New Whisky For Everyone Website Launched

Since 2008 Whisky For Everyone has been filled with articles to help beginners, as well as connoisseurs, develop a wider understanding and appreciation for the world of whisky. Content ranges from informative how-to guides, whisky reviews and distillery profiles to weekly news updates… aptly named ‘Inbox’ to reflect the summarised press release style of content. 

The new site combines historical content from the blog’s extensive back catalogue with new articles in one convenient and user-friendly website. Whisky For Everyone is proudly launching whiskyforeveryone.com to an international audience while supporting UK brands and retailers. 

The new website launches with an additional focus on core range products and Travel Retail – the whiskies that most consumers purchase - alongside the rare and limited editions from around the whisky world. 

Matt Chambers, Co-Founder said “We are extremely proud and excited that we have been able to give our website a well-earned make-over with a new look and enhanced visuals. This update supports the evolution of Whisky For Everyone and the wider whisky industry, which is very different to when we started in 2008. 

By simplifying the navigation, we are aiming to make it easier for people to browse through our back catalogue of articles. Plus, we want to create a more engaging experience for readers and contributing whisky brands through a greater inclusion of lifestyle images, social media and video content.” 

Whisky For Everyone is now live at whiskyforeveryone.com.

 

About Whisky For Everyone

Talking about whisky since 2008. Whisky for Everyone features brand stories, distillery visits, product reviews and tasting notes, plus weekly trade and consumer news updates. 

Whisky For Everyone was founded by husband-and-wife team Matt Chambers and Karen Taylor with the aim to simplify the often-daunting world of whisky for people. The original award-winning blog was one of the most read in the UK and boasted over seven million unique visits in 16.5 years and 30 thousand followers across social media platforms. It has also featured in the Malt Whisky Yearbook for 16 consecutive years as a ‘Website to Watch’. 

Matt and Karen were inducted as Keepers of The Quaich in 2015 for their services to Scotch whisky and remain two of the few blogging influencers to be honoured in this way. They have also featured as one of the ‘Top 10 Inspirational Couples in Spirits’ in The Spirits Business. 

Whisky For Everyone’s blog website is for anyone who is interested in whisky and whiskey (yes, there is a difference) – beginner, connoisseur or otherwise. Our aim is to explain about whiskies, the distilleries and brands that create them, along with the processes and factors that go into making the world’s favourite spirit in simple words. All the while, getting you thinking about what you like.

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This blog will remain but will no longer be updated and all new content will be on the new website. Please visit: WhiskyForEveryone.com.

 

Whisky For Everyone / 15 Years of Blogging

When our first blog post popped up on 28 March 2008 it was difficult to imagine that Whisky For Everyone would still be going 15 years later. Our fledgling interest in whisky, and Scotch in particular, led us to want to find out more. Writing things down seemed a good way to make facts, figures and tasting notes stick. If people read what we wrote then so be it - we gave it a working title of 'Whisky For Everyone' and it was our vehicle for learning.

Our Top 10 Whiskies of 2021

This is always one of our favourite posts to write each year. The Top 10 is something we first began way back in 2009 and within it we celebrate the finest new whisky releases of that calendar year. Our first selection crowned Benromach 10 years old as our Whisky of the Year. We decided some time ago to no longer give a top prize. Instead, each of the ten whiskies that we have chosen is a winner in its own right and for differing reasons.

As the world continued to do battle with the Covid-19 pandemic, the whisky world seemed to respond with some excellent releases. The adversity and uncertainty acted as inspiration for some of the companies to bottle some of their best whiskies of recent times. It has been difficult to select just ten to be honest.

Allotment Drams / Tamnavulin Double Cask & Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2021 Edition

We have two more episodes from our Allotment Dram series for you. This is where we talk to you about whisky from the surroundings of our north London allotment. First join Matt as he takes a look at the little known Speyside distillery of Tamnavulin, which he has not tasted anything from for over a decade. Watch to discover his thoughts and tasting notes for the accessible Double Cask expression.

Then on his next visit he samples a brand new release from the family-owned Islay distillery of Kilchoman. Watch as he talks about the distillery and the annual Loch Gorm bottling, before giving his thoughts and tasting notes on the 2021 Edition.

To keep up-to-date with our Allotment Drams and other videos, please subscribe to and visit our YouTube channel by clicking here.

 

#AllotmentDram

 

Allotment Drams - Talisker 8 years old 'Hepburn's Choice' & Tomintoul 25 years old

 

Two more episodes of the Allotment Dram for you following a couple more visits to our north London plot. Firstly, Matt delves in to the world of the independent bottlers and takes a look at a single cask of Talisker 8 years old from Hunter Laing. Watch as he talks about the Hepburn's Choice range that it is part of, the new packaging and then gives his thoughts and tasting notes.

