Skye is a truly magical place. As Scotland's second-largest island, it is home to some of the country's most iconic landscapes. Actually, it is more like a 50-mile-long patchwork of moors, mountains, lochs and stunning sea cliffs. Plus Skye is home to one particularly special place. A restaurant around which people plan their holidays. Let us tell you more about this magical place!

Checking in to The House Over-By

Whether you are visiting for a few days whilst on a tour of Scotland or staying for a longer spell, Skye has countless ways to enchant you. With its miles of dramatic coastline, the island is only sparsely populated and hence ideal for a calm retreat. Especially at The House Over-By at The Three Chimneys! Here, guests will find world-class Scottish Highland hospitality in an intimate and familiar setting. All that directly set on the shores of Loch Dunvegan!

As we check in, we get warmly greeted at the front desk. Our room is ready and we get served tea and freshly prepared home-baked delights. What a way to arrive after a long drive!

The charming house offers only six calming and beautifully appointed rooms. For us, they are perfect for a refreshing escape from the busy city life. In the rooms, complimentary fresh fruit, fresh milk and mineral water are provided.

Meanwhile, the lounge is the place where people gather to read, play chess or simply settle down nearby the fire place to admire the stunning view over Loch Dunvegan. Again, we love the familiar atmosphere and enjoy having conversations about Skye, Whisky and the Highland life with other guests!

Here, we have found a place to retreat and where the staff works towards ensuring that their impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. Their unique location on the stunning Isle of Skye should be preserved for the enjoyment of the guests and the local community for generations to come. We honor this mindset by opting for a local dram by the nearby Talisker distillery. Sláinte!

Experiencing world-class gastronomy

Guests who stay at The House Over-By are usually here for the culinary delights. Hence, it is not surprising that evenings usually start with an optional tasting. Today, we get to enjoy a wine tasting put together by the house's sommelier.

Later, we head over to The Three Chimneys. Here, we want to find out why many guests first book a table here and then plan their whole vacation around this particular date. We are lucky enough to get a glimpse behind the scenes because we are invited to the Chef's Table inside the kitchen!

Here, Head Chef Scott Davies and his team honor the 35 year ethos of iconic restaurant by turning the rich natural bounty which Skye's land and sea have to offer into mouth-watering dishes. Blessed to have some of the world's freshest and most tasteful ingredients, Scott and team prepare wonderful dishes applying finest techniques of ancient Nordic and haute Scottish cuisine.

While dining at the chef's table, we get to live through a unique dining experience. We quickly realize that Chef Scott often finds himself inspired by one element of a dish and then creates a culinary narrative around it. This is a creative element that unfolds perfectly on the plate!

While the crew is passionately coming up with new recipes at a groundbreaking speed, the ingredients can't be rushed. Apparently, Scott has carefully forged excellent working relationships with over fifty local and national producers and suppliers. However, most ingredients are still sourced directly from Skye. The degree of this freshness is the hallmark of the dining experience at The Three Chimneys and definitely makes the difference for us!

Exploring the Isle of Skye

While a stay at The Three Chimneys itself is the main reason for a stay on Skye, the island has still some amazing sights to offer. Hence, we enjoy an early morning breakfast before going on an excursion to the nearby Neist Point Lighthouse.

Actually, Skye is known for its majestic geological features, such as the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and the Cuillin. Today, we will only see some cliffs. Yet, they are already breathtakingly dramatic!

As we drive on Skye's winding roads with our Jaguar F-Pace SVR, we get to witness the end of a stunning sunrise. We can only wonder what kind of wild creatures are looking at the exact same phenomenon now: White Tailed Sea Eagles, otters, seals, whales, dolphins and red deer. They can all be found on Skye actually!

Today, we only get to see sheep. Lots of them! Sometimes we have to slow down patiently while a herd of them walks in the middle of the road in front of us. Not in a hurry at all! Luckily, neither are we.

As we arrive at the Neist Point Car Park, we walk a couple of stairs down to the cliff. It is a magical place with free roaming sheep, breaking waves and stunning views of the lighthouse and dramatic cliffs. We can definitely recommend coming here. Not only for the lighthouse itself but also for the scenic drive!

Way too fast, our stay at The Three Chimneys and The House Over-By comes to an end. As we pack our bags and say our goodbyes, we know that we will treasure the many good memories until we will be back the next time!

Are you looking for more travel inspiration in the UK? Read this blogpost about our road trip in Southern England!

Recently we have started to blog about whisky to share our experience with our fellow whisky enthusiasts. As a consequence, we had to book a flight to Scotland because we couldn't wait any longer to see a full working distillery! However, the many outstanding brands made it really hard to decide on what distillery to visit. Eventually we settled for the one with the tallest stills in Scotland. Can you guess which one it is?

Exploring the Highlands

We find ourselves in the peaceful surroundings on the banks of the Dornoch Firth. After an exhausting journey by plane and Jaguar F-Pace SVR on adventurous Scottish roads, we arrive at the Tarrel Farmhouse just as the sun is setting. After a warm welcome by lovely host Jennie, we are soon ready for bed because an exciting day is awaiting us soon!

