Whisky Magazine 14

Women and Whisky Old Pulteney Vintage Malts Brown Forman

Editor's Word From the Editor

Musings with Michael Jackson The Night Porter Michael Jackson on the road again, testifies to the magic of malt... and music

By Michael Jackson

Column Tribute to a whiskey dreamer Jim Murray mourns the loss of Cecil Williams, a man dedicated to whiskey and a much loved friend to the end.

By Jim Murray

News Strong whisky, stronger women James Berry examines the growing trend of women drinking whisky, traditionally a male preserve.

By James Berry

History Whisky pioneer In the male-dominated world of whisky, the contributuin of women is oftern overlooked. Helen Arthur puts the record straight

By Helen Arthur

People From concert pianist to connoisseur Michael Jackson talks to Rachel Barrie, a woman who had childhood dreams of being a ballerina or a concert pianist,...

By Michael Jackson

People Whisky's women Whisky's longevity can be credited to the efforts of many hard working people. Gavin D Smith lists nine successful women...

By Gavin D. Smith

Awards & Events Whisky magazine live

By Marcin Miller

History Gangsters, guns and the real McCoy Tom Bruce-Gardyne traces the history of Berry Bros. and Rudd through Prohibition, a period that saw the birth of one...

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Cocktails Singularly malt cocktails Gary Regan is currently in hog heaven. Critics believe that he desecrated 'precious malt whisky' live on American television, but...

By Gary Regan

Distillery Focus Beauty is in the glass of the beholder (Old Pulteney) Gavin D Smith tells the story of Old Pulteney, a beautiful whisky from a 'ginm, windswpt fishing town.'

By Gavin D. Smith

Tastings Exploring the geography of taste. Alex Kraaijevild examines whether there is a correlation between the taste of whisky and distillery location.

By Alex Kraaijeveld

Production The spirit of independence Damian Riley-Smith visits the home of Julian Van Winkle III, a nam dedicated to producing quality bourbon and adhering to...

By Damian Riley-Smith

People Two hundred million reasons to enjoy retirement Marcin Miller talks to Owsley Brown Frazier, former Vice Chairman of the Brown-Forman Corporation, and finds him calmly enjoying his retirement

By Marcin Miller

History Faith in family values: the Brown-Forman story Martin Betts recounts a tale of a family company that was on the brink of extinction yet became a significant...

By Martin Betts

Travel The bar in the Bluegrass Ken Hoskins visits Lousiville's Seelbach Hilton Hotel, where Al Capone gambled away his ill-gotten gains, F.Scott Fitzgerald became so drunk...

By Ken Hoskins

Production Scotch whisky Big in Japan Marcin Miller captures the spirit of the Far East, where Scotch malt whisky is revered and there is no indigenous...

By Marcin Miller

Food Tough guys with tender hearts Martine Nouet embarks on another culinary experiment with Islay malts, pungent yet sweet whiskies she describes as sharing the same...

By Martine Nouet

Places Scotland's obscure corner shop (Whisky Shop) David Stirk makes a pilgrimage to the heart of Speyside to meet Fiona Murdoch at the Whisky Shop, Dufftown, and...

By David Stirk

People In conversation with Norman Shelley Charles Maclean talks to 'The Perfect Collector', Norman Shelley

By Charles MacLean

Helen ArthurWhisky pioneerIn the male-dominated world of whisky, the contributuin of women is oftern overlooked. Helen Arthur...

James BerryStrong whisky, stronger womenJames Berry examines the growing trend of women drinking whisky, traditionally a male preserve.

Martin BettsFaith in family values: the Brown-Forman storyMartin Betts recounts a tale of a family company that was on the brink of...

Tom Bruce-GardyneGangsters, guns and the real McCoyTom Bruce-Gardyne traces the history of Berry Bros. and Rudd through Prohibition, a period that...

Ken HoskinsThe bar in the BluegrassKen Hoskins visits Lousiville's Seelbach Hilton Hotel, where Al Capone gambled away his ill-gotten gains,...

Michael JacksonFrom concert pianist to connoisseurMichael Jackson talks to Rachel Barrie, a woman who had childhood dreams of being a...

Alex KraaijeveldExploring the geography of taste.Alex Kraaijevild examines whether there is a correlation between the taste of whisky and distillery location.

Charles MacLeanIn conversation with Norman ShelleyCharles Maclean talks to 'The Perfect Collector', Norman Shelley

Marcin MillerTwo hundred million reasons to enjoy retirementMarcin Miller talks to Owsley Brown Frazier, former Vice Chairman of the Brown-Forman Corporation, and...

Jim MurrayTribute to a whiskey dreamerJim Murray mourns the loss of Cecil Williams, a man dedicated to whiskey and a...

Martine NouetTough guys with tender heartsMartine Nouet embarks on another culinary experiment with Islay malts, pungent yet sweet whiskies she...

