Whisky Magazine 131

The Hebridean Archipelago Dalmunach Four Roses New Orleans Bars

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Editor's Word A Change at Whisky Magazine A new Editor-at-Large is appointed

By Rupert Wheeler

News Harris Distillery The Social Distillery is opened by the people of Harris

By Rupert Wheeler

Awards & Events Whisky Live Whisky Live Belgium Spa, 5-7 February 2016

By Rupert Wheeler

A Dram with Dave Broom The End of an Era Dave says farewell to Whisky Magazine

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... Is Kentucky the Home of Bourbon? Or can you make it anywhere?

By Fred Minnick

Distillery Focus An Imperial Solution The state-of-the-art Dalmunach Distillery

By Gavin D. Smith

Production The Water of Life The spirit of friendship and the quality of Scotch

By Joel Harrison

Travel Heroic Virtue and Whisky A voyage of dark spirit discovery

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

Collections The Dutch Collector Mr Maltstock and his 700 single malt

By Hans Offringa

Travel Hebridean Hideaways Gavin takes us on a tour of the Western Isles

By Gavin D. Smith

Competition The Final Countdown The Battle of the Blends is now closed

By Rupert Wheeler

Production Forward Thinking What does the future hold for Four Roses?

By Fred Minnick

Collections Whisky Paraphernalia How to spice up your whisky room and dress appropriately

By Hans Offringa

Bars The Crescent City The bars of New Orleans

By Liza Weisstuch

Cocktails Closing the Gap Europe is right behind

By Charles Montanaro

Food A Wild Supper Three recipes using the bounty of nature's larder

By Seáneen Sullivan

Whisky & Culture The Very Best Reads Some of the whisky books recently published

By Rupert Wheeler

Travel Retail DFS Masters of Spirits The toast is to Singaporean independence

By Joe Bates

Collections Four Diageo Special Releases 2010 Five years on, a reappraisal of the value of Diageo's annual releases

By Jonny McCormick

Whisky Magazine Index Kracking Karuizawa A new World Record

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

Joe BatesDFS Masters of SpiritsThe toast is to Singaporean independence

Dave BroomThe End of an EraDave says farewell to Whisky Magazine

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxHeroic Virtue and WhiskyA voyage of dark spirit discovery

Joel HarrisonThe Water of LifeThe spirit of friendship and the quality of Scotch

Jonny McCormickKracking KaruizawaA new World Record

Fred MinnickForward ThinkingWhat does the future hold for Four Roses?

Charles MontanaroClosing the GapEurope is right behind

Hans OffringaWhisky ParaphernaliaHow to spice up your whisky room and dress appropriately

Gavin D. SmithHebridean HideawaysGavin takes us on a tour of the Western Isles

Seáneen SullivanA Wild SupperThree recipes using the bounty of nature's larder

Liza WeisstuchThe Crescent CityThe bars of New Orleans

Rupert WheelerHarris DistilleryThe Social Distillery is opened by the people of Harris

anCnoc
Peatlands

ABV 46%

Comments: A light heated whisky. 10 points less if this had no smoke…

Overall score

8.7

Ben Nevis
The President’s Cask 23 Years Old

ABV 56.4%

Comments: A fine example of a well matured, high strength, oily and rich Scotch whisky. A very solid performance indeed.

Overall score

9.0

Connoisseurs Choice
1998, Aged 17 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: There are elements of this which evoke vintage malts of yesteryear, however slightly bitter undertones let down the balance of this whisky.

Overall score

9.2

Cù Bòcan
Bourbon Cask

ABV 46%

Comments: This is a very light product, erring a little too much on the side of sunflower oil. Not quite enough body or depth, but a very easy drink.

Overall score

8.1

Dewar's
White Label Scratched Cask

ABV 40%

Comments: Very pleasant blended whisky which is super easy to drink with good balance and complexity. It isn’t a big, old single malt, but isn’t pretending to be.

Overall score

8.3

Douglas Laing's XOP
25 Years Old

ABV 55.1%

Comments: I really like this. Right up my street for a good, solid, peaty whisky.

Overall score

9.0

Dry Fly
Straight Washington Wheat Whiskey

ABV 45%

Comments: A really, really lovely whiskey which will work well as a sipper and in a cocktail.

Overall score

9.0

Four Roses
Limited Edition, Small Batch, 2015 Release

ABV 54.3%

Comments: Phew, this is big in every way. You don’t know if you want to sip it neat, pour it over ice or make an utterly indulgent Manhattan or Old Fashioned with it. My choice? All three. And throw in a Sazerac for good measure, too!

Overall score

9.1

Glasgow Distillery Company
26 Years Old

ABV 47%

Comments: A nice dram that delivers well in all areas with some real age and fruity notes to it.

Overall score

9.2

Gooderham & Worts
Four Grain

ABV 44.4%

Comments: Is this a rum? Not a huge deal of complexity, balance or finesse, but packed full of sweet flavours.

Overall score

8.2

Grant's
Voyager

ABV 40%

Comments: Another simple but well crafted blend which will delight those looking at this style of whisky.

Overall score

8.8

Hyde
10 Years Old, Sherry Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: A classic, full-bodied Irish malt.

Overall score

9.1

Johnnie Walker
Select Casks Rye Cask Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: This is a very drinkable whisky indeed, could do with a touch more spice over sweetness but it is jam packed with flavour.

Overall score

8.0

Nant
Bourbon Wood Single Cask

ABV 43%

Comments: Sweet, this shows that good whisky making is alive and well in Oz, even if there are better aged examples.

Overall score

8.3

Spirit of Hven
Tycho's Star

ABV 41.8%

Comments: Very well engineered, as you would expect from a country which holds function and form so highly.

Overall score

8.8

The Dalmore
The Distillery Exclusive 2015

ABV 48%

Comments: Caught at the right time, this maintains a balance of distillery character, cask spices and oily richness. Very good whisky making indeed.

Overall score

8.5