In the morning, we start early with a mouth-watering breakfast at the Farmhouse. Then, we take a short 15 minute drive to the nearby Glenmorangie House in the nearby Cadboll area. The charming 17th century house was built next to the ruins of an old castle and hosts guests from all over the world in a very intimate setting. Also, the barley for the Glenmorangie single malt whisky is harvested from the fields surrounding the property!

Glenmorangie distillery tour

By now you might have guessed it: we will be visiting the iconic Glenmorangie distillery! The distillery itself is only a short drive away from the House. Here, the Men of Tain are distilling one of the smoothest single malt whisky found on the planet - and that since 1843!

As we start our tour we learn that most ingredients needed to craft Glenmorangie whisky are sourced very locally. Besides the barley from their own fields, they also get the water from the local Tarlogie Springs. It is the house's own water source and most prized asset. Layers of limestone and sandstone give it its 'hard water' qualities and provide Glenmorangie with a raw ingredient unique among Highland distilleries.

Inside the distillery we learn that Glenmorangie practices three washes in the mash tun. The product of the two first ones is called ‘worts’. It is later mixed with yeast to start the fermentation process. During a period of 52 hours, the worts is converted into an alcoholic liquid called ‘wash’ with a strength of 8% ABV.

Now we enter the halls where the magic happens. We are amazed by the extremely tall stills with their long copper necks. In fact, Glenmorangie's stills are the tallest in Scotland. They are 8 meters high, the same height as a fully grown adult giraffe! The 5 meter high copper necks make sure that only the very lightest and purest vapors make it to the top. This creates a smoother, more elegant whisky.

The art of maturing

Next, we learn about the art of maturation. The freshly distilled whisky spends 10 years in first and second fill American white oak casks. The ex-bourbon casks give The Original its perfect balance between sweetness and complexity, a mature spirit that is soft, mellow and creamy.

In order to get the best quality oak casks possible, Glenmorangie has acquired their own forest in Missouri, USA. They lease their proper casks to bourbon makers for 10 years before shipping them over to Scotland to mature their fine whisky.

Slow growth trees with a more open wood structure are selected for their unique porous nature. The trees are felled into staves and gently air-seasoned for at least two years. The wood breathes and softens, imparting the first elements of flavors: vanilla, crème brulée and eucalyptus. Expert coopers in America shape the staves into barrels. Those casks are then heavily toasted and lightly charred. This process is giving its pale golden hue to Glenmorangie spirits.

The second step in the maturation process is only for a selected number of casks. Glenmorangie pioneered extra maturation in 1994 and remains an expert in the field. Their very own Dr Bill Lumsden has spent over 20 years experimenting in order to perfect the different finishes that make up the Glenmorangie extra-matured range. He had the genius idea to put their whiksy for 2 years in Oloroso Sherry Butts, Ruby Port Pipes or Sauternes Barriques to add unique finishing notes to the spirit.

As we stand in one of the many warehouses, our tour comes to an end. We are happy to round it up with a dram: a glass of Quinta Ruban 14 Years Old. Luckily they offered us a takeaway for the driver. Sláinte!

Tasting: Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Years

When it comes to the value for money you will hardly find a better malt than the Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Years. The 18 year old has always been one of the best of Glenmorangie's core range and has even won a World Whisky Award. Time for us to taste this wonderful dram!

You may know different whiskies which were matured in bourbon oak casks and then transferred to sherry-, rum-, port- or sauternes casks. This 18 year old malt spent its first 15 years in American white oak bourbon casks. After this time, 30% was transferred to Oloroso sherry casks where it spent its final days, as the rest remained in bourbon casks. After 18 years has passed in total, the whisky was reunited and bottled. This is what makes this whisky unique. The Extremely Rare 18 Years is a round and sweet whisky with crisp toffee sweetness of crème brulée in the nose. Hints of vibrant oranges & lemons are found. Then sparkling floral tones emerge, taking the edge off any cloying sweetness, with the green, almost herbal bouquet of geranium.

The palate is tropical and creamy with nectarines and honey, after butterscotch is rounding the tastes off. Flavors of rich, sticky date and fig are appearing on the finish as they are heightened by the unexpected caress of wood smoke.

In our opinion the box of this wonderful whisky is a highlight as well and underlines the elegant and exclusive style of the Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Years. These small and careful details are leading us to the conclusion of 8 Artworth Whisky Points out of 10!

Continue reading about whisky by clicking here.

Do you ski? Or maybe you enjoy a calm tour with the snowshoes? Today, we want to share with you our experience with a very different winter sport that we discovered thanks to Longines. But let's start from the beginning!

Driving through winter wonderland

Our adventure starts near the Swiss capital of Bern. We pack our winter stuff into the versatile Land Rover Discovery Sport and arrive after a 3 hour drive at the famous Julier Pass in the Canton of Grisons.

