Whisky Magazine 31

Desert Island Drams Whisky Cons Liqueurs Whisky & cigars

Column The Miller's Tale

Musings with Michael Jackson Our Good Friend to the North Michael Jackson tangles with the border guards at the lands of the lost

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom The long and the short of it Dave Broomconsiders a request to define how long a ‘long' finish is

By Dave Broom

News Whiskies of mass deception Every day, a game of cat-and-mouse goes on between licensed venues and those protecting the spirits trade. In the middle...

By Dominic Roskrow

Awards & Events Alive and kicking Whisky enthusiasts came from far and wide to this year's sell-out Whisky Live, helping to make it the biggest and...

By Dominic Roskrow

Awards & Events Class acts The Masterclasses gave visitors the chance to explore the world of whisky more fully. Brigid James picks some highlights

By Brigid James

Whisky & Culture In search of the perfect combination It's a marriage made in heaven – whisky and cigars. But what are the best combinations? We brought a group...

By Damian Riley-Smith

Awards & Events Islay Whisky Festival, the must for May Martine Nouet describes the highlights visitors can anticipate at this May's Islay Whisky Festival

By Martine Nouet

People Desert Island drams What do professional tasters drink for pleasure? Richard Jones finds out what the whisky makers' whiskies are

By Richard Jones

Production It's all in the mix Ian Wisniewski argues that whisky liqueurs have every right to be taken seriously as a drinks category

By Ian Wisniewski

News Keepers of the Faith (Scotch Whisky Association) Gavin D. Smith looks at the work of the Scotch Whisky Association, fighting the corner for the water of life

By Gavin D. Smith

Food Single malts and black ties at The Savoy Martine Nouet teamed up with renowned Savoy chef Anton Edelmann to create a stunning Aberlour whisky dinner to kick-start Whisky Live

By Martine Nouet

Whisky & Culture Natural born swiller Hunter S. Thompson's Wild Turkey intake is legendary: and ‘wild' is definitely the word

By Hunter S Thompson

Distillery Focus Rise & Shine (Glendronach) Gavin D. Smith tells the story of Highland distillery Glendronach, which has a happy ending after all

By Gavin D. Smith

People Amanti del whisky di qualita Tom Bruce-Gardyne investigates the success of an Italian club for whisky-lovers: the Single Malt Club of Scotland

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Production The enemy within Richard Jones reveals the terrible truth: the ‘auld enemy' may have been involved in the production of your treasured dram

By Richard Jones

Production Arranged marriage So how do whiskies cope once they have come of age and are ready for single-malt marriage? Ian Wisniewski investigates

By Ian Wisniewski

People A salt on the senses Can you taste salt in whisky? Many say of course you can, but the suggestion incenses others. Peter Woodsputs the...

By Peter Woods

Dave BroomThe long and the short of itDave Broomconsiders a request to define how long a ‘long' finish is

Tom Bruce-GardyneAmanti del whisky di qualitaTom Bruce-Gardyne investigates the success of an Italian club for whisky-lovers: the Single Malt Club...

Michael JacksonOur Good Friend to the NorthMichael Jackson tangles with the border guards at the lands of the lost

Brigid JamesClass actsThe Masterclasses gave visitors the chance to explore the world of whisky more fully. Brigid...

Richard JonesThe enemy withinRichard Jones reveals the terrible truth: the ‘auld enemy' may have been involved in the...

Marcin MillerThe Miller's Tale

Martine NouetSingle malts and black ties at The SavoyMartine Nouet teamed up with renowned Savoy chef Anton Edelmann to create a stunning Aberlour...

Damian Riley-SmithIn search of the perfect combinationIt's a marriage made in heaven – whisky and cigars. But what are the best...

Dominic RoskrowAlive and kickingWhisky enthusiasts came from far and wide to this year's sell-out Whisky Live, helping to...

Gavin D. SmithRise & Shine (Glendronach)Gavin D. Smith tells the story of Highland distillery Glendronach, which has a happy ending...

Hunter S ThompsonNatural born swillerHunter S. Thompson's Wild Turkey intake is legendary: and ‘wild' is definitely the word

Ian WisniewskiArranged marriageSo how do whiskies cope once they have come of age and are ready for...

Peter WoodsA salt on the sensesCan you taste salt in whisky? Many say of course you can, but the suggestion...

Auchentoshan
1973, 29 Years Old

ABV 55.8%

Comments: Has held its own very well for such an allegedly light spirit. Mature and substantial.

Overall score

8.1

Balblair
Aged 10 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Approachable and well structured, with delicious flavours.

Overall score

7.6

Brora
30 Years Old

ABV 52.4%

Comments: Complex. A remarkable malt that thrills but saddens. Here's another light that's gone out.

Overall score

8.9

Bruichladdich
XVII, 17 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: I shall try this in a Caipirinha, with a CD of Annie Ross at her peak.

Overall score

8.6

Bushmills
1982 Bourbon Cask, Specially selected for Whisky Magazine tasting

ABV 57.8%

Comments: An unusually dry expression of Bushmills. Complex. Austere. Bushmills needs a touch of sherry sweetness.

Overall score

8.3

Cadenhead's
25 Years Old

ABV 45.2%

Comments: A spiky mix of apple and grass. Intriguing.

Overall score

7.8

Cadenhead's
1974, 29 Years Old, Chairmans Stock

ABV 54.4%

Comments: The brilliant greeny-gold colour sets a summery mood. Remarkably fresh. Drier than other Inchmurrins I have tasted. Green salad rather than the more usual tropical fruit salad.

Overall score

7.3

Cadenhead's
19 Years Old

ABV 57%

Comments: A good aperitif whisky. Great drinking.

Overall score

7.6

Clynelish
14 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Full of flavour. Full of interest. A good, complex bottling.

Overall score

8.4

Douglas Laing
1989, 13 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: Avery spicy whisky, especially in the minty notes that seem always to come with rum, yet the Clynelish shines through.

Overall score

7.8

Dun Bheagan
Aged 19 Years

ABV 57.5%

Comments: A surprisingly sweet expression of Clynelish. Lots of flavour and plenty of charm.

Overall score

8.4

Dun Bheagan
Aged 17 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Drier and thinner than Bladnoch at it's best.

Overall score

7.8

Evan Williams
1993, Single Barrel

ABV 43.3%

Comments: I like this different, less overt, single barrel style. Yet another surprise in what is a hugely diverse and high quality range of whiskies.

Overall score

8.5

Glen Garioch
1986, Aged 16 Years

ABV 54.4%

Comments: A big, robust whisky from the days when Glen Garioch made its own peated malt. I love the idea of a smoky whisky from the edge of Speyside, but I find this slightly astringent.

Overall score

7.8

Glen Ord
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A good, solid all-rounder.

Overall score

7.4

Glenmorangie
Traditional

ABV 57.2%

Comments: A surprisingly robust expression of Glenmorangie.

Overall score

8.4

Gordon & MacPhail
1979

ABV 40%

Comments: The flavours of a school sweetshop. I hope that does not get Glen Mhor banned in Boston.

Overall score

7.5

Gordon & MacPhail
1990

ABV 59.4%

Comments: A shame. Pulteney is a weighty enough spirit to cope with European oak. Not this time though!

Overall score

7.5

Ian Macleod
Island Blended Malt

ABV 43%

Comments: A young, punchy vatting. For beginners and peat lovers.

Overall score

7.8

Isle of Jura
Superstition, Aged 10 Years

ABV 45%

Comments: It is good to have a more muscular Jura, but I find this a bit too smooth. I would prefer something less sophisticated and more sexy. Must be the size of those paps.

Overall score

7.9