Then on his next visit, Matt has selected one of the jewels in the crown of our personal whisky collection - the Tomintoul 25 years old. Watch as he talks about this single malt from an under rated Speyside distillery, plus gives his thoughts and tasting notes. We hope that you enjoy both videos.

To subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch more videos - please click here.

#AllotmentDram

Our Top 10 Whisky Books

There are literally hundreds, possibly even thousands, of books on the subject of whisky out there. These cover all facets of the industry from how the spirit is made and the history of distilleries to 'must try' bottles and how to use whisky in cocktails. Some are written by well-known whisky or spirits writers, others by bartenders or those interested in the subject. There really is a whisky book for everyone.

Any Top 10 selection is subjective of course and everyone will pick a different line-up as their choice. It is the same for any Top 10 for any subject. Therefore you may not agree with our choices or have some in your own personal line-up and some not. We would love to hear what your favourite books are, so please feel free to comment against this post or on the YouTube video.

Allotment Dram - Gelston's 12 years old

It is a hot afternoon at the allotment and Matt has chosen a light whiskey to fit the weather - the Gelston's 12 years old Finished in Sherry Casks, a triple distilled Irish single malt. Watch to find his tasting notes and thoughts, some background about how this old brand has been revived and also what he has harvested.

To watch more Allotment Dram videos and other recordings, please visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

#allotmentdram

Allotment Dram - Glendronach 12 years old

It’s allotment time again and this time Matt has selected an old favourite - Glendronach 12 years old - as his allotment dram. The whisky is a classic example of a sherry cask matured single malt that has many fans. Watch to find out some history about the Highland distillery and his basic tasting notes.

#allotmentdram 

Allotment Dram - Ballantine's Finest

Matt is back at our north London allotment on a very warm May afternoon and talks about the Ballantine's Finest, one of the biggest selling whiskies in the world. Listen as he samples the whisky and gives some basic tasting notes, along with some history of this famous old brand.

(Apologies, but I made an error during recording and did not realise until afterwards. I should have said one million bottles per week, not per month. Sorry and hope you enjoy it - Matt.)
 

#allotmentdram

Allotment Dram - Filey Bay Moscatel Finish

For those of you that follow us on Instagram (if you're not, why not? haha - click the tab at the top of the right hand column), you will know that we regularly post pictures of our 'allotment dram' - the whisky we are enjoying whenever we visit our allotment in North London to do some work or gardening. In these strange times, we have decided to bring this to life and record a brief tasting of each one, along with an update on the allotment's progress.

This week Matt is at the allotment on a warm afternoon and talks about the new limited edition from the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery - the Filey Bay Moscatel Finish. Watch to hear his thoughts and basic tasting notes on this English single malt. For our full blog review - click here.

#allotmentdram

Allotment Dram - Smokehead

For those of you that follow us on Instagram (if you're not, why not? - click the tab at the top of the right hand column), you will know that we regularly post pictures of our 'allotment dram' - the whisky we are enjoying whenever we visit our allotment in North London to do some work or gardening. In these strange times, we have decided to bring this to life and record a brief tasting of each one, along with an update on the allotment's progress.

For this episode, Matt is visiting and working at the allotment on a much more traditional 'April Showers' type of day than we have experienced recently. He has picked an 'allotment dram' to suit the colder and damper conditions - Smokehead, an Islay single malt whisky that packs a peaty punch. Enjoy.

#allotmentdram

Allotment Dram - Jack Daniel's Rye

For those of you that follow us on Instagram (if you're not, why not? - click the tab at the top of the right hand column), you will know that we regularly post pictures of our 'allotment dram' - the whisky we are enjoying whenever we visit our allotment in North London to do some work or gardening. In these strange times, we have decided to bring this to life and record a brief tasting of each one, along with an update on the allotment's progress.

Matt visits the allotment again as we experience an unseasonably warm spell of April weather and this time he has selected the Jack Daniel's Rye, a fairly recent addition to the famous Tennessee distillery's range of whiskeys, as his 'allotment dram'. We hope you enjoy.

#allotmentdram 

Allotment Dram - Glenlivet Captain's Reserve

For those of you that follow us on Instagram (if you're not, why not? - click the tab at the top of the right hand column), you will know that we regularly post pictures of our 'allotment dram' - the whisky we are enjoying whenever we visit our allotment in North London to do some work or gardening. In these strange times, we have decided to bring this to life and record a brief tasting of each one, along with an update on the allotment's progress.

