Whisky Magazine 150

World Whiskies Awards Rosebank Distillery Walsh Distillery

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Editor's Word Changing Times We have a long way to go but the movement has started

By Rob Allanson

News Insight Rarest Collection of Whiskies

By Rob Allanson

Thoughts from... The Orphan Whiskey Flask The joy of discovering long lost hip flasks

By Fred Minnick

Thoughts from... Back in the Day Looking back over how things have evolved for the whisky devotee

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Mythbusters The Illusion of Water How much water is used to make our whisky, and where is it from

By Chris Middleton

History Looking back What's happened since we launched...

By Greg Dillon

Distillery Focus The King in the Wings As Ian Macleod Distillers plans to resurrect one of Scotland’s most cherished distilleries, we have a look behind the scenes

By Rob Allanson

Whisky & Culture A Perfect Blend In a new series for Whisky Magazine, Hans Offringa introduces us to the pleasures of pairing great music with fine drams

By Hans Offringa

Collections Aa is for... We join this Swedish collector as he works through the alphabet

By Jan G. Bruhn

Distillery Focus A Place in History A small plastic vial marks a historic moment at the home of Writer’s Tears and the Irishman brands

By Rob Allanson

Whisky & Culture Beneath the Underdog Our chaps chart the rise and fall of this iconic whisky

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

Whisky & Culture The Royal Drams Drinking in the Palace experience

By Sandeep Arora

Battle of the Blends Saying goodbye Our blenders find that the hardest thing can be to say goodbye

By George Keeble

Production Does the ABV Really Matter As malt whiskies are bottled at various strengths, we ask what significance this can have

By Ian Wisniewski

Behind the Brand Beyond Production Our man looks at the driving forces behind creating a product – consumer research, market demands and deciding where it...

By Greg Dillon

Cigars & Whisky Cigars & Whisky A little Q and A about cigars to help you on your way

By Christopher Coates

Cocktails Showing your Age The Bramble team show how marrying and ageing can be used to produce superior cocktails

By Christopher Coates

Food A pairing challenge In response to Davin de Kergommeaux’s column in the last edition, the chocolate reviewer muses about pairing whisky and chocolate

By R. M. Peluso

Travel Retail Johnnie Walker Strides In The striding man’s embassy opens its doors in America

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island Destination In a new series we send some of the whisky world’s great and good to a desert island, what will...

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonThe King in the WingsAs Ian Macleod Distillers plans to resurrect one of Scotland’s most cherished distilleries, we have...

Sandeep AroraThe Royal DramsDrinking in the Palace experience

Joe BatesJohnnie Walker Strides InThe striding man’s embassy opens its doors in America

Jan G. BruhnAa is for...We join this Swedish collector as he works through the alphabet

Christopher CoatesShowing your AgeThe Bramble team show how marrying and ageing can be used to produce superior cocktails

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxBeneath the UnderdogOur chaps chart the rise and fall of this iconic whisky

Davin de KergommeauxBack in the DayLooking back over how things have evolved for the whisky devotee

Greg DillonBeyond ProductionOur man looks at the driving forces behind creating a product – consumer research, market...

George KeebleSaying goodbyeOur blenders find that the hardest thing can be to say goodbye

Chris MiddletonThe Illusion of WaterHow much water is used to make our whisky, and where is it from

Fred MinnickThe Orphan Whiskey FlaskThe joy of discovering long lost hip flasks

Hans OffringaA Perfect BlendIn a new series for Whisky Magazine, Hans Offringa introduces us to the pleasures of...

R. M. PelusoA pairing challengeIn response to Davin de Kergommeaux’s column in the last edition, the chocolate reviewer muses...

Ian WisniewskiDoes the ABV Really MatterAs malt whiskies are bottled at various strengths, we ask what significance this can have

Abbey Whisky
Batch 2, Aged 17 Years, AW 10th Anniversary

ABV 53.8%

Comments: Hipflask, spade, onion sets, biltong and burning off-cuts in the evening light. Blissful.

Overall score

8.8

Berry Bros. & Rudd
1995, 21 Years Old

ABV 52%

Comments: Good solid stuff here, nothing over diverting but a great bold dram.

Overall score

8.4

Berry Bros. & Rudd
1988, 28 Years Old

ABV 52.2%

Comments: A great drop of grain. Intriguing with layers that peel away, who called grain simple.

Overall score

8.8

Casino Series
Rum Cask #Poker, Aged 21 Years

ABV 47.6%

Comments: Gorgeous and breathtaking, that play of the seaside and earthiness, perfect balance.

Overall score

9.2

Catoctin Creek
Roundstone Rye

ABV 40%

Comments: Not bad at all, just wanted more pep and spice.

Overall score

7.8

Glenglassaugh
Pedro Ximénez Sherry Wood Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: A roller coaster ride with flavours punching through at different points.

Overall score

8.5

Glenmorangie
Spios

ABV 46%

Comments: Really fun with layers emerging. Such a great finish too.

Overall score

8.3

Green Spot
Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

ABV 40%

Comments: Brilliant balance between the fruit and cereal notes. Pot still at its best? Probably.

Overall score

8.6

Griffo
Stony Point

ABV 47%

Comments: A big sweet-toothed number mixed with corn notes.

Overall score

8.1

Grindlay's Selection
1997

ABV 55.4%

Comments: Fun stuff. Water helps releases hidden depths.

Overall score

8.6

Highland Park
The Dark, 17 Years Old

ABV 52.9%

Comments: Lovely stuff, well balanced. Like tucking into the sherry soaked iced finger at the bottom of a trifle.

Overall score

8.6

Lady of the Glen
Aged 19 Years

ABV 54.6%

Comments: An odd number but once opened up it's good fun, layers of interest wash in.

Overall score

8.9

Langatun
Old Bear

ABV 40%

Comments: Just lovely, different and quite breathtaking.

Overall score

9.0

Lombard Jewels of Scotland
2000

ABV 55.7%

Comments: Decent enough for the springtime hipflask, and water helps it open up.

Overall score

8.3

Stonecutter
Heritage Cask Whiskey

ABV 45%

Comments: Very yummy stuff indeed. So heady at first with those floral notes it really is a treat.

Overall score

8.4

The BenRiach
Four Cask Matured, Aged 21 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: Serious. Separates then knits back together. Sherbet dips in the Cairngorms.

Overall score

9.0

Tullibardine
Custodians 1962

ABV 40.1%

Comments: Like being in a vintage MGB GT. Seriously easy drinking but depth if you look.

Overall score

8.7

Wemyss Malts
1997, Italian Bakery Delight

ABV 46%

Comments: Highly complicated with lots of layers and balanced sweetness.

Overall score

8.5

Woodford Reserve
Double Oaked

ABV 43.2%

Comments: A liquid apple pie, just ask for more.

Overall score

8.8

Woodford Reserve
Kentucky Straight Rye

ABV 45.2%

Comments: Shows how wonderful rye can be. Sweet and spice vying for attention.

Overall score

8.9

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Whisky Magazine 150

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