Whisky Magazine 169

Waterford Distillery, Tobermory, Black Velvet, Finished blending, Scotch & Prohibition

Editor's Word The mid-point of things Time to take a breath and assess how we are doing

By Rob Allanson

Thoughts from... Bringing you the world The way we discover whisky is changing, but is it for good?

By Becky Paskin

Thoughts from... Staying put Being in one place for so long lets Liza explore

By Liza Weisstuch

Thoughts from... Back to the favourites It’s OK not to be OK right now. Whisky doesn’t judge

By Maggie Kimberl

Mythbusters Strength in numbers Helping you through the perplexing complexity of measurements

By Chris Middleton

Distillery Focus Island revival Our man visits the rejuvenated Mull-based distillery

By Gavin D. Smith

History Surviving a dry spell How Scottish distilleries managed to weather the prohibition years

By Gavin D. Smith

Whisky & Culture Grist to the whisky mill The world’s whisky greats gather at Bread Lab, we bring you the details

By Liza Weisstuch

Whisky & Culture The first and the last The new collection to celebrate Diageo’s master blender

By Mark Jennings

Distillery Focus Atop heaven's hill How a Kentucky giant is looking to reawaken a Canadian legend

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

Travel More than tulips Discover another side of the Netherlands with our 11 city tour

By Hans Offringa

Whisky & Culture The state of the Commonwealth Maggie looks at how the heart of Bourbon is beating at the moment

By Maggie Kimberl

History Showcasing giants This edition we look at two great performers

By Hans Offringa

Distillery Focus A single, single malt whisky Waterford Distillery has released their first whisky and it’s not so much poking the beehive, it’s taking a bat to...

By Mark Jennings

Food The grand Indian pairing We join Sandeep on his search for rich pairing options

By Sandeep Arora

Taste The new normal Finishing whisky isn’t a new thing, it’s been around for the best part of forty years as a commercial activity

By Greg Dillon

Production Replacing the worm Are shell and tube condensers merely functional, or also influential?

By Ian Wisniewski

Food Worth waiting for Now is the time to look forward to autumn

By Rob Allanson

Travel Retail Plane sailing In this new column, leading whisky industry figures reveal their travel hacks and talk about their most memorable travel experiences....

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island life: Angela D’Orazio In each edition we castaway one of the whisky world's great and good to see which whiskies and luxury they...

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonWorth waiting forNow is the time to look forward to autumn

Sandeep AroraThe grand Indian pairingWe join Sandeep on his search for rich pairing options

Joe BatesPlane sailingIn this new column, leading whisky industry figures reveal their travel hacks and talk about...

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxAtop heaven's hillHow a Kentucky giant is looking to reawaken a Canadian legend

Greg DillonThe new normalFinishing whisky isn’t a new thing, it’s been around for the best part of forty...

Mark JenningsA single, single malt whiskyWaterford Distillery has released their first whisky and it’s not so much poking the beehive,...

Maggie KimberlThe state of the CommonwealthMaggie looks at how the heart of Bourbon is beating at the moment

Chris MiddletonStrength in numbersHelping you through the perplexing complexity of measurements

Hans OffringaShowcasing giantsThis edition we look at two great performers

Becky PaskinBringing you the worldThe way we discover whisky is changing, but is it for good?

Gavin D. SmithSurviving a dry spellHow Scottish distilleries managed to weather the prohibition years

Liza WeisstuchGrist to the whisky millThe world’s whisky greats gather at Bread Lab, we bring you the details

Ian WisniewskiReplacing the wormAre shell and tube condensers merely functional, or also influential?

Aberfeldy
15 Years Old Finished in French Red Wine Casks

ABV 43%

Comments: Some wonderful big layers of fruit in there, but balanced with that tannin note.

Overall score

8.5

Ballechin
#8 Sauternes Cask Matured

ABV 46%

Comments: Wonderful movement here from the sweetness to drying smoke. Reminds me of a leaf-laden bonfire.

Overall score

9.0

Benromach
15 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: One for trying cold from the fridge; well, why not? It has some lovely sherry edges to it.

Overall score

7.9

Connoisseurs Choice
Speyburn 1991

ABV 46%

Comments: A perfect pre-dinner dram. All that fruit is going to set the taste buds begging for more, please.

Overall score

8.0

Connoisseurs Choice
Tomatin 1997

ABV 46%

Comments: A delightful whisky full of spice and sweetness. For me, I would hang on to this until Summer is slowly slipping away.

Overall score

8.2

Copper Republic
Single Grain Bourbon Cask Finish

ABV 43%

Comments: A real belter, this could become the benchmark to judge grain from.

Overall score

9.2

Edradour
Barolo Cask Matured

ABV 46%

Comments: Decent enough but doesn’t carry enough punch to it, even at 46%.

Overall score

6.9

Filibuster
Dual Cask Rye

ABV 45%

Comments: Has everything you might want in a rye, from spice to sweetness and lots in between, and it’s not afraid to show it.

Overall score

8.7

Filibuster
Single Estate Bourbon

ABV 58.05%

Comments: Really interesting, manages to hover between sweet and dry, fruit and wood.

Overall score

8.0

Glen Moray
Madeira Cask Project 13 Years Old

ABV 46.3%

Comments: To start a meal off, one for a convivial moment and to share the joy.

Overall score

7.7

Larceny
Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B520

ABV 61.1%

Comments: A little water helps to open this out nicely and reveals there is plenty behind the alcohol to enjoy.

Overall score

8.6

Smögen
8 Years Old

ABV 57.8%

Comments: Plenty going on here. Sweden, you keep us on our toes with things like this.

Overall score

7.7

The BenRiach
Birnie Moss Intensely Peated

ABV 48%

Comments: The potting shed drams continue, perfect for warming the soul on an evening.

Overall score

8.0

The BenRiach
15 Years Old Finished in French Red Wine Casks

ABV 57.2%

Comments: Summer is here again, something wonderfully rum-esque. Try it over ice cream with chocolate sauce.

Overall score

8.9

The Glendronach
Virgin Oak Finish 14 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Deep and rich, and well worth taking your time over. Would almost say sumptuous too.

Overall score

9.0

The Lakes Distillery
The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No. 3

ABV 0%

Comments: A really interesting drop and there’s clearly something stirring in England at the moment.

Overall score

8.3

The Octave
Bowmore

ABV 53.5%

Comments: Nicely balanced and a really lovely gentle Islay.

Overall score

8.4

The Octave
Strathclyde

ABV 50.4%

Comments: Straight into the autumns of my childhood here, sweeping leaves and digging potatoes.

Overall score

7.7

Umiki
Ocean-Fused Whisky Finished in Pine Barrels

ABV 46%

Comments: Wonderful stuff, like walking into a grain store in the summer. Fabulous.

Overall score

8.3

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Whisky Magazine 169

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