Whisky Magazine 164

2020 visions, Smokehead x Ducati, The tale of two Glens, Distilling history

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Editor's Word Changes, changes, changes From the weather to politics, there is a shift happening

By Rob Allanson

Column Beguiling Beauty Our writer finds herself exploring the allure of senses and memory

By Liza Weisstuch

Column The corn ultimatum Could climate change spelt the end for your Bourbon?

By Maggie Kimberl

Column Laying claim Who made Bourbon first – Kentucky or England?

By Chris Middleton

News Icons of Whisky Ireland 2020 Results We reveal who has taken the top spots in this year’s Irish Icons of Whisky

News Flowers of Scotland — Icons of Whisky 2020 We are delighted to reveal the winners and highly commended awards of the Icons of Whisky Scotland for 2020.

Whisky & Culture 2020 visions Looking forward into the future

Whisky & Culture A whisky less ordinary Exploring Seville through the story of Royal Salute

By Phoebe Calver

Whisky & Culture Meet Tyler Lunceford: Leith's 'Ducati whisperer' and Smokehead whisky ambassador Tyler Lunceford, owner of North Motorcycle in Leith, has built a one-of-a-kind custom motorbike inspired by Smokehead, the Islay single...

By Christopher Coates

Interview A tale of two glens Whisky brands often like to keep it in the family and with Glenfiddich and Glenfarclas, it’s proven to be a...

By Greg Dillon

History The forge of modern whisky In part two of our voyage through whisky history, we reach the moments when whisky as we know it is formed

By Chris Middleton

Travel You cannot escape whisky During a recent holiday in Germany, our intrepid Whisky Couple experiences an unexpected whisky surprise

By Hans Offringa

Production Charring casks Charred casks are traditional but their usage is becoming far more innovative

By Ian Wisniewski

Travel Retail Entering the spotlight At long last, American whiskeys are appearing in a duty-free landscape still dominated by Scotch whisky

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island Life: Johnny Fowle We send some of the whisky world’s great and good off to our desert island. What will they take? This...

Rob AllansonChanges, changes, changesFrom the weather to politics, there is a shift happening

Joe BatesEntering the spotlightAt long last, American whiskeys are appearing in a duty-free landscape still dominated by Scotch whisky

Phoebe CalverA whisky less ordinaryExploring Seville through the story of Royal Salute

Christopher CoatesMeet Tyler Lunceford: Leith's 'Ducati whisperer' and Smokehead whisky ambassadorTyler Lunceford, owner of North Motorcycle in Leith, has built a one-of-a-kind custom motorbike inspired...

Greg DillonA tale of two glensWhisky brands often like to keep it in the family and with Glenfiddich and Glenfarclas,...

Maggie KimberlThe corn ultimatumCould climate change spelt the end for your Bourbon?

Chris MiddletonThe forge of modern whiskyIn part two of our voyage through whisky history, we reach the moments when whisky...

Hans OffringaYou cannot escape whiskyDuring a recent holiday in Germany, our intrepid Whisky Couple experiences an unexpected whisky surprise

Liza WeisstuchBeguiling BeautyOur writer finds herself exploring the allure of senses and memory

Ian WisniewskiCharring casksCharred casks are traditional but their usage is becoming far more innovative

1770
Peated Release No.1

ABV 46%

Comments: Reminds me of visiting a herring museum – you’re in an old fish smoking warehouse, then getting chips with chilli sauce.

Overall score

8.5

Bowmore
19 Years Old French Oak Barrique

ABV 48.9%

Comments: Like lying in the marram grass with an onshore breeze, crab sandwich in hand.

Overall score

8.5

Bunnahabhain
Toiteach a Dhà

ABV 46.3%

Comments: Wonderful smoke layers here that are just in balance with the sweetness and fruit.

Overall score

8.6

Bunnahabhain
18 Years Old

ABV 46.3%

Comments: Now this would be interesting as a base for a smoky Tommy’s Margarita and that is a very good thing.

Overall score

9.0

Clydebuilt
Coppersmith

ABV 48%

Comments: Pretty easy going and lovely, but a little one dimensional in its delivery.

Overall score

8.0

Cotswolds
Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky

ABV 59.3%

Comments: Not as big and bruising as the ABV might suggest. Water brings out this delicate spiced and sweet side.

Overall score

8.3

Cutty Sark
Blended Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: Light and delicate but hides its punch well. Great stuff.

Overall score

8.3

Eden Mill
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV 46.5%

Comments: Solid in its flavours. Takes a while to tease things out. One to savour and study.

Overall score

8.6

Elijah Craig
Barrel Proof, Batch C919

ABV 68.4%

Comments: Really needs a drop of water to release the flavour behind the alcohol. Then this shines. Gorgeous.

Overall score

8.9

Glenfiddich
Reserva Rum Cask, 21 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Good solid stuff with some well balanced sweet notes.

Overall score

8.2

Glenglassaugh
Nauticus 1st Anniversary, 8 Years Old

ABV 56.1%

Comments: Pretty good stuff indeed, would stop you in your tracks and make you think.

Overall score

8.6

Glenmorangie
The Accord, 12 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: It’s pretty much the version of a trifle where your aunt is heavy handed with the sherry. Darn yummy to be honest.

Overall score

8.9

Glenmorangie
The Elementa, 14 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Fairly well balanced and straight forward too.

Overall score

8.3

Glenmorangie
The Tribute, 16 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Very shy and doesn’t give much away, a distinct lack of wood influence gives the platform to the distillate.

Overall score

8.3

Gordon & MacPhail
1975, 30 Years Old

ABV 53%

Comments: A complete curveball from nose to palate. Certainly different and one to look out for and try.

Overall score

8.0

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1966

ABV 46%

Comments: Weaponised sherry in a cigar lounge.

Overall score

8.7

Jura
Tide, 21 Years Old

ABV 46.2%

Comments: Taking a hipflask in to an antiquarian bookshop while eating a chocolate orange.

Overall score

8.7

Jura
Time, 21 Years Old

ABV 47.2%

Comments: Shrimp kebabs by the sea, BBQs on the beach, but not quite at the height of summer season.

Overall score

8.5

Mackmyra
Vintersol Swedish Single Malt Whisky

ABV 46.1%

Comments: Delightful and gentle on the nose, all the punch is in the taste and finish. Balanced near perfectly.

Overall score

8.9

The Macallan
Edition No. 5

ABV 48.5%

Comments: Rich and caramelly. Gorgeous.

Overall score

8.8

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Whisky Magazine 164

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