Ayer’s | Whisky Lady

As part of reflecting back on the last few years and a new milestone of 1,500 whisky posts, I continue to be amused by this blog’s top whisky content… What is it about these posts that attracts so much attention?

My 1st edition of the Whisky Lady’s Top 5 Popular Posts was in January 2020. And now? Only one post remains in the top 5 today.

So, without further fanfare, I give you the latest, if not greatest, Whisky Lady’s Top 5 Popular Posts as of August 2024!

#1 Germany’s Ayer’s Alligator 57.7% (December 29, 2023)

I must admit, this surprises me the most! My Nurnberg home’s own local distillery (Altstadthof Brewery and Distillery) produces VERY small batches (as in VERY VERY small!). How is it that a post about our 1st sampling shot to the number one spot?! It was smooth, enjoyable, and more than held its own against some powerful competition.

#2 India Quartet – Indri, Kamet, Paul John, Amrut (November 18, 2023)

Last year in Germany, I hosted a special Diwali evening celebrating Indian single malts… more specifically Indri, Kamet, a special edition Paul John Christmas 2021, and the unique Amrut Port Pipe Peated from The Vault’s 1st Biennale in 2019.

All four whiskies remain open in my Nurnberg whisky cabinet, awaiting further opportunities to share a dram or two!

#3 Whiskies by Country / Region (regularly updated)

Whilst not a post per se, it shows up in the top 5 most visited content! It is a repository of all tastings over the last decade, organized broadly by Regions and Countries with:

Asia with whiskies from Japan and Taiwan plus Australia & New Zealand
Europe – Which has grown significantly over the years!
Ireland & Wales – Only a few recent editions
South Asia with whiskies from India and Bhutan – A remarkable testament to how Indian whiskies have found their spot in World Whiskies
North America with Canada and USA – With several recent posts about my favourite Canadian distillery – Shelter Point!
And above all, the main page is FULL of whiskies from Scotland – organized by the key regions of Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland, Speyside with the unofficial Island region also recognized!

#4 Party Whisky – Amrut’s MaQintosh (Mar 13, 2015)

Previously, this was the “all-time” most popular post. For a whisky that I’ve purchased only once and have had a few times at parties. I feel compelled to buy another bottle just to refresh the photo (one of my all-time WORST whisky pictures!).

MaQintosh (WhiskyLady.co)

#5 Happy Whiskies – Bhutan’s K5 vs Misty Peak (October 23, 2017)

Bhutan makes whiskies? Yes, you may indeed be surprised that they do! One of our intrepid Whisky Ladies of Mumbai traveled in 2017 to bring back two whisky blends – K5 and Misty Peaks.

Our conclusion was that, while neither was remarkable, there was an easy-drinking, approachable quality that simply makes one “happy”- much like the touted “happiness quotient” for which Bhutan is also known.

And there you have it, the 2024 edition of this Whisky Lady’s Top 5 most popular posts!

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Sometimes you skip what is sitting in your own backyard. Monuments missed, landmarks overlooked, vistas unseen… Having lived in Nurnberg for over four years, much of what tourists do remains undone. And that includes a whisky tour of Altstadthof Brewery and Distillery where our local small-batch whisky Ayer’s is produced. I have certainly had the beer from there. And more than one wine-tasting event. Even a tour of the underground tunnels. But unbelievably have yet to make it for one of their whisky tours or samplings, despite being a mere 15-minute walk from my home. For shame!

So when we decided to close the year with an exploration of continental European whiskies, it seemed the perfect opportunity to check out what is practically in our backyard! A fellow member steered towards their cask strength expression – specifically with an Alligator char. Alli-what you may ask?

First off is understanding why it is important to char the oak barrel. The concept is simple – charring opens up the wood – making it easier for the spirit to extract flavours. There are different char levels with alligator being one of the highest, so-called as the wood takes on the texture of alligator hide.

So enough theory, what about practice?

Ayer’s Alligator (2017 / 2022) 57.7%

Colour – Dark copper, edging on amber
Nose – Young, fresh and sweet, honey, tobacco, cotton candy
Palate – Began a bit fruity with pear, then shifted into toast with butter, something that is almost akin to peat without actually being peaty
Finish – Satisfying
Water – Makes it even more accessible

We were overall quite pleased with this one! After the unique Fary Lochan, we feared the Ayer’s might pale by comparison, whereas it held its own. We thought it might be a bit bold or harsh, instead, it was smooth and easy to enjoy. A happy surprise!

With this experience, I am reminded that it is past time to check out this wee distillery, sooner rather than later once back in Deutschland in the New Year.