Whiskey Nut’s Most Read Blogs Of 2023

It’s that time of year when a review of my most read blogs is due.

Based on statistics provided by WordPress itself – I must admit to being somewhat surprised by the results.

I originally started the blog with whiskey in mind – but have since diversified into a wide variety of worldwide spirits & beers.

It’s the diversity & variety I enjoy – yet also the universality of drinking alcoholic beverages no matter where you are.

Below are my Top 10 Most Read Blogs of 2023 with links to the original blogs.

1 Ron Pelicano Jamaican Rum, Nov 22

My most read blog of 2023 isn’t even a whiskey!

Ron Pelicano is a range of rums produced for Lidl. I only ever acquired the Jamaican bottle – and what a beauty it was too!

2 Azteca Tequila, Apr 22

Tequila is growing in popularity. Lidl clearly got in on the act with their Azteca offering!

3 Royal Envy Indian Whisky, Apr 22

The 1st whisky on the list – and one I’ve not even had the pleasure of tasting!

If anyone can acquire me a bottle – drop me a message!

4 The World Of Rums, Nov 19

Back to rum again with this miniature selection pack from Lidl showcasing the diversity of this extremely varied category of spirits.

5 Guinness & Forged Stouts, Sept 23

The controversial Conor McGregor continues to divide opinion – this time in the beer world. There’s nothing wrong with his Forged Stout however – the same can’t be said for himself!

6 Black & Blue Whisky, Jan 19

Now I did manage to get a bottle of this Indian made whisky from Lagos in Nigeria.

And I enjoyed the contents too!

7 Dundalgan IPA Edition, Nov 20

The first – & only – Irish Whiskey entrant in the Top 10! A perennial favourite from West Cork Distillers exclusively available in Lidl.

8 & 10 Wall St Spirit & V For Vietnam Whisky, Dec 17 & May 18

Well this is highly unusual!

2 Blogs on the same spirit appear in differing positions in the charts. You could say it’s the old 7″ plus the extended deluxe 12″ re-mix versions. Combining the pair together would have gained a far higher rating for this clearly popular spirit from Vietnam!

Millennium Reserve c/oMureeBrewery

9 P For Pakistani Whisky, May 18

Yes there is whisky made in Pakistan – & folks want to read about it!

I’d just like the opportunity to drink it!

Thoughts

My palate has an appetite for adventure & the diversity of the drinks represented above demonstrates that.

My thanks to each & everyone for joining me on that adventure.

Onwards to the next one!

Sláinte

V For Vietnamese Whisky

World Whisky Day is fast approaching on Saturday the 19th May 2018.

As part of the build up I’m featuring a series of blogs – both old and new – over the next month focusing on a country from each letter of the alphabet – if possible – that makes whisky.

Today is V for Vietnam.

Originally posted December 2017.

 

WALL STREET, BLENDED SPIRIT, 39%, VIETNAM.

Good morning Vietnam!

It would be odd to experience snow in Vietnam, but snow has arrived in Ireland, and it certainly wouldn’t be a rare occurrence at Diageo’s Scottish whisky distilleries who provide the main base ingredient for this Vietnamese bottling.

Vietnam Wall St in the snow. c/othewhiskeynut

My blog on a Brazilian Whisky of the same name & similar composition here uncovered this Vietnamese Wall Street offering. Fortunately by an opportunistic twist of fate my South East Asian correspondent obligingly brought back a half bottle for me to sample.

Much appreciated Mr G!

Just like the Brazilian Wall St, the Vietnamese Wall St uses imported Scotch whisky mixed with locally produced spirits to obtain an expression that has both the allure of premium quality whisky – yet at an affordable price.

This strategy means Diageo can get some of it’s product into the country but lessens the high import tax which would make the price prohibitive for the mass market. It also retains some degree of aspiration for a superior foreign product – regardless if  it’s actually superior or not – yet mixed with locally made distillate – probably of the rice variety.

Premium? c/othewhiskeynut

There is still a culture of home made beer & spirits making in Vietnam as highlighted in a report here. This ‘traditional’ rice based distillate is facing the threat of growing globalisation as younger folks aspire to more recognisable brands – as in this Wall St blended spirit.