We chose the Discovery Sport for this trip because of its flexible 5+2 seating, clever storage solutions and enough space for everyone. With its distinct contours, perfectly balanced proportions and characteristic design, it is also aesthetically pleasing!

After some kilometers of pure driving pleasure we arrive on top of the Julier Pass. Here, we are happy to be wearing our AW Driving Gloves. With the many times we get out of the car to take photos, our hands would feel uncomfortably cold to drive.

Exploring St. Moritz' rich history

After leaving the winding roads of the Julier Pass behind us, we arrive in the Engadin. It represents a long, high Alpine valley region in the eastern Swiss Alps. Protected by high mountain ranges on all sides and famous for its sunny climate and beautiful landscapes, the valley is home to the Alpine metropolis of St. Moritz.

Some of you might have guessed it by now, we will be attending the White Turf! It is already the third time that we will witness the spectacular races on the frozen lake. However, this time we also want to take a full day to explore the picturesque town. First up, we head to the Badrutt's Palace to attend the Grand Prix Cocktail presented by Longines. Here, we get to meet some of the jockeys who will race on Sunday. Also, we enjoy a wonderful view down on the frozen lake. The conditions are perfect for a thrilling day at the races!

Next up, we head to the iconic Kulm Country Club for dinner. Here, top athletes and celebrities gathered during the Roaring Twenties, including the silent film legend Charlie Chaplin and US President Calvin Coolidge. Watching the tumult in front of the pavilion from the finely carved arched windows was just as popular then as it is today!

Although recently renovated, the Kulm Country Clubs has luckily preserved the original Art Deco and wood. Where necessary, the windows and doors were custom-built, true to the original! Besides the excellent cuisine and charming interior design, the classy atmosphere and rich history of the establishment are doing the trick for us.

Elegant racing Sunday

After a relaxing night we get up early because we are eager to start into this exciting day ahead of us! Attending the White Turf is always something that we look forward to weeks in advance. As a unique, exclusive, top-class event with exciting horse-racing and gourmet catering, it is one of our favorite weekends of the year. Imagine regular horse racing but on a frozen lake. All taking place in winter sunshine among the stunningly beautiful, snow-capped mountains of St Moritz. Truly a dream come true!

Horse racing has a long tradition in St. Moritz. Very long actually! Because the first race-meeting took place back in 1907. Since then, the White Turf has established itself as annual event where race-horse owners, trainers and jockeys from all over the world meet up for a thrilling competition.

In order to get to the race track, we transfer by horse carriage from the hotel to the frozen Lake St. Moritz. Could it get any classier? At the race track we first get spoiled in the VIP area: champagne, delicious snacks and good company await us!

Besides enjoying the extraordinary catering, we get the chance to get some new watches on our wrists. Here, one of the highlights is definitely the new HydroConquest in green color. Actually, the timepiece is more of a khaki tone. It features a ceramic bezel that compliments the dial very well. Overall a very beautiful, sport watch that is extremely hard to beat in terms of value for money!

Next up, a model from the Conquest V.H.P. line catches our attention. With its white dial, stainless steel case and bracelet and quartz movement, this watch is a true all-rounder and ideal companion for adventures outdoors. Although Longines is a traditional watchmaker with a strong portfolio of mechanical timepieces, their V.H.P. line strives to offer the highest degree of precision and reliability. Two values we appreciate!

The third and last watch we want to introduce to you is one of our all-time favorites by the St-Imier based watchmaker. Called the Avigation BigEye, this timepiece pays tribute to Longines' rich history in producing watches and instruments for the aviation industry. We appreciate how closely this re-issue resembles the original one from the 1930s. It perfectly matches today's Zeitgeist with its well-sized lugs and pushers. Also, at 41mm it comes in a modern size that fits most wrists extremely well!

Giddy-up!

After spending some time talking about timepieces, it is finally time to watch some races! A stunning 13’500 spectators gather on this Sunday to cheer for the jockeys and their horses. Today's highlight is the Longines 81. Grosse Preis von St. Moritz with a prize money of 111k Swiss Francs. Eventually, Jockey Dennis Schiergen rides his horse Wargrave to a great victory. Congrats Dennis!

After the thrilling race we settle down in the Longines tent and enjoy a wonderful selection of delicious sweets as desert. At the White Turf, they really know how to spoil their guests!

Way too soon, the event is over and we have to head back home. It was once again a weekend to remember. Weather, gastronomy, races and wonderful company - that more than we can ask for. To us, the combination of elegance and adrenaline at the White Turf makes for an ideal getaway!

Are you eager to read more about our adventures in the Swiss Alps? Click here for the blogpost about our roadtrip to Aosta.

Do you find yourself getting caught-up in a daily routine with your lover? Today we want to show you how you could spice things up for Valentine's Day. Little spoiler: our recommendation includes culinary delights, high-end hospitality at the Gstaad Palace and plenty of adrenaline!

