Whisky Magazine 156

Adventures in Spain GlenWyvis Distillery Speyside Invasion

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Editor's Word A great loss Remembering those moments when you knew genius was before you

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events Icons of Whisky

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events Icons of Whisky Ireland 2019

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events The fantastic four Meet our four new inductees from Scotland and Ireland

By Rob Allanson

Thoughts from... The Godfather indeed Paying tribute to an American legend

By Liza Weisstuch

Thoughts from... If it's not Scotch, it's rubbish! A change is afoot in the Canadian whisky world

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Thoughts from... What's in a name A good deal, no matter how you look at it?

By Chris Middleton

Production The enduring legacy of sherry The first step on a journey to unravel the mystery of the sherry cask

By Christopher Coates

People All in moderation We all love whisky, but we should all love time away from whisky and our own wellbeing too

By Greg Dillon

Travel Speyside invasion Hans Offringa looks at getting to whisky country from the Continent

By Hans Offringa

Distillery Focus The community spirit Eco-friendly and off the grid, we visit Scotland’s first crowdfunded distillery

By Gavin D. Smith

People The master distiller Dave Pickerell was to whisky what Michelangelo was to ceilings, an absolute master

By Jim Leggett

Production Providing counterpoint Tannins can be a profound asset for a malt whisky, but they can also be its downfall

By Ian Wisniewski

Cigars & Whisky The spirit of Oliva The story of The Oliva Cigar Company is one of family, tradition and expert craftsmanship

By Christopher Coates

Cocktails The liberating swap Bramble Bar in Edinburgh has taken part in a bar swap, sponsored by Naked Grouse, with two well-known watering holes...

By Christopher Coates

Food The benefits of education We continue our exploration of whisky, chocolate and cheese, turning to Canada

By R. M. Peluso

Travel Retail All in the decanter Woodford Reserve joins forces with Baccarat

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island life: Kevin Abrook 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 AllansonIcons of Whisky

Joe BatesAll in the decanterWoodford Reserve joins forces with Baccarat

Christopher CoatesThe spirit of OlivaThe story of The Oliva Cigar Company is one of family, tradition and expert craftsmanship

Davin de KergommeauxIf it's not Scotch, it's rubbish!A change is afoot in the Canadian whisky world

Greg DillonAll in moderationWe all love whisky, but we should all love time away from whisky and our...

Jim LeggettThe master distillerDave Pickerell was to whisky what Michelangelo was to ceilings, an absolute master

Chris MiddletonWhat's in a nameA good deal, no matter how you look at it?

Hans OffringaSpeyside invasionHans Offringa looks at getting to whisky country from the Continent

R. M. PelusoThe benefits of educationWe continue our exploration of whisky, chocolate and cheese, turning to Canada

Gavin D. SmithThe community spiritEco-friendly and off the grid, we visit Scotland’s first crowdfunded distillery

Liza WeisstuchThe Godfather indeedPaying tribute to an American legend

Ian WisniewskiProviding counterpointTannins can be a profound asset for a malt whisky, but they can also be...

Allt A Bhainne
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: A simple and straightforward enough whisky, the smoke teasing the palate just a little.

Overall score

7.8

Ardbeg
Twenty Something

ABV 46.4%

Comments: Imagine a smoked Piña Colada and you are half way there. Lovely stuff.

Overall score

8.4

Caol Ila
35 Years Old, 2018 Special Releases

ABV 58.1%

Comments: A complex whisky that takes you on a ride from saline to sweetness, via smoke.

Overall score

9.2

Cladach
2018 Special Releases

ABV 57.1%

Comments: A cracking drop and achieves great balance. Nothing dominates, or if it does, it’s not for long.

Overall score

8.7

Eagle Rare
2018 Antique Collection

ABV 50.5%

Comments: A stunner, well balanced and all in good order.

Overall score

9.1

Elijah Craig
Barrel Proof, Batch C918

ABV 65.7%

Comments: A perfectly perfumed sipping whiskey.

Overall score

9.1

George T. Stagg
2018 Antique Collection

ABV 62.4%

Comments: This whisky leaves you reeling, but also wanting more.

Overall score

9.0

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1961, European Oak

ABV 45%

Comments: Takes you through a whole raft of flavours and aromas as you move from nose
to palate.

Overall score

8.0

Kavalan
Solist Vinho Single Cask

ABV 57.8%

Comments: Another belter from Taiwan that is well worth looking out for.

Overall score

8.6

Lady of the Glen
Secret Islay Distillery, 14 Years Old

ABV 56.1%

Comments: An interesting example of an Islay, herbal and punchy. Water brings out more oak tannins.

Overall score

8.4

Lady of the Glen
8 years Old

ABV 68.2%

Comments: Back the alcohol down with water and some more sweetness emerges.

Overall score

7.8

Lower East Side
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: A decent, well put together malt. A perfect go-to dram at the end of the day.

Overall score

8.6

Michter's
2018 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon

ABV 45.7%

Comments: Interesting stuff. Very tempting to pour another, sit back and sip.

Overall score

8.6

Sazerac
2018 Antique Collection

ABV 45%

Comments: Spices and sweetness all the way with this one.

Overall score

8.8

Talisker
8 Years Old, 2018 Special Releases

ABV 59.4%

Comments: A good mix of old-school TCP notes and sweetness. A lovely whisky.

Overall score

8.7

Teeling Whiskey
Single Pot Still

ABV 46%

Comments: Sweetness and spice, what’s not to like?

Overall score

8.3

The GlenDronach
Revival, Aged 15 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: A good warming dram for the autumn, good balance with the spices.

Overall score

8.1

The GlenDronach
Forgue, Aged 10 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Good solid stuff, once it breathes it starts to release all of its layers.

Overall score

7.9

Thomas H. Handy
Sazerac, Straight Rye Whisky

ABV 64.4%

Comments: A serious rye for those moments when you need to take a moment.

Overall score

8.7

William Larue Weller
2018 Antique Collection

ABV 62.9%

Comments: Fascinating. A little water helps it reveal more behind the sweetness.

Overall score

8.8

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Whisky Magazine 156

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