Whisky Magazine 155

Uncovering Lagavulin Diageo’s special collection English whisky Canadian oak

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Editor's Word Walking and whisky The joys of taking your dram outdoors

By Rob Allanson

News North of the border The 2018 Northern Border Collection Rare Release

By Rob Allanson

News A bonnet for business A new invention could tackle the Angels' share

By Jim Spence

News Icons of Whisky Australia winners

By Rob Allanson

Column The cocktail conundrum What happens when you get cocktails and food near perfection

By Liza Weisstuch

Column Cheating mother nature The tricks and shortcuts to speed up maturation

By Chris Middleton

History Revealing Islay's Past A chance find reveals and integral part of the whisky island's history

By Rob Allanson

Collections Remarkable whiskies The 2018 special releases do not disappoint

By Rob Allanson

Whisky & Culture This sceptred isle A journey round the English distilling world

By Rob Allanson

Distillery Focus Crowdfunding commitments Gavin D. Smith meets the two brothers behind Sutherland's latest distillery

By Gavin D. Smith

Whisky & Culture Canadian oak aged treasure Join our man on the search for some liquid rarities

By Blair Phillips

Whisky Learning A meeting of minds The moment when the distilling community comes together

By Liza Weisstuch

People A moment in time Witness a changing of the guard at The Balvenie

By Phoebe Calver

Battle of the Blends Battle plans afoot Player one sets out his stall for the impending arrival of his seasoned cask

By Sam Coyne

Production The role of alcohol How influential is the rate of distillation, and how can this be utilised?

By Ian Wisniewski

Cigars & Whisky A cut above Cigar cutters and techniques to get the best out of your cigar

By Maggie Kimberl

Cocktails Grand champagne The team at Bramble have been experimenting with the new Chivas Regal XV

By Christopher Coates

Food What's left to drink? Entertaining with Japanese whisky

By R. M. Peluso

Travel Retail Honouring history The new Teeling whiskey marks the life of Dublin airport

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island life: Andrew Nelstrop We send some of the whisky world’s great and good to a desert island. What will they decide to take...

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonNorth of the borderThe 2018 Northern Border Collection Rare Release

Joe BatesHonouring historyThe new Teeling whiskey marks the life of Dublin airport

Phoebe CalverA moment in timeWitness a changing of the guard at The Balvenie

Christopher CoatesGrand champagneThe team at Bramble have been experimenting with the new Chivas Regal XV

Sam CoyneBattle plans afootPlayer one sets out his stall for the impending arrival of his seasoned cask

Maggie KimberlA cut aboveCigar cutters and techniques to get the best out of your cigar

Chris MiddletonCheating mother natureThe tricks and shortcuts to speed up maturation

R. M. PelusoWhat's left to drink?Entertaining with Japanese whisky

Blair PhillipsCanadian oak aged treasureJoin our man on the search for some liquid rarities

Gavin D. SmithCrowdfunding commitmentsGavin D. Smith meets the two brothers behind Sutherland's latest distillery

Jim SpenceA bonnet for businessA new invention could tackle the Angels' share

Liza WeisstuchA meeting of mindsThe moment when the distilling community comes together

Ian WisniewskiThe role of alcoholHow influential is the rate of distillation, and how can this be utilised?

A. D. Rattray
18 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: One for an evening stroll on the beach, preferably with a storm brewing.

Overall score

9.1

Barr an Uisce
10 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Not much wrong here, very easy to drink and enjoy.

Overall score

8.7

Barr an Uisce
Wicklow Rare

ABV 43%

Comments: Interesting stuff worth a look at.

Overall score

8.1

Berry Bros. & Rudd
2008, 9 Years Old

ABV 52.3%

Comments: A big bruiser of a whisky, with that smoke shrouding everything, but great fun still as the other elements peek out every now and again.

Overall score

8.5

Berry Bros. & Rudd
1993, 24 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A great amount of sweetness that is tempered by the dark fruits and darker chocolate. Quite moreish really.

Overall score

7.8

Connoisseurs Choice
1998, Aged 19 Years

ABV 57.5%

Comments: This really takes you on a journey from the seashore to a chocolatier's house.

Overall score

8.6

Cotswolds
2014 Odyssey Barley

ABV 46%

Comments: Sure evidence that there is some cracking stuff coming out of England.

Overall score

8.5

Glenfiddich Experimental Series
Fire & Cane

ABV 43%

Comments: Really intresting floral lead dram. I love the way the smoke seems to lurk, and that spice hit is great. Lovely stuff.

Overall score

8.8

Gordon & MacPhail Discovery
Aged 11 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Nicely knitted together and the perfect Autumn friend.

Overall score

9.0

Grant's
Triple Wood

ABV 40%

Comments: A decent well balanced drops, where smoke and sweetens play well together indeed.

Overall score

8.2

Grant's
Rum Cask Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: Again another nicely balanced whisky, great play between smoke, fruit and sweetness.

Overall score

8.9

Mortlach
16 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Oh yes, just as the weather got colder this hit the spot. Warming and balanced.

Overall score

8.9

Mortlach
12 Years Old

ABV 43.4%

Comments: Perfect balance and weight.

Overall score

8.9

Mortlach
20 Years Old

ABV 43.4%

Comments: Wow, sherry meets fruit. A near perfect marriage.

Overall score

9.0

Old Fitzgerald
Fall 2018 Edition, Aged 9 Years

ABV 45%

Comments: Solid and a brilliant Bourbon.

Overall score

8.4

Parker's Heritage Collection
Bourbon Finished Orange Curacao Barrels

ABV 55%

Comments: Interesting stuff, not sure what the finish adds to what feels like an excellent Bourbon to start with.

Overall score

8.5

The Glenlivet
Captain's Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Sweetness runs rampant without much of a foil. Not bad for it though.

Overall score

8.2

The Lakes Distillery
Blended Malt whisky

ABV 46.6%

Comments: A well put together drop, balancing that oak and smoke.

Overall score

8.0

The Lakes Distillery
Blended British Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: A neat well balanced blend.

Overall score

7.9

Tomatin
15 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Another Autumn tinged stunner.

Overall score

8.7

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Whisky Magazine 155

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