Whisky Magazine 105

USA Special Edition: Kentucky Mount Vernon Washington DC Rodeo Whisky

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Editor's Word Editor's Word

By Rob Allanson

News The Islaympic Games

News Beer and more

News A fine Fino

News Walking tall

News Blake's Eight

A Dram with Dave Broom The Stepford flavour DaveBroom discusses the use of first fill American oak casks

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... Craft education Liza Weisstuch takes a seat at the conference

By Liza Weisstuch

Places Where Angels Rest Mark Gillespie explores some of Kentucky's historic sites

By Mark Gillespie

Places The Pendleton posse David de Kergommeaux saddles up and joins the rodeo

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Places East Meets West Liza Weisstuch reports on a meeting of minds at Mount Vernon

By Liza Weisstuch

Production The to do list Ian Wisniewski asks, what exactly does it take to open a distillery?

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Let the whisky flow Dave Broom finds out what we have been missing from Oldmeldrum

By Dave Broom

Distillery Focus A real revival Ian Buxton looks at the resurrection of a distillery

By Ian Buxton

History Restored to her throne Gavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of the Highland Queen blend

By Gavin D. Smith

Travel Retail A Regal Location Joes Bates looks at a sparking travel-retail whisky collection

By Joe Bates

Travel First class whisky Vivien Devlin sees whisky country by rail

By Vivien Devlin

Places Festival heights Bushmills Distillery held its first music festival, we report

By Rob Allanson

Bars Drinking on the Hill Liza Weisstuch takes us out in the U.S. capital

By Liza Weisstuch

Places Cross border bourbon Fred Minnick investigates the Mexican border town which supplied U.S. during prohibition

By Fred Minnick

Production Will work for whiskey Charles K. Cowdery discovers whiskey's equivalent of the barn raising

By Charles K Cowdery

Distillery Focus The end of days Dave Broomjoins the final group to visit this much loved Japanese distillery

By Dave Broom

Food Waiter, there's bourbon in my dinner Liza Weisstuchmeets two chefs putting Bourbon at the heart of their dishes

By Liza Weisstuch

Whisky & Culture Sibling strains Jefferson Chase reviews another whisky tome

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky Magazine Index Fragrant Harbour Jonny McCormickon the war on fakes and a look at rare whisky in the East

By Jonny McCormick

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 Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonThe Islaympic Games

Joe BatesA Regal LocationJoes Bates looks at a sparking travel-retail whisky collection

Dave BroomLet the whisky flowDave Broom finds out what we have been missing from Oldmeldrum

Ian BuxtonA real revivalIan Buxton looks at the resurrection of a distillery

Jefferson ChaseSibling strainsJefferson Chase reviews another whisky tome

Charles K CowderyWill work for whiskeyCharles K. Cowdery discovers whiskey's equivalent of the barn raising

Davin de KergommeauxThe Pendleton posseDavid de Kergommeaux saddles up and joins the rodeo

Vivien DevlinFirst class whiskyVivien Devlin sees whisky country by rail

Mark GillespieWhere Angels RestMark Gillespie explores some of Kentucky's historic sites

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

Fred MinnickCross border bourbonFred Minnick investigates the Mexican border town which supplied U.S. during prohibition

Gavin D. SmithRestored to her throneGavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of the Highland Queen blend

Liza WeisstuchEast Meets WestLiza Weisstuch reports on a meeting of minds at Mount Vernon

Ian WisniewskiThe to do listIan Wisniewski asks, what exactly does it take to open a distillery?

anCnoc
35 years old

ABV 44.3%

Comments: A real beauty!

Overall score

9.0

anCnoc
Peter Arkle

ABV 46%

Comments: Sadly unbalanced.

Overall score

7.2

Auchentoshan
Heartwood

ABV 43%

Comments: Decent enough.

Overall score

7.6

Auchentoshan
Springwood

ABV 40%

Comments: Once in the mouth things start to happen but a little too restrained.

Overall score

7.5

Bowmore
Small Batch Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Strangely demanding as you try to extract what is there.

