Whisky Magazine 104

The Macallan Alternative Grains Adnams Alternative grains

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Editor's Word Editor's word

By Rob Allanson

News Illustrating anCnoc

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Behind the stick Dave finds himself on the other side of the bar, dispensing wisdom and drams

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... The flavour challenge Commentator, consultant and writer Ian Buxton's latest book 101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die is released on July 5

By Ian Buxton

Production The adventurous distiller As the American craft movement gathers pace, we look at some of the alternative grains it is using

Behind the Brand The Macallan essence We report on The Macallan's latest photographic adventure

By Rob Allanson

People Fusing flavours William Curley is officially Britain's Best Chocolatier, having been given the prestigious accolade four years running by the Academy Of...

By Neil Ridley

Production Taking the Floor Ian Wisniewski looks at the rise of commercial maltings, and how they compare to floor maltings

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Distilling with Swiss precision Ian Buxton finds there's more to Switzerland than cheese, cuckoo clocks and cow bells

By Ian Buxton

History The great sword Gavin D. Smith looks a the fortunes of The Claymore brand

By Gavin D. Smith

Travel Retail The masters Joe Bates looks at what's happening in the Asian market

By Joe Bates

Cocktails Summer in a Glass Naren Young looks forward to some long hot months

By Naren Young

Travel In a land of giants Davin de Kergommeaux looks at the explosion of distilling in Western Canada

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Bars Drinking in the Garden City Davin de Kergommeaux takes us round this island city

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Places The dream ticket Joel Harrison talks to Gillian Macdonald about her new role as whisky creator with the Glenmorangie Company

By Joel Harrison

Production Launching a Broadside We find out what happens when a brewing legend decides to enter the distilling world

By Rob Allanson

Food Taking it Outside (BBQ) Whisky chef Martine Nouet prepares, and hopes, for some decent summer weather

By Martine Nouet

Whisky & Culture Home town love Jefferson Chase reviews a novel set in the Big Apple

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky Magazine Index Brora Returns The stills may be silent but it is back in the WMI, Jonny McCormick celebrates

By Jonny McCormick

Interview The Analyst Jonny McCormick talks to Andy Simpson of Whisky Highland, the man at the heart of the Investment Grade Scotch debate.

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonIllustrating anCnoc

Joe BatesThe mastersJoe Bates looks at what's happening in the Asian market

Dave BroomBehind the stickDave finds himself on the other side of the bar, dispensing wisdom and drams

Ian BuxtonDistilling with Swiss precisionIan Buxton finds there's more to Switzerland than cheese, cuckoo clocks and cow bells

Jefferson ChaseHome town loveJefferson Chase reviews a novel set in the Big Apple

Davin de KergommeauxDrinking in the Garden CityDavin de Kergommeaux takes us round this island city

Joel HarrisonThe dream ticketJoel Harrison talks to Gillian Macdonald about her new role as whisky creator with the...

Jonny McCormickThe AnalystJonny McCormick talks to Andy Simpson of Whisky Highland, the man at the heart of...

Martine NouetTaking it Outside (BBQ)Whisky chef Martine Nouet prepares, and hopes, for some decent summer weather

Neil RidleyFusing flavoursWilliam Curley is officially Britain's Best Chocolatier, having been given the prestigious accolade four years...

Gavin D. SmithThe great swordGavin D. Smith looks a the fortunes of The Claymore brand

Ian WisniewskiTaking the FloorIan Wisniewski looks at the rise of commercial maltings, and how they compare to floor maltings

Naren YoungSummer in a GlassNaren Young looks forward to some long hot months

Duncan Taylor Dimensions
1985, 26 Years Old

ABV 55.2%

Comments: An enticing nose and lively palate. I prefer it neat than diluted as I think water cuts too many edges... Try it to your taste!

Overall score

8.7

Duncan Taylor Dimensions
1986, 25 years old

ABV 47.2%

Comments: A good example of Bourbon cask maturation (a refill ?). There is a constant bitterness but it is quite refreshing, like a grapefruit. A few drops of water bring out a sweet note.

Overall score

8.2

Four Roses
Single Barrel 2012 Limited Edition

ABV 54.7%

Comments: A muscular character. A dash of water tames it.

Overall score

8.1

Lauder's
15 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Decent stuff, lacks a little oomph though.

Overall score

7.6

Master of Malt
30 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: The liquid equivalent of hiding in the wardrobe, no lion or witch mind you.

Overall score

9.0

Master of Malt
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A well balanced dram, full of surprises and layers.

Overall score

8.3

Master of Malt
40 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A beautiful dram but just on the edge of having spent too long in cask.

Overall score

8.6

Master of Malt
Whisky Liqueur, 15 Years Old

ABV 42%

Comments: Interesting aromatic profile and good balance. To be enjoyed on crushed ice with chocolate or vanilla ice cream (or both !!).

Overall score

8.0

Saint Isidore
Blended Scotch Whisky

ABV 41.4%

Comments: The first nose is unusual and takes you to pine forests. Then the fruit character unwinds. Water releases a cardboard note. I like the spiciness and bouncyp rofile of this whisky.

Overall score

8.2

The Black Grouse
Alpha Edition

ABV 40%

Comments: This whisky lacks character. Sweet and floppy. The nose lead me to expect more consistency.

Overall score

7.9

Wemyss Malts
1989, Rum 'n' Raisin

ABV 46%

Comments: A pleasant summer dram. The nose delivers more than the palate though. To try with a bowl of strawberries and yoghurt.

Overall score

7.8

Wemyss Malts
1996, Smokehouse

ABV 46%

Comments: A well-balanced islander. Again, a summer dram. With shellfish. It does not need water for me.

Overall score

8.4

Wemyss Malts
Aged 8 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A well structured dram but the oakiness is a bit too blatant for me.

Overall score

7.9

Wemyss Malts
1982, Winter Spice

ABV 44.4%

Comments: A lovely dram. Sensuous and complex.

Overall score

8.9

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Whisky Magazine 104

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