Romantic retreat at the Gstaad Palace

First of all, we recommend to leave your usual surroundings. In our case, we pack our winter clothes and head to the picturesque mountain village Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland. There, somethings special awaits our girlfriends. Like many other women, they dreamed of a life as beautiful princesses when they were little girls. Hence, we decided to take them out for a romantic retreat at the wonderfully situated Gstaad Palace.

The hotel is rich in history. Opened up in 1913, the Gstaad Palace has established itself as one of the leading 5 star hotels in the world and is extremely popular with both Swiss and international guests. Each season, the hotel is investing a substantial amount of money in the rooms and facilities of the hotel. Since 60% of bookings come from recurring guests, this is highly appreciated!

For us it is the first time at the Gstaad Palace. We are blown-away by the cozy rooms that are all designed individually. Although, the highlight is the spa. Why? A big fireplace with couches is inviting guests to settle down and relax in a calming chalet atmosphere. Exactly what is needed for a romantic retreat!

Culinary delights

We know that the quickest way to the heart of a woman is by gifting her chocolate. Hence, we stopped by at Läderach to get a FreshChocolate heart as a surprise!

It is the ideal gift to complement an extraordinary breakfast enjoyed in a suite. For the latter, the chef put together a wonderful choice of local cheese, charcuterie, fresh bread, sweet delights and deliciously prepared egg dishes.

There is nothing better than an extended brunch with a loved one, right?

Later that day we can choose from three exceptional restaurants for dinner. While La Fromagerie serves innovative cheese dishes and Gildo's Ristorante spoils guests with Italian delicacies, we decide to dine at Le Grill. It was awarded 15 Gault Millau points and has exceptional local meat on its menu.

While the food itself is already outstanding, the top chefs are preparing many dishes right at our table! This turns our dinner into a true experience for all senses. We get to enjoy a perfectly prepared Chateaubriand from local beef with a delicious Béarnaise sauce.

Besides serving mouth-watering dishes, Le Grill is doing an outstanding job in creating a romantic atmosphere. A live band is playing acoustic covers of popular and classic tunes. Meanwhile, the waiters serve the guests in a very kind, proactive and professional manner.

Finally, we get to the dessert. Upon arrival at the restaurant we ordered a soufflé. This was a wise decision since it takes the chef over an hour to prepare this delicacy! One can now only imagine how good it tastes... one of the best desserts we ever had and the perfect way to end the first whole day in Gstaad.

A gentleman's dream

Besides offering many aspects that will appeal to couples, the Gstaad Palace is also the perfect hotel for bachelors. We don't want to pass on the opportunity to enjoy a hot espresso in the lounge while reading the newspaper in the morning. How do you like this vintage Omega Cosmic by the way? Pieces like this one are available on our shop!

Besides excellent coffee, the bar has also an impressive collection of top-notch whiskies and cigars. Actually, the smoking lounge is one of the most charming places in the hotel. It is a true gent's place with nice furniture, classy atmosphere and a stunning view!

We can't help ourselves and light up a cigar and pour a glass of fine whisky while reading about the rich history of the iconic Gstaad Palace.

Adrenaline on the ice field

While our girlfriends enjoy an extended spa day, we head to Saanen for a special occasion. Next to the local airfield, car manufacturers like Jaguar or Land Rover are offering winter driving experiences. Since we admire British cars, we can't miss the opportunity of participating in such a training!

We get to drive many cars from the wide range of Jaguar Land Rover. Besides sports cars like the Jaguar F-Type SVR, we can also test SUVs like the Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography. It is fascinating to see how differently those car react to the manoeuvres on the ice field.

While we have a lot of fun on the snow and ice, we can also take advantage of an off-road training in which we learn more about the impressive capabilities of Jaguar and Land Rover SUVs.

Back at the Gstaad Palace we warm up in the lobby and meet up with our girlfriends before heading back home. They won't stop praising the outstanding room service because they put a new bouquet of flowers in our rooms on every single day.

That wraps up our extraordinary stay. Both we and our partners got to experience things we enjoyed to the fullest. What a Valentine's retreat!

Do you want to read more about classy couple trips? Click here to learn about our trip to the Lago di Como!

What city in Switzerland is best known for watchmaking? You might want to say Geneva. While many famous watch brands are headquartered in this international city, most inventions, know-how and talents come from smaller towns in the so-called Watch Valley. One town has become particularly famous for fine watchmaking. Want to find out why it is La-Chaux-de-Fonds?

Get to know the home of fine watchmaking

What do Patek Philippe, Girard-Perregaux, TAG Heuer and Ulysse Nardin have in common? They all manufacture their calibres in La Chaux-de-Fonds (CdF)! The watchmaking city was founded as early as 1656. Since it has become the most important centre of the watchmaking industry, its growth and prosperity is mainly bound up with it.

Today, the town’s grid street plan reminds one of New York City because in 1794, La Chaux-de-Fonds was rebuilt after a devastating fire. Besides watches, the city is known for being the home of famous architect Le Corbusier. Also, the car maker Louis Chevrolet was born there.

