Whisky Magazine 179

Regional focus: Japan The Whisky Kingfisher A dram in Vietnam Three Societies Distillery Reviewed:...

Whisky Talk & Happenings Scottish flavour, French flair: fine dining at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant has proven that distillery hospitality can hold its own among the best

By Christopher Coates

Column Opinion: You’re never that far from friends in the world of whisky Liza muses on sentimentality and degrees of separation

By Liza Weisstuch

Column Opinion: Can distribution of American Whiskey keep up with demand? Drinkers in Asian markets are buying whisky faster than it can be shipped out

By Maggie Kimberl

Editor's Word Opinion: Calling time on postcolonial attitudes in the whisky scene Asia is reshaping the world of whisky — and that's a good thing.

By Christopher Coates

Mythbusters History: Rice whisky and the Asian century Chris delves into the history of whisky in Asia

By Chris Middleton

Whisky & Culture Country Focus: Whisky is booming in Vietnam How is one of South-East Asia’s biggest growing markets embracing the category?

By Millie Milliken

Distillery Focus Distillery Focus: Three Societies, home of Korea's first single malt Korea’s first single malt distillery has been formed by an unexpected trio

By Felipe Schrieberg

Regional Focus Country Focus: Japan — An unexpected whisky journey Taking a tour around Japanese whisky’s ever-changing whisky landscape

By Stefan van Eycken

Interview Profile: Kingfisher — Taiwan's preeminent whisky expert Delving into the world of Taiwanese whisky with Master of the Quaich, Ho-cheng Yao

By Gavin D. Smith

Tastings Tasting Prima & Ultima — Diageo's £23,500 single malt Scotch whisky collection Prima & Ultima Collection is the pinnacle of Diageo's ‘rare and exceptional’ Scotch whisky releases, and each one-of-a-kind bottling has...

By Christopher Coates

Distillery Focus Distillery Focus: Clynelish — A tale of two distilleries To understand the current life of Clynelish Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, we must first look back to the history...

By Gavin D. Smith

Regional Focus Whisky Travel: The awakening spirits of the Outer Hebrides Isle of Harris and Abhainn Dearg distilleries are converting the wonders of these Outer Hebridean islands to liquid gold

By Abbie Moulton

Distillery Focus Minnesota's Keeper's Heart whisky is raising eyebrows and capturing hearts Combining Ireland and Minnesota to bottle the flavour of a collective identity

By Liza Weisstuch

Production Whisky Production: Understanding the marrying process Let us join together for the ceremony of marrying whisky casks

By Ian Wisniewski

Travel Retail Travel Retail: All of whisky's roads lead to Hainan International travel has struggled to restart in the midst of Covid-19, so the duty-free business has focused its resources on...

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Caskaway: Liam Hiller'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 BatesTravel Retail: All of whisky's roads lead to HainanInternational travel has struggled to restart in the midst of Covid-19, so the duty-free business...

Christopher CoatesTasting Prima & Ultima — Diageo's £23,500 single malt Scotch whisky collectionPrima & Ultima Collection is the pinnacle of Diageo's ‘rare and exceptional’ Scotch whisky releases,...

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

Maggie KimberlOpinion: Can distribution of American Whiskey keep up with demand?Drinkers in Asian markets are buying whisky faster than it can be shipped out

Chris MiddletonHistory: Rice whisky and the Asian centuryChris delves into the history of whisky in Asia

Millie MillikenCountry Focus: Whisky is booming in VietnamHow is one of South-East Asia’s biggest growing markets embracing the category?

Abbie MoultonWhisky Travel: The awakening spirits of the Outer HebridesIsle of Harris and Abhainn Dearg distilleries are converting the wonders of these Outer Hebridean...

Felipe SchriebergDistillery Focus: Three Societies, home of Korea's first single maltKorea’s first single malt distillery has been formed by an unexpected trio

Gavin D. SmithDistillery Focus: Clynelish — A tale of two distilleriesTo understand the current life of Clynelish Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, we must first...

