Whisky Magazine 140

A journey round Islay Maker's Mark Penderyn Trip down the Rockies

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Editor's Word Passage to India A country truly embracing whisky

By Rupert Wheeler

Thoughts from... The Bourbon Cycle Making your mind up

By Fred Minnick

Distillery Focus Maker's Mark What is happening to this most iconic of whiskey brands?

By Fred Minnick

Production Smoke and Phenolic Compounds We look at peated malts and ask how they evolve during the ageing process

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Whisky in the Land of Dragons Whisky Magazine's editor takes a trip to the only whisky distillery in Wales

By Rupert Wheeler

Bars Gateway to China The best bars in Shanghai

By Vincent R Vinci

Food The Nights Are Drawing In Winter whisky food pairings

By Seáneen Sullivan

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

Jonny McCormickAsk the ExpertSend your questions to editorial@whiskymag.com or by post to: Q&A, Whisky Magazine, 6 Woolgate Court,...

Fred MinnickMaker's MarkWhat is happening to this most iconic of whiskey brands?

Seáneen SullivanThe Nights Are Drawing InWinter whisky food pairings

Vincent R VinciGateway to ChinaThe best bars in Shanghai

Rupert WheelerIrish Whiskey MentorsHelp on hand for new entrants to this fast growing sector

Ian WisniewskiSmoke and Phenolic CompoundsWe look at peated malts and ask how they evolve during the ageing process

Berrys' Own Selection
1989, 26 Years Old, Cask #7856

ABV 54.6%

Comments: If the palate was as exuberant as the nose then this would have been exceptional.

Overall score

9.0

Douglas Laing
Limited Edition, Christmas 2016

ABV 54.6%

Comments: It appears to be a blend of peated malts. Could benefit from a little light and shade.

Overall score

8.5

Glencadam
18 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A pleasant, unpretentious and straightforward Highland malt.

Overall score

8.5

Glenfiddich
Experimental Series No. 01, IPA Experiment

ABV 43%

Comments: As much as I like American oak, it was too dominant on the palate for me.

Overall score

8.1

Hyde
Single Grain Burgundy Cask Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: Pleasantly intense, although it sort of runs out of steam towards the end.

Overall score

8.0

Kinloch
35 Years Old Vintage Blend

ABV 46%

Comments: You could say it’s a one-dimensional sherry-heavy blend, but it has some lovely maturity.

Overall score

8.9

Krucefix
Whiskey

ABV 40%

Comments: Definitely interesting. I can see Bourbon fans enjoying this.

Overall score

7.8

Lombard
Springbank 1991

ABV 50%

Comments: Not your average Campbeltown malt. It bears more than a passing resemblance to Arran!

Overall score

8.8

Lombard
Speyside 1988

ABV 43%

Comments: Straightforward but bracing and charming with plenty of Speyside character.

Overall score

8.0

Old Forester
1920 Prohibition Style

ABV 57.5%

Comments: A great dram to finish the evening.

Overall score

9.1

Parker's Heritage Collection
24 Years Old Bourbon 10th Edition

ABV 50%

Comments: Now that’s how I like my Bourbon, hard and spicy with no fat and flabby corn!

Overall score

8.9

Smögen
Wee Swede

ABV 62.5%

Comments: Intense and primal. Those Swedes have come up with a cracker again!

Overall score

9.0

Teeling
Revival Volume II

ABV 46%

Comments: Wonderfully vibrant and inviting, just like an Irish girl I once knew!

Overall score

8.9

That Boutique-y Whisky Company
52 Years Old, Batch 1

ABV 40.5%

Comments: Perfectly balanced with poise and elegance. A must-buy!

Overall score

9.0

The BenRiach
Tawny Port Wood Finish 21 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A really sweet and delicious little number. Right strength, right balance. Good job!

Overall score

8.9

The Tweeddale
The Last Centennial

ABV 52.2%

Comments: That’s how to use peated malt in a blend! Superb progression.

Overall score

9.0

Three Ships
10 Years Old Limited Edition

ABV 44.6%

Comments: Normally I would complain about the palate not displaying the exuberance of the nose, but I can’t moan at all about the depth and quality!

Overall score

9.3

Tomatin
1995, 21 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: An incredibly laid back, mature malt. A dram that requires time and contemplation.

Overall score

8.4

Tullibardine
The Murray

ABV 57.8%

Comments: It’s Auchentoshan on steroids!

Overall score

8.3

Wemyss Malts
1990, East Neuk Dunes

ABV 46%

Comments: The oak hasn’t fully removed the unwanted impurities, but left any longer the oak would have probably overwhelmed the palate.

Overall score

8.0

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Whisky Magazine 140

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