Small-scale tastings in Alkmaar and on location. Single malts, single casks and independent bottlings — led by the importer.
±6 whiskies per tasting·Importer hosts the session·Snacks & water all evening
There are bottlers who sell whisky. And there are bottlers who select casks. Adelphi belongs to the second category — and you only really taste that difference when someone is sitting next to you who was there when the cask was tasted, approved, and bottled. On October 9th at 19:30 we are doing something we have never done before: A tasting you follow from home. You will receive a tasting set of six samples delivered to your home in advance. On the evening itself, you pour along while Graeme MacKay from Adelphi talks you through the range — cask by cask, in the order they were intended. 1 · Glasgow 10 Year Old 2016 — Lowlands — 58.1% Virgin oak hogshead, cask #845, 258 bottles 2 · Glen Garioch 15 Year Old 2011 — Highlands — 58.7% First fill bourbon barrel3 · Blair Athol 12 Year Old 2013 — Highlands — 58.3% First fill bourbon hogshead 4 · Benrinnes 14 Year Old 2012 — Speyside — 58.3% Refill oloroso sherry butt5 · Dailuaine 15 Year Old 2010 — Speyside — 57.3% Pedro Ximenez refill butt6 · St. Kilian 6 Year Old 2017 — Germany — 59.7% First fill Moscatel butt No venue, no travel time, no taxi home. But the same whisky, the same story, and the opportunity to just ask your question. Six casks, one evening, and the person who helped select them. About Graeme MacKay Graeme is international ambassador for Adelphi and Ardnamurchan Distillery — the distillery that Adelphi built in 2014 on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. He visited our shop back in March, and it was exactly the kind of afternoon that was about cask selection, maturation, and idiosyncratic decisions rather than marketing. He will do that again this evening, but in more detail and for a small group. Please note: Graeme will present in English. There will be no translation. Being able to follow fluent English is therefore useful — you are of course welcome to ask questions in English, and we will be present all evening to assist.About aDelphi: https://www.dewhiskyspecialist.nl/nl/bottler/a-delphi
Whisky tasting: the House of Morrison – five generations of whisky tradition Thursday 22 October This autumn, we delve into the story of one of Scotland's oldest whisky families: the Morrisons. For five generations, they have been breaking, blending, bottling, and distilling the finest Scotch whiskies — from the renowned Bowmore years to their own distillery today. During this tasting, we will sample the full spectrum of the house: Old Perth – the blended malt that honours the cradle of blending, fully matured in sherry casks. Round, rich, and surprisingly approachable. Mac-Talla – "echo" in Gaelic, and a tribute to the family's ties with Islay. Peated, powerful single malts with character. Aberargie – the latest chapter: their own "barley-to-bottle" distillery on the family estate near Perth, where whisky has been maturing with patience and craftsmanship since 2017. What's special: this evening we will be tasting new releases from both Mac-Talla and Aberargie — whiskies that are fresh on the market and not yet widely available. A unique opportunity to be among the first to experience what this whisky family has to offer. Sign up for an evening full of stories, history, and, of course, excellent whisky.
Japan in the glass – Sakurao & Togouchi From Hiroshima to Alkmaar. For one special evening. On Thursday, November 12th, Sociëteit De Dieu will be entirely dedicated to Japanese whisky. And this time, the story comes straight from the source. Specially for this tasting, Yoko Nakashima, Export Sales Manager of Sakurao Distillery, is traveling from Japan to Alkmaar to personally guide us through the world of Sakurao and Togouchi. And there is quite a lot to tell. Sakurao Distillery is located in Hiroshima, near the Seto Inland Sea and the famous island of Miyajima. Although the company's history goes back more than a century, a new distillery was opened in 2017, marking a new chapter in the production of Japanese whisky. A unique part of that story is the two different locations where the whisky is aged. Sakurao is aged on the coast, where the influence of the Seto Inland Sea becomes part of the whisky's character. For Togouchi, the whisky heads into the mountains. There, casks are stored in a former railway tunnel, with a completely different climate and virtually constant conditions. Two locations. Two aging environments. Two different faces of Japanese whisky. During this evening, Yoko will take us behind the labels. Not just to what is in the glass, but specifically to the choices made in Japan: from distillation and cask selection to aging and the development of Sakurao and Togouchi. And there is more. New bottlings from both Sakurao and Togouchi will be on the table. A great opportunity to get acquainted with the latest developments from the distillery, told by someone who is right at the heart of it. This won't be a general introduction to Japanese whisky, but an evening where we get to know one distillery and its whiskies up close. From Hiroshima to Alkmaar. From distillery to glass. The tasting will be conducted in English by Yoko Nakashima. Thursday, November 12thSociëteit De Dieu – AlkmaarStart: 7:30 PM A special evening for lovers of Japanese whisky and for everyone curious about what is currently happening in Japan.