The climate in the Jura is harsh. Some refer to the area around La Chaux-de-Fonds as Siberia of Switzerland. With –41°, it holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in Switzerland. The trees along its main street are trimmed at a height of 1,000 metres above sea level and make CdF the highest city in Europe.

In order to withstand the harsh winters, people in La Chaux-de-Fonds had to find an additional source of income. Hence, they specialized in the craft of precision mechanics because they could complete many tasks from home. For example, families completed several parts of mechanical pocket watches at their homes, before supplying them to local workshops. There, watchmakers assembled them to functioning timepieces, which then got sold to retailers in cities like London, Paris or New York.

Jaquet Droz - The philosophy of the unique

One of the pioneers in CdF's watchmaking history was Pierre Jaquet-Droz. He was born in 1721 on a small farm but took a serious interest in clockmaking and precision mechanics. He produced a series of “grandfather” clocks featuring increasingly sophisticated movements. They soon outclassed anything that had yet been produced! He even enhanced his watchmaking movements with music and marvelous automata. It didn't take long for the wealthy and demanding clientèle to discover his extraordinary creations.

Today, Jaquet Droz is best knows for their automations and in-house Ateliers d’Art. The latter has the aim to preserve the centuries of special expertise that define the brand’s identity. The meticulous work involved in miniature painting, carving, engraving and paillonnée enameling is highlighted in some exceptional pieces in their collection. For example the Magic Lotus Automaton. This masterpiece features a hand-engraved and hand-painted white mother-of-pearl dial and black onyx subdial. Its marvelous decoration in 18-karat red and yellow gold requires a lot of manual work of highly skilled professionals. Featuring a mechanical automaton movement with push-button, this masterpiece offers a magnificent mechanism animating pond, carp and lotus flower. It is the result of age-old craftsmanship!

Another classic of the brand is the Grande Seconde, a piece inspired by a pocket watch created in the 18th century. The hour and minute display at 12 o’clock overlapping the seconds counter at 6 o’clock. It has become the distinct look for Jaquet Droz' timepieces.

One of our favorite watches by Jaquet Droz is the sporty yet elegant looking Grande Seconde Skelet-one Ceramic. It is simplistic, clean and comes with the distinct Jaquet Droz look. Yet, the skeletonization and rather prominent crown add a sophisticated touch!

Schwarz Etienne - Manufacture since 1902

In 1902, another watch manufacturer enters the picture. The industrialization is disrupting Europe's economy and Paul Arthur Schwarz and his wife Olga Etienne decide to go ahead and found the company Schwarz Etienne. This La Chaux-de-Fonds based family business specializes in manufacturing mechanical movements for other watch brands or sophisticated clients such as the Vatican and Leonid Brezhnev, former President of the Soviet Union.

Today, Schwarz Etienne develops and sells watches under their own brand name, gradually becoming recognized as a fully-fledged manufacturer with distinct qualities: creativity, innovation and expertise!

Our favorite watch from their current collection is the Tourbillon PSR. The movement of this breathtaking timepiece is manufactured entirely in-house, even including the hairspring! Two of the main features are the small second retrograde complication at 11 o'clock and the tourbillon at 1 o'clock. In addition, it is powered by a visible micro rotor.

While the two steel versions come with either green Aventurine fine stone or blue Opal fine stone, the rose gold features Hematite Specularite fine stone. These fine details really do the trick for us!

Greubel Forsey - Art of invention

One of the latest actors to enter the stage of fine watchmaking is Greubel Forsey. They impersonate the new age of manufacturing high-end timepieces. Without a rich history to bank on, Robert Greubel and Stephan Forsey decided to dedicate themselves entirely to improving the performance of existing complications but also to invent innovative mechanisms since 2004.

In 2009, Greubel Forsey moved into their new manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It is an architectonic masterpiece! Combining a painstakingly restored farmhouse from the 17th century and the actual atelier. The latter houses the development and production workshops. Its sloping roof gives the impression that it could have risen from the ground!

Only few know that Greubel and Forsey have invented a series of new complications. With the Invention Piece 1 they open up whole new vistas for their first major invention: the Double Tourbillon 30°! Four years of meticulous research were devoted to developing this revolutionary mechanism.

While the Invention Piece 1 symbolizes a milestone for Greubel Forsey, the GMT collection has won our hearts. It displays a spinning globe as a real-time reproduction of the Earth’s rotation, offering an intuitive view of time all over the world as well as a day/night indication.

The latest addition to this iconic collection is the GMT Sport. A newly developed titanium case positions this GMT in a "sports" league of its own. The limits of ergonomics and wrist comfort have definitely been pushed back with the launch of this timepiece. A totally new case form, perfectly round from above, while revealing the accentuated arched and ovoid shape from other angles, was invented by for this watch. Additionally, lugs and strap were integrated in order to achieve a functional form that perfectly fits any wrist. It is definitely one of our favorite watches ever manufactured in La Chaux-de-Fonds!

