Whisky Magazine 101

Whisky families Mackmyra Buffalo Trace Drinker's guide to London

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

News Summit meeting

By Rob Allanson

News Couple on Kindle

By Rob Allanson

News Islay whisky comes to Savile Row

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Supplies and demand Dave Broom channels the spirit of Bertolt Brecht and looks at some pressing issues acing the industry

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... White dog days Liza Weisstuchis a spirit, lifestyle and business journalist who's work has appeared in the Boston Globe and the New...

By Liza Weisstuch

People The dynamics of dynasty Our writers look at several businesses across the globe find out if family owned is the secret? Does being family...

People Spreading the gospel Liza Weisstuch meets one of Kentucky Bourbon's first ladies

By Liza Weisstuch

Production A singular idea Mark Gillespie explores Buffalo Trace's single oak project

By Mark Gillespie

Production What is it good for? Charles K. Cowdery looks at the sour mash process

By Charles K Cowdery

Distillery Focus Flying the flag Charles K. Cowdery visits the revitalised and renamed Barton Distillery

By Charles K Cowdery

Distillery Focus A decade of challenges Martine Nouet heads to Sweden to find out what has been happening at the country's foremost distillery

By Martine Nouet

History Fond affection Gavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of the Black and White blend

By Gavin D. Smith

Travel Retail Shannon's offer Joe Bates goes back to the spiritual home of the duty-free sector

By Joe Bates

Cocktails The white choice A new category is finding favour with bartenders, Naren Young looks at why

By Naren Young

Bars Drinking in the Big Smoke We look at some excellent whisky bars in the English capital, but also at what is happening elsewhere in the...

By Rob Allanson

Food Fine American dining Charles K. Cowdery goes in search of the Bourbon restaurant experience

By Charles K Cowdery

Whisky & Culture Absolute friends Jefferson Chase starts his New Year reading in fine form

By Jefferson Chase

Ask the Expert Under the hammer John looks at some price guides for bottles at auction

By John Rose

Ask the Expert Ask the Expert Send your questions to editorial@whiskymag.com or by post to: Q&A, Whisky Magazine, 6 Woolgate Court, St Benedicts Street, Norwich, England,...

By John Rose

Whisky Magazine Index Age Matters Later winter sales brings change to the Whisky Magazine Index explains Jonny McCormick

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonSummit meeting

Joe BatesShannon's offerJoe Bates goes back to the spiritual home of the duty-free sector

Dave BroomSupplies and demandDave Broom channels the spirit of Bertolt Brecht and looks at some pressing issues ...

Jefferson ChaseAbsolute friendsJefferson Chase starts his New Year reading in fine form

Charles K CowderyFlying the flagCharles K. Cowdery visits the revitalised and renamed Barton Distillery

Mark GillespieA singular ideaMark Gillespie explores Buffalo Trace's single oak project

Jonny McCormickAge MattersLater winter sales brings change to the Whisky Magazine Index explains Jonny McCormick

Martine NouetA decade of challengesMartine Nouet heads to Sweden to find out what has been happening at the country's...

John RoseAsk the ExpertSend your questions to editorial@whiskymag.com or by post to: Q&A, Whisky Magazine, 6 Woolgate Court,...

Gavin D. SmithFond affectionGavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of the Black and White blend

Liza WeisstuchSpreading the gospelLiza Weisstuch meets one of Kentucky Bourbon's first ladies

Naren YoungThe white choiceA new category is finding favour with bartenders, Naren Young looks at why

Amrut
Two Continents Second Edition

ABV 50%

Comments: Amrut are doing some really interesting work right now.

Overall score

8.1

Armorik
Single Malt Classic

ABV 46%

Comments: Although the nose is pretty smooth, the alcohol is not mastered on the palate. Lacks balance.

Overall score

7.4

Caribou Crossing
Single Barrel

ABV 40%

Comments: A little one-paced.

Overall score

8.1

Evan Williams
Single Barrel Vintage 2002

ABV 43.3%

Comments: As you'd expect from this ongoing series this is perfectly balanced, (one ofthe quieter expressions?) but lovely.

Overall score

8.5

Glen Garioch
1971

ABV 43.3%

Comments: A fascinating, fluxing dram that hides its power under a charming exterior.

