Whisky Magazine 180

Grow your own: return of the farmer-distiller Glenmorangie II Beer meets whisky The next great...

Editor's Word Opinion: Debunking the myth of 70:30 Contesting the conceit undermining whisky’s key ingredients

By Christopher Coates

Thoughts from... Opinion: Challenging the gospel of terroir Two opposing orthodoxies are clashing

By Maggie Kimberl

Thoughts from... Ode to the outlier: Finding whisky on the Hawaii of the North Liza visits the remote Scottish island of Tiree

By Liza Weisstuch

Mythbusters Understanding the terroir of Cherokee corn Today's whiskies are a blend of people, land and grain

By Chris Middleton

Production Boann Distillery in Ireland is bringing lost mash bills back to the future Welcome to Irish whiskey's mash tun time machine

By Mark Jennings

Production Meet the American distillers who grow their own whisky Farmer-distillers are re-emerging in the United States

By Andrew Faulkner

Distillery Focus Distillery Focus: Visiting Spirit of Yorkshire The region’s first single malt whisky distillery is a beacon of its creativity

By Millie Milliken

Production Finding Scotch whisky's next great barley variety Securing the future of single malt is more complicated than you might think

By Thijs Klaverstijn

Production When beer meets whisky: Scotch whisky and speciality malt collide Tradition might dictate that at least two thirds of whisky’s flavour comes from wood, but craft distillers are about to...

By Malcolm Triggs

Production Malt matters: Australian distillers are focusing on whisky’s core ingredient Speciality malts are reshaping the Australian whisky landscape

By Luke McCarthy

Distillery Focus Distillery Focus: Glen Garioch Glen Garioch Distillery in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, is turning back the clock on its whisky-making process

By Gavin D. Smith

Interview No dogma allowed: InchDairnie Distillery is taking the road less travelled We spoke to InchDairnie’s managing director, Ian Palmer, about his pursuit of flavour

By Malcolm Triggs

Distillery Focus Welcome to Glenmorangie II — Tain's newest distillery The Highland distillers at Glenmorangie have emerged from lockdown with a brand-new toy: the Lighthouse distillery

By Millie Milliken

Travel Retail Travel Retail: The duty-free sector gets back on its feet with special-edition whiskies International travel is returning, so whisky distilleries are responding with new duty-free exclusives and luxury launches

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Caskaway: Dan Szor'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 Phoebe Calver

Joe BatesTravel Retail: The duty-free sector gets back on its feet with special-edition whiskiesInternational travel is returning, so whisky distilleries are responding with new duty-free exclusives and luxury launches

Phoebe CalverCaskaway: Dan Szor's desert island dramsIn each edition, we ask one of the industry’s great and good which drams they...

Christopher CoatesOpinion: Debunking the myth of 70:30Contesting the conceit undermining whisky’s key ingredients

Andrew FaulknerMeet the American distillers who grow their own whiskyFarmer-distillers are re-emerging in the United States

Mark JenningsBoann Distillery in Ireland is bringing lost mash bills back to the futureWelcome to Irish whiskey's mash tun time machine

Maggie KimberlOpinion: Challenging the gospel of terroirTwo opposing orthodoxies are clashing

Thijs KlaverstijnFinding Scotch whisky's next great barley varietySecuring the future of single malt is more complicated than you might think

Luke McCarthyMalt matters: Australian distillers are focusing on whisky’s core ingredientSpeciality malts are reshaping the Australian whisky landscape

Chris MiddletonUnderstanding the terroir of Cherokee cornToday's whiskies are a blend of people, land and grain

Millie MillikenWelcome to Glenmorangie II — Tain's newest distilleryThe Highland distillers at Glenmorangie have emerged from lockdown with a brand-new toy: the Lighthouse distillery

Gavin D. SmithDistillery Focus: Glen GariochGlen Garioch Distillery in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, is turning back the clock on its whisky-making process

Malcolm TriggsNo dogma allowed: InchDairnie Distillery is taking the road less travelledWe spoke to InchDairnie’s managing director, Ian Palmer, about his pursuit of flavour

Liza WeisstuchOde to the outlier: Finding whisky on the Hawaii of the NorthLiza visits the remote Scottish island of Tiree

Aberfeldy
18 Years Old Côte Rôtie Limited Edition

ABV 43%

Comments: I fell in love with the nose, but the palate lacks a little of the complexity I
was expecting.

Overall score

7.7

Benriach
Cask Edition: 2005 CASK #1867

ABV 56%

Comments: Considering the ABV, this has a lot of space to explore before the drying finish.

Overall score

8.6

Clydebuilt
Shipwright

ABV 48%

Comments: Loved the creamy fruit notes on the nose and although that didn’t develop as I expected, it still had enough about it to intrigue. Tannins are a little heavy on the finish.

Overall score

7.8

Elijah Craig
Barrel Proof B521

ABV 59.1%

Comments: Complex and well balanced. A drop of water gives more time to explore.

Overall score

8.2

GreatDrams
Strathclyde 15 Years Old Single Cask

ABV 48.2%

Comments: I’m here for this. There are twists and turns galore, complexity, balance, and the ABV doesn’t rule the roost. Could certainly sit and sip this.

Overall score

8.0

Jameson
Black Barrel

ABV 40%

Comments: Honestly, this shocked me – it’s complex and takes you on a beautifully balanced journey. I’d definitely recommend this chappie.

Overall score

8.5

Langatun
Sherry Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish - Single Cask 564

ABV 49.1%

Comments: When you’re in the mood for bold and unabashed, this is one to go for.

Overall score

8.1

New Holland Artisan Spirits
Beer Barrel Bourbon

ABV 40%

Comments: It runs quite hot for 40%, but not unpleasantly so; it’s light, but full of flavour and is quite simply very drinkable.

Overall score

8.1

Royal Brackla
12 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: This is simply lovely. It packs a punch with the heat, but not so much that you lose the enjoyment of the flavour.

Overall score

8.3

Samuel Gelston's
Blended Irish Whiskey

ABV 40%

Comments: It has just enough complexity to be a fun sipper – I would love to see a bit more life from the finish.

Overall score

7.8

Speyburn
10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Where the nose really captured my imagination, the palate didn’t quite develop the richness I’d hoped for.

Overall score

7.4

Teeling Whiskey
13 Years Old Irish Single Grain

ABV 50%

Comments: Although it’s pretty hot, this combination of sweet and calming grain notes has a lot of potential to grow on you.

Overall score

7.9

The Antiquary
15 Years Old Bordeaux Red Wines Casks Limited Edition

ABV 43%

Comments: This might have peaked a little early for me. The palate was relatively closed – one that needs a little time to figure out.

Overall score

7.7

The Boston Bakers
Triple Barrel Oaked

ABV 40%

Comments: It took a little while to open up and perhaps was a little on the mellow side when it did, but there was balance and subtlety there for a calm dram.

Overall score

7.7