treat.⁣⁣
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I recently stopped by the Edrington office in New York for a visit with the Glenrothes team. ⁣⁣
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Glenrothes has undergone a complete revamp over the last several years. The distillery was one of two (the other being Balblair) in Scotland that would release their products as vintages rather than with consistent age statements. Both distilleries have since switched over.⁣⁣
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Glenrothes changed owners a few times before coming back to Edrington. Over the last year or so, the brand has undergone a packaging and branding update, while maintaing it’s classic bottle shape an label. For $99, the 15-Year has packaging that one might expect from a bottle that’s double the price tag.⁣⁣
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During my visit, I got a chance to try their 32 Year Old expression, sold on site in New York and at the distillery. This release celebrates the legacy of John Smith, who served as Glenrothes distillery manager for 32 years.⁣⁣
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Glenrothes is typically a sherry-forward whisky, and this expression was no exception. I also happen to be a particular fan of 1990s-distilled Glenrothes (shout out to 1998), so this was right up my alley.⁣⁣
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If Glenrothes hasn’t been on your radar in a while, it’s worth rediscovering.⁣⁣
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04/09/2026

Angel’s Envy 2026 Cask Strength Is A Blending Masterclass 🤌🏻🤌🏻⁣
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The latest edition of Angel’s Envy Cask Strength is a dual release, featuring a bourbon and a 10-Year rye.⁣
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The effects of careful, iterative blending are on full display this year, with holdback whiskey from previous years being used for the 2026 edition.⁣
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I joined Master Distiller Owen Martin at the Angel’s Envy Cask Strength release event in New York City to learn more about these two new expressions and the story behind their creation.⁣
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If you want to learn all the nerdy details about what went into these fabulous expressions, check out the full story at Forbes.com. The link, as always, is in my bio and in my stories.⁣⁣
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Photos courtesy of ⁣
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04/06/2026

Peaky Blinders now has an officially licensed bourbon.⁣⁣
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The hit British crime drama Peaky Blinders has launched an officially licensed bourbon. The new expression, created in partnership with Barrel Global, was distilled at Green River Distilling Co. and finished with Irish whiskey-soaked staves. ⁣⁣
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This release reflects a shift in IP-driven spirits, promoting liquid-driven storytelling alongside its packaging.⁣⁣
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I chatted with George Koutsakis, Founder of Barrel Global, to learn more about this partnership and the vision behind it.⁣⁣
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Check out the full story at Forbes.com. The link, as always, is in my bio and in my stories.⁣⁣⁣
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Photos courtesy of ⁣⁣
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04/03/2026

THH 2014 FRESH POP! 🍾⁣
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I was going through some old media, and this clip from a few years back never saw the light of day…until now.⁣
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When we do bottle shares, they are usually small, intimate gatherings with no format or theme. My good friend Sean at brought some heavy hitters, including Thomas H. Handy 2014.⁣
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I first tasted this shortly after its release and have been chasing that specific flavor profile ever since. The balance of fruit, spice, and oak was impeccable.⁣
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To be able to taste it again almost a decade later was an absolute treat and even through the clarifying lens of hindsight, it’s still easily my favorite THH of all time.⁣
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Happy Friday!⁣
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