Whisky Magazine 111

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Editor's Word Editor's Word Rob looks at what this redesigned magazine means

By Rob Allanson

News Diageo expands The world's biggest drinks company announces new distillery site

News Bowmore's world of water Bowmore, Dewar's, Glenglassaugh, Broom honoured

A Dram with Dave Broom Flava Dave Dave muses on Dewar's move into the flavoured category

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... Separated by a common language Heather is director of education for the Flatiron Whisky School

By Heather Greene

Thoughts from... If you can't say anything nice... Mark is a U.S contributing editor for Whisky Magazine

By Mark Gillespie

Production Enviromental Awareness Gavin D. Smith looks at steps the whisky industry is taking to be more efficient

By Gavin D. Smith

People The mission & message Meet the man who moved from history to marketing expert

By Hans Offringa

Distillery Focus Fit for a King Jim Leggett visits the North Carolina's newest distillery to discover Kings Mountain Whiskeys

By Jim Leggett

History Reading the label In a new series whisky writer and label expert Hans Offringa will look at the evolution of branding and labelling...

By Hans Offringa

Production Working with the grain We investigate the grains to produce whiskey in the USA

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus A Speyside landmark Joel Harrison braves a cold snap and heads up to Benromach

By Joel Harrison

Travel More than just Bourbon Fred Minnick finds there is plenty to do in Kentucky

By Fred Minnick

Places The Gateway to the South Take a tour round the epicentre of the American whiskey world

By Fred Minnick

Food A Spicy Experience Elbow deep in rices, spices and whiskies

By Neil Ridley

Cocktails High Strength Bourbon Our man behind the stick ups the ABV for a different type of drink

By Ryan Chetiyawardana

Whisky & Culture Billie's Bounce The tale of a biker chick

By Jefferson Chase

Travel Retail Treasure Store New Le Clos store enhances Dubai airport's fine spirits reputation

By Joe Bates

Collections Classic Ardbegs A snapshot of this iconic Islay Brand at the auctions

By Jonny McCormick

Whisky Magazine Index Premium Economy Jonny McCormick takes a look at the auction houses.

By Jonny McCormick

Ask the Expert Ask The Expert Send your questions to editorial@whiskymag.com or by post to: Q&A, Whisky Magazine, St Faiths House, Mountergate, Norwich, England, NR1 1PY

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonEditor's WordRob looks at what this redesigned magazine means

Joe BatesTreasure StoreNew Le Clos store enhances Dubai airport's fine spirits reputation

Dave BroomFlava DaveDave muses on Dewar's move into the flavoured category

Jefferson ChaseBillie's BounceThe tale of a biker chick

Ryan ChetiyawardanaHigh Strength BourbonOur man behind the stick ups the ABV for a different type of drink

Mark GillespieIf you can't say anything nice...Mark is a U.S contributing editor for Whisky Magazine

Heather GreeneSeparated by a common languageHeather is director of education for the Flatiron Whisky School

Joel HarrisonA Speyside landmarkJoel Harrison braves a cold snap and heads up to Benromach

Jim LeggettFit for a KingJim Leggett visits the North Carolina's newest distillery to discover Kings Mountain Whiskeys

Jonny McCormickPremium EconomyJonny McCormick takes a look at the auction houses.

Fred MinnickThe Gateway to the SouthTake a tour round the epicentre of the American whiskey world

Hans OffringaReading the labelIn a new series whisky writer and label expert Hans Offringa will look at the...

Neil RidleyA Spicy ExperienceElbow deep in rices, spices and whiskies

Gavin D. SmithEnviromental AwarenessGavin D. Smith looks at steps the whisky industry is taking to be more efficient

Ian WisniewskiWorking with the grainWe investigate the grains to produce whiskey in the USA

anCnoc
22 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A graceful whisky all well balanced and integrated too.

Overall score

8.7

Douglas of Drumlanrig
12 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: The palate confirms the nose with dominant oak. Water tends to tone the wood down a little. It lacks balance for me. But those who like oakiness will enjoy.

Overall score

7.8

Glen Garioch
(A Rare Find) 1978, 33 Years Old, Cask No. 10997

ABV 54.8%

Comments: An accomplished whisky, rich with a pleasant liveliness and balance.

Overall score

8.5

Glen Garioch
(A Rare Find) 1986, 26 Years Old, Cask No. 1807

ABV 52.4%

Comments: A really well put together whisky, well integrated and balanced.

Overall score

8.0

Glen Garioch
(A Rare Find) 1997, 15 Years Old, Cask No. 828

ABV 53.8%

Comments: A soft drink with alcohol? Pleasant and refreshing. A dash of water is necessary to cut the edges though. But it enhances astringency.

Overall score

7.8

Glen Garioch
(A Rare Find) 1998, 14 Years Old, Cask No. 663

ABV 56.3%

Comments: A dram of two halves, sweetness and spice.

Overall score

8.5

Glen Garioch
(A Rare Find) 1999, 12 Years Old, Cask No. 2906

ABV 58.2%

Comments: A shy and sleepy whisky. Water wakes it up a little revealing spices but it still lacks expression.

Overall score

7.6

Glenfarclas The Family Casks
Release X, 1958

ABV 43.7%

Comments: Wooded and a bit of a bruiser, but works on many levels. One for the sherry heads.

Overall score

8.1

Glenfarclas The Family Casks
Release X, 1959

ABV 48.5%

Comments: So much wood to get past but well worth the fight. This is a final night's dram.

Overall score

8.3

Glenfarclas The Family Casks
Release X, 1963

ABV 46.5%

Comments: A venerable whisky but the oak is showing signs of taking over command.

Overall score

7.9

Glenfarclas The Family Casks
Release X, 1965

ABV 57.8%

Comments: A lovely sherry hand grenade.

Overall score

8.1

Glenfarclas The Family Casks
Release X, 1979

ABV 52.2%

Comments: A complex nose, a clean and lively palate. Alcohol is well mastered. Oak is well integrated. A touch of water cuts the edges. Very enjoyable.

Overall score

8.4

Glenfarclas The Family Casks
Release X, 1985

ABV 44.9%

Comments: Summer is here, a gorgeous dram.

Overall score

8.8

Glenfarclas The Family Casks
Release X, 1992

ABV 55.8%

Comments: Probably a sherry first fill. The wood is the leader. Fruit is in an oaky cage. I know some people love it that way. I look for more balance.

Overall score

7.8