Whisky Magazine 170

Ardbeg Distillery Diageo's special releases Roe & Co Whisky Magazine turns 21

Editor's Word The best of times Changing the guard with the new season

By Rob Allanson

Thoughts from... It’s different now Looking at the rise of the modern whisky bar

By Becky Paskin

Thoughts from... Kentucky dreaming Shopping for paint takes an unexpected turn

By Liza Weisstuch

Thoughts from... Enjoying the luxury The joys of virtual whisky

By Maggie Kimberl

Mythbusters The pages of history Examining the role of slavery in American whiskey

By Chris Middleton

Distillery Focus Where star-crossed lovers meet Welcome to Starward Distillery, where grape and grain meet

By Jason Hambrey

Whisky Learning A sense of land and brand How whisky is connected to its home

By Chris Middleton

People Celebrating a global phenomenon Raising a glass to 125 years of endeavour

By Gavin D. Smith

Distillery Focus The distilling experience Dublin style There’s a relative new kid in Ireland’s first city

By Greg Dillon

People A maverick in the monolith A wildcard distiller is laying down spirit for this new venture

By Mark Jennings

Distillery Focus A Hebridean classic The iconic Islay malt is doubling in size – we visit to find out more

By Gavin D. Smith

Collections Rare by nature part deux It’s that time of year again – get ready for our take on the latest releases

By Mark Jennings

Whisky Learning The Cognac Connection The hallmarks of French spirit are infiltrating the world of whisky

By Christopher Coates

Awards & Events Twenty-one years and counting Whisky Magazine has passed a significant milestone

By Christopher Coates

Production Going with the flow Can the layout of a distillery have any significance? Let’s take a look

By Ian Wisniewski

Food That time again A slew of new releases leaves drinkers spoilt for choice

By Rob Allanson

Travel Retail Three stills and a traveller In this issue, Tony Roberts of Three Stills Company Ltd. reveals his tips for travel and his most memorable experiences

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Island life: Dave Broom In each edition we ask one of the industry’s great and good to tell us what they would take with...

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonThat time againA slew of new releases leaves drinkers spoilt for choice

Joe BatesThree stills and a travellerIn this issue, Tony Roberts of Three Stills Company Ltd. reveals his tips for travel...

Christopher CoatesTwenty-one years and countingWhisky Magazine has passed a significant milestone

Greg DillonThe distilling experience Dublin styleThere’s a relative new kid in Ireland’s first city

Jason HambreyWhere star-crossed lovers meetWelcome to Starward Distillery, where grape and grain meet

Mark JenningsRare by nature part deuxIt’s that time of year again – get ready for our take on the latest releases

Maggie KimberlEnjoying the luxuryThe joys of virtual whisky

Chris MiddletonA sense of land and brandHow whisky is connected to its home

Becky PaskinIt’s different nowLooking at the rise of the modern whisky bar

Gavin D. SmithA Hebridean classicThe iconic Islay malt is doubling in size – we visit to find out more

Liza WeisstuchKentucky dreamingShopping for paint takes an unexpected turn

Ian WisniewskiGoing with the flowCan the layout of a distillery have any significance? Let’s take a look

Balcones
Texas Pot Still Bourbon

ABV 46%

Comments: Not sure if I said it was fruity. Not a one-trick pony though, great oak and wood spice integration too.

Overall score

9.3

Balcones
Lineage

ABV 47%

Comments: A fantastic sip that has some hidden depths behind the shyness.

Overall score

9.3

Berry Bros & Rudd
16 Years Old, Orkney Islands

ABV 53.6%

Comments: Oh yes… this is fine stuff indeed. Well balanced with a gorgeous smoke profile.

Overall score

8.9

Elijah Craig
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 63.3%

Comments: A stonking Bourbon; that ABV doesn’t seem to register at all.

Overall score

8.6

Fettercairn
12 Years Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Edition

ABV 40%

Comments: Plenty going on despite coming in at just 40% ABV. This is nicely put together.

Overall score

8.2

Glen Moray
Distillery Edition Burgundy Cask 2004

ABV 60.1%

Comments: This is a great Speysider; the ABV doesn’t seem to kick at all, suggesting carefully curated maturation.

Overall score

8.3

Glen Moray
Distillery Edition Chardonnay Cask 2003

ABV 58.9%

Comments: A very lovely whisky with great cask influence. Water really sweetens it up.

Overall score

8.4

Glengoyne
Cuartillo

ABV 40%

Comments: A really gentle yet complex whisky that offers much more once it is left for a little.

Overall score

8.7

Hammerhead
25 Years Old

ABV 40.7%

Comments: It’s like someone locked you in an old pine cupboard with a packet of oat biscuits. Great fun.

Overall score

7.4

Kavalan
Ex-Bourbon Oak

ABV 46%

Comments: Such a delicate drop, this one.
It is quite refreshing.

Overall score

8.7

Label 5
Classic Black

ABV 40%

Comments: A good solid whisky with nice balance to it.

Overall score

7.8

Lark
Classic Lark

ABV 43%

Comments: Really interesting stuff, does make you want more once the finish dies away though.

Overall score

8.8

Mackmyra
Brukswhisky

ABV 41.4%

Comments: Rich and deep, really lovely and shows the strength of whisky coming out of Sweden at the moment.

Overall score

9.2

Michter's
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 47.2%

Comments: Wow, serious aromatic elements here, a
full-on spice drawer of
a whiskey.

Overall score

8.8

Michter's
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

ABV 46.4%

Comments: A fantastic drop this – so glad rye made a comeback, and this shows why.

Overall score

9.0

Tamdhu
Ambar 14 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A delightful whisky that really makes you smile.

Overall score

8.6

Teeling
Blackpitts Peated Single Malt

ABV 46%

Comments: Initially this is like hugging a wet dog from the sea, but is nicely balanced with this fruity, sweet side too. Great stuff.

Overall score

9.1

The One
Orange Wine Cask

ABV 46.6%

Comments: A soft and gentle drop that has a real winey quality to it, perhaps one for the cheese course?

Overall score

8.0

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Whisky Magazine 170

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