Whisky Magazine 178

The road to net zero Brora is back Angela D'Orazio interview A year by...

Thoughts from... Opinion: Is the 'use once' policy for bourbon barrels sustainable? Waste not, want not

Thoughts from... Opinion: It’s time to legalise direct-to-consumer sales in the US The US's laws need to catch up to the drinks industry's commercial reality

By Liza Weisstuch

Mythbusters Opinion: A warning against the weaponising of trade tariffs Tariffs are once again being weaponised

By Chris Middleton

Sustainability Sustainable Scotch: What's being done to make your whisky green? Though the destination is shared, the path to green Scotch isn’t the same for all distilleries

By Gavin D. Smith

Sustainability The problem with peat Any way you cut it, one of the most important ingredients in whisky making is a fossil fuel – and...

By Felipe Schrieberg

Sustainability Distillery Focus: Nc'nean — The UK's first net-zero distillery Earlier this year, Nc’nean became the UK’s first net-zero-certified whisky distillery. Now the team aim to inspire others to go...

By Malcolm Triggs

Production Understanding organic whisky The popularity of produce free from artificial pesticides and fertilisers is growing, but what does this really mean for whisky?

By Felipe Schrieberg

Sustainability How green is my whisky? Though progress has been slow, some American distillers are doing all they can to minimise their environmental impact

By Lincoln Chinnery

Sustainability White oak is vital for whiskey production, but its future is uncertain Though one of the most vital materials used in whisky making, little is yet known about how best to conserve...

By Liza Weisstuch

Interview Mackmyra's Angela D’Orazio on Scandinavian identity and innovation in whisky Mackmyra’s master blender, Angela D’Orazio, is used to building on a blank canvas

By Jacopo Mazzeo

Distillery Focus Brora reborn: The return of a legendary Scotch whisky distillery For the local community and those that work there, it’s about more than just whisky, bricks and mortar—a host of...

By Andy Simpson

Interview Master blender Stephanie Macleod on the future of Dewar's As John Dewar & Sons marks its 175th anniversary, master blender Stephanie Macleod shares her thoughts on blending and what’s...

By Millie Milliken

Blended Whisky Tasted: six of the best blended whiskies in 2021 Though single malt whisky is currently in the spotlight, there are still some blends out there worthy of attention and admiration

By Christopher Coates

Regional Focus Regional Focus: Speyside — Looking back on a year by the Spey Through the trials of the past 18 months, the Scotch whisky industry’s heart has kept on beating

By Mark Jennings

Distillery Focus The Glenlivet’s new visitor experience has raised the bar This Speyside giant has brought the outside in to create a one-of-a-kind whisky experience.

By Moa Nilsson

Distillery Focus Change is afoot at Diageo’s Cardhu Distillery Cardhu's new visitor experience is flying the flag for Speyside

By Gavin D. Smith

Editor's Word Opinion: Distillers must run, not walk down the road to net zero Distillers are responding to the climate crisis, but is it too little, too late?

By Christopher Coates

Travel This Travelling Life: Connal Mackenzie Ardnamurchan Distillery’s sales director Connal Mackenzie discusses the distillery’s green credentials and his views on international travel

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Caskaway: Chris Jaume's desert island drams In each edition we ask one of the industry’s great and good which drams they would take to our desert island

By Martha Crass

Joe BatesThis Travelling Life: Connal MackenzieArdnamurchan Distillery’s sales director Connal Mackenzie discusses the distillery’s green credentials and his views on...

Lincoln ChinneryHow green is my whisky?Though progress has been slow, some American distillers are doing all they can to minimise...

Christopher CoatesTasted: six of the best blended whiskies in 2021Though single malt whisky is currently in the spotlight, there are still some blends out...

Martha CrassCaskaway: Chris Jaume's desert island dramsIn each edition we ask one of the industry’s great and good which drams they...

Mark JenningsRegional Focus: Speyside — Looking back on a year by the SpeyThrough the trials of the past 18 months, the Scotch whisky industry’s heart has kept...

Maggie KimberlOpinion: Is the 'use once' policy for bourbon barrels sustainable?Waste not, want not

Jacopo MazzeoMackmyra's Angela D’Orazio on Scandinavian identity and innovation in whiskyMackmyra’s master blender, Angela D’Orazio, is used to building on a blank canvas

Chris MiddletonOpinion: A warning against the weaponising of trade tariffsTariffs are once again being weaponised

Millie MillikenMaster blender Stephanie Macleod on the future of Dewar'sAs John Dewar & Sons marks its 175th anniversary, master blender Stephanie Macleod shares her...

