Whisky Magazine 132

Japan Whisky In Harmony Balblair Distillery Beam Suntory Tomatin Distillery

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Column Scotland in Autumn A very worthwhile trip to Speyside and Highland regions

By Rupert Wheeler

News Wood Makes the Whisky Gordon & MacPhail showcase their philosophy

By Rupert Wheeler

Awards & Events Whisky Live Whisky Live New York

By Rupert Wheeler

Competition Get Focused It's time to enter the 2016 Whisky Magazine Photo Challenge

By Rupert Wheeler

Competition Battle Of The Blends Result Neil Ridley wins by a dram

By Neil Ridley

Thoughts from... Ridley Takes the Reins Does the whisky industry have a problem with transparency?

By Neil Ridley

Thoughts from... Drinking Responsibly Intoxication or enjoyment?

By Fred Minnick

Travel Highballing in Japan Japanese whisky demand outstrips supply

By Scott Haas

Distillery Focus Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Chichibu and a history dating back to 1625

By Scott Haas

Production Sunbeams A light shines down on Beam Suntory

By Neil Ridley

Production Scotch Style Single Malt The appliance of science at Mount Vernon

By Liza Weisstuch

Collections Fiddler on the Loch Jon Beach and ‘The Whisky Library Shelf'

By Hans Offringa

Distillery Focus In the Parish of Peats Experience 'The Time Capsule' at Balblair

By Gavin D. Smith

Production Tomatin The Rebrand The softer side of the Highlands

By Rupert Wheeler

Production Water, Water Everywhere Water serves various purposes when producing Scotch malt whisky, but the use of water has conditions attached

By Ian Wisniewski

Cocktails Smoky Whisky Cocktails For those long dark winter nights

By Charles Montanaro

Food Whiskey Live Dublin Food and whiskey pairing in the Irish capital

By Seáneen Sullivan

Whisky & Culture What's New on the Shelf Recently published whisky related books

By Rupert Wheeler

Travel Retail Elementary My Dear Kinsman Grant's gets geeky in Cannes

By Joe Bates

Collections Last Orders for 2015 The end of the line for four great whiskies

By Jonny McCormick

Whisky Magazine Index Can Live Auctions Adapt? The need to compete with online is compelling

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 BatesElementary My Dear KinsmanGrant's gets geeky in Cannes

Scott HaasNothing Ventured, Nothing GainedChichibu and a history dating back to 1625

Jonny McCormickCan Live Auctions Adapt?The need to compete with online is compelling

Fred MinnickDrinking ResponsiblyIntoxication or enjoyment?

Charles MontanaroSmoky Whisky CocktailsFor those long dark winter nights

Hans OffringaFiddler on the LochJon Beach and ‘The Whisky Library Shelf'

Neil RidleyRidley Takes the ReinsDoes the whisky industry have a problem with transparency?

Gavin D. SmithIn the Parish of PeatsExperience 'The Time Capsule' at Balblair

Seáneen SullivanWhiskey Live DublinFood and whiskey pairing in the Irish capital

Liza WeisstuchScotch Style Single MaltThe appliance of science at Mount Vernon

Rupert WheelerWood Makes the WhiskyGordon & MacPhail showcase their philosophy

Ian WisniewskiWater, Water EverywhereWater serves various purposes when producing Scotch malt whisky, but the use of water has...

Aultmore
25 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Evokes a summer-time feel, with plenty of fresh fruits (pineapples, mostly), cream and honey, but I’d be happy to be served a dram of this anytime of year.

Overall score

9.2

Berrys' Own Selection
1996, 18 Years Old, #6424

ABV 46%

Comments: Like a butterfly in your hand – delicate and beautiful but fleeting and flighty.

Overall score

8.9

Compass Box
This Is Not A Luxury Whisky

ABV 53.1%

Comments: Like a break in the clouds, with a product of this quality underscoring the mysteries of the blend.

Overall score

9.2

Connoisseurs Choice
1999

ABV 46%

Comments: Like a badly made smoked daiquiri.

Overall score

7.2

Darkness!
17 Years Old

ABV 49%

Comments: A well rounded and sweet whisky with some great flavours, which sings on the palate.

Overall score

8.9

Douglas Laing Old Particular
25 Years Old

ABV 60.6%

Comments: A classic example of a grain that has probably had a good couple of decades in cask, but could do with a few more. What harm would it do to leave this for another twenty years or so?

Overall score

8.5

Edinburgh Whisky
Glenlivet

ABV 46%

Comments: This needed air and some time in the glass to come to life. Once it did, it revealed a unique flavour profile which was enhanced by a tinge of sulphur, unusual for a single malt.

Overall score

8.7

Isle of Arran Distillery
Smugglers' Series Vol.1 'The Illicit Stills'

ABV 56.4%

Comments: A wonderful whisky with the right balance of age, smoke, spices and fruits.

Overall score

8.8

J. P. Wiser's
Double Still Rye

ABV 43.4%

Comments: I think I’ll save this sample and use it as a wash in a vodka martini; or it might make a cracking Boulevardier.

Overall score

7.9

Knappogue Castle
16 Years Old, Sherry Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: A work in progress and a shame to have been cut off in mid-development.

Overall score

8.1

Label 5
Extra Rare 18 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Fantastic nose, but I hope economics have not got in the way of what could have been a rich and unctuous palate, let down by its strength.

Overall score

8.4