Gary ReganSingularly malt cocktailsGary Regan is currently in hog heaven. Critics believe that he desecrated 'precious malt whisky'...

Damian Riley-SmithThe spirit of independenceDamian Riley-Smith visits the home of Julian Van Winkle III, a nam dedicated to producing...

Gavin D. SmithBeauty is in the glass of the beholder (Old Pulteney)Gavin D Smith tells the story of Old Pulteney, a beautiful whisky from a 'ginm,...

David StirkScotland's obscure corner shop (Whisky Shop)David Stirk makes a pilgrimage to the heart of Speyside to meet Fiona Murdoch at...

Aberlour
1976

ABV 43%

Comments: A pleasant and well-measured oldie without blemish but perhaps lacking complexity before the excellent finale.

Overall score

8.3

Adelphi
1969, 31 Years Old

ABV 53.9%

Comments: Glen Grant is a delicate whisky and does not always benefit from long maturation. This bottling is on the cusp. The distillery character can still be discerned, but only just.

Overall score

8.6

Auchentoshan
1978, 18 Years Old

ABV 58.8%

Comments: A must for those in search of the best a distillery can offer. Distilled when the stills performed in perfect harmony.

Overall score

8.8

Bunnahabhain
1968, The Family Silver Vintage Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Another example of an aged malt that, for all its obvious charm and class, has been just a tad too much oak. A delicious experience, nonetheless.

Overall score

8.2

Glen Garioch
1968, 29 Years Old

ABV 56.3%

Comments: A monster of a malt, fully underlining what truly magnificent distillery this once was when the peating levels were traditional and unrestrained.

Overall score

8.7

Glenfiddich
40 Years Old

ABV 43.6%

Comments: Anyone who reckons Glenfiddich is not a top-rate distillery should sample this.

Overall score

9.2

Glenmorangie
Côte de Nuits

ABV 43%

Comments: This one scores highly for delicacy, balance and, especially, complexity.

Overall score

8.9

Gordon & MacPhail
1974

ABV 40%

Comments: I have always found Benromach assertively flowery, herbal, almost cedary. Will this highly distinctive character prevail in the new, smaller, stills introduced since the change of ownership? Tastings on a recent visit suggest that it might.

Overall score

8.0

Gordon & MacPhail
1969

ABV 40%

Comments: Old and awaiting the grim reaper.

Overall score

7.4

Gordon & MacPhail
1968

ABV 40%

Comments: An easy-going and well preserved oldie with reasonable complexity.

Overall score

7.8

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1998, Calvados

ABV 40%

Comments: A highly unusual Caol Ila mysteriously lacking in complexity.

Overall score

7.8

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1988, Cognac Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: A much truer translation of Caol Ila.

Overall score

8.5

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1998, Claret Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: There are times when whiskies can be just a little too gentle....and this is one.

Overall score

7.5

Kingsbury
1965

ABV 49.1%

Comments: No distillery deserves to be knocked down to accommodate a strip mall, but Glen Albyn just did not have the muscle to defend itself (as Tom Wait might have put it).

Overall score

8.2

Kingsbury
1966

ABV 43%

Comments: A welcome bottling of this neglected malt, and an interesting example.

Overall score

8.2

Murray McDavid
1965

ABV 46%

Comments: The characteristic salt and coconut characteristics of Springbank are very evident in this bottling, but perhaps overwhelmingly so. I may need more time to understand this one.

Overall score

8.8

Signatory
1968

ABV 46%

Comments: At first tasting, I was hard-pressed to find any Islay character at all. On a second tasting, the next morning with a fresh palate, I began to find some smokiness. Even then, it seemed to emerge on the tongue for two or three minutes.

Overall score

8.3

Signatory
1980

ABV 43%

Comments: Delicate, appetising and refreshing, but falls away in the middle.

Overall score

7.8

Signatory
1978

ABV 59.7%

Comments: A big malt, but there are some flaws suggesting this has passed its best.

Overall score

7.4

The Balvenie
1968

ABV 50.8%

Comments: A rather unusual Balvenie but delicious nonetheless!

Overall score

8.7

The Glenlivet
1967 Cellar Collection

ABV 46%

Comments: Jim Cryle has done a wonderful job picking these casks.

Overall score

9.0

The Glenrothes
1971

ABV 43%

Comments: An improbably well-balanced and deliciously layered malt for it's age. An outstanding Speysider.

Overall score

8.7

The Macallan
1981, Unfiltered Cask Strength

ABV 57%

Comments: This is simplified summary of a breathlessly complex Macallan. Their finest bottling in years. Magnificent.

Overall score

9.2

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
4.73 – 1970

ABV 52.5%

Comments: Not as sophisticated as the distillery bottlings, but robustly salty, earthy and peaty. Good characteristics, but in this bottling they mask the maltiness and sherry character. I wonder whether all island whiskies once tasted like this?

Overall score

9.1

Whisky Magazine 14

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