Whisky Magazine 108

Johnnie Walker Lagavulin Distillery Suntory

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Editor's Word Editors Word

By Rob Allanson

News Celebrating the century This year the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) celebrates 100 years of promoting, protecting and representing the interests of the Scotch...

By Rob Allanson

News Ageing gracefully The quiet son of Islay whiskies, Bunnahabhain, is to launch a one off limited edition 40 Years Old single malt whisky

By Rob Allanson

News Supermarket special Supermarket Aldi is to begin selling a 30-year-old blended Scotch whisky for just £49.99 (70cl) – less than a third...

By Rob Allanson

News Liquid history More than four decades ago a batch of premium single malt whisky was crafted at Lochside, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries.

By Rob Allanson

News Boost for troops One of the world's 11 bottles of Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 55 Years Old Scotch sold at auction recently...

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Breaking China Is China really the next big whisky market? Dave puts the arguments for and against

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... Caveat emptor Mark Gillespie is a U.S. Contributing Editor for Whisky Magazine, as well as the host and producer of WhiskyCast, the...

By Mark Gillespie

Thoughts from... Global gifts Joel Harrison is a drinks writer who regularly contributes to Whisky Magazine and other publications, including The Wall Street Journal...

By Joel Harrison

Production Skyrocketing demand Davin de Kergommeaux charts the launch of a new Canadian whisky in Taiwan

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Production The next evolution Dave Broom looks at the new steps for Japanese whisky maker Suntory

By Dave Broom

Production Every day is a school day Joel Harrison quenches his thirst for whisky education

By Joel Harrison

Production The heat is on Ian Wisniewski asks how significant is the choice of heating method when distilling?

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus A quiet confidence Seáneen Sullivan explores the myths and magic of this iconic Islay distillery

By Seáneen Sullivan

Travel Retail Thanks for the memory Joe Bates heads out to Cannes

By Joe Bates

Cocktails Intrinsic Differences Ryan Chetiyawardana mixes up some oriental delights

By Ryan Chetiyawardana

Travel Walker's Voyage We report on a voyage to recreate Walker's earliest ventures

By Rob Allanson

Bars A city of secret spots Davin de Kergommeauxgoes searching in Taipei for some excellent bars

By Davin de Kergommeaux

People The Sole Man Neil Ridley meets the shoemaker with a passion for whisky and the blues

By Neil Ridley

Food Spirit of art Martin Mitchell goes beyond words into visual tasting notes

By Martin Mitchell

Whisky & Culture Crossing California Jefferson Chase reviews the tale of three families on the move

By Jefferson Chase

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 AllansonCelebrating the centuryThis year the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) celebrates 100 years of promoting, protecting and representing...

Joe BatesThanks for the memoryJoe Bates heads out to Cannes

Dave BroomThe next evolutionDave Broom looks at the new steps for Japanese whisky maker Suntory

Jefferson ChaseCrossing CaliforniaJefferson Chase reviews the tale of three families on the move

Ryan ChetiyawardanaIntrinsic DifferencesRyan Chetiyawardana mixes up some oriental delights

Davin de KergommeauxA city of secret spotsDavin de Kergommeauxgoes searching in Taipei for some excellent bars

Mark GillespieCaveat emptorMark Gillespie is a U.S. Contributing Editor for Whisky Magazine, as well as the host...

Joel HarrisonEvery day is a school dayJoel Harrison quenches his thirst for whisky education

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

Martin MitchellSpirit of artMartin Mitchell goes beyond words into visual tasting notes

Neil RidleyThe Sole ManNeil Ridley meets the shoemaker with a passion for whisky and the blues

Seáneen SullivanA quiet confidenceSeáneen Sullivan explores the myths and magic of this iconic Islay distillery

Ian WisniewskiThe heat is onIan Wisniewski asks how significant is the choice of heating method when distilling?

Berrys' Own Selection
1992, 19 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Big and interesting, but seems to be all on the nose.

Overall score

7.6

Berrys' Own Selection
1990, 21 Years Old

ABV 53.1%

Comments: A bold statement, this one. If you like heavily sherried drams, this will appeal, if not, perhaps time to reconsider.