Moa NilssonThe Glenlivet’s new visitor experience has raised the barThis Speyside giant has brought the outside in to create a one-of-a-kind whisky experience.

Felipe SchriebergUnderstanding organic whiskyThe popularity of produce free from artificial pesticides and fertilisers is growing, but what does...

Andy SimpsonBrora reborn: The return of a legendary Scotch whisky distilleryFor the local community and those that work there, it’s about more than just whisky,...

Gavin D. SmithChange is afoot at Diageo’s Cardhu DistilleryCardhu's new visitor experience is flying the flag for Speyside

Malcolm TriggsDistillery Focus: Nc'nean — The UK's first net-zero distilleryEarlier this year, Nc’nean became the UK’s first net-zero-certified whisky distillery. Now the team aim...

Liza WeisstuchWhite oak is vital for whiskey production, but its future is uncertainThough one of the most vital materials used in whisky making, little is yet known...

Adnams
Rye Malt

ABV 47%

Comments: You’d certainly know it’s a rye, but there’s complexity tackling that spice that makes this quite the little treat.

Overall score

8.0

Armorik Whisky Breton
Single Cask Distillery Exclusive

ABV 51.7%

Comments: Things get pretty hot, but the complexity and switch on the palate is very interesting and worth sipping slowly.

Overall score

8.3

Bespoken Spirits
Rye Whiskey

ABV 50%

Comments: This is hot and thick and certainly packs a punch, but could potentially do with a little mellowing out.

Overall score

7.8

Bimber
Waterloo

ABV 58.3%

Comments: Interesting and balanced, and I would really like to try this in an Old Fashioned (sorry to offend cocktail traditionalists there).

Overall score

7.9

Bimber
Oxford Circus

ABV 58.8%

Comments: Layer after layer of rich and bold whisky here, but it all seems to perfectly link together. Brace yourself for the heat, it’s worth it.

Overall score

8.1

Bladnoch
Vinaya

ABV 46.7%

Comments: I’m into it, spicy but with enough complexity that you’re able to enjoy the heat.

Overall score

8.1

Bruichladdich
The Classic Laddie

ABV 50%

Comments: A sweet and smoky treat.

Overall score

7.8

Bushmills
American Oak Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: I found it quite tough to really get into this – not very forthcoming on flavour.

Overall score

7.1

Cotswolds
Peated Cask

ABV 60.2%

Comments: Interesting and for the ABV the heat is very controlled. It was unexpected and worth a little time with.

Overall score

8.0

Elijah Craig
Barrel Proof Batch A121

ABV 61.8%

Comments: Sweet, hot and delicious. This is not for the faint hearted for sure!

Overall score

8.3

Evan Williams
1783 Small Batch

ABV 45%

Comments: Delicate and very sippable. It delivers balance and the aspects you would want to be able to enjoy from a Kentucky bourbon.

Overall score

8.0

Glen Moray
Warehouse 1 Tokaji Finish

ABV 53.6%

Comments: Heavenly. Its complexity was inviting and I like it very much, just the way it is.

Overall score

8.7

GreatDrams
Blended Cask Series Lockdown Lock-In Dram

ABV 48.2%

Comments: The heat packs a punch in the middle, but surrounding that is a lot of really interesting complexity.

Overall score

7.8

GreatDrams
Single Cask Series 7 Years Old

ABV 48.2%

Comments: This was unexpected, almost to the point of being disjointed. However, certainly demonstrated complexity within that.

Overall score

8.0

Port Charlotte
PAC: 01 2011

ABV 56.1%

Comments: A touch hot, but water tames it.

Overall score

8.3

Seven Seals
The Age of Aquarius

ABV 49.7%

Comments: The delicacy I would like is missing at present, it’s very hot and very smoky. Could be interesting for a smoked sweet cocktail.

Overall score

7.8

Single & Single
2005

ABV 58.1%

Comments: Not my usual, but I’m a big fan of the balance and interplay between sweet and smoke here.

Overall score

8.5

Spot Whiskeys
Yellow Spot

ABV 46%

Comments: Nicely balanced and intriguing enough to keep you interested throughout.

Overall score

7.8

Tomatin
Sauternes Cask Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: A lot of promise and great if you love nuts as it’s pretty bold with that. Perhaps a little one dimensional, but still an enjoyable sip.

Overall score

7.8

Torabhaig
Allt Gleann

ABV 46%

Comments: Although it’s not necessarily to my taste, I can appreciate the delicacy between big flavours and it did grow on me.

Overall score

7.9

Whisky Magazine 178

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