Whisky Magazine 168

Jeff Arnett from Jack Daniel Distillery’s, The world of wine casks, Parisian spirits producer Denis...

Editor's Word The new order of things As we start to emerge from lockdown, what has the world in store?

By Rob Allanson

Thoughts from... The Devil is in the Details Don’t forget to sometimes just enjoy the whisky in front of you

By Becky Paskin

Thoughts from... The dawn of a new era As the days merge into one, Liza starts to plan (almost)

By Liza Weisstuch

Thoughts from... Answering the call Being counted in a world of pandemic, inequality and injustice

By Maggie Kimberl

Mythbusters “A dram Mr Macarthur?” A tale of mutinous whisky in the Pacific Ocean

By Chris Middleton

Interview Lucky No.7 We meet one of the luckiest men on the planet

By Becky Paskin

Behind the Brand Whisky for Eternity Over more than two decades, Parisian spirits producer Denis Charpentier has built a strong reputation for top-quality Scotch whiskies

By Christopher Coates

Distillery Focus The Road to L’Acadie From a tiny corner of Canada comes a big legacy

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

People A spirited life The father of modern brewing who almost wasn’t

By Mark Jennings

Interview Midleton's new maker Kevin O’Gorman has just taken over as master distiller at Midleton Distillery, making him one of the most significant people...

By Mark Jennings

Production Grand Cru Grapes, fermentation and French Cuvée – understanding the significance of Glenfiddich’s recent release calls for a look at the oft-misunderstood...

By Christopher Coates

Production An island of influence Madeira is a small island producing a fortified wine all of its own, with the casks also having a distinctive influence

By Ian Wisniewski

Food Charcoal, chuck & tunes The weather is picking up, and so should your barbeque time

By Rob Allanson

Travel Retail Can duty free survive COVID-19? Will the once lucrative market place bounce back, and how?

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island life: Brendan McCarron In each edition we castaway one of the whisky world's great and good to see what whiskies and luxury they...

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonCharcoal, chuck & tunesThe weather is picking up, and so should your barbeque time

Joe BatesCan duty free survive COVID-19?Will the once lucrative market place bounce back, and how?

Christopher CoatesGrand CruGrapes, fermentation and French Cuvée – understanding the significance of Glenfiddich’s recent release calls for...

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxThe Road to L’AcadieFrom a tiny corner of Canada comes a big legacy

Mark JenningsMidleton's new makerKevin O’Gorman has just taken over as master distiller at Midleton Distillery, making him one...

Maggie KimberlAnswering the callBeing counted in a world of pandemic, inequality and injustice

Chris Middleton“A dram Mr Macarthur?”A tale of mutinous whisky in the Pacific Ocean

Becky PaskinLucky No.7We meet one of the luckiest men on the planet

Liza WeisstuchThe dawn of a new eraAs the days merge into one, Liza starts to plan (almost)

Ian WisniewskiAn island of influenceMadeira is a small island producing a fortified wine all of its own, with the...

Aberfeldy
40 Years Old

ABV 50.1%

Comments: Clearly something special going on here. Lovely interplay between the wood and spirit, underpinned with great sweetness.

Overall score

8.9

Alistair Forfar Limited
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: An easy going drop for the coming summer days. Good grain and lazy afternoons cannot be bad really.

Overall score

8.1

Ardbeg
Traigh Bhan, 19 Years Old

ABV 46.2%

Comments: The peaty side of Islay and at its best too. OA log burner full of peat briquettes.

Overall score

8.7

Blinking Owl
Rye

ABV 45%

Comments: A nice simple straightforward rye with everything you might want; and summer is coming too.

Overall score

8.0

Brough Brothers
Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 41%

Comments: Has a certain zip. Could be fun in an Old Fashioned.

Overall score

7.8

Darryl Sittler
Alumni Whisky Series, 10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Oh Canada! Yes please, and send more. What a stunner!

Overall score

8.8

Denis Charpentier Group
Emerald Reserve, 12 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A solid and well made whisky, nicely put together with some great flavours.

Overall score

8.8

Denis Charpentier Group
Diamond Reserve, Old Premium Blend

ABV 40%

Comments: Lovely balance of malt and grain, wrapped in some gorgeous sweetness and oak vanillas.

Overall score

8.2

Elijah Craig
Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon

ABV 63.6%

Comments: Take your time over this one, and think of bluegrass fields.

Overall score

9.0

Garryana
Native Oak Series, 2019 Edition 4|1

ABV 50%

Comments: Has some of the swagger of youth, but there is a depth here too. Take your time as this is rewarding.

Overall score

8.4

Kilbeggan
Limited Release Small Batch Rye

ABV 43%

Comments: Spice meets sweetness and creates something all nice.

Overall score

8.0

Paul John
Brilliance

ABV 46%

Comments: Really shows the quality and promise of distilling coming out of India at the moment.

Overall score

8.6

Seven Seals
Port Wood Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: Full of spices and promises. Would like to see a little more punch to it though.

Overall score

7.6

Starward
Nova, Matured in Red Wine Barrels

ABV 41%

Comments: Feels and tastes pretty decadent.

Overall score

7.9

The BenRiach
Peated Quarter Casks

ABV 46%

Comments: Give it a little time to settle and there’s this stunning balance between oak, spirit and peat.

Overall score

8.5

The BenRiach
12 Years Old, Sherry Wood

ABV 46%

Comments: Has some aspects of youthfulness to it but these are mixed with deep, rich oak and sherry. More a cuddly toy than sherry monster.

Overall score

8.4

The BenRiach
21 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Shows great depth and balance between the sweet and wood elements.

Overall score

8.3

The Glendronach
Parliament, 21 Years Old

ABV 48%

Comments: Shows signs of being well looked after and is nicely balanced too. Warming and interesting.

Overall score

8.4

The Lakes
The Whiskymaker’s Reserve, No.2

ABV 60.9%

Comments: A lovely drop that takes water well if needed. Rammed full of sunshine-laden fruits. Time for a picnic.

Overall score

8.8

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Whisky Magazine 168

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