Whisky Magazine 157

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Editor's Word Ringing in the changes It’s that time of year again

By Rob Allanson

Thoughts from... Under the hammer The fate of whisky at auction

By Liza Weisstuch

Thoughts from... The threat of weed Is marijuana hurting whisky? Our man finds out

By Davin de Kergommeaux

Thoughts from... An ominous warning The global cooling threat to whisky

By Chris Middleton

Production From Spain to Scotland The second step on a journey to understand the mystery of the sherry cask

By Christopher Coates

Distillery Focus By the seaside We visit the home of the maritime malt in Northern Scotland

By Gavin D. Smith

Interview Creativity in focus As creative director of The Macallan, Ken Grier spearheaded the brand’s most iconic projects

By Christopher Coates

Taste Boom times Rye is in full resurgence around the globe

By Liza Weisstuch

Distillery Focus A beginner's state of mind For a new distiller it's time to wake up and smell the whisky

By Stefan van Eycken

People Designs on distilling We meet the man who takes a distillery from paper to reality

By Gavin D. Smith

Travel Caledonian Cruisin Our intrepid pair take to the waves in search of whisky

By Hans Offringa

Cocktails Cocktails at The Vault Chris Tanner of The Vault Soho shares his thoughts on bartending and what makes a great whisky cocktail

By Christopher Coates

Food The stave is the rave Dissecting barrel flavours for food pairings

By Peggy Noe Stevens

Travel Retail Glenlivet celebrates Dubai Duty Free’s birthday An exclusive bottling marks this destination’s celebrations

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island Life: John Quinn 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 AllansonIsland Life: John QuinnWe send some of the whisky world’s great and good to a desert island. What...

Joe BatesGlenlivet celebrates Dubai Duty Free’s birthdayAn exclusive bottling marks this destination’s celebrations

Christopher CoatesCreativity in focusAs creative director of The Macallan, Ken Grier spearheaded the brand’s most iconic projects

Davin de KergommeauxThe threat of weedIs marijuana hurting whisky? Our man finds out

Chris MiddletonAn ominous warningThe global cooling threat to whisky

Peggy Noe StevensThe stave is the raveDissecting barrel flavours for food pairings

Hans OffringaCaledonian CruisinOur intrepid pair take to the waves in search of whisky

Gavin D. SmithDesigns on distillingWe meet the man who takes a distillery from paper to reality

Stefan van EyckenA beginner's state of mindFor a new distiller it's time to wake up and smell the whisky

Liza WeisstuchBoom timesRye is in full resurgence around the globe

Ailsa Bay
Sweet Smoke

ABV 48.9%

Comments: A wonderful example of smoke and sweetness together in near perfection.

Overall score

9.2

Bainbridge
Battle Point Two Islands

ABV 43%

Comments: Such a big whiskey, this is one for savouring.

Overall score

8.2

Balcones
Texas Single Malt Whiskey

ABV 64%

Comments: Really moreish, as those spices open up to make a really lovely and easily drinkable whisky.

Overall score

8.7

Bladnoch
10 Years Old Single Malt – Bourbon Expression

ABV 46.7%

Comments: A decent all rounder with plenty of balance and swagger.

Overall score

7.5

Bramble Whisky
Highland Single Malt

ABV 53.5%

Comments: A great winter warmer, so rich and the smoke doesn’t dominate. Balance is wonderful.

Overall score

8.8

Expedition
20 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A good balance of whiskies in here, with plenty of punch. What’s there not to like!

Overall score

8.2

Glen Moray
Fired Oak

ABV 40%

Comments: A no nonsense malt. Wonderful balance, just missing a little more punch to it.

Overall score

8.3

Glengoyne
Teapot Dram

ABV 59.3%

Comments: Teetering on the sherry bomb territory, very lovely and very moreish.

Overall score

8.7

Gordon & MacPhail
1968

ABV 52.5%

Comments: Has a depth of age but still with some of the youthful swagger left.

Overall score

8.7

Gordon & MacPhail
1954

ABV 41%

Comments: A gorgeous whisky, that shows some age, but it holds it well.

Overall score

8.3

Isle of Raasay Distillery
2018 Release

ABV 46%

Comments: Feels young, but has some wonderful qualities, there is a winey side to it, that makes this interesting to explore.

Overall score

8.6

Johnnie Walker
White Walker

ABV 41.7%

Comments: Really well put together. One for drinking by an open hearth with friends, possibly over ice.

Overall score

8.4

Old Pulteney
Huddart

ABV 46%

Comments: Lacks a little punch if I am honest, but well worth a look.

Overall score

8.5

Old Pulteney
18 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Great stuff, well balanced and has a lovely subtle maritime quality to it. Definitely one for savouring by the beach bonfire.

Overall score

8.9

Royal Salute
The Beach Polo Edition

ABV 40%

Comments: Well put together, reminiscent of old school puddings, but an awful lot better.

Overall score

8.8

Sullivans Cove
Rare Tasmanian

ABV 47.5%

Comments: Inviting and quite intriguing, love the chilli prickle, something to try, with almost a margarita base.

Overall score

8.5

The One
Sherry Expression

ABV 46.4%

Comments: Really like the way the sherry notes are integrated with the wood smoke.

Overall score

8.1

The Tweeddale
Grain of Truth

ABV 46%

Comments: A delight. More here than meets the eyes at first.

Overall score

8.6

Tiger Snake
Australian Whiskey Handcrafted

ABV 43%

Comments: An interesting whisky, with plenty going on.

Overall score

8.2

Tomatin
30 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A serious whisky that has a great depth of flavour and aroma. One to take your time over.

Overall score

9.0

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Whisky Magazine 157

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