Whisky Magazine 185

Taste of Terroir: Waterford's Mark Reynier on the importance of grain and the land Distilling...

Editor's Word Opinion: Evidence of terroir in whisky seems to exist and not exist at the same time Let's call it Schrödinger’s terroir

By Christopher Coates

Thoughts from... Opinion: American whiskey’s evolution is about more than just local styles Beyond regionality, a whole world of philosophical approaches to whiskey making awaits

By Maggie Kimberl

Thoughts from... Opinion: The competition between whiskey and mezcal is on Agave is facing off against grain for the hearts and minds of American spirits drinkers

By Liza Weisstuch

Mythbusters Mythbuster: Scotland's Highland sour mash distillers Exploring the Scottish origins of an iconic style

By Chris Middleton

Production Meet the whisky distillers working in the world's harshest climates From the Dead Sea to the Arctic Circle, whisky is being made in all kinds of extreme environments

By Thijs Klaverstijn

Production Distilling with altitude: Understanding the impact of elevation on whisky making As elevation changes, so does whisky making

By Matt Strickland

Production Behind biodynamic: The controversial eco-farming method that's jumped from wine to whisky Grain grown using this blend of farming and spirituality is gaining the attention of eco-conscious distillers

By Paul Archibald & Felipe Schrieberg

Interview Interview: Mark Reynier, the man who brought the taste of terroir to whisky The ex-head of Bruichladdich and Waterford Distillery founder speaks about his lifelong mission to champion barley and the role of...

By Christopher Coates

Production America's emerging whiskey styles are turning heads around the globe Exploring regionality and new approaches in the contemporary American whiskey scene

By Maggie Kimberl

Regional Focus Focus on: Kentucky's booming whiskey scene It’s a time of growth for the spiritual home of bourbon, so the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is changing too

By Maggie Kimberl

Interview From Islay to Perthshire: The Morrison whisky dynasty's new beginning Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers’ Niel Hendriksz on Aberargie Distillery, building brands, and putting people at the heart of business

By Malcolm Triggs

Whisky & Culture Glassware’s golden age: Nine of the best whisky glasses money can buy With an incredible array of whisky glasses to choose from, we suggest nine that should form part of the modern-day...

By John Robertson

Travel Retail Travel retail: Recovery moves up a gear After two years of frustration, whisky brands are flooding travel retail with new releases, but there is also a welcome...

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Caskaway: Jennifer Blair'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

Joe BatesTravel retail: Recovery moves up a gearAfter two years of frustration, whisky brands are flooding travel retail with new releases, but...

Christopher CoatesInterview: Mark Reynier, the man who brought the taste of terroir to whiskyThe ex-head of Bruichladdich and Waterford Distillery founder speaks about his lifelong mission to champion...

Paul Archibald & Felipe SchriebergBehind biodynamic: The controversial eco-farming method that's jumped from wine to whiskyGrain grown using this blend of farming and spirituality is gaining the attention of eco-conscious distillers

Maggie KimberlFocus on: Kentucky's booming whiskey sceneIt’s a time of growth for the spiritual home of bourbon, so the Kentucky Bourbon...

Thijs KlaverstijnMeet the whisky distillers working in the world's harshest climatesFrom the Dead Sea to the Arctic Circle, whisky is being made in all kinds...

Chris MiddletonMythbuster: Scotland's Highland sour mash distillersExploring the Scottish origins of an iconic style

John RobertsonGlassware’s golden age: Nine of the best whisky glasses money can buyWith an incredible array of whisky glasses to choose from, we suggest nine that should...

Matt StricklandDistilling with altitude: Understanding the impact of elevation on whisky makingAs elevation changes, so does whisky making

Malcolm TriggsFrom Islay to Perthshire: The Morrison whisky dynasty's new beginningMorrison Scotch Whisky Distillers’ Niel Hendriksz on Aberargie Distillery, building brands, and putting people at...

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

Liza WeisstuchOpinion: The competition between whiskey and mezcal is onAgave is facing off against grain for the hearts and minds of American spirits drinkers

Adnams Distiller’s Choice
Sherry Cask

ABV 63.9%

Comments: Wonderfully moreish. Don’t let the high ABV put you off.

Overall score

8.2

Angels’ Nectar
Cairngorms 3rd Edition - Single Cask Speyside - 12 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Fresh and summery. Very easy drinking, but with enough going on to keep it interesting.

Overall score

7.9

Benromach
11 Year Old - 2010 Cask 388 | Abbey Whisky Exclusive

ABV 58.2%

Comments: A really lovely balance of what could be potentially overpowering flavours.

Overall score

8.5

Boulder Spirits
Straight Bourbon

ABV 50%

Comments: This is just a little bit lovely, really easy sipping and something I’d go to for a sweet treat.

Overall score

8.5

Cardrona
Growing Wings Single Cask Old Forester Ex Bourbon

ABV 66.5%

Comments: Ignore the ABV. This is beautifully flavourful and mature.

Overall score

8.4

Glen Grant
The 12 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A really enjoyable development from the darker notes, through to the herbal light notes – beautiful balance.

Overall score

8.2

Islay Mist
17 Year Old

ABV 40%

Comments: There are a whole lot of rich flavours to work through here, but they do seem to have a balancing counterpart in there with them.

Overall score

8.0

Kavalan
Triple Sherry Cask

ABV 40%

Comments: Really playing with the flavour wheel here – lots of complexity and something for everyone.

Overall score

8.3

Kentucky Owl
The Wiseman

ABV 45.4%

Comments: Really interesting – a lovely mix of levels with the thicker notes and the heathery hits.

Overall score

8.4

Lakes Distillery
The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5

ABV 52%

Comments: This is definitely a sweet treat, with plenty of complexity and character.

Overall score

8.4

Langatun
Chateâu Kefraya Cask Finish

ABV 49.12%

Comments: Well, this is quite frankly delightful. Toasty, rich, comforting – please can I have some more?!

Overall score

8.6

Langatun
Old Crow Swiss Single Malt

ABV 46%

Comments: There is a lot of complexity, but perhaps the balance is a touch off here and there.

Overall score

8.0

Nc’nean
Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV 46%

Comments: Really lovely balance between juicy
fruit notes and complex spices.

Overall score

8.1

Redbreast
22 Year Old

ABV 55.9%

Comments: The spice has a real hold on this whisky, but with plenty of character and precision.

Overall score

8.3

Seven Seals
The Age of Pisces

ABV 49.7%

Comments: I’m a big fan of the way bitterness is used to complement the sherried notes on show here. It stops it being sickly and keeps it very tasty.

Overall score

8.6