Whisky Magazine 167

Dalmore 180th Anniversary, Green Whisky, Bunnahabhain, Yasato Distillery

Editor's Word The spirit of human kindness We are in strange times but we don’t have to be alone

By Rob Allanson

Thoughts from... Drams in the time of Coronavirus How to drink whisky in a lockdown

By Becky Paskin

Thoughts from... The current dystopia Reflections on a changing world

By Liza Weisstuch

Thoughts from... In praise of whisky cocktails The bartender’s calling is one to be admired

By Maggie Kimberl

Thoughts from... Rivers of gold and blood For 350 years, rivers of revenue flowed from taxing whisky

By Chris Middleton

Distillery Focus The new fledgling Nest Brewery takes flight towards a genuinely new kind of whisky

By Stefan van Eycken

Distillery Focus On the rise A new Japanese whisky brand, Bushido Whisky is produced in the Kumesen Distillery and looks like it is about to...

By Greg Dillon

Behind the Brand Aged 180 Years The Dalmore is celebrating its 180th anniversary year, which means there’s been no better time to look back on the...

By Christopher Coates

People Quiet resourcefulness To survive in both the jazz and whisky world you have to rebuild yourself, time and again

By Hans Offringa

Distillery Focus Westering home Our man heads to one of Islay’s most remote distilleries

By Gavin D. Smith

Places In a land of the rising whisky Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux head out to where the land is flat

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

Production Green whisky What is the Scotch whisky industry doing to protect the planet for future generations?

By Christopher Coates

Collections The unseen collection Whisky royalty gathered in the Netherlands last year for the launch of what is likely to be the most comprehensive...

By Thijs Klaverstijn

Production Beyond the flavour Port casks can contribute intense flavours to malt whisky, but this also means their influence must be carefully managed

By Ian Wisniewski

Taste Springing forward As the seasons turn slowly warmer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s time to get outside again

By Rob Allanson

Travel Retail Tough times lie ahead The travel retail trade is facing unprecedentedly tough times due to the coronavirus outbreak, but new duty-free exclusive whiskies continue...

By Joe Bates

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

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonSpringing forwardAs the seasons turn slowly warmer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s time to get outside again

Joe BatesTough times lie aheadThe travel retail trade is facing unprecedentedly tough times due to the coronavirus outbreak, but...

Christopher CoatesGreen whiskyWhat is the Scotch whisky industry doing to protect the planet for future generations?

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxIn a land of the rising whiskyBlair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux head out to where the land is flat

Greg DillonOn the riseA new Japanese whisky brand, Bushido Whisky is produced in the Kumesen Distillery and looks...

Maggie KimberlIn praise of whisky cocktailsThe bartender’s calling is one to be admired

Thijs KlaverstijnThe unseen collectionWhisky royalty gathered in the Netherlands last year for the launch of what is likely...

Chris MiddletonRivers of gold and bloodFor 350 years, rivers of revenue flowed from taxing whisky

Hans OffringaQuiet resourcefulnessTo survive in both the jazz and whisky world you have to rebuild yourself, time...

Becky PaskinDrams in the time of CoronavirusHow to drink whisky in a lockdown

Gavin D. SmithWestering homeOur man heads to one of Islay’s most remote distilleries

Stefan van EyckenThe new fledglingNest Brewery takes flight towards a genuinely new kind of whisky

Liza WeisstuchThe current dystopiaReflections on a changing world

Ian WisniewskiBeyond the flavourPort casks can contribute intense flavours to malt whisky, but this also means their influence...

Arbikie
Highland Rye, Cask No's: 3, 4, 13, 14

ABV 46%

Comments: Wonderful stuff, soothing and calming. One to take to the end of the garden and contemplate life.

Overall score

9.1

Bruichladdich
Port Charlotte MRC:01

ABV 56.3%

Comments: The promises of long, warm Autumn evenings to come in a glass.

Overall score

9.1

Bruichladdich
Octomore 10.2

ABV 56.9%

Comments: Great balance. One to accompany a bacon sandwich I would say.

Overall score

8.1

Chivas Regal
Extra 13, Selectively Finished in Tequila Casks

ABV 40%

Comments: A lovely engaging blend that has been well put together and easy to drink.

Overall score

8.1

Chivas Regal
Extra 13, Selectively Finished in Rum Casks

ABV 40%

Comments: Lovely stuff, everything is in balance, just what a blend should do really.

Overall score

8.8

Chivas Regal
Extra 13, Selectively Finished in American Rye Cask

ABV 40%

Comments: Not really a talkative type until right at the end, but still intriguing stuff.

Overall score

7.7

Chivas Regal
Extra 13, Selectively Matured in Oloroso Sherry Casks

ABV 40%

Comments: A good solid whisky, perfect for everyday use, I would be inclined to use soda water to liven it up with the bubbles.

Overall score

7.2

Elijah Craig
Straight Rye

ABV 47%

Comments: There’s a reason rye is regaining its crown, this shows why. Brilliant.

Overall score

8.9

Highland Park
Viking Scars, 10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A very morish Spring dram with lots of layers to add to the drinking pleasure.

Overall score

8.2

Highland Park
Viking Honour, 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A very easy and pleasant whisky, one for the summer days with a little ice.

Overall score

7.7

Highland Park
Viking Pride, 18 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Save this one for when the year turns colder, will warm the cockles for sure.

Overall score

7.8

Highland Park
Triskelion

ABV 43.2%

Comments: Perfect pre-dinner dram to ease and soothe the day’s problems. Very lovely.

Overall score

8.8

Legent
Kentucky Straight Bourbon

ABV 47%

Comments: A good solid Bourbon with plenty of that Kentucky spirit to it. Takes me right back to those horse filled lands and bluegrass.

Overall score

8.2

Milk & Honey
Classic

ABV 46%

Comments: A decent dram that has been well looked after and thought through from distillation to maturation.

Overall score

8.3

Seven Seals
Sherry Wood Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: Great stuff and well worth getting your hands on.

Overall score

7.6

Seven Seals
Peated Double Wood Finish Cask Proof

ABV 58.7%

Comments: Hello Switzerland and welcome to the party…oh you brought a bottle as well!

Overall score

8.7

Smögen
Primör Revisited

ABV 68.2%

Comments: A wonderful combination of sweet and smoke.

Overall score

7.5

Tomatin
Decades II, Limited Edition

ABV 46%

Comments: One for the sweet-toothed initially, but judicious water brings out a layer of spice too.

Overall score

8.9

Wemyss Malts
An Antique Armchair

ABV 46%

Comments: A stunner of an Islay whisky, great balance of sweet fruits, smoke and wood notes. Send case please.

Overall score

9.4

Wemyss Malts
Black Gold, Cask Strength

ABV 50%

Comments: Like eating lemon drizzle cake and vanilla ice cream at the end of the pier.

Overall score

8.6

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Whisky Magazine 167

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