Whisky Magazine 17

Richard Paterson art of blending Cadenhead The Speyside Way

Editor's Word From the Editor The Keepers promote the goodwill of the industry and honour those who have made a significant contribution to it

By Marcin Miller

Musings with Michael Jackson The whisky lesson Michael Jackson, friend of malt, learns the British way

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Whisky and soap - the wrong blend Dave Broom considers why Scotch has become the chosen tipple for British soap opera characters hell-bent on self-destruction

By Dave Broom

Awards & Events Kentucky ready to take visitors to its heart

Awards & Events British food and drink savoured in Lisbon

Awards & Events Awards celebration with Glenfiddich

Production The unsung heroes of whisky Dave Broom talks to the people behind some of the world's most famous brands, the blenders, and attempts to piece...

People A day in the life... (Richard Paterson) Dave Broom follows JBB's Richard Paterson on a typical working day and learns much about blending, showbiz and living life...

By Dave Broom

Production Owing it all to Islington Gavin Smith recounts the early days of blending, when a court case in north London helped secure the future of...

By Gavin D. Smith

Awards & Events Live and kicking Marcin Miller evaluates the inaugural Whisky Magazine Live and comes to the conclusion that if you missed it, you missed out

By Marcin Miller

Awards & Events Positive education Martin Betts learnt more than a wealth of whisk(e)y knowledge from Whisky Magazine Live's Masterclasses, he found out that the...

By Martin Betts

Travel Desperately seeking Speyside “To set foot somewhere is a physical connection, a sense of truly being there. I wanted to feel Speyside as...

By Michael Jackson

Distillery Focus A very regal distillery (Strathisla) David Stirk visits Strathisla Distillery, the home of Chivas Regal and a fine single malt. Additional words by Martin Betts

By David Stirk

Production From soft touch to cask strength Tom Bruce-Gardyne recounts the history of Cadenhead, a company once regarded as a “soft touch” but now better known for...

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

News Bushmills, boiled socks and baloney Brigid James rounds up the latest news and opinions from the definitive whisky website, www.whisky-world.com

By Brigid James

Production Why whisky shouldn't chill out Anthony Troon puts forward his views on why chill filtering leaves the whisky enthusiast with a spirit that may well...

By Anthony Troon

Production Mini bottles, big obsession Brian Hennigan investigates the murky world of the miniature collector and discovers that these hardened collectors \rwill stop at nothing...

By Brian Hennigan

Martin BettsPositive educationMartin Betts learnt more than a wealth of whisk(e)y knowledge from Whisky Magazine Live's Masterclasses,...

Dave BroomA day in the life... (Richard Paterson)Dave Broom follows JBB's Richard Paterson on a typical working day and learns much about...

Tom Bruce-GardyneFrom soft touch to cask strengthTom Bruce-Gardyne recounts the history of Cadenhead, a company once regarded as a “soft touch”...

Brian HenniganMini bottles, big obsessionBrian Hennigan investigates the murky world of the miniature collector and discovers that these hardened...

Michael JacksonDesperately seeking Speyside“To set foot somewhere is a physical connection, a sense of truly being there. I...

Brigid JamesBushmills, boiled socks and baloneyBrigid James rounds up the latest news and opinions from the definitive whisky website, www.whisky-world.com

Marcin MillerLive and kickingMarcin Miller evaluates the inaugural Whisky Magazine Live and comes to the conclusion that if...

Gavin D. SmithOwing it all to IslingtonGavin Smith recounts the early days of blending, when a court case in north London...

David StirkA very regal distillery (Strathisla)David Stirk visits Strathisla Distillery, the home of Chivas Regal and a fine single malt....

Anthony TroonWhy whisky shouldn't chill outAnthony Troon puts forward his views on why chill filtering leaves the whisky enthusiast with...

Adelphi
1992, 9 Years Old

ABV 61%

Comments: The aroma promised much, but the palate is curiously drying. Rosebank was never peaty, and this is too young to be woody, so I don't know the origin of that harshness.

Overall score

8.0

Bailie Nicol Jarvie
Very Old Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: A superbly balanced blend. You can't fail to love it.

Overall score

8.8

Ballantine's
17 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: I was surprised when the bottle was revealed. This has been a favourite for a while, but not on this occasion.

Overall score

8.3

Ballantine's
Gold Seal, 12 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Balances all its elements very well. One to work on.

Overall score

7.4

Blackadder
1980, Raw Cask

ABV 57.6%

Comments: Huge! A machiatto to the Glen Grant espresso.

Overall score

7.8

Bushmills
21 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A delicious whisky. The sweetness and nuttiness of Bushmills whiskey and of Madeira are an enjoyable double-act. The whiskey has to work hard to avoid being upstaged.

Overall score

7.8

Chivas Regal
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A good mouthful. OK, its not hugely demanding but a great introduction.

Overall score

7.7

Chivas Regal
18 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A bit overbalanced by sherry, but nicely rounded by the smoky finish.

Overall score

8.8

Clan Campbell
Legendary, 18 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A big whisky which needs time in the glass to open.

Overall score

8.0

Clan Campbell
Highlander 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Rounded. On the sweet side.

Overall score

7.4

Compass Box

ABV 40%

Comments: Plenty of attack, but straightforward rather than complex. Suggested as a base for cocktails. I'll work on that...

Overall score

7.4

Grand Old Parr
12 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A fine, well-weighted pretty lush blend.

Overall score

8.3

Ian Macleod
8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A grumbly bass-note blend but it all seems slightly muted, as if the blanket of smoke has dampened things down.

Overall score

7.9

Islay Mist
17 Years Old, Premium

ABV 40%

Comments: Not the full-on blast of peat reek you may expect, but a good, pretty dry dram.

Overall score

7.9

James Martin's
Deluxe Blend 20 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: It's a lovely whisky, but somehow I expect more from a 20 Years Old.

Overall score

7.7

Johnnie Walker
Gold Label Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Stylish and cool. Supper club whisky.

Overall score

8.8

Johnnie Walker
Black Label

ABV 40%

Comments: Deceptively gentle at first. I have on occasion been completely led astray by what seems to be mildness of this whisky, then taken on a journey of rediscovery. I find new flavours every time.

Overall score

9.2

Johnnie Walker
Blue Label

ABV 40%

Comments: A lovely, luxurious whisky. I imagine a restaurant called café Opera. First, a little foie gras, then a couple of Maine lobsters, Marron glacé....and Blue Label?

Overall score

9.2

Royal Salute
Aged 21 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: A huge mouthful that takes blended whisky onto a new level of exoticism. Shame about the packaging. Velvet pouches are so very camp.

Overall score

8.4

Royal Silk
Rare Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: Easy going and light.

Overall score

7.0

Scottish Leader
15 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A soft, gentle, labrador of a dram.

Overall score

7.8

Scottish Leader
Platinum Seal

ABV 40%

Comments: Obviously old but still very well balanced. Sean Connery.

Overall score

7.9

The Famous Grouse
Gold Reserve

ABV 43%

Comments: A cracking juicy dram.

Overall score

8.3

The Macallan
1951 Vintage

ABV 49.6%

Comments: A bit scary. A 50 Years Old malt with stunning balance and vivaciousness...but I can't afford it on my wages.

Overall score

8.9

The Macallan
1961 Vintage

ABV 54.7%

Comments: Fascinating. A very different style of Macallan. If you buy for your unopened collection, get a miniature as well so you can at least try it.

Overall score

9.3