8 spots available left
At our whisky tastings in Alkmaar you'll taste fine single malts, single casks and independent bottlings. You'll learn more about the world of whisky — for example about concepts like non chill filtered and natural colour — and you can ask all the questions you've always had. Here is what an evening with us looks like.
Around the world, straight from Alkmaar Whisky knows no borders. And this time, neither does our tasting. On Tuesday, September 29, we are doing something new. The Whisky Specialist is leaving the shop on the Dijk for one evening and setting up at Café Bruintje on the Ritsevoort in Alkmaar. For the first time, we are organizing a whisky tasting in partnership with a local hospitality venue. A combination that is actually quite logical: the atmosphere and conviviality of the café, combined with our love for exceptional whisky. And for this first edition, we are looking beyond Scotland right away. During the evening, we will take a small world tour in a glass. We will pour whiskies from different countries and discover how surprisingly vast the differences can be. Climate, grain type, distillation method, local traditions, and, of course, the casks used: every country puts its own spin on whisky. So don't expect six variations on the same theme, but rather contrast. From soft and refined to rich and powerful. From familiar to a whisky you perhaps didn't even know was made in that country. We are keeping exactly which countries and bottles will be on the table to ourselves for now. After all, a world trip is more fun when you don't know every destination in advance. One evening. Different countries. Exceptional whiskies. And above all, plenty to discover. We look forward to seeing you at Café Bruintje for this first joint Alkmaar whisky evening. Tuesday, September 29Café Bruintje – Ritsevoort, Alkmaar Are you joining us on a trip around the world?
On Saturday afternoon, September 12th, the shop will revolve around whiskies you have most likely never tasted before. From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, we will be pouring a selection off the beaten path at De Whisky Specialist (Dijk 25, Alkmaar): no big names, but definitely big flavors. Because it is precisely where almost no one looks that the greatest discoveries are made. We won't reveal exactly what will be opened. But here are three hints to pique your curiosity: A single malt from a subtropical island where you would sooner expect tea plantations and night markets than whisky casks, and where the warm climate fast-tracks the maturation process. A surprise from the land of wine, champagne, and cognac. You can immediately taste in the glass that they understand a thing or two about casks, terroir, and patience there. And from a renowned Scottish independent bottler: a smoky single malt from a 'secret address' on a world-famous whisky island. Almost no one knows the name on the label, but you will recognize the style instantly. Any idea which these are? Come and find out. Feel free to walk in, grab a dram, and taste the unknown. Cheers!
In-Store Tasting | Irish Whiskey – Saturday, July 25 On Saturday afternoon, July 25, the store will be all about Ireland. From 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM, at De Whisky Specialist (Dijk 25, Alkmaar), you can taste a selection of Irish whiskies that show how versatile the green island is: from smooth, triple-distilled classics to surprising single pot stills and special cask finishes. Irish whiskey is experiencing a true renaissance — new distilleries, rediscovered styles, and bottlings full of character. During this informal afternoon, you'll discover why Ireland is once again at the top. We will be pouring, among others (Fercullen, Currach, Clonakilty, Teeling, McConnels). Feel free to drop by, grab a dram, and be surprised. Sláinte!
On Thursday, March 26, we invite you to a special whisky tasting at the familiar and atmospheric location of Sociëteit De Dieu in Alkmaar . This time the evening is all about independent bottlers The explorers of the whisky world. Houses that chart their own course, choose based on flavor and character, and often bottle surprising gems you don't encounter every day. During this evening, you'll taste a selection of whiskies with the bottler's perspective at the forefront. Single casks, unique maturations, and expressions showcase how vision and craftsmanship can give a distillate its own unique story. Expect depth, nuance, and a distinct personality in the glass. The tasting will once again be led by Marcel Bol of Whisky Import Nederland . With his infectious passion and wealth of knowledge, he'll take you behind the labels and share his insights into the choices, origins, and philosophy of independent bottlers. Stories that will deepen your dram and enrich your understanding of whisky. An evening for enthusiasts who like to look beyond the standard bottles Warm, deepening and full of discoveries.