I couldn’t find anything on the internet as regards what constitutes a Vietnamese whisky or not – so my assumption is the situation is very much like how Ireland & Scotland would have been before the coming of definition rules & codes of practice laws.

Certainly makes it exciting!

And no – I had no fears in sampling this bottle – Diageo have given it their seal of approval after all.

A local Diageo brand. c/othewhiskeynut

So what did I find?

Well to begin with I found the bottle design – a neat little WS logo with clear & simple information labels back & front – visually attractive. Those labels also announced caramel was added – something missing on many Irish & Scottish bottles. There was also no tamper-proof plastic cap to hamper me pouring the spirit into a suitable glass.

On the nose I found a soft warm muted caramel aroma which was inviting.

Initially a rather soft mouth feel morphed into a straight – but not unpleasant – alcoholic kick somewhat devoid of any real character or flavour before it faded away to a short ending.

Overall I found it a rather simple easy drinking clear & crisp strong alcoholic beverage with caramel being the only hint of taste.

In a back to back with the Brazilian Wall St I actually preferred the no nonsense honest approach of the Vietnamese Wall St.

Wall Street Brazil c/othewhiskeynut

The irony for both is there is absolutely no bourbon influence in either expression.

Aspirations, expectations & associations over and above actual reality seem to be a marketing ploy in both countries.

Sláinte.

Wall Street, Blended Spirit, 39%, Vietnam.

Good morning Vietnam!

It would be odd to experience snow in Vietnam, but snow has arrived in Ireland, and it certainly wouldn’t be a rare occurrence at Diageo’s Scottish whisky distilleries who provide the main base ingredient for this Vietnamese bottling.

Vietnam Wall St in the snow. c/othewhiskeynut

My blog on a Brazilian Whisky of the same name & similar composition here uncovered this Vietnamese Wall Street offering. Fortunately by an opportunistic twist of fate my South East Asian correspondent obligingly brought back a half bottle for me to sample.

Much appreciated Mr G!

Just like the Brazilian Wall St, the Vietnamese Wall St uses imported Scotch whisky mixed with locally produced spirits to obtain an expression that has both the allure of premium quality whisky – yet at an affordable price.

This strategy means Diageo can get some of it’s product into the country but lessens the high import tax which would make the price prohibitive for the mass market. It also retains some degree of aspiration for a superior foreign product – regardless if  it’s actually superior or not – yet mixed with locally made distillate – probably of the rice variety.

Premium? c/othewhiskeynut

There is still a culture of home made beer & spirits making in Vietnam as highlighted in a report here. This ‘traditional’ rice based distillate is facing the threat of growing globalisation as younger folks aspire to more recognisable brands – as in this Wall St blended spirit.

I couldn’t find anything on the internet as regards what constitutes a Vietnamese whisky or not – so my assumption is the situation is very much like how Ireland & Scotland would have been before the coming of definition rules & codes of practice laws.

Certainly makes it exciting!

And no – I had no fears in sampling this bottle – Diageo have given it their seal of approval after all.

A local Diageo brand. c/othewhiskeynut

So what did I find?

Well to begin with I found the bottle design – a neat little WS logo with clear & simple information labels back & front – visually attractive. Those labels also announced caramel was added – something missing on many Irish & Scottish bottles. There was also no tamper-proof plastic cap to hamper me pouring the spirit into a suitable glass.

On the nose I found a soft warm muted caramel aroma which was inviting.

Initially a rather soft mouth feel morphed into a straight – but not unpleasant – alcoholic kick somewhat devoid of any real character or flavour before it faded away to a short ending.

Overall I found it a rather simple easy drinking clear & crisp strong alcoholic beverage with caramel being the only hint of taste.

In a back to back with the Brazilian Wall St I actually preferred the no nonsense honest approach of the Vietnamese Wall St.

Wall Street Brazil c/othewhiskeynut

The irony for both is there is absolutely no bourbon influence in either expression.

Aspirations, expectations & associations over and above actual reality seem to be a marketing ploy in both countries.

Sláinte.