Overall score

8.1

Brora
Aged 35 Years

ABV 48.1%

Comments: The oak dominates a bit too much for me.

Overall score

7.8

Caskstrength & Carry On
1996, 16 Years Old

ABV 55.2%

Comments: A well balanced integrated dram.

Overall score

8.6

Compass Box
10th Anniversary

ABV 48.9%

Comments: Nicely balanced but with a seriously great nose.

Overall score

7.9

Compass Box
Blended Scotch Whisky

ABV 46%

Comments: Interesting stuff, plenty to keep you busy with.

Overall score

8.2

Dalwhinnie
Aged 25 Years

ABV 52.1%

Comments: A decent well balanced dram.

Overall score

7.5

Duncan Taylor Dimensions
1990, Aged 21 Years

ABV 55%

Comments: A very dry dram, with some interesting fruity moments.

Overall score

8.0

Glen Garioch
1995

ABV 55.3%

Comments: Balanced and well layered, just need a drop of water to help it emerge.

Overall score

8.0

Gordon & MacPhail
1971

ABV 43%

Comments: Shows its age well and with balance.

Overall score

8.8

Lagavulin
21 Years Old

ABV 52%

Comments: Everything you would expect from a relatively old Lagavulin.

Overall score

8.6

Master of Malt
Glen Garioch 1990, Aged 21 Years

ABV 48.8%

Comments: Approaching its twilight years, but still with a definite spring in its step. Verynicely balanced indeed.

Overall score

8.4

Master of Malt
Aberlour, 1995, Aged 17 Years

ABV 56%

Comments: Alcohol is well mastered and balanced.

Overall score

8.0

Port Ellen
12th Release, 1979, 32 Years Old

ABV 52.5%

Comments: Another stunner from Port Ellen.

Overall score

8.5

Scott's Selection
1997

ABV 55.3%

Comments: Big and bold but that alcohol needs taming to get the best out of it

Overall score

7.9

Scott's Selection
1993

ABV 61.5%

Comments: A little sulphurous on the nose but the palate seems to pull it together.

Overall score

7.8

Scott's Selection
1993

ABV 56%

Comments: Not a bad dram, a little water helps it reveal more on the palate.

Overall score

7.7

Speciality Drinks
Spirit of Asama

ABV 55%

Comments: Unfortunately, very one-dimensional.

Overall score

7.6

Speciality Drinks
Pl1 (Port Charlotte)

ABV 60%

Comments: With water, this shows signs of popping its head over to the other side, but only fleetingly.

Overall score

8.0

Talisker
Aged 35 Years

ABV 54.6%

Comments: These Talisker releases just keep getting better, and it does well with age.

Overall score

8.7

The Balvenie
Doublewood Aged 17 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Nothing gives away that finish.

Overall score

8.0

The Maltman
Aged 19 Years

ABV 0%

Comments: Very focused with good interplay between the spirit and wood.

Overall score

8.3

The Royal British Legion
1999, 12 Years Old

ABV 58.8%

Comments: Layers of flavour emerge once the alcohol prickle is knocked back with water.

Overall score

8.1

The Yamazaki
Bourbon Barrel

ABV 48%

Comments: A serious whisky that demands your full attention.

Overall score

8.4

The Yamazaki
Mizunara

ABV 48%

Comments: Nice balance of aromas and flavours here, with some unusual aromatic notes to boot.

Overall score

8.4

The Yamazaki
Puncheon

ABV 48%

Comments: A decent well put together whisky.

Overall score

8.0

The Yamazaki
Sherry Cask

ABV 48%

Comments: A bit of a sherry bomb, with a clear sweet side.

Overall score

8.2

Wemyss Malts
1982, Sugared Almonds

ABV 46%

Comments: The persistence of time has been kind to this, up to a point. Some lovely fruity creaminess if you can get past the oak.

Overall score

8.1

Wemyss Malts
1996, Lemon Smoke

ABV 0%

Comments: Well balanced with lots of layers of sweetness and peat.

Overall score

8.1

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Whisky Magazine 108

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