We hope to have given you a comprehensive overview of the watchmaking industry in La Chaux-de-Fonds including some notable manufacturers. Get in touch with us if you are interested in knowing more about watchmaking in Switzerland!

Interested in reading more about fine watchmaking in the Watch Valley? Read this blogpost about Jaeger-LeCoultre's manufacture in the Vallée de Joux!

Lagavulin is probably one of the most legendary whiskies out there. Especially when it comes to the smoky ones. Actually, it is the reason why we fell in love with smoky and peaty whiskies. You probably got in touch with the 16-year-old edition of this Islay single malt. By the way, this very popular island is pronounced as "eye-la" in Scottish. You absolutely need to know this as whisky enthusiast! Learn more about this famous whisky and get a comparison with the new and rare 10-year-old edition. With the 10-year-old single malt, Lagavulin extended their core range with a special edition. It is a traveler exclusive version which is sold at duty free stores.

The Lagavulin distillery

The Lagavulin distillery is located on the rough south shore of Islay next to the famous city of Port Ellen. They are in good company on the south coast of the island with the famous distilleries of Ardbeg and Laphroaig next to it. The distillery of Lagavulin officially dates back to 1816, when John Johnston and Archibald Campbell Brooks constructed two distilleries on the site.

Tasting: Lagavulin 10y & 16y

Both whiskies are very similar to be honest. The mix of casks used at the 10-years-old brings out more of the character of the malt and introduces a little bit sweetness and heat. It has been matured in ex-Bourbon, refill and rejuvenated, newly charred casks. Dr. Craig Wilson, Malt Master for Diageo said: “The different wood types used have helped create a whisky with a fiery yet light, and smoky yet smooth character – one that is filled with surprising contrasts.”

On the nose, both malts open with lots of heat. The aroma is full of earthy peat with cinnamon and pepper spice and sea salt notes. You get more of the spiciness on the 10-years-old version. The flavor and spices are distinct and warming. They tie in perfectly with the earthy richness of the peat.

To taste, the flavor is sweeter but still spicy. On the palate you get caramel and cinnamon, a smooth and warming mouth feel. A very enjoyable interaction of sweet and salty! Peat smoke continues here and is backed by the spices. It is dense and aromatic. Did you know barley grain are dried with peat-smoke and therefore creates these heavily peated notes? Whiskies from Islay are especially known for their intense smoky flavors because of the peat which is used on the island to dry the malt.

The finish wraps up well with a lasting note of peat and smoke. The different notes are lasting for a long time and turn into the taste of figs and dates.

The packaging of the Lagavulin malts is very classy. While holding a bottle of this fine Scotch single malt in your hand, you can literally feel 200 years of distilling tradition. The 10-years-old version comes in a very beautiful white box while the 16-years-old edition comes in a dark green.

Conclusion

Probably one of the smokiest whiskies with a heavily peated nose and palate. Yet it is still quite fruity with very interesting sweet notes. This is exactly what we need to combine with a intense and strong espresso or some dark Swiss chocolate. However, we wouldn't recommend it for a cigar pairing as you would probably get a smoke intoxication. But the rounded sweet notes with a punch of smoke and peat are letting us come to the result of 8 Artworth Whisky Points out of 10!

Do you prefer the very fruity and smooth whiskies? Here is the tasting of the Hibiki - Japanese Harmony.

We would like to start our newly established whisky guide with a rather fruity and very smooth whisky. Therefore, it is not a big surprise that we are geographically looking towards Japan. Ladies and Gentleman, let's try the Hibiki Japanese Harmony.

Artworth Whisky Guide

First of all, we would like to explain the reason why we found it necessary to launch this guide. Well, there are two very simple reasons. First one: we really love whisky. We don't just like whisky or drink whisky, we really love this delicious and oak-colored liquid gold. Second one: how can a gentleman wearing a three-piece suit, sitting on a dark brown chesterfield couch right in front of an open fire not drink a whisky?
And before you ask yourself if you should write whisky or whiskey, it doesn't really matter. As the Scottish guys are writing whisky without the "e" we prefer to do the same. We really love Scotch whisky. For that reason you will find us writing whisky.

Now, let's leave the history lesson and the theoretical stuff and try this wonderful and fine dram.

Tasting: Hibiki Japanese Harmony

The Japanese Harmony is inspired by the Japanese division of the year into 24 seasons. He also got his name from the selected blend which led to this well-balanced whisky. It is made with malt whiskies from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries as well as grain whisky from the Chita distillery. The master blender, Shingo Torii, at Suntory takes 5 different types of casks, including American white oak casks, Sherry casks and Mizunara oak casks, to create the Japanese Harmony.

The first notes in the nose are very smooth but rich. Layers of sweet honey combined with aromas of apricots. The oak and sherry casks are giving this beautiful golden color which you see in the glass.

Luckily, the generous fruit continues on to the palate. Orange zests are joining the apricot flavors and subtle spiciness. There’s a little peppery spice but the soft, succulent fruit takes hold. If you like the smooth and fruity Scotch whiskies with a Sherry-, Rum-, Portwood, or Oloroso-Cask finish this Japanese wonder is exactly the whisky you are looking for.

