Land of golden promise: the China whisky boom
A rapidly growing demand for whisky in China, primarily among the young, has seen exports rise substantially and the industry’s biggest players move in with serious intent. Tom Pattinson reports on the dramatic race to create the first Chinese whisky…
10 hot takeaways from the China Whisky Outlook 2024
After the success of Barley’s recent China Whisky Outlook 2024 summit in Edinburgh, Tom Pattinson reveals the 10 key learnings for the future, as revealed by our panel of industry experts…
Tales from the city, tales from the sea
From the Cairngorms to the Caribbean (with a brief detour to the Liverpool docks), the new collection from The Last Drop is an exquisite historical journey of discovery. Gordon Thomson gets spirited away
Highballs and Hijinks on a foodie tour of Japan
When it comes to serious food and drink, served in beguiling back-street bars and buzzy restaurants, Japan delivers. Whisky man Charlie Echlin discovers smoky grills, unctuous noodles and Highball heaven on a epicurean road-trip to Tokyo and beyond…
Slow train coming
New distilleries, smart sleeper trains, the NC500 and a possible UNESCO badge are bringing travellers and tipplers to Scotland’s far north – but it’s the old stories and aged malts that beguile Chris Moss
Wild at heart
Drawing on over 60 years worth of premium stock laid down by the Grant family, Wildmoor takes its inspiration from the rugged landscape of Scotland. Barley meets the daring duo behind a stunning new whisky…
Whisky Island - the secret soul of Islay
He’s been visiting for 40 years but Dave Broom is still transported by the mysterious alchemy of the sacred whisky isle
Canada dry
Gangster bootleggers and perfectly preserved speakeasies on a historic border-run across Prohibition’s ‘river of alcohol’
Sip Advisor: How to build the perfect 12-bottle whisky bar
A great global selection to rejuvenate your collection, whatever spirit you’re in
‘I’m part of the dodo race’
Take two Dundonians, one a poet, the other a Hollywood star…. Don Paterson and Brian Cox set the world to rights
We would drive 500 miles for this…(swimsuit optional)
Dolphins, fine dining and natural wonders abound on Scotland’s most northerly trail. Barley picks 10 places definitely worth a stop-off or a detour on the North Coast 500
A racehorse, the Beatles’ drummer and the first British Bourbon
It’s a whisky tale that’s got the lot: a race-horse steered to victory by a teenage Lester Piggott, one of the first ever live performances by the Beatles and, well, lashings of lady luck. Tom Pattinson hears about the miracle birth of Never Say Die…
Bothy dreams
A crackling fire, the company of strangers and, outside, miles of unspoiled wilderness. Our writer falls for the restorative pleasures of Scottish bothy living
Sip advisor: 5 great Speyside single malts for under £50
You’ve made it through the dark, dog days of January. Well done. You deserve a drink. We’ve got five single malts from the heartland of whisky that taste great and won’t break the bank
‘No, Mr Bond, I expect you to drink’
From James Bond to, er, Ron Burgundy, film and TV is awash with whisky-swilling heroes. But what does the choice of dram say about the man? Barley sifts the on-screen evidence for clues…
Berlin’s best whisky bars
Beyond the iconic TV tower in the city’s arty neighbourhoods and suburbs our writer discovers offbeat sights and some of Berlin’s most atmospheric whisky bars
English whisky’s Indie heroes
The big label behemoths of Scotch are in an almighty scrap with the Indie upstarts making a noise (and creating a serious stir) south of the border. England’s alternative whisky scene has a lot of bottle — here’s the best of them
The mystery of the world’s ‘oldest whisky’
When 40 ancient bottles of whisky were found in a dusty Perthshire cellar last year, a race to reveal the true provenance and value of this precious haul began. Nick Morgan turns whisky sleuth to uncork the truth about this controversial consignment
The full Irish
Chris Moss discovers jumping jazz, boisterous bars and the first new distillery in almost 90 years on a titanic trip to Belfast
Twelve Drams of Christmas
From Taiwan to the Isle of Arran, the Lake Disrict to Jutland, it’s the Barley guide to the best whisky to gift and drink this Christmas
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In A Special Place: Glencoe
By Alastair Campbell
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Video: Queens of cashmere
By Barley staff
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Whisky cabinet must-haves
By Olly Smith
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5 distilleries opening soon
By Barley staff
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Islay whisky starter for six
By Dave Broom
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Three classic Detroit speakeasies
By Nina Caplan
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Video: Japan's best dram?
By Tatsuya Minagawa
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Four supermarket whiskies we rate
By Olly Smith
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The Last Sipper
Hollywood legend Brian Cox invites Barley’s Tom Pattinson into his home to talk about the drams that changed his life - and what he really thinks about tasting notes…
Video produced by Emir Eralp