Whisky Magazine 102

Photo Challenge 2012 Ireland spotlight Bruichladdich Distillery

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Editor's Word Editor's Word

By Rob Allanson

News Closure on bottlegate

By Rob Allanson

News Twice is ice

By Rob Allanson

News Whiskey by numbers

By Liza Weisstuch

News Ask the Expert

By John Rose

A Dram with Dave Broom Clear water Dave muses on why the Giant's Causeway being ripped up was a good thing

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... No laughing matter Joel Harrison is a drinks writer who regularly contributes to Whisky Magazine and other publications, including The Wall Street...

By Joel Harrison

Competition Capturing the Moments We reveal the winning photographs and some of the best entrants from this year's photo challenge

By Rob Allanson

Production A greener future We asked two of our writers to look at the issues affecting Scottish and American producers. The problems may be...

Production Being certified Gavin D. Smith looks into the organic label

By Gavin D. Smith

Distillery Focus Progressive distilling Lisa Weisstuch discovers an acoustic side to whisky making

By Liza Weisstuch

History It Never varies Gavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of Dewar's White Label

By Gavin D. Smith

Travel Retail Olympic dreams Joe Bates looks at how London City Airport is gearing up

By Joe Bates

Distillery Focus Lost in distillation We head to Antrim to visit Bushmills Distillery to talk distilling and crafting whiskey in small batches

By Rob Allanson

Travel The Rebel County Cork has a great heritage of food and drink, and has much to offer the whisky lover. Australian foodie and...

By Seáneen Sullivan

Bars Enjoying the Craic Peter Mulryan takes us round the fair city

By Peter Mulryan

Food A bridge further Whisky chef Martine Nouet looks at some extreme pairings

By Martine Nouet

Whisky & Culture Spine tingling Jefferson Chase reviews another whisky laden novel

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky Magazine Index Looking Back Jonny McCormick sums up an excellent year

By Jonny McCormick

Whisky Magazine Index Auld Acquaintance Out with the old and in with the new, encourages\rJonny McCormick

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonClosure on bottlegate

Joe BatesOlympic dreamsJoe Bates looks at how London City Airport is gearing up

Dave BroomClear waterDave muses on why the Giant's Causeway being ripped up was a good thing

Jefferson ChaseSpine tinglingJefferson Chase reviews another whisky laden novel

Joel HarrisonNo laughing matterJoel Harrison is a drinks writer who regularly contributes to Whisky Magazine and other...

Jonny McCormickAuld AcquaintanceOut with the old and in with the new, encourages\rJonny McCormick

Peter MulryanEnjoying the CraicPeter Mulryan takes us round the fair city

Martine NouetA bridge furtherWhisky chef Martine Nouet looks at some extreme pairings

John RoseAsk the Expert

Gavin D. SmithIt Never variesGavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of Dewar's White Label

Seáneen SullivanThe Rebel CountyCork has a great heritage of food and drink, and has much to offer the...

Liza WeisstuchProgressive distillingLisa Weisstuch discovers an acoustic side to whisky making

Benromach
10 Years Old Cask Strength

ABV 59.9%

Comments: A light whisky, a bit sharp when neat. Mellows with water.

Overall score

7.5

Bowmore
Tempest Batch 3

ABV 55.6%

Comments: A step down from the previous versions. Seek those out.

Overall score

7.0

Compass Box
Islay & Speyside

ABV 53.7%

Comments: A strong character. Peat and sherry are closely interlaced. A warmer upon icy days.

Overall score

8.5

Duncan Taylor Dimensions
1981, 30 Years Old

ABV 44.3%

Comments: Balanced and mature with great tropical fruit character.

Overall score

8.4

Duncan Taylor Dimensions
1994, 17 Years Old, Batch 1

ABV 46%

Comments: Pleasing but not sensational.

Overall score

7.6

Glenmorangie
Artein

ABV 46%

Comments: Has raised the benchmark in how to finish a whisky in wine casks.

Overall score

9.0

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1997, Hermitage Finish

ABV 45%

Comments: Obviously a wine finish.

Overall score

7.0

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
Cote Rotie, 1991, 20 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: For me the cask is over-dominant.

Overall score

7.6

Isle of Jura
Elixir, 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A dour character. Wood is not integrated enough, and the whisky keeps an astringent edge.

Overall score

7.4

Isle of Mull
Blended Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: I’m an Inchgower fan but I’d want more from a whisky of this age.

Overall score

7.5

Master of Malt
The Dalmore, Single Cask

ABV 55.5%

Comments: Decent enough but a little underwhelming.

Overall score

7.5

Master of Malt
Inchgower, 1982, 29 Years Old

ABV 53.9%

Comments: I'm an Inchgower fan but I'd want more from a whisky of this age.

Overall score

7.1

Master of Malt
Speyside Whisky Liqueur, 10 Years Old

ABV 37%

Comments: Would make a good Rusty Nail.

Overall score

7.8

Master of Malt
Speyside Whisky Liqueur, 40 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: I’m not a big liqueur fan, but this is a bit special.

Overall score

8.2

Scott's Selection
Tamdhu 1984 27 Years Old

ABV 49.6%

Comments: A nicely-integrated old dram.

Overall score

8.3

The Dalmore
The Manager's Cask

ABV 40%

Comments: Maybe a faulty sample for this has no energy at all.

Overall score

7.4

Wemyss Malts
1990, Caribbean Fruits

ABV 46%

Comments: Another deliciously drinkable dram from an increasingly impressive bottler.

Overall score

7.8

Wemyss Malts
1991, Honey Spice

ABV 46%

Comments: The palate is sweeter than the nose. A pleasant sherry character. Wellbalanced. Oak is well mastered.

Overall score

8.1

Wemyss Malts
1989, Lemon Grove

ABV 46%

Comments: A cool summer dessert that acts as an ideal wake-me-up.

Overall score

7.6

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Whisky Magazine 102

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