In Issue 17 of Club Oenologique, we’re celebrating whisky in all its modern glory. It’s fair to say that recent times have seen a global boom in whisky, with new distilleries cropping up in all four corners of the world. With these new makers comes a fearless and experimental energy to the whisky category, which the latest issue of our magazine intends to explore on a deeper level. What’s beautiful to see is how this spiritedness mingles and melds with the strong sense of tradition that has come to define Scotch whisky – something Kristiane Sherry unpacks across these pages, sharing her insights from The Scotch Whisky Report, an epic assessment of the latest premium releases and limited-edition drams, which she recently carried out for Club Oenologique. Continuing the whisky theme, Mandy Naglich takes us on a journey along Kentucky’s ever-expanding Bourbon Trail, and Colin Hampden-White investigates why there’s a sudden spate of whiskies with increasingly specific finishes in wine cask – from Argentinian Malbec to Cabernet-led Pauillac. Meanwhile, Joel Harrison introduces the independent bottlers who are doing their bit to shake up the scene, and in our Review section he shares an offering of rye whiskies from around the world for those intrigued by the spicier side of the spirit. Elsewhere, we’re covering the increasingly collectable wines of Washington’s Walla Walla and of Beaujolais (no longer made merely for drinking in its confected youth), and we’re sharing the latest in a milestone year for that certified star of the cellar, Australia’s Penfolds. Finally, we help you get into the seasonal mood with Champagne, Martinis, and caviar – but not as you know it. All this and more in this winter 2024 issue of Club Oenologique.