On the harmonious finish the spiciness takes over from the fruit and changes into a wooden and oaky note. You get kind of a sandalwood aroma with a sweet and fruity note.

The packaging is very classy and we really like the Japanese touch of the bottle and wrapping. The bottle has a sophisticated and simple design. Let's be honest, a whisky is there to be displayed in a special rack next to your bookshelf and cigar humidor. Therefore we include this parameter into our whisky guide and rating.

Conclusion

The Hibiki Japanese Harmony is admirably versatile through its manufacturing process and it is not surprising that it is the most awarded Japanese blend. We love to combine the Hibiki with some white or milk chocolate from Läderach after a nice diner. And as this whisky is not smoky at all you can combine it very well with a cigar from Ahora Cigars.

This Japanese Harmony gets 7 Artworth Whisky Points out of 10!

Looking for a Scottish Whisky instead? Read our thoughts about the Laphroaig Brodir here.

We got the opportunity to drive both the Jaguar F-Pace SVR and the newly launched Land Rover Evoque for a long weekend. It was quickly decided that we wanted to take the two SUVs to the beautiful Lake Como!

A challenging road ahead

Getting from Biel/Bienne to Como is not that easy. Especially if one decides to take a mountainous route. Since we want to test the two cars we take them all the way up to the Simplon Pass. We enjoy driving up the winding road while catching a glimpse of Switzerland's beautiful nature!

The next challenge awaits upon arrival in the city of Como. The roads are narrow and congested. We need to manoeuvre carefully!

Finally, we arrive at the gate of our villa that is beautifully located righ at the board of the lake.

Dolce Vita

Even people who have never been to Italy might be familiar with the easygoing lifestyle of the Italians. They know how to live the "dolce vita", a sweet lifestyle! We have come to Como to experience exactly that! Hence, we start our stay by opening a nice bottle of wine by Terravigna on the terrace of our villa. The marvelous view let's us enjoy a great glass of red even more!

Two things we had to bring along were Swiss chocolate by Läderach and smoky whisky by Ardbeg. We could not go on holidays without having a classy gents night doing whisky and chocolate pairing! Usually, we talk about watches and cars during these gatherings. Vasco just got a beautiful Longines Legend Diver Watch so this was the talk of the night!

Exploring Como

Como is known for its stunning lake, the many ancient villas and the beautiful old town.

We enjoy driving our cars through the narrow allies of the town to get a strong espresso in the morning.

After spending some time shopping and sightseeing, we drive along the beautiful lake on a winding road. This ride is pure pleasure with vehicles like the Jaguar F-Pace SVR or the new Land Rover Evoque. However, keep in mind that the narrow roads require advanced driving skills!

The many magnificient villas along the lake offer great locations for lunch dates or relaxing afternoons at the pool. One such place is the Villa Lario.

Situated on the right board of the lake in the commune of Pognana Lario, the property has several small villas and an incredible infinity pool to offer. Honestly, the pool might be one of the most beautiful in the world!

We enjoy a nice evening having an apéro with a glass of Dom Pérignon, while taking in the stunning view over the Lake Como.

How did the two cars compare in Como?

As car fans we love the Jaguar F-Pace SVR with its 5.0 litre Supercharged V8 engine and top speed of 286km/h. The sound is loud and deep from the F-Type inspired variable valve active exhaust system. You would not expect a SUV to be this sporty. Yet there was still enough space for all we bring allong on this trip, which came in handy! Furthermore, we really loved the thrilling acceleration while driving on the winding roads around the Lago di Como.

Unlike the F-Pace SVR, the Range Rover Evoque was just launched recently. It was awaited by all fans of the smaller modell line of the British SUVs. The result is a stunningly looking smaller version of the Velar, a car we truly love for its design and driving comfort. An important detail we admire about the Evoque is, that it has been designed to be 85 percent recyclable/re-usable and 95 percent recoverable at the end of the vehicle’s life.

In comparison, the Evoque was better to get around town due to its size and driving comfort, while the F-Pace SVR was more fun to drive on the roads around the lake because if its acceleration and sound!

Are you looking for more road trip ideas? Read about our trip through South England here!

As Swiss we love chocolate. More precisely we love high quality chocolate! One of our favorite producers is the family owned company Läderach. Their Swiss made chocolate adheres to the highest quality standards and can be enjoyed in many different ways. Let us show you our preferred ones!

Pairing Läderach Chocolate

Coffee

It is no secret that we love good coffee. The only thing that can make a nice flat white taste better, is a piece of Läderach's fresh chocolate. We love to pair our morning coffee with some of their darker creations.

Wine

We discovered that the dark creations of Läderach with a high share of cacao go well with a rather heavy red wine. We recommend tasting a Spanish Monastrell for example. The taste of plums, cherries and cacao go well with the fine chocolate of Läderach!

