Whisky Magazine 109

African Adventure Caribbean Smuggling San Francisco

Editor's Word Editor's Word

News Drinking and health Recently, United States broad-caster CNN’s culinary news site Eatocracy ran a feature with the headline “Beer, Whiskey and Pork Fat:...

By Rob Allanson

News Wolfburn Scotland's latest start-up whisky-making venture came on stream in January.

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Chasing the blues away Dave considers the history and effects of the hot toddy

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... Matching skills Davin de Kergommeaux is the author of the book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert published in May 2012 by McClelland...

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Production The Irish Revolution There is a lot going on in Ireland at the moment, we summarise the recent developments

By Rob Allanson

Production Young was once a distiller Fred Minnick investigates the links between the faith and distilling

By Fred Minnick

Production The toast of Nassau Jim Leggett goes in search of the Bahama Queen

By Jim Leggett

Production Style & Substance Ian Wisniewskiasks, what is a pot still Irish whiskey and how does it differ from malt Irish whiskey?

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus A good bassy tone Ian Buxton meets the team behind Tuthilltown Spirits, a craft distillery on the rise

By Ian Buxton

Distillery Focus A locavore's tipple Liza Weisstuch goes in search of slow food whiskey

By Liza Weisstuch

Travel Retail Edinburgh's reserve Joe Bates follows a bottle of Glenfiddich to Edinburgh

By Joe Bates

History Cream of the crop Gavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of Stewart's Cream of the Barley

By Gavin D. Smith

Cocktails Knowing the classics Ryan Chetiyawardana looks at Bourbon cocktails

By Ryan Chetiyawardana

Travel Wild is the whisky Writer Dave Waddell goes on a wild whisky odyssey in Tanzania

By Dave Waddell

Bars The city by the bay Liza Weisstuch takes us on a tour of this cosmopolitan city

By Liza Weisstuch

Food The path to enlightenment Neil Ridley charts the rise in popularity of the dedicated cigar lounge and gets the low down on the best...

By Neil Ridley

Whisky & Culture Belfast boy Jefferson Chase reviews a book based in Belfast during the late 1960s

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky Magazine Index Small or far away Jonny McCormick examines life in miniature

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 AllansonDrinking and healthRecently, United States broad-caster CNN’s culinary news site Eatocracy ran a feature with the headline...

Joe BatesEdinburgh's reserveJoe Bates follows a bottle of Glenfiddich to Edinburgh

Dave BroomChasing the blues awayDave considers the history and effects of the hot toddy

Ian BuxtonA good bassy toneIan Buxton meets the team behind Tuthilltown Spirits, a craft distillery on the rise

Jefferson ChaseBelfast boyJefferson Chase reviews a book based in Belfast during the late 1960s

Ryan ChetiyawardanaKnowing the classicsRyan Chetiyawardana looks at Bourbon cocktails

Davin de KergommeauxMatching skillsDavin de Kergommeaux is the author of the book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert published...

Jim LeggettThe toast of NassauJim Leggett goes in search of the Bahama Queen

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

Fred MinnickYoung was once a distillerFred Minnick investigates the links between the faith and distilling

Neil RidleyThe path to enlightenmentNeil Ridley charts the rise in popularity of the dedicated cigar lounge and gets the...

Gavin D. SmithCream of the cropGavin D. Smith looks at the fortunes of Stewart's Cream of the Barley

Dave WaddellWild is the whiskyWriter Dave Waddell goes on a wild whisky odyssey in Tanzania

Liza WeisstuchThe city by the bayLiza Weisstuch takes us on a tour of this cosmopolitan city

Ian WisniewskiStyle & SubstanceIan Wisniewskiasks, what is a pot still Irish whiskey and how does it differ from...

Aldi Glen Orrin
30 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: An easy whisky but seems a little thin, especially on the palate.

Overall score

7.3

Auchroisk
1997 30 Years Old

ABV 54.7%

Comments: Give time to this whisky but avoid water which enhances the alcohol feel. There is some austerity in the character but it does open up with a bit of patience.

Overall score

7.8

Berry Bros. & Rudd
1998, 14 Years Old

ABV 57.5%

Comments: A pleasant light aromatic profile but this whisky has not matured in very active casks.

Overall score

8.0

Berry Bros. & Rudd
1991, 21 Years Old

ABV 54.8%

Comments: A pleasant dram. A touch of water brings out a refined oak frame and beeswax. A kind of spicy fruit salad.

Overall score

8.0

Berrys' Own Selection
1991, 20 Years Old

ABV 54.6%

Comments: A lovely dram for a sunny winter's day.

Overall score

8.0

Caol Ila
14 Years Old

ABV 59.3%

Comments: The palate does not have the nose delicacy. Water tones the alcohol down but brings out astringency. A Caol Ila? I would never have guessed.

Overall score

7.8

Duncan Taylor
40 Years Old 3rd Release

ABV 41.5%

Comments: Nice stuff, well balanced and intriguing.

Overall score

8.7

Grant's
Stand Fast

ABV 0%

Comments: Not even a whispering whisky. Almost silent! I appreciate light delicate whiskies but there is a limit to self-effacing characters!

Overall score

7.8

Hicks & Healey
Cornish Whiskey 2004 8 Years Old

ABV 60.2%

Comments: A spicy character. The high strength is not easy to master. Water tones it down but it also takes some of the flavours off.

Overall score

7.6

Isle of Jura
30 Years Old

ABV 44%

Comments: Classic good sherry maturation. Nothing to complain about.

Overall score

8.2

Johnnie Walker
Explorer's Club Collection The Spice Road

ABV 40%

Comments: A decent everyday dram, perfect for any occasion.

Overall score

7.6

Karuizawa
1984 CASK #4021

ABV 64.5%

Comments: Interesting aromatic profile but the alcohol strength makes it too harsh. Water does not soothe it, and that makes it difficult to really appreciate for me.

Overall score

7.8