Whisky Magazine 13

Jim McEwan Booker Noe Ultimate Macallan Tasting Aberlour Distillery

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Editor's Word From the Editor

By Charles MacLean

Musings with Michael Jackson The case for throwing things Michael Jackson makes an exception for the Emperor of Japan.

By Michael Jackson

Column The whisky set to self-destruct Jim Murray fears for the Japanese whisky industry which he believes could implode before whisky lovers sample all that...

By Jim Murray

People Honour, passion and integrity (Jim Mcewan) Dave Broom catches up with Jim Mcewan, the country-hopping Brand Ambassador whose life is dedicated to whisky and telling the...

By Dave Broom

People Bourbon in the spotlight Marcin Miller catches up with some of the key figures in the world of bourbon during the Gala Dinner of...

By Marcin Miller

History A pioneer of the spirit Stewart Mcbain praises the contribution of Charles Cree Doig an unsung hero of the Scotch whisky industry

By Stewart Mcbain

Distillery Focus Going native on Deer Island John Lamond visits one of the most charming and laid-back of the Scottish islands, Jura-home to one of the country's...

By John Lamond

History Dinner with the keeper The keepers of the Quaich are a clan shrouded with mystery. Tom Bruce Gardyne reveals what it's like to experience...

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Distillery Focus Natural born distillers (Aberlour) Dave Broom visits Aberlour Distillery, built in a magical location that's home to some of the most knowledgable whisky folk...

By Dave Broom

Travel Horses and hipflasks The distinctly 'non-horsey' Marcin Miller dons his wellies in Pitlochry for a spot of whisky fuelled equestrianism.

By Marcin Miller

People Freedom and whisky gang thegither (Robert Burns) With Burns Night fast approaching Martin Betts examines the short, but eventful, life of Robert Burns and the role whisky...

By Martin Betts

Production A family affair Charles Maclean visits inverarity Vaults a family company which has already earnt quite a reputation for the quality of its whiskies

By Charles MacLean

Tastings Connoisseur's chemistry the final instalment of Philip Hills' abridged extract from his fascinatin new book Appreciating Whisky.

By Pip Hills

Cocktails Whisky in the mix Jane Slade ecamines how people drink their whisky around the globe and discovers how versatile the water of life can be

By Jane Slade

People Booker Noe Uncut, unfiltered and straight from the barrel Stuart Maclean Ramsay visits the house that Jim Beam built and has dinner...

By Stuart MacLean Ramsay

Food Invite whisky to Christmas dinner Martine Nouet challenges the stereotypical Christmas dinner with the help of single malt whisky in an attempt to create the...

By Martine Nouet

Tastings Of questionable taste A mystery flavour, a grand tasting and French chemists- all involved in Gary Regan's whisky adventure.

By Gary Regan

Places Whisky Oasis (The Whisky Chaser) Martin Betts visits a veritable whisky paradise well hidden in the extreme north-west of England.

By Martin Betts

People In conversation with Andrew Symington Charles Maclean talks to Andrew Symington of Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky

By Charles MacLean

Martin BettsWhisky Oasis (The Whisky Chaser)Martin Betts visits a veritable whisky paradise well hidden in the extreme north-west of England.

Dave BroomNatural born distillers (Aberlour)Dave Broom visits Aberlour Distillery, built in a magical location that's home to some of...

Tom Bruce-GardyneDinner with the keeperThe keepers of the Quaich are a clan shrouded with mystery. Tom Bruce Gardyne reveals...

Pip HillsConnoisseur's chemistrythe final instalment of Philip Hills' abridged extract from his fascinatin new book Appreciating Whisky.

Michael JacksonThe case for throwing thingsMichael Jackson makes an exception for the Emperor of Japan.

John LamondGoing native on Deer IslandJohn Lamond visits one of the most charming and laid-back of the Scottish islands, Jura-home...

Charles MacLeanA family affairCharles Maclean visits inverarity Vaults a family company which has already earnt quite a reputation...

Stewart McbainA pioneer of the spiritStewart Mcbain praises the contribution of Charles Cree Doig an unsung hero of the Scotch...

Marcin MillerHorses and hipflasksThe distinctly 'non-horsey' Marcin Miller dons his wellies in Pitlochry for a spot of whisky...

Jim MurrayThe whisky set to self-destructJim Murray fears for the Japanese whisky industry which he believes could implode before...

Martine NouetInvite whisky to Christmas dinnerMartine Nouet challenges the stereotypical Christmas dinner with the help of single malt whisky in...

Stuart MacLean RamsayBooker NoeUncut, unfiltered and straight from the barrel Stuart Maclean Ramsay visits the house that Jim...

Gary ReganOf questionable tasteA mystery flavour, a grand tasting and French chemists- all involved in Gary Regan's whisky adventure.

Jane SladeWhisky in the mixJane Slade ecamines how people drink their whisky around the globe and discovers how versatile...

Adelphi
30 Years Old

ABV 49.4%

Comments: Don't look for a big array of flavours: just variations on a theme, and most of them quite lovely.

Overall score

7.9

Adelphi
12 Years Old

ABV 60.9%

Comments: I like the richness but lacks the balance, roundness and complexity of a great Highland Park.