Whisky

Many people tend to pair a glass of whisky with a Cuban cigar. We would like to suggest a healthier alternative: Chocolate! The bitter and lingering flavour of dark chocolate is a perfect match for the underlying sweetness and alcohol bite that Whisky comes with.

Production

Läderach sourcs its cacao beans mainly in Central- and South America. They are sun-dried in the open air before going into storage and being transported over the Atlantic Ocean to Switzerland. There, the cocoa beans are thoroughly checked before being processed. The production process starts with washing and is followed by shelling and crushing of the cocoa beans. After that, they are being roasted in order to release the cocoa beans’ fine aromas. During the following grinding process, the enclosed cocoa butter gets released. This liquid coca mass is then stored in large, heated tanks.

After mixing the different ingredients together, the kneaded chocolate mass gets converted into flaky chocolate powder. Afterwards, the powder gets filled into the conche. During this last step, the powder is thoroughly kneaded and mixed together with cocoa butter. Any unwanted bitter and tart notes from the chocolate get removed and the fine Läderach chocolate is finished!

Sustainability

Since many years, sustainability is a core pillar in the business model of Läderach. Their efforts in different fields contribute to first-class cocoa quality. Furthermore, they manage to optimise cocoa cultivation in terms of increasing yield per unit area. Moreover, Läderache engages in environmental protection and offers a high level of job security. In addition, the company supports the generation of additional income for cocoa-producing families in several countries. Finally, they raise awareness to protect children from abusive work practices which are common in certain places. Yearly visit of the cultivation areas help to ensure that the goals are being met.

Läderach has stores all over Switzerland. Read more about their store in the picturesque village of Zermatt here.

The country of Morocco is well known all over the world for its beautiful landscape, stunning architecture and wonderful people. However, it seems to be difficult to travel this rather dry and hot country in style. We accepted the challenge and want to show you how it is done!

Agadir and Essaouira

For our challenge we teamed up with TUI (Suisse) Ltd. This reliable travel agency is well connected in Morocco and has organized us hotels, as well as a local guide to accompany us on our quest to travel Morocco in style. The first night we spend at the Robinson Club Agadir. This TUI operated hotel is perfect for us to settle in. We take out a boat and do a fun cruise in the Agadir Bay, what a start to begin our adventure!

After a first good night of sleep we drive north to Essaouira. This picturesque coastal city offers a marvelous ancient town center that is entirely surrounded by a wall. We love especially the many restaurants with rooftop terraces. It is the perfect place to enjoy some great food and a glass of wine.

Marrakech

After a long but exciting journey we arrive in the bustling city of Marrakech. We check in at the Savoy le Grand Hotel which is located next to the new Menara Mall. On the first evening we decide to head over to the Four Seasons Resort for dinner. The Italian chef spoils us with delicious Mediterranean food.

Marrakech has a lot to offer. One of our favorite things is certainly its architecture. Two places where it can be admired are the Jardin Majorelle and the Bahia Palace. We find inspiration by walking through the colorful and ancient buildings that offer shadow and are like an oasis in the middle of this busy city.

Another inpirational place is the Souk. Even though it cannot be compared to an oasis, it is still a place where different goods, people and smells create an inspirational atmosphere. We take our time to explore this maze of shops. The highlight is a narrow ally with a couple of stores that sell unique lamps. All this shopping makes us hungry. Therefore, we go have lunch at one of the marvelous Riads of Angsana Collection. Do not miss out on either sleeping at or visiting in one of them!

After visiting many sights we want to dive into the Marrakech of the locals. The Pikala Foundation offers exactly this. Visitors can book a tour on which the lesser known places of the city are visited on bicyles. This exciting project is supported by the TUI Care Foudation and we are very happy to have learned about in while being in Marrakech!

Road Trip in Morocco

Morocco is a country with fairly good infrastructure. Therefore the roads are mostly in a good condition and make it to a perfect place for a road trip. From Marrakech we head south-east to the High Atlas mountains. The nearby Ourika Valley offers a unique landscape with red stones and a lot of vegetation.

Another great trip is the one to the region of Lalla Takerkoust. There, the lovely restaurant Le Relais du Lac offerst great local food with magnificient views on the lake. In addition to great food, we find a fun activity there: Quad biking in the desert wearing a suit. This is definitely one of our highlights on the trip!

While being on the road, we stop at the lodges of Terre des Etoiles in the Moroccan desert. Spending the night in the desert is something everyone should experience at least once. We can definitely recommend this place for it! They offer a great glamping experience with good food and excellent tents. We can even take a shower before changing into a new suit!

Our five day adventure ends at the Fairmont Hotel Royal Palm in Marrakech where we enjoy a delicious three course lunch before heading to the airport. The property is very green and offers a big swimming pool in a magnificent setting. Our partner TUI (Suisse) Ltd., in cooperation with airtours, has organized all our stays and activities for us. Thank you very much for five unforgettable days in a magical country!

If you want to read more stories like this one, please check out our blog.