Overall score

7.9

Glenfarclas
1961 Sherry Hogshead

ABV 54.4%

Comments: Fascinating though the nose is there's just too much cask here which pushes everything towards the bitter end of the flavour spectrum.

Overall score

7.5

Glenfarclas
1964 Sherry Butt

ABV 48.5%

Comments: Old but not very lively. The nose is complex and fragrant.

Overall score

8.3

Glenfarclas
1970 Sherry Hogshead

ABV 51.7%

Comments: That old timer has surprisingly kept a high strength and a vibrant character. Oak is overwhelming but in an elegant way. That could be an old cognac.

Overall score

8.8

Glenfarclas
1971 Sherry Butt

ABV 51%

Comments: Too long a maturation. When oak dictates the aromatic profile, it is hardto feel satisfied.

Overall score

8.1

Glenfarclas
1981 Plain Hogshead

ABV 50.8%

Comments: Perfect 'herbal malt-tea'

Overall score

7.9

Glenfarclas
1984 Plain Hogshead

ABV 46.3%

Comments: That whisky struggles to stand out among a flight of big sherry guys, but it is worth enjoying. Though we could have expected more character from a 27 Years Old whisky.

Overall score

7.7

Glenfarclas
1996 Sherry Butt

ABV 55.6%

Comments: The nose offered some smoothness that the palate denied. Not numbingwith water but gets bitter.

Overall score

7.6

Glenfarclas
43 Years Old, Cognac Cask

ABV 46.7%

Comments: For me best neat. A must-have.

Overall score

9.1

Glenfarclas
Movember 9 Years Old

ABV 46.3%

Comments: Light and well structured. Refreshing.

Overall score

8.0

Glenglassaugh
The Chosen Few No.1 Ronnie Routledge 35 Years Old

ABV 49.6%

Comments: Complex and confident. Lovely stuff!

Overall score

8.7

High Spirits
Mesquite Smoked Arizona

ABV 40%

Comments: Has the true spirit character slightly masked here?

Overall score

7.8

Redbreast Cask Strength
12 Years Old

ABV 57.7%

Comments: Redbreast is one of the world's great whiskeys. Delicious!

Overall score

9.2

Scott's Selection
1983, 28 Years Old

ABV 55.8%

Comments: Marked down slightly for an undistinguished nose.

Overall score

8.0

Speciality Drinks
Bn1 (Bunnahabhain)

ABV 57.7%

Comments: The nose is off-putting.

Overall score

7.6

Speciality Drinks
Kh1 (Kilchoman)

ABV 59.7%

Comments: A sweet islander. Can be enjoyed without water.

Overall score

8.3

The BenRiach
16 Years Old 1995 Cask 7164

ABV 58.3%

Comments: This whisky is oak dominated. Too much for me as we have lost the distillery character, but the nose is expressive. Beware of water, it kills it.

Overall score

8.1

The Famous Grouse
Celebratory Blend

ABV 40%

Comments: A decent addition to the Famous Grouse flight.

Overall score

7.8

The Glendronach
1995 Cask 4681 15 Years Old

ABV 56.2%

Comments: A style of whisky which has its fans. But that oak infusion masks the distillery character and the essence of whisky for me. Sad, as the nose is interesting.

Overall score

8.4

The Glendronach
Parliament 1990 21 Years Old

ABV 48%

Comments: A well balanced sherried whisky. Rich, complex with a beautiful finish.

Overall score

8.9

The Glenrothes
Vintage 16 Years Old, 1995

ABV 43%

Comments: Drinkable enough, but marked down for its 'fousty' nose.

Overall score

7.9

The Single Malts of Scotland
1993, 19 Years Old

ABV 49.3%

Comments: Ardmore shows its gentle side. When will people discover this distillery?

Overall score

7.9

The Tweeddale Blend
12 Years Old - Batch 2

ABV 46%

Comments: A lovely old-fashioned blend.

Overall score

8.6

The Whisky Exchange Masterpieces
Bowmore 18 Years Old 1993

ABV 61.6%

Comments: That whisky needs a dash of water to cut the edges. Clean, big with that wonderful exotic fruit character that some Bowmore proudly display.

Overall score

8.7

Woodford Reserve
Masters Collection, Rare Rye

ABV 46.2%

Comments: Not all that well balanced.

Overall score

7.8

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Whisky Magazine 101

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