Whisky Magazine 159

The BenRiach Distillery, Peerless selection, Distilling in the Lake District and Going Local in the Yukon.

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Editor's Word Questions and titles Things get a little existential as deadlines are extended

By Rob Allanson

News Claive is staying The more than 3,000 bottle collection is set to remain in Edinburgh until 2029

By Rob Allanson

News Honouring Mister Sam New whisky honours legacy

By Rob Allanson

News English Oak Small Batch The latest from the English Whisky Co

By Rob Allanson

News Irish whiskey protected GI approved for Irish whiskey

By Rob Allanson

News Oldest has new owners Glenturret has new owners

By Rob Allanson

Column A world beyond whisky A recent festival opens the eyes of our writer to other realms

By Liza Weisstuch

Column More corn please Every Bourbon distillery needs a constant supply of corn

By Maggie Kimberl

Column Bourbon's dark force The ingredient rarely talked about and that deserves recognition

By Chris Middleton

Production The Globe in a glass A look at the companies bringing together the world's whiskies

By Greg Dillon

Whisky & Culture When was the last time? A brief history of whisky marketing and a troublesome question

By Mark Jennings

Travel Reprising the gold rush Going local in the Yukon

By Davin de Kergommeaux

People Canada's rock stars Canadian whisky icon teams up with the international hockey legends. The results are in...

By Blair Phillips

Whisky & Culture Looking to a new horizon A new frontier is opening up in whisky, and it's in the distilleries' backyard

By Chris Middleton

Travel Choosing a memorable cask We join the hunt for something special

By Maggie Kimberl

Distillery Focus The hands-on distillery Our man explores the history of a Speyside survivor

By Gavin D. Smith

Distillery Focus England's national treasure The renaissance bringing distilling back to Cumbria after 100 years

By Rob Allanson

People The King of Trees Whisky Works, a new venture by Whyte & Mackay blender Gregg Glass, is doing more than just releasing unusual spirit

By Christopher Coates

Production Rise of the machines How much of the production process can be computerised? Everything, something, or nothing

By Ian Wisniewski

Cigars & Whisky Benchmark Champion We sit down with Jimmy McGhee, head of communications and training at Hunters & Frankau

By Christopher Coates

Cocktails Taste of Tulli Tullibardine takes its first steps into the world of cocktails

By Christopher Coates

Food Embracing peat at the table Time to try something a little unexpected

By R. M. Peluso

Travel Retail The burning question What will Brexit mean for duty free shopping

By Joe Bates

People Island life: Ryan Chetiyawardana 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 AllansonClaive is stayingThe more than 3,000 bottle collection is set to remain in Edinburgh until 2029

Joe BatesThe burning questionWhat will Brexit mean for duty free shopping

Christopher CoatesBenchmark ChampionWe sit down with Jimmy McGhee, head of communications and training at Hunters & Frankau

Davin de KergommeauxReprising the gold rushGoing local in the Yukon

Greg DillonThe Globe in a glassA look at the companies bringing together the world's whiskies

Mark JenningsWhen was the last time?A brief history of whisky marketing and a troublesome question

Maggie KimberlChoosing a memorable caskWe join the hunt for something special

Chris MiddletonLooking to a new horizonA new frontier is opening up in whisky, and it's in the distilleries' backyard

R. M. PelusoEmbracing peat at the tableTime to try something a little unexpected

Blair PhillipsCanada's rock starsCanadian whisky icon teams up with the international hockey legends. The results are in...

Gavin D. SmithThe hands-on distilleryOur man explores the history of a Speyside survivor

Liza WeisstuchA world beyond whiskyA recent festival opens the eyes of our writer to other realms

Ian WisniewskiRise of the machinesHow much of the production process can be computerised? Everything, something, or nothing

Ardbeg
Drum - Committee Edition

ABV 52%

Comments: Has me thinking of a smoky Piña Colada, just for fun.

Overall score

8.7

Bain's
15 Years Old, Single Grain

ABV 52.8%

Comments: A very mellow, lovely drop, could be a new go-to whisky for pre-dinner.

Overall score

8.3

Dunvilles
Belfast Vintage Blend - Three Crowns

ABV 43.5%

Comments: A decent whisky with plenty going on. Would be something to start a great night.

Overall score

8.4

Elijah Craig
12 Years Old Barrel Proof

ABV 67.6%

Comments: Big and punchy for sure, the nose doesn’t show the ABV, but the palate certainly does. Lovely.

Overall score

8.8

Fercullen
Premium Blend

ABV 40%

Comments: Solid stuff, with layers of aroma and flavour going on.

Overall score

8.0

Glengoyne
Legacy Series: Chapter One

ABV 48%

Comments: Very hot for its ABV, but very entertaining for sure.

Overall score

8.8

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1948

ABV 48.6%

Comments: Gorgeous, really just needed a bigger tasting sample. Stunning stuff.

Overall score

8.5

House Baratheon
Royal Lochnagar 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A very easy going, well put together dram. Nice balance to it.

Overall score

8.6

House Greyjoy
Talisker Select Reserve

ABV 45.8%

Comments: Simply lovely, one to open and take all night to savour.

Overall score

9.0

House Stark
Dalwhinnie Winter's Frost

ABV 43%

Comments: Solid showing and the oak is well integrated.

Overall score

8.5

House Targaryen
Cardhu Gold Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Pretty warming and lush with layer upon layer of sweetness. Would say one for the sweet-toothed for sure.

Overall score

8.4

House Tully
Singleton of Glendullan Select

ABV 40%

Comments: The liquid equivalent of tropical fruit salad with Tip Top cream topping.

Overall score

8.4

House Tyrell
Clynelish Reserve

ABV 51.2%

Comments: Like passing an overly perfumed person on the beach, floral and saline meet.

Overall score

8.9

Mars Shinshu Distillery
Single Cask Komagatake 27 Years Old

ABV 58%

Comments: Seriously impressive stuff, one to silence a tasting crowd with. Does not need much water, if any despite the ABV. Just send a case please.

Overall score

9.1

Svensk Rök/Amerikanska Ek
Swedish Single Malt Whisky

ABV 46.1%

Comments: Lovely stuff. The layers of smoke and sulphur are well integrated into the sweetness of the whole thing. A delight.

Overall score

8.9

Tamnavulin
Sherry Cask Edition

ABV 40%

Comments: A great dram, that long lovely finish is intense, tannin laden and just wonderful really.

Overall score

8.8

That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Single Blended New Whisky

ABV 53.8%

Comments: More of a liqueur than a whisky, so sweet it almost hurts.

Overall score

7.5

The BenRiach
Sherry Wood

ABV 46%

Comments: Great stuff, very autumnal on the nose, but the building spices are quite something indeed.

Overall score

8.8

The Glenrothes
10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Very morish. A northern English bonfire night in a glass.

Overall score

8.6

The Glenrothes
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A little flat on the palate for me, doesn’t deliver what the nose promises.

Overall score

8.5

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Whisky Magazine 159

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