Overall score

8.4

Da Mhile
1992, 7 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Lively and refreshing, but the flavours have not combined and fleshed out as probably they will in another six or seven years.

Overall score

7.7

Eagle Rare
17 Years Old, Single Barrel

ABV 45%

Comments: A clean, easily drinkable, well-made Bourbon. Straight-ahead, rather than quirky. A certain mature restraint, but is that sufficient pay-off?

Overall score

8.2

Glenfiddich
30 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Luxurious, but in a restrained, understated way.

Overall score

8.2

Hakushu
12 Years Old Pure Malt

ABV 43%

Comments: A beautifully structured, appetising, whisky. Captivating.

Overall score

8.5

Hibiki
Suntory

ABV 43%

Comments: Enjoyable if simplistic, the grain holds power here. An attractive session whisky.

Overall score

7.8

Hibiki
21 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Leaner, drier, less estery and more oaky than the version that has no age statement. I like each equally, in its own right.

Overall score

8.3

Jura
Aged 16 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A delicious and sophisticated dram with impressive depth and almost perfect weight.

Overall score

7.9

Kingsbury
Islay 1973, 27 Years Old

ABV 47.4%

Comments: Every connoisseur should get his hands on this at any cost. A classic among classics.

Overall score

8.8

Kingsbury
1971, 28 Years Old

ABV 55.6%

Comments: Lacks roundness, structure, balance. I was sorry to hear that this distillery has been closed. Temporarily?

Overall score

7.4

Longrow
10 Years Old, Sherrywood

ABV 46%

Comments: Many blenders feel that second-fill sherry casks give a more balanced result than first-fill. This whisky is a lesson in that technique.

Overall score

8.8

Longrow
10 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A beautifully composed whisky. Classic intense, Scottish flavours.

Overall score

8.3

Nikka
All Malt 1989

ABV 43%

Comments: An interesting idea, and it produces for Nikka a much sweeter style of whisky.

Overall score

7.8

Nikka
Tsuru

ABV 43%

Comments: Gentle and beautifully structured.

Overall score

8.2

Nikka
Super

ABV 43%

Comments: A very, very fine blend that which makes no apology for the peaty complexity of Yoichi malt. Classy stuff.

Overall score

8.0

Nikka
34 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A whisky of antiquity that has survived many years. Quite excellent.

Overall score

8.3

Sazerac
18 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: A new, or revived, rye is wonderful news, even if this one is a trifle sophisticated for my robust tastes.

Overall score

8.9

Sendai
12 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: A greatly improved malt.

Overall score

8.4

Springbank
1992, 7 Years Old, Da Mhile Organic

ABV 46%

Comments: Has an extraordinary finish, suggesting something twice the age.

Overall score

7.7

The Balvenie
25 Years Old

ABV 46.9%

Comments: A rare treat. A malt that, despite an obvious over oakiness, retains a truly impressive complexity and charm.

Overall score

8.4

The Macallan
1948, 51 Years Old

ABV 46.6%

Comments: Drink it and travel back in time. It is one of the finest malts I have ever tasted.

Overall score

9.6

The Macallan
50 Years Old, Millennium Decanter

ABV 43%

Comments: A classic example of well-aged Spanish.

Overall score

9.3

The Macallan
1937, 36 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Blindfold, I am not sure I would not recognise this as a Macallan until that familiar finish.

Overall score

8.5

The Macallan
1940, 35 Years Old

ABV 0%

Comments: Not quite the complexity of the 1946 and 1948. Oaky woodiness begins to intrude.

Overall score

8.9

The Macallan
1926, 60 Years Old

ABV 0%

Comments: A privilege to taste such an old whisky but I just cannot handle such woody astringency.

Overall score

8.7

The Macallan
1946, 52 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A very unusual expression of The Macallan. Unquestionably a classic.

Overall score

9.3

The Macallan
Replica 1874

ABV 45%

Comments: A deft re-creation. This version is notably estery.

Overall score

9.3

The Macallan
1977, 25 Years Old, Christopher's Queen's Jubilee Magnum

ABV 45.5%

Comments: Its wood smoke is the richest and easiest character to recognise.

Overall score

9.1

The Macallan
Special Reserve

ABV 43%

Comments: Classic example of The Macallan.

Overall score

9.4

The Yamazaki
Aged 12 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Impressive nose and excellent body is undone slightly by the untidy finish.

Overall score

7.7

The Yamazaki
Aged 18 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Big flavours, and a lot happening, but could be rounder.

Overall score

7.5

W.L. Weller
19 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: A bourbon of some presence and elegance. With dessert, or after dinner?

Overall score

8.0

Yoichi
10 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: In my books, whisky from one of the worlds top half dozen distilleries. One of my day-to-day drams.

Overall score

8.7

Yoichi
10 Years Old, Single Cask

ABV 59.9%

Comments: A terrific whisky, beautifully rounded, with lots of everything.

Overall score

9.1

Yoichi
15 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: Creamier than the 10 Years Old, but that softens the peatiness. Between these two, I preferred the peatier ten.

Overall score

8.9

Whisky Magazine 13

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