Stefan van EyckenCountry Focus: Japan — An unexpected whisky journeyTaking a tour around Japanese whisky’s ever-changing whisky landscape

Liza WeisstuchMinnesota's Keeper's Heart whisky is raising eyebrows and capturing heartsCombining Ireland and Minnesota to bottle the flavour of a collective identity

Ian WisniewskiWhisky Production: Understanding the marrying processLet us join together for the ceremony of marrying whisky casks

Benriach
Smoke Season, Double Cask Matured

ABV 52.8%

Comments: Very autumnal. Makes me think of Thanksgiving desserts.

Overall score

8.3

Benriach
Cask Edition 2009, Port Pipe

ABV 60.8%

Comments: Complex and the perfect balance between sweet, rich and earthy. I’m a fan.

Overall score

8.6

Bimber Distillery
The Spirit of the Underground - Baker Street

ABV 58.1%

Comments: The nose had a lot of promise, but the palate became quite closed and hot – maybe could do with a little more time in the cask.

Overall score

7.7

Bimber Distillery
The Spirit of the Underground - Kings Cross

ABV 58.5%

Comments: A bit of a jumble of a whisky, but enticing and full of character.

Overall score

7.5

Dekantā
Kyoyu

ABV 52%

Comments: This is not for the faint-hearted. The heat really dries out your mouth, but the addition of a little water allows you to enjoy all it has to offer.

Overall score

7.8

Five Brothers
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

ABV 45%

Comments: A lesson in not judging a bourbon by its blind tasting label: confusing, but well executed and balanced and... just different. A marmite whiskey.

Overall score

7.7

Glenfarclas
185th Anniversary

ABV 46%

Comments: Really delicious, well balanced and complex enough to take you on a journey. It’s comforting and the perfect winter warmer.

Overall score

8.0

GreatDrams
Islay 7 Years Old

ABV 48.2%

Comments: A lot of complexity and delicacy in places – it’s hot and smoky.

Overall score

7.8

Journeyman Distillery
Last Feather Rye Whiskey

ABV 45%

Comments: This has captured my heart.

Overall score

8.5

Kilbeggan
Black

ABV 40%

Comments: It’s very hot for the ABV – potentially could do with a little more time to develop those richer notes and calm the heat.

Overall score

7.7

MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits
12 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: I could sit and drink this exactly as it is for hours. Balanced and comforting – like a hug with an old friend.

Overall score

8.1

MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits
21 Years Old

ABV 48%

Comments: This is very rich and perhaps a dessert whisky with all that sweetness; the only thing knocking it off-balance for me is that dry finish.

Overall score

8.1

Man O' Sword
Founder’s Selection, Cask 381, Bottle 188

ABV 61.3%

Comments: This is interesting, although not one for me. The balance of complex flavours really develops through the palate – it is certainly one to try.

Overall score

7.9

Man O' Words
Founder’s Selection, Cask 316, Bottle 035

ABV 60.5%

Comments: H.O.T. Adding a little water enabled more enjoyment.

Overall score

8.0

Michter's
Limited Release Barrel Strength

ABV 56.4%

Comments: Each aspect has a moment in the limelight, giving it balance and finesse.

Overall score

8.6

Octomore
Edition 10.3

ABV 61.3%

Comments: Like a day at the seaside wrapped up in a bottle.

Overall score

8.3

Port Charlotte
PAC:01 2011

ABV 56.1%

Comments: Beautifully balanced under the pressure of bold peat.

Overall score

8.5

Ten Locks
Bourbon Cask

ABV 40%

Comments: Quite a delicate sip, but with enough punch to give it some character.

Overall score

7.4

Tomatin
French Collection: The Cognac Edition

ABV 46%

Comments: There’s a very enjoyable complexity to this; I love the journey from fresh to warm and cosy. Set up a chair in front of the fire and enjoy.

Overall score

8.3

Woven
Experience N.2

ABV 45%

Comments: This is an easy sipper, something with enough complexity to be interesting, but not one to make you question the meaning
of whisky.

Overall score

7.8

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Whisky Magazine 179

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