Independent whisky reviews, travel ideas, food & drinks recipes

Looking to explore the cultural heart of Tours in half a day? From the grand Archbishop’s Palace and ancient Cedar of Lebanon at the Musée des Beaux-Arts to the Gothic nave and hidden Renaissance cloister of Saint-Gatien Cathedral, here is my honest walking guide.

Tucked inside Tokyo Station’s bustling Gransta concourse, Hitachino Brewing offers an authentic Japanese whisky flight from Kiuchi Brewery’s Hinomaru Whisky label. Here are my tasting notes on three distinct drams: Kome, Signature 1823, and the five-cask Sakura Ra.

Walking through the final home of Leonardo da Vinci at Château du Clos Lucé. From his personal bedchamber and recreated artist studios to full-scale mechanical inventions and landscaped gardens, here is my honest review.

Finishing our first Norman Soul tasting trio with a 5-year-old Domfront Calvados from La Cave Normande. Crafted by Famille Guesdon using traditional apples, pears, and vintage Cognac casks, here is my honest review of this golden pour.

Breaking up the Shinkansen ride between Tokyo and Kyoto with an afternoon in Nagoya? Osu Kannon Temple makes for an effortless 30-to-40-minute stop. From fragrant incense clouds and monumental red lanterns to the buzzing arcade streets, here is my honest review.

Moving on to our next Normandy pour with Père Jules 10 Year Old Calvados Pays d'Auge. Double distilled from 100% estate apples and aged in seasoned French oak, here is my honest tasting review of this calvados

Dominating the skyline above the Loire River, Château Royal d’Amboise is packed with French royal drama and Renaissance history. From visiting Leonardo da Vinci's tomb in the Saint-Hubert Chapel to sweeping rampart views and lavender gardens, here is my honest review of the visit.

Time for another dram! An honest review of a landmark London single malt: Bimber 10 Year Old, bottled at 57% ABV for Kirsch Import’s 50th anniversary. From perfumed vanilla and coffee on the nose to rich dark berries and sultanas on the palate.

A closer look at Didier Lemorton Domfront Calvados. Made using traditional estate pears and aged in French oak barrels, here is my honest review of the spirit—tasted both neat and with a drop of water.

A closer look at a rare Campbeltown dram: Springbank 10 Year Old Fino Cask Matured (55% ABV). From custard and cherry aromas to spiced cinnamon cake, cola bottles, and zesty lime, here is my honest review.

Taking a break from whisky to explore craft soft drinks! Discovered at the Trade Drinks Expo in London, Golden Nectar brews New York-style iced tea in small batches out of Birmingham. From delicate elderflower notes to restrained sweetness, here is my honest review.

Tucked south of Kyoto in Nagaokakyo, Shoryuji Castle Park offers reconstructed battlements, quiet stone lantern gardens, and deep Sengoku-era tragic history. Here is my honest review of visiting this tranquil local site and how to pair it with the Yamazaki Distillery.

Time for another dram! Exploring Stauning Rye finished in first-fill Vermont maple syrup casks at 53.5% ABV. From breakfast-inspired maple sweetness and rye spice to rich vanilla, oak, and dark caramel, here is my honest tasting review of this limited Danish pour.

Stuck in traffic after a Great Wall tour and missed out on Forbidden City tickets? Jingshan Park, sitting directly across the north gate, was the ideal antidote. From blooming spring magnolias and ancient cypress walks to a relaxed stroll, here is my honest review.

Time for another dram! Exploring Denmark's West Coast with Stauning Rye Cask Strength at a bold 60.3% ABV. From direct-fire copper stills and floor-malted grain to surprisingly soft heat and lingering oak, here is my honest tasting review of this Nordic powerhouse.

Long days of shrine hopping in Tokyo leave little energy for nightlife, but booking a single act at the historic Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza was completely worth it. From catching the jokes to evening river views and audience etiquette, here is my honest review of the show.

Time for another dram! Picked up from La Maison du Whisky at Whisky Live Paris, this is the second official release from Chichibu's direct-fire No. 2 site. From dark forest fruits and gentle caramel to a delicate whisper of smoke and sherry, here is my honest review.

Time for another dram! Exploring the rugged coast of Skye with Talisker Storm at 45.8% ABV. From maritime smoke and delicate citrus to an initial spicy kick and a salty, lingering finish, here is my honest tasting review of this accessible coastal single malt.

Everyone heads to Kodai-ji for its famous night illumination, but its sub-temple across the lane is the real hidden gem. From peaceful rock gardens lit up after dark to painted sliding screens without crowds, here is my honest review of visiting Entoku-in Temple in Kyoto.

Time for another dram! Exploring Nordic grain with Kyrö Distillery Company's 100% Malt Rye Whisky at 47.2% ABV. From sweet malted rye and cracked black pepper to a drying, warming oak finish, here is my honest tasting review of this Finnish craft release.

It is one of the most viral photo spots in all of Japan, but what is visiting the Yasaka Pagoda really like? Here is my honest review of walking Higashiyama’s cobbled slopes, dealing with the heavy crowds, and why it mostly functions as a quick itinerary photo stop.

While exploring the rail corridor between Kyoto and Osaka, I took a quiet detour to Minase Jingu. Even with inner doors closed, its serene forest setting, sacred natural spring, and helpful prayer guide made for a peaceful stop. Here is my honest review of the visit.

Time for another dram! Exploring That Boutique-y Whisky Company's Speyside 12 Year Old single malt at 45.8% ABV. From rich dark prunes and blackberries on the nose to an unexpectedly light, floral palate and soft apricot finish, here is my honest review.

Lille might not be the capital, but its premier museum rivals anything in Paris. From brick-vaulted medieval basements to sunlit sculpture halls and dramatic master paintings, here is my honest review of spending a couple of hours inside the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille.

Time for another dram! Sampling Lochlea Our Barley single malt Scotch whisky at 46% ABV. From delicate cereal grains and soft vanilla to a nutty touch of almonds and gentle toasted oak on the finish, here is my honest tasting review of this Lowland farm pour.

Time for another dram! Sitting down with SPEY 12 Year Old Brume Dorée Edition 2 at a punchy 56.1% ABV. From rich forest berries and sultanas to what a few drops of water do to the heat, mouthfeel, and citrus peel, here is my honest tasting review and verdict.

Fushimi Momoyama Castle looks grand on the horizon, but there is a catch. It isn't a preserved Sengoku stronghold, and you cannot step inside. Here is my honest review of the neglected grounds, its amusement-park past, and why it still works as a quiet picnic spot.

Looking for an unpretentious dram by the sea? Tucked away in North Laine just downhill from Brighton Station, Cut Your Wolf Loose strips away whisky snobbery with neon wolf signs, graffiti-lined walls, and an extraordinary library of indie bottlings. Here is my review.

Time for a few drams! A quick look at two single-cask London single malts from Bimber’s Spirit of the Underground series: the vibrant, zesty Marsala-finished Wembley Park and the bold, tropical, virgin-oak-matured Leicester Square. Real tasting notes and cask specs.

An honest look at Tokyo's indoor Hello Kitty theme park in Tama Centre. Between 45-minute queues for basic walkthroughs, sensory overload, themed cafes, and gachapon machines, here is why this casual visitor left after 45 minutes—and who will actually enjoy going