On Matt's latest visit he samples the Glenlivet Captain's Reserve on a sunny but blustery afternoon. Find out who the whisky is named after and what the influence of rare ex-Cognac casks does to the aroma and flavour of this single malt.

#allotmentdram

Allotment Dram - The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Years Old

For those of you that follow us on Instagram (if you're not, why not? - click the tab at the top of the right hand column), you will know that we regularly post pictures of our 'allotment dram' - the whisky we are enjoying whenever we visit our allotment in North London to do some work or gardening. In these strange times, we have decided to bring this to life and record a brief tasting of each one, along with an update on the allotment's progress.

Join Matt as he visits the allotment on an overcast and muggy Spring day and chats about what he has been doing, then samples The Singleton of Dufftown 12 years old - a classic single malt from the 'whisky capital of Speyside'. Apologies for the quality of sound at times, but we hope you still enjoy it.

#allotmentdram

Allotment Dram - Benriach 12 Years Old

For those of you that follow us on Instagram, you will know that we regularly post pictures of our 'allotment dram' - the whisky we are enjoying whenever we visit our allotment to do some work or gardening. In these strange times, we have decided to bring this to life and record a brief tasting of each one, along with an update on the allotment's progress.

Join Matt as he visits the allotment on a warm Spring day and chats about what he has been doing, then samples the Benriach 12 years old - a classic sherry cask matured Speyside single malt. We hope you enjoy ...

#allotmentdram

Allotment Dram - Mackmyra 20th Anniversary Whisky

So as we emerge from our two weeks of self isolation/quarantine and suspected coronavirus infection, Matt uses his daily exercise to walk to and work at our allotment. For those of you that follow us on Instagram, you will know that we regularly post pictures of our 'allotment dram' - the whisky we are enjoying whenever we visit.

In these strange times, we have decided to bring this to life and record a brief tasting of each one, along with an update on the allotment's progress. We hope that you enjoy and here is the first one ...

#allotmentdram

Review - Glenglassaugh Octave Cask #SC36

by Billy Abbott of Spirited Matters and The Whisky Exchange blog.

Glenglassaugh is a Highland distillery which has, over the past decade, occasionally offered casks for sale. This bottling is one of those, selected by Matt and Karen, purveyors of this very blog. They very kindly forced me to take/gave me a sample and asked if I would like to write about it. I, of course, accepted.

While it was founded in 1875, the distilling history of Glenglassaugh is surprisingly short. In 1907, after just 32 years of operation, it was at first mothballed, and then operated intermittently for another 53 years. In 1960, it was completely rebuilt at its clifftop location overlooking the North Sea, and ran happily until 1986.

Our Top 10 Whiskies of 2018

Another year has passed and it is time for one of our favourite blog posts - our top 10 whiskies from last year. Everyone will have a different opinion about what should and should not be on such a list. Our list is simply our favourites with no criteria, such as price or availability applied, or agenda.

2018 saw seemingly more whiskies released than ever before. New distilleries bottled their first ever products (Cotswolds and Eden Mill), established brands put new whiskies in to their core ranges (Aberlour and Glenlivet amongst others), classic whiskies were re-released (BenRiach and GlenDronach) and some distilleries celebrated landmarks with anniversary bottlings (Balcones and Benromach). The competitions that we both judge on saw record levels of entries, reflecting this vibrancy at the moment.

As with previous years it has been a struggle to narrow our choices down to just ten. We have sampled many nice whiskies, reviewing numerous of them. As with the last couple of years, we have decided to again list the final ten in alphabetical order, rather than ranking them.

Whisky For Everyone - A Decade of Blogging

When our first blog post popped up on 28 March 2008 it was difficult to imagine that Whisky For Everyone would still be going a decade later. Our fledgling interest in whisky, and Scotch in particular, led us to want to find out more. Writing things down seemed a good way to make facts, figures and tasting notes stick in our brains. If people read what we wrote then so be it - we gave it a working title of Whisky For Everyone and it was our vehicle for learning.

Our Top 10 Whiskies of 2017

Well, it is that time again - the time when we reveal our Top 10 whiskies from the previous year.  This always proves to be one of the most fun posts to write and one of our most popular with readers.  It also allows us some time to reflect on what has happened during the whisky year.  Personally we attended over 70 events or whisky shows, numerous press trips and distilleries, and sampled and reviewed nearly 100 whiskies.

2017 seemed to be a year that continued the innovation and experimentation of 2016. This saw big brands and smaller producers alike pushing the boundaries and released a wide spectrum of products to an ever-growing consumer base.  Some of these products have impressed us and are included in our Top 10.  Could they become modern classics? Only time will tell.