Overall score

7.9

Bruichladdich
Islay Barley 2004

ABV 50%

Comments: Young, a bit fiery but very refreshing. A summertime dram.

Overall score

8.1

Bruichladdich
Octomore Comus 4.2 2007

ABV 61%

Comments: Difficult to enjoy without water. Water enhances the smokiness and releases a sooty note. Ne plus ultra for the peat freaks out there.

Overall score

8.0

Bruichladdich
Port Charlotte 9 2001

ABV 59.2%

Comments: Another to have with minimal dilution. Peat freaks will lap it up.

Overall score

7.8

Bruichladdich
The Organic

ABV 46%

Comments: Good to have samples from The Laddie again and showing it is clearly in fine form.

Overall score

7.9

Clan Denny
1978, 34 Years Old

ABV 58.6%

Comments: A sweet character on the nose. The alcohol bite is still vivid on the palate. Water tends to enhance bitterness.

Overall score

8.2

Clan Denny
Speyside Blended Malt

ABV 46%

Comments: A firm oaky character. Water cuts the edges but enhances the oak bitterness. Will suit those who like these dry whiskies.

Overall score

7.7

Double Barrel
Mortlach/Laphroaig

ABV 46%

Comments: Lovely tussle between the two elements. A lot of fun.

Overall score

8.1

Duncan Taylor Dimensions
1989, 22 Years Old

ABV 52.1%

Comments: A good example of mature Mortlach character without the close attentions of oak.

Overall score

7.9

Four Roses
Small Batch 2012

ABV 55.7%

Comments: Elegant and rich.

Overall score

8.4

Glenfarclas
1953, 58 Years

ABV 47.2%

Comments: Quite magnificent.

Overall score

9.3

Glenglassaugh
Revival

ABV 46%

Comments: Though clearly still coming together, this is a marker of real quality.

Overall score

8.2

Glenury Royal
40 Years Old

ABV 59.4%

Comments: A tough dram to taste.The alcohol strength, still so high after 40 years in cask, takes some of the pleasure away.

Overall score

8.4

Johnnie Walker
Platinum 18 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A beautiful dram. But it would have delivered even more if it had been bottled at 43%.

Overall score

8.3

Mackmyra
Moment Rimfrost

ABV 53.2%

Comments: The nose delivers more aromas than the palate. The alcohol is not totally mastered here. A few more years in the cask maybe ?

Overall score

7.8

Mackmyra
Special:07 Hope

ABV 45.8%

Comments: A refreshing and clean whisky. Ideal to pair with seafood or shellfish: scallops, sushi or langoustines.

Overall score

8.1

Sullivans Cove
American Oak 11 Years Old

ABV 47.5%

Comments: For maximum impact have neat.

Overall score

8.0

Sullivans Cove
French Oak 11 Years Old

ABV 47.5%

Comments: Just slightly too much wood for me.

Overall score

7.6

Talisker
25 Years Old

ABV 45.8%

Comments: Stunning, complex and loaded with layers of flavour and aroma. Would be fun to pair with some sushi.

Overall score

9.0

Talisker
30 Years Old

ABV 45.8%

Comments: Great age but a little grippy. Undoubtedly a great dram but not a patch on the 25 Years Old.

Overall score

8.4

The BenRiach
Authenticus 25 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Water enhances the sweetness. A balanced peaty character with a pleasant sweetness challenged by smoke.

Overall score

8.6

The BenRiach
Solstice 17 Years Old Batch 2

ABV 50%

Comments: That cheesy note on the palate is disturbing. And the finish is harsh. Water smoothes it but tones the flavours down as well.

Overall score

7.6

The Glenlivet
Guardians Single Cask 18 Years Old

ABV 55.7%

Comments: The alcohol strength shows up. This dram needs water. A beautiful fruity and spicy character.

Overall score

8.3

The Octave
1991, 20 Years Old

ABV 50.9%

Comments: A big Linkwood, but clearly from there.

Overall score

8.3

Yellow Spot
12 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Spices balance the sweet heart of that delicious whisky. Oak is perfectly integrated. Excellent.

Overall score

8.4

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Whisky Magazine 105

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