Whisky Magazine 188

The Cask Factor: Exploring distillers' experiments in maturation History of the cask Caol Ila's renovation

Thoughts from... Opinion: Sherry casks are misunderstood – and we need to change that The future of our favourite sherry cask-matured whiskies depends on it.

By Christopher Coates

Partnered Promotion For Discussion: The Ardbeg Committee's exclusive releases are legendary for a reason We tasted Ardbeg's latest 'For Discussion' bottling and looked back on more than two decades of Committee releases. This...

Interview Interview: Meet the flavour matchmakers at Deanston, Bunnahabhain and Tobermory The role of the cask is a critical one. And with so many variables, how can you be sure you’ve...

By Kristiane Sherry

Regional Focus Whisky in Wales: The birth of Wisgi Cymreig As Welsh whisky starts to carve out its place on the world stage with an application for protected status, we...

By Jens Tholstrup

Interview 'A Sense of Place': Discovering Scotch whisky 'bioregionalism' with Dave Broom Acclaimed whisky writer Dave Broom is using his latest book to explore the concept of ‘bioregionalism’ in Scotch whisky, taking...

By Felipe Schrieberg

Distillery Focus Caol Ila: Johnnie Walker's home by the sea Caol Ila’s renovation as ‘the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker’ emphasises its place at the heart of the island’s whisky...

By Gavin D. Smith

Editor's Word Opinion: Why appearance isn't everything in the whisky world As we can't judge a book by its cover, the subdued appearance of a cask can belie the beauty within

By Bethany Whymark

Thoughts from... Opinion: Remembering a brother in cocktail communion Paying tribute to US cocktail pioneer Brother Cleve, and his legacy among today's bartenders

By Liza Weisstuch

Thoughts from... Opinion: How green is my glen? Reducing emissions beyond the distillery gate

By Chris Middleton

Production The evolution of the whisky cask The global whisky industry traces its genesis to the vanquished world of the Celts, whose enduring legacy is the cask,...

By Chris Middleton

Production Why more bourbon distillers are rinsing their used barrels More bourbon distillers are rinsing their casks as demand for their whiskey rises – could this be bad news for...

By Susannah Skiver Barton

Production New Makes: The new innovation frontier for whisky distillers From favouring characterful liquids to experimenting with more pre-maturation variables, new distillers are putting more eggs in their new-make baskets....

By Millie Milliken

Production Canadian distillers' cask experiments – from maple syrup to blackberry wine Canadian distilleries have embraced the practice of barrel finishing and are using it not only to enhance their whiskies, but...

By Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux

Production On the grapevine: Australian whisky makers' affinity for wine casks Australia has long been known for its boldly flavoured wines, and the country’s distilleries are now harnessing these characteristics to...

By Luke McCarthy

Caskaway Caskaway: Louise McGuane's desert island drams The founder of J.J. Corry shares which whiskies she would take to our desert island

By Bradley Weir

Christopher CoatesOpinion: Sherry casks are misunderstood – and we need to change thatThe future of our favourite sherry cask-matured whiskies depends on it.

Blair Phillips and Davin de KergommeauxCanadian distillers' cask experiments – from maple syrup to blackberry wineCanadian distilleries have embraced the practice of barrel finishing and are using it not only...

Luke McCarthyOn the grapevine: Australian whisky makers' affinity for wine casksAustralia has long been known for its boldly flavoured wines, and the country’s distilleries are...

Chris MiddletonThe evolution of the whisky caskThe global whisky industry traces its genesis to the vanquished world of the Celts, whose...

Millie MillikenNew Makes: The new innovation frontier for whisky distillersFrom favouring characterful liquids to experimenting with more pre-maturation variables, new distillers are putting more...

Felipe Schrieberg'A Sense of Place': Discovering Scotch whisky 'bioregionalism' with Dave BroomAcclaimed whisky writer Dave Broom is using his latest book to explore the concept of...

Kristiane SherryInterview: Meet the flavour matchmakers at Deanston, Bunnahabhain and TobermoryThe role of the cask is a critical one. And with so many variables, how...

Susannah Skiver BartonWhy more bourbon distillers are rinsing their used barrelsMore bourbon distillers are rinsing their casks as demand for their whiskey rises – could...

Gavin D. SmithCaol Ila: Johnnie Walker's home by the seaCaol Ila’s renovation as ‘the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker’ emphasises its place at the...

Jens TholstrupWhisky in Wales: The birth of Wisgi CymreigAs Welsh whisky starts to carve out its place on the world stage with an...

Bradley WeirCaskaway: Louise McGuane's desert island dramsThe founder of J.J. Corry shares which whiskies she would take to our desert island

Liza WeisstuchOpinion: Remembering a brother in cocktail communionPaying tribute to US cocktail pioneer Brother Cleve, and his legacy among today's bartenders

Bethany WhymarkOpinion: Why appearance isn't everything in the whisky worldAs we can't judge a book by its cover, the subdued appearance of a cask...

Benriach
The Smoky Ten

ABV 46%

Comments: Absolutely delicious. Complex and constantly evolving.

Overall score

8.5

Berry Bros. & Rudd
Nordic Cask #2

ABV 58.9%

Comments: This is a bit of a treat and the perfect winter warmer, bringing those rich and complementary notes over and over.

Overall score

8.2

Bunnahabhain
2022 Cask Strength Edition

ABV 56.6%

Comments: Mature and well-rounded, with little heat despite the ABV.

Overall score

8.4

Cù Bòcan
2022 Edition

ABV 50%

Comments: Full of character and well-balanced. The smoke is beautifully woven among the sweet and spiced notes.

Overall score

8.5

Fettercairn
18 Years Old

ABV 46.8%

Comments: Wonderfully moreish. I could find myself going back to this one again.

Overall score

8.3

House of Hazelwood
A Breath of Fresh Air

ABV 46.4%

Comments: A light and refreshing sip. It would be lovely lengthened out in a high ball, too.

Overall score

8.9

House of Hazelwood
The Old Confectioner's

ABV 46.3%

Comments: A wonderfully integrated marriage of spirit and oak. Delicious.

Overall score

8.6

House of Hazelwood
A Breath of Fresh Air

ABV 46.4%

Comments: Everything one could want from a really, really old whisky. Superb.

Overall score

8.9

Lagg
Single Malt

ABV 50%

Comments: This certainly packs a punch, and although there is one big note, it is beautifully balanced out by complexity.

Overall score

7.9

Octomore
13.2

ABV 58.3%

Comments: There is a dominant smoked note, but it has been carefully worked to show balanced highlights. A beautiful job.

Overall score

7.7

Octomore
13.3

ABV 61.6%

Comments: If you’re all about the smoked life, you’ll love this. It’s a great example of not being afraid to be bold.

Overall score

7.9

Old Forester
1870 Original Batch

ABV 45%

Comments: Floral and delicately spicy. Unexpectedly heady for the style but complex and well put-together.

Overall score

8.5

Old Pulteney
Coastal Series Pineau de Charentes

ABV 46%

Comments: A great journey through whisky’s flavour spectrum. It has complexity and a little fun in there, too.

Overall score

8.0

Talnua
Heritage Selection

ABV 43%

Comments: Liquid pumpkin pie. A quintessential autumn dram.

Overall score

8.0

The Art of the Blend
First Fill Oloroso Sherry Blended Malt

ABV 58.8%

Comments: This whisky is like a spring morning, nipping out to get a pastry and then enjoying a stroll in the countryside. Light and wholesome all at once.

Overall score

8.3