Whisky Magazine 112

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Editor's Word Editor's Word Rob looks at the alchemy of creating tasting notes from the unknown

By Rob Allanson

News Reviving Distilling Belfast is set to get its first new distillery since 1936

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events Whisky Live Whisky Live Taipei, Saturday 31st August - Sunday 1st September 2013

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Coming Back to Life Dave looks at the rise in fortunes of Tamdhu Distillery

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... Canadian Rye Versus American Straight Rye Davin is the author of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Thoughts from... The Scent of Satan Gavin is a regular contributor to Whisky Magazine

By Gavin D. Smith

Production The Art of Wood From a big operation to a one man band, we bring the art of the cooper into focus

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Welcome Back A resurgent Tamdhu Distillery

By Ian Buxton

Distillery Focus Claiming the Title Scotland's northernmost mainland distillery

By Gavin D. Smith

People Blending the Ingredients The man behind a Canadian transformation

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Travel Travelling Whisky In part two of our series about whisky labels we board an ocean steamer and take a little detour by...

By Hans Offringa

Production Sizing Up Casks We investigate the influence of different casks sizes when maturing malt whisky

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus A Wave of Innovation Our man visits this venerable Canadian distillery that has a few tricks up its sleeve

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Travel Historic Ambience The Distillery District, Toronto Our Canadian correspondents provide an intimate view of distilling in one of Canada's biggest cities

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

Places The Queen City of Canada We take a tour round some of Toronto's excellent whisky drinking establishments

By Blair Phillips

Food Gentlemen Only Whisky chef Martine Nouet watches from the sidelines at a cookery school

By Martine Nouet

Cocktails Canadian Whisky Our man behind the stick delves into a flavourful world

By Ryan Chetiyawardana

Whisky & Culture Southern Farce The tale of X loves Y who loves Z who loves A

By Jefferson Chase

Travel Retail Eastern Promise We find out more about launches at the recent Asia Pacific exhibition

By Joe Bates

Collections Four Royal Bottles A selection of bottlings marking Royal occasion

By Jonny McCormick

Whisky Magazine Index The Fund That Likes to Say EIS A round up of the auction world

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 AllansonReviving DistillingBelfast is set to get its first new distillery since 1936

Joe BatesEastern PromiseWe find out more about launches at the recent Asia Pacific exhibition

Dave BroomComing Back to LifeDave looks at the rise in fortunes of Tamdhu Distillery

Ian BuxtonWelcome BackA resurgent Tamdhu Distillery

Jefferson ChaseSouthern FarceThe tale of X loves Y who loves Z who loves A

Ryan ChetiyawardanaCanadian WhiskyOur man behind the stick delves into a flavourful world

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxHistoric AmbienceThe Distillery District, Toronto Our Canadian correspondents provide an intimate view of distilling in one...

Davin de KergommeauxCanadian Rye Versus American Straight RyeDavin is the author of Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

Jonny McCormickThe Fund That Likes to Say EISA round up of the auction world

Martine NouetGentlemen OnlyWhisky chef Martine Nouet watches from the sidelines at a cookery school

Hans OffringaTravelling WhiskyIn part two of our series about whisky labels we board an ocean steamer and...

Blair PhillipsThe Queen City of CanadaWe take a tour round some of Toronto's excellent whisky drinking establishments

Gavin D. SmithThe Scent of SatanGavin is a regular contributor to Whisky Magazine

Ian WisniewskiThe Art of WoodFrom a big operation to a one man band, we bring the art of the...

Abbey Whisky
Aged 23 Years

ABV 44%

Comments: Shy at first but revealing pleasant fruity flavours.

Overall score

8.2

Ardbeg
Ardbog

ABV 52.1%

Comments: Like walking into a cottage where a roast is cooking and a peat fire is burning low.

Overall score

8.7

Caskstrength & Carry On
Cutty Sark

ABV 51.4%

Comments: The nose is more enticing than the palate. But a decent dram on the whole.

Overall score

7.8

Duncan Taylor
Aged in Oak Casks

ABV 46%

Comments: The nose is more attractive than the palate. Obviously an Islander. Pleasant springtime outdoor dram though.

Overall score

7.8

Duncan Taylor
Aged in Oak Casks

ABV 40%

Comments: A well-balanced dram.

Overall score

7.9

Hellyers Road
10 Years Old

ABV 46.2%

Comments: The nose is more expressive than the palate. A delicate sweetness.

Overall score

7.9

Highland Park
Loki, Aged 15 Years

ABV 48.7%

Comments: An oaky character, slightly dour at first but opening on fruit and toffee. Be light when adding water.

Overall score

8.1

Master of Malt
Bally Delicious

ABV 54%

Comments: An interesting floral character but not a wide aromatic palate.

Overall score

7.9

Master of Malt
Tobermory, 17 Years Old

ABV 57%

Comments: A vibrant character, especially on the palate. Refreshing but with a bite.

Overall score

7.8

Master of Malt
Springbank, 19 Years Old

ABV 55.5%

Comments: Invigorating like a crisp spring morning. Fragrances in the air. I prefer it neat.

Overall score

8.4

Nikka
Coffey Grain

ABV 45%

Comments: Once the funny off note has gone, we have a pleasant whisky, not over sweet. Refreshing spicy profile.

Overall score

8.0

Russell's Reserve
Small Batch, Single Barrel

ABV 55%

Comments: A big untamed Bourbon which needs a dash of water to calm down. Not much though as it goes on the astringent side. I know there are fans of this style. Too fiery for me.

Overall score

8.2

Speciality Drinks
Cask Strength, 12 Years Old

ABV 45.8%

Comments: A beautifully balanced islander. The marine aromatic display is just enticing, constantly teasing the malty sweet heart.

Overall score

8.8

Speciality Drinks
Cask Strength, 19 Years Old

ABV 50.4%

Comments: That whisky needs a dash of water to find its balance. Refreshing, you would have expected more complexity from the age but not unpleasant.

Overall score

7.9

Speciality Drinks
Cask Strength, 30 Years Old

ABV 51.1%

Comments: I would never have thought this is a 30 Years Old whisky. Very weird aromatic combination. Water brings them all together in a toffee tone.

Overall score

7.6

Talisker
Port Ruighe

ABV 45.8%

Comments: Disappointing for a Talisker. The port finish takes it off the shore.

Overall score

7.8

Talisker
Storm

ABV 45%

Comments: Talisker sailing off the shore, taking more oak on board with it.

Overall score

8.2

That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Batch 1

ABV 49.1%

Comments: A lovely restorative dram, nice stuff, well put together.

Overall score

8.2

That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Batch 1

ABV 53.8%

Comments: A pleasant example of a good Bourbon cask maturation. A good companion for a fish dish as well.

Overall score

8.1

The Dalmore
Valour

ABV 40%

Comments: There is this odd strawberry aroma note on the nose. The palate is better structured but it could have benefited a higher strength I feel.

Overall score

7.7

The Glenlivet
Alpha

ABV 50%

Comments: Perfect for a summer's day, I hope we actually get one this year!

Overall score

8.3

The Macallan
The Flask, 22 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: The effect of water is funny. It hardens the nose and softens the palate at the same time.

Overall score

7.5

Tomatin
Legacy

ABV 43%

Comments: A surprising dram. There is plenty of fruit but also, a spirit feel although it is not strong. Just as the cask had not given much. But the colour is not pale... Well? It tastes young anyway.

Overall score

7.5

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Whisky Magazine 112

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