Whisky Magazine 10

Small batch bourbon The Glenlivet Grain Whisky Focus on Canada

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Editor's Word From the Editor

By Charles MacLean

Musings with Michael Jackson Getting off at Saint Cloud Michael Jackson, Master of the Quaich, in sheepish mood.

By Michael Jackson

Column Nose out Jim Murray recounts a nasty case of whisky writer's block.§

By Jim Murray

People A taste of home Jane Slade talks to racing yachtsman Andy Hindley about his love of the dram and the sea.

By Jane Slade

Collections Emporio whisky Whisky collecting is alive and well in Italy Angelo Matteucci's travels have brought him into contact with some of the...

By Angelo Matteucci

Tastings Liquid assets Malcolm Greenwood digs beneath the surface to discover how water works to make Scotch so special

By Malcolm Greenwood

Distillery Focus Whisky from the wild side (Glenlivet) The spirit of innovation has always been a part of distilling at Glenlivet. Dave Broom charts ahistory shot through with...

By Dave Broom

Travel Brave new world Visitors ot the new Dewar's World of Whisky centre will be dazzled by the arry but thank heavens real distilling...

By Gavin D. Smith

Production Subtle seducers Gavin D Smith reveals the contribution grain has made to the Scotch whisky industry.

By Gavin D. Smith

Collections Lust among the dust some may dismiss them as flash trash or bric-a-brac, but in the eyes of collectors they are prized antiques. Ann...

By Anne Davies

Production Rising star Andrew Symington has made huge success of Signatory, the world's second largest independent bottler. But this is just the beginning,...

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

History The original Mrs doubtfire A woman's touch has made Drambuie the force it is today, with a little bit of help form Bonnie Prince...

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Bars Toronto tasting There's plenty of places to hang out in Canada's biggest city, but its whisky bars offer something a bit special....

By Kathleen Sloan

History Northern lights There's a noble tradition of whisky making in Canada based on the superb qualtiy of its grain. Kathleen Sloan and...

By Kathleen Sloan

Bars High society (An Quaich Society) The members of Canada 's An Quaich Society are real party animals, but their love of Scotch and the freedom...

By Stuart MacLean Ramsay

Production Small wonders What does smal batch whiskey actually mean? The explanation is far from simple Gary Regan and Mardee Haidin Regan discovered.

By Gary Regan

People In conversation with Shelia Burties Charles Maclean talks to Sheila Burties, the highly espected sensory chemist.

By Charles MacLean

Dave BroomWhisky from the wild side (Glenlivet)The spirit of innovation has always been a part of distilling at Glenlivet. Dave Broom...

Tom Bruce-GardyneThe original Mrs doubtfireA woman's touch has made Drambuie the force it is today, with a little bit...

Anne DaviesLust among the dustsome may dismiss them as flash trash or bric-a-brac, but in the eyes of collectors...

Malcolm GreenwoodLiquid assetsMalcolm Greenwood digs beneath the surface to discover how water works to make Scotch so special

Michael JacksonGetting off at Saint CloudMichael Jackson, Master of the Quaich, in sheepish mood.

Charles MacLeanIn conversation with Shelia BurtiesCharles Maclean talks to Sheila Burties, the highly espected sensory chemist.

Angelo MatteucciEmporio whiskyWhisky collecting is alive and well in Italy Angelo Matteucci's travels have brought him into...

Jim MurrayNose outJim Murray recounts a nasty case of whisky writer's block.§

Stuart MacLean RamsayHigh society (An Quaich Society)The members of Canada 's An Quaich Society are real party animals, but their love...

Gary ReganSmall wondersWhat does smal batch whiskey actually mean? The explanation is far from simple Gary Regan...

Jane SladeA taste of homeJane Slade talks to racing yachtsman Andy Hindley about his love of the dram and...

Kathleen SloanNorthern lightsThere's a noble tradition of whisky making in Canada based on the superb qualtiy of...

Gavin D. SmithSubtle seducersGavin D Smith reveals the contribution grain has made to the Scotch whisky industry.

Baker's
7 Years Old

ABV 53.5%

Comments: A chocoholic's bourbon with a bigger rye firmness. Tasty stuff.

Overall score

8.4

Blanton's
Original Bourbon

ABV 49.5%

Comments: A bourbon with dessert.

Overall score

8.6

Booker's
6 to 8 Years Old

ABV 62.5%

Comments: A rich bourbon that varies in style from batch to batch. This one has a better than average middle, but is let down in the final stages.

Overall score

8.5

Clynelish
10 Years Old

ABV 59.8%

Comments: A full-blooded Highlander. Another gem from a usually first-class bottler.

Overall score

8.5

Elijah Craig
18 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: A solid and charming bourbon.

Overall score

8.2

Elijah Craig
12 Years Old

ABV 47%

Comments: Less structured than might be expected in a 12 Years Old, but a perilously drinkable, appetising bourbon.

Overall score

8.7

Elmer T. Lee
Kentucky Bourbon

ABV 45%

Comments: Light in both flavour and body for a small batch bourbon. Clean, crisp, enjoyable.

Overall score

8.2

Evan Williams
1990, Single Barrel

ABV 43.3%

Comments: Celebrates the part the rye and malt notes can play against the more neutral background of corn. Almost too complex to be true.

Overall score

8.9

Four Roses
Single Barrel

ABV 43%

Comments: Lacking in dimension for a single barrel. Saved by the finish.

Overall score

8.2

Glen Kirk
8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Flavours do not combine. Lack roundness.

Overall score

7.2

Hancock's
President's Reserve

ABV 44.45%

Comments: Brilliantly balanced throughout with just the correct amount of sweetness.

Overall score

8.3

Jack Daniel's
Single Barrel

ABV 45%

Comments: Always an interesting brand.

Overall score

8.3

Jack Daniel's
Gentleman Jack

ABV 40%

Comments: A slightly richer and more restrained interpretation of Jack Daniel's.

Overall score

7.8

James MacArthur's Old Masters
10 Years Old

ABV 59.8%

Comments: The true maritime taste of Clynelish.

Overall score

8.5

Knob Creek
9 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: By far the best aroma from the JBB small batch selection, and taste and finish: a classic top of the range bourbon.

Overall score

8.4

Maker's Mark
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 45%

Comments: An old faithful of a bourbon. Never lets you down and being from the wheaty school always shows good oak balance. Nose is to die for.

Overall score

8.3

Pappy Van Winkle
23 Years Old, Family Reserve

ABV 47.8%

Comments: Actually a massive improvement on the legendary 20 Years Old.

Overall score

7.7

Rock Hill Farm
Single Cask Bourbon

ABV 50%

Comments: Enticingly sophisticated.

Overall score

8.9

The Famous Grouse
1987 Vintage Malt

ABV 40%

Comments: The Grouse at its most graceful.

Overall score

8.6

Van Winkle
Family Reserve Rye, 13 Years Old

ABV 47.8%

Comments: A charming rye.

Overall score

8.4

Wild Turkey
Kentucky Spirit

ABV 50.5%

Comments: Deceptively delicious: threatens to erupt but ends up relatively meek and well behaved.

Overall score

8.2

Wild Turkey
Rare Breed

ABV 54.2%

Comments: A big bourbon with the proportions being generous and almost perfectly proportioned.

Overall score

9.2

Woodford Reserve
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 45.2%

Comments: More oak and age than normal. Being small batch, it does vary but is always delicious.

Overall score

8.5

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Whisky Magazine 10

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