Sometimes it's time to not just taste, but experience. Travel to Rotterdam with The Whisky Specialist for a special afternoon at Cley Distillery, a modern Dutch distillery where innovation and tradition collide. We'll depart from Alkmaar by bus (bus fare included) at 12:00 PM for Rotterdam. We'll arrive at the distillery at 1:45 PM, where the tour begins at 2:00 PM. During this tour, you'll get a unique behind-the-scenes look: from raw materials to distillate, from still to barrel. The Cley team will share their vision of Dutch whisky and show you how they work with precision and dedication to craft their distinctive spirits. After the tour, we'll take a seat in the tasting room for an extensive tasting of various Cley products. Under supervision, we'll discover the aroma, flavor, and structure of their expressions and learn more about barrel aging, distillation techniques, and flavor development. An afternoon where knowledge and experience converge in the glass. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to purchase bottles of the whiskies or other spirits that most impressed you. A great opportunity to take your favorite home with you. At 4:00 PM we leave for Alkmaar again, undoubtedly with new insights and tasting experiences. There are a maximum of 45 seats available for this exclusive tour & tasting. An intimate setting offers opportunities for questions, deepening your knowledge, and sharing your passion. An afternoon for enthusiasts who want to look beyond the label and experience what Dutch whisky is capable of today.
On Thursday, March 26, we invite you to a special whisky tasting at the familiar and atmospheric location of Sociëteit De Dieu in Alkmaar . This time the evening is all about independent bottlers The explorers of the whisky world. Houses that chart their own course, choose based on flavor and character, and often bottle surprising gems you don't encounter every day. During this evening, you'll taste a selection of whiskies with the bottler's perspective at the forefront. Single casks, unique maturations, and expressions showcase how vision and craftsmanship can give a distillate its own unique story. Expect depth, nuance, and a distinct personality in the glass. The tasting will once again be led by Marcel Bol of Whisky Import Nederland . With his infectious passion and wealth of knowledge, he'll take you behind the labels and share his insights into the choices, origins, and philosophy of independent bottlers. Stories that will deepen your dram and enrich your understanding of whisky. An evening for enthusiasts who like to look beyond the standard bottles Warm, deepening and full of discoveries.
On Saturday afternoon, March 21st, we welcome a special guest from the world of Scotch whisky to The Whisky Specialist: Graeme MacKay, international ambassador for Ardnamurchan Distillery and Adelphi. During this informal in-store tasting, Graeme will bring several interesting bottlings from Ardnamurchan (and perhaps a little Adelphi). Two names that, each in their own way, demonstrate how character, craftsmanship, and a clear vision come together in the glass. For example, taste the new Paul Launois bottling from Ardnamurchan. Ardnamurchan, located on the rugged and remote peninsula on the west coast of Scotland, is known for its modern yet traditional approach to whisky making. Adelphi, on the other hand, is one of the most respected independent bottlers, having selected exceptional casks from distilleries across Scotland for decades. During this afternoon, you will taste a selection of expressions that beautifully showcase the character of both houses. Expect maritime influences, exciting cask maturations, and whiskies that demonstrate how versatile Scotch whisky can be. Graeme will also talk about the background of the distillery, the choices made in production and maturation, and, of course, the stories behind the bottlings that appear in the glass. This tasting is freely accessible and free of charge. You are welcome to drop by, taste a dram, and get acquainted with the world of Adelphi and Ardnamurchan.
Whisky without borders – A world trip in your glass On Saturday, November 29, we invite you to a special whisky tasting at an iconic location: Sociëteit De Dieu in Alkmaar . The theme of the evening? Whisky from around the world – from Scotland to Japan, from Ireland to the Netherlands, and surprises from lesser-known whisky countries. During this exclusive evening, you'll sample a range of exceptional whiskies that showcase the world's diversity. Discover how climate, tradition, and craftsmanship create completely different styles and flavors. Expect a captivating journey of contrasts: delicate versus powerful, sweet versus spicy, and classic versus innovative. The tasting is hosted by Robert van Harskamp of Craft Spirits . With his passion for craft distillates and extensive knowledge, he will guide you through the stories behind the bottles and share insights that will broaden your understanding of whisky.
How much flavor fits in a barrel? Find out for yourself! On Thursday, October 23, we invite you to a unique whisky tasting at a beautiful location: Sociëteit De Dieu in Alkmaar . The theme of the evening? The influence of the cask – from sherry to bourbon, from port to rum, and from hogshead to quarter cask. During this exclusive evening, you'll sample a variety of unique whiskies where the cask plays a starring role. Expect surprising aromas, distinctive flavors, and stories about maturation, cask sizes, and cask types that completely transform the character of a dram. The tasting will be hosted by Marcel Bol of Whisky Import Nederland , whose passion and knowledge will add depth to the evening. He'll take you on a journey into the world of wood, maturation, and flavor, sharing unique insights you won't easily hear elsewhere.
