It’s been quite an interesting year. I started 2014 off with the resolution that I would add at least 100 new reviews to Malt Activist by the year end. At one point it looked like I would easily cross 200 at the rate I was going!
However, I decided to slow down and take stock of my life and the importance and effects of alcohol. I took a month off to detox (which I do every year) but this year I also made a very serious decision to get my health back on track. In the exuberance of wanting to taste new expressions all the time I was ignoring the effects of the aftermath. Mild hangovers would lead to poor eating choices and the total inability to get any exercise done.
What followed was an alarming increase in weight as well as cholesterol – both bad signs! Hence, in September of this year I decided to change my life around completely. Got into a serious fitness regime where I employed a trainer, joined a fitness class and started eating right. Which meant alcohol and whisky tasting had to take a back seat. I was looking to find the right balance because while I love being healthy I still love tasting new whiskies.
I think I have finally reached that elusive balance. I restrict my self to no more than three whiskies per tasting and no more than one tasting a week. And never on a weeknight. This allows me to really focus on what I’m enjoying because I know that’s all I’m going to get. It also allows me to be a little picky with what I’m going to review. Hopefully this translates into quality over quantity.
My resolution, therefore, for 2015 is to review as many quality whiskies as my new lifestyle will allow. This might mean lesser posts in a year but certainly much more substantial ones in the long run.
I still managed to publish 133 reviews in 2014 which beat my target by a decent 33 more reviews. I’d call that a successful year!
Finally I just want to say a massive thanks to all those who visit Malt Activist and think my opinions are worth their time. This year was also a new record in number of visitors who visited my reviews. I hope you have as much fun reading them as much as I do writing them.
To a prosperous and healthy new year!
The Malt Activist 
Of the 133, which was your favourite to drink?
I had many highlights this year but the ones that really stood out for me were Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, Teeling Single Grain, Sullivans Cover French Oak Cask 525 and my whisky of 2014 Overeem Port Matured Cask Strength.
Funny to see that I have two Irish and two Australians in my top 4. Other highlights included my new found respects for Kilchoman, a new Ardbeg that I really liked (Kildalton), my first two Broras and a Banff and finally getting the chance to drink the Ardbeg 17.