Whisky Magazine 184

Interview: Deirdre O'Carroll Original Crafters: The Pioneers to who sparked America's whiskey renaissance Catoctin...

Partnered Promotion Celebrating Buffalo Trace Distillery: Icons of Whisky's Distiller of the Year 2022 Distiller of the Year Buffalo Trace honours tradition but embraces change This article was created by the team at...

Editor's Word Opinion: Whisky’s future is now in the hands of the next generation The inheritors of whisky's legacy have a lot to do and little time left to do it

By Christopher Coates

Thoughts from... Opinion: America's whiskey talent is on the move Breaking with tradition, a great reshuffle has begun

By Maggie Kimberl

Thoughts from... Opinion: The independent whiskey scene isn't what it was When the going got tough, the original pioneers were just getting going

By Liza Weisstuch

Mythbusters Opinion: When did whisky's obsession with being 'old' take hold? The value placed on whisky being 'old' is nothing new

By Chris Middleton

Interview Living the dream: Interview with Deirdre O’Carroll Meet the next-generation blender shaping the future of Ireland’s iconic Midleton Distillery

By Abbie Moulton

Distillery Focus Catoctin Creek: Virgina's rye revivalists Drawing on a historic legacy, Catoctin Creek makes rye with an eye to the future

By Susannah Skiver Barton

Distillery Focus Steampunk Spirit: Behind the scenes at The Oxford Artisanal Distillery Oxford’s first licensed distillery is inspired by the past and the future in equal measure

By Gavin D. Smith

Production Oak's grain has a big impact on whisky flavour, but it's not as simple as you might think Specific oak varieties are often described as having an open or closed grain, but there's really no hard and fast rule

By Ian Wisniewski

Regional Focus In Canada's whisky scene, everything old is new again A deep dive into the evolution of Canadian whisky

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

Whisky Focus Aberlour A’bunadh's homecoming and the creation of a cult Scotch whisky A blend of great quality and good timing created the cult sensation that is Aberlour A’bunadh. Now, for the first...

By Felipe Schrieberg

Caskaway Caskaway: Charlie Steel'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 Bradley Weir

Christopher CoatesOpinion: Whisky’s future is now in the hands of the next generationThe inheritors of whisky's legacy have a lot to do and little time left to...

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxIn Canada's whisky scene, everything old is new againA deep dive into the evolution of Canadian whisky

Maggie KimberlMeet Emma Kahn, head distiller at Luckenbach Road in Fredericksburg, TexasMaggie Kimberl speaks with Emma Kahn, aka The Barrel Baroness

Chris MiddletonOpinion: When did whisky's obsession with being 'old' take hold?The value placed on whisky being 'old' is nothing new

Abbie MoultonLiving the dream: Interview with Deirdre O’CarrollMeet the next-generation blender shaping the future of Ireland’s iconic Midleton Distillery

Felipe SchriebergAberlour A’bunadh's homecoming and the creation of a cult Scotch whiskyA blend of great quality and good timing created the cult sensation that is Aberlour...

Susannah Skiver BartonCatoctin Creek: Virgina's rye revivalistsDrawing on a historic legacy, Catoctin Creek makes rye with an eye to the future

Gavin D. SmithSteampunk Spirit: Behind the scenes at The Oxford Artisanal DistilleryOxford’s first licensed distillery is inspired by the past and the future in equal measure

Bradley WeirCaskaway: Charlie Steel's desert island dramsIn each edition, we ask one of the industry’s great and good which drams they...

Liza WeisstuchOriginal Crafters: Meet the original pioneers of American craft whiskeyThese US distillers were making local, small-batch spirits before it was cool

Ian WisniewskiOak's grain has a big impact on whisky flavour, but it's not as simple as you might thinkSpecific oak varieties are often described as having an open or closed grain, but there's...

Allt A’Mhullin
Rosie’s Cask 30 Years Old

ABV 48%

Comments: Be patient with the warmth to reap the rewards with this one.

Overall score

8.5

Benromach
Contrasts: Cara Gold Malt

ABV 46%

Comments: The whisky is like playtime and I like it. It has a little bit of everything, but delicately balanced.

Overall score

8.1

Bladnoch
Alinta

ABV 47%

Comments: Not only do I love this, but it’s also really well executed – a touch hot maybe, but to be honest I don’t really care.

Overall score

8.6

Cardrona
Growing Wings Mt. Difficulty Ex Pinot Noir Cask No. 301

ABV 67.5%

Comments: This is getting me in the mood for a summer picnic full of sweet treats and (hopefully) sunshine.

Overall score

8.3

Coachbuilt
5 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: There’s a slightly confusing note in here that I can’t quite put my finger on. Nonetheless, it’s tasty.

Overall score

8.2

Crabbie
22 Years Old Orkney Single Cask Palo Cortado Finish

ABV 47.5%

Comments: This is a whisky packed full of lovely smooth and balanced flavour – something to enjoy over time.

Overall score

8.2

Craigellachie
13 Years Old Armagnac Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: Punchy and packed full of flavour until the finish became very delicate.

Overall score

8.2

Cù Bòcan
Creation #3

ABV 46%

Comments: Warmth on the palate does slow up the flavour a touch for me – so it benefits from a touch of water.

Overall score

8.5

Cù Bòcan
Creation #4

ABV 46%

Comments: This is just lovely and unique, with a beautiful balance and character.

Overall score

8.5

Elements of Islay
PEAT Full Proof

ABV 59.3%

Comments: Sweet and salty. The smoked notes really wrap this up perfectly.

Overall score

7.9

Four Roses
Small Batch Select

ABV 53%

Comments: To be honest, it’s exactly what I’d want from a bourbon: it’s balanced, sweet and complex.

Overall score

8.2

Highland Park
15 Years Old

ABV 44%

Comments: It is quite hot for the ABV –but with time it shows its true flavourful colours to you.

Overall score

8.0

Malones Irish Whiskey
Triple Cask First Edition

ABV 42%

Comments: Simply put, it’s enjoyable, gentle and balanced.

Overall score

7.6

Octomore
Octomore 12.2

ABV 57.3%

Comments: A really interesting interplay between the sweet and earthy notes – they work well together.

Overall score

8.4

Octomore
Octomore 12.3

ABV 62.1%

Comments: This is basically a day at the beach with a bonfire and barbeque thrown into the mix.

Overall score

7.9

Royal Brackla
21 Years Old Sherry Cask Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: You go for a ride with this – heat takes over a touch on the palate because of the delicacy of its flavours.

Overall score

8.4

The Balvenie
16 Years Old French Oak

ABV 47.6%

Comments: This is lovely, packed with beautifully interlinked flavour.

Overall score

8.2

The Busker
Single Grain

ABV 44.3%

Comments: She’s a bit sassy with the heat, but through that it really shows a lot of character.

Overall score

8.0

The GlenAllachie
12 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Simply lovely and a bit of a hug in a bottle.

Overall score

8.4

Wire Works Whisky
First Release 3 Years Old

ABV 50.3%

Comments: There’s a lot going on in here, perhaps not entirely cohesive at all times but is interesting to sip on.

Overall score

7.9

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Whisky Magazine 184

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