Whisky Magazine 33

Whisky Galore Royal Brackla Cocktails Burn Stewart Chill Filtering

Column The Miller's Tale The Islay-Jura ferry wasn't working.

Musings with Michael Jackson Desperately seeking Scotland Wherever I go, I am reminded of the islands and the glens…but they exist only in my\rmind, confesses Michael Jackson

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Clear as mud? When is a Cardhu not a Cardhu? Dave Broom investigates

By Dave Broom

News Case adjourned Whisky enthusiast and scientist Alex Kraaijeveld responds to The Macallan's defence of the authenticity of its antique whiskies in the...

By Alex Kraaijeveld

Awards & Events Germany hot over whisky Thousands turned out for Germany's Limburg Whisky Fair. Brian Townsend was amongst them

By Brian Townsend

People The wonderful world of whisky Welcome to our new section, World of whisky.\rThese pages aim to take a less reverent look at the world of...

By Dominic Roskrow

News A dram online Bruichladdich's Jim McEwan is set to bring his whisky tasting sessions into your home. Mike Gerrard reports

By Mike Gerrard

Distillery Focus Bird Watching (Glenturret) Ruffling a few feathers? The Whisky Magazine Mystery Visitor tries out the Famous\rGrouse Experience

By Mystery Visitor

Places Well set in Soho An extended tasting area and showroom at London's Vintage House reflect how malt whisky is evolving as customers demand more...

By Dominic Roskrow

History Whisky Galore Gavin D. Smith looks at the event that inspired the world-famous whisky novel by Compton Mackenzie

By Gavin D. Smith

News Le momentum du malt France remains an exciting and intriguing territory for whisky. Tom Bruce-Gardyne reports

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Cocktails Treading new ground Whisky cocktails can work, and they could help bring younger drinkers in to the world of malts. A team of...

Food Four sweet seasons Martine Nouet finds a whisky dessert for each of the seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring

By Martine Nouet

Distillery Focus First of the royal malts (Royal Brackla) Ian Buxton discovers the charms of Royal Brackla, also a RAF base at one time

By Ian Buxton

News From Tobermory to Tobago Burn Stewart has a global presence after its recent purchase by a Caribbean based company. Peter Mulryan finds out what...

By Peter Mulryan

Whisky & Culture A rye look at suicide Jefferson Chase looks at John Barth's The Floating Opera and a day in the life of a would-be suicide case

By Jefferson Chase

News Scotch Mist What is it with whisky and clichéd images of Scotland? Richard Jones starts the fightback…

By Richard Jones

Production The chill factor Ironically few subjects are likely to make a whisky aficionado's blood boil quicker than that of chill filtering. Ian Wisniewski...

By Ian Wisniewski

Awards & Events Generosity of spirit Brian Palmer, editor of Islay's local paper and lead drummer in the pipe band, gives a unique, teetotaller's view of...

By Brian Palmer

Dave BroomClear as mud?When is a Cardhu not a Cardhu? Dave Broom investigates

Tom Bruce-GardyneLe momentum du maltFrance remains an exciting and intriguing territory for whisky. Tom Bruce-Gardyne reports

Ian BuxtonFirst of the royal malts (Royal Brackla)Ian Buxton discovers the charms of Royal Brackla, also a RAF base at one time

Jefferson ChaseA rye look at suicideJefferson Chase looks at John Barth's The Floating Opera and a day in the life...

Mike GerrardA dram onlineBruichladdich's Jim McEwan is set to bring his whisky tasting sessions into your home. Mike...

Michael JacksonDesperately seeking ScotlandWherever I go, I am reminded of the islands and the glens…but they exist only...

Richard JonesScotch MistWhat is it with whisky and clichéd images of Scotland? Richard Jones starts the fightback…

Alex KraaijeveldCase adjournedWhisky enthusiast and scientist Alex Kraaijeveld responds to The Macallan's defence of the authenticity of...

Marcin MillerThe Miller's TaleThe Islay-Jura ferry wasn't working.

Peter MulryanFrom Tobermory to TobagoBurn Stewart has a global presence after its recent purchase by a Caribbean based company....

Martine NouetFour sweet seasonsMartine Nouet finds a whisky dessert for each of the seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring

Brian PalmerGenerosity of spiritBrian Palmer, editor of Islay's local paper and lead drummer in the pipe band, gives...

Dominic RoskrowWell set in SohoAn extended tasting area and showroom at London's Vintage House reflect how malt whisky is...

Gavin D. SmithWhisky GaloreGavin D. Smith looks at the event that inspired the world-famous whisky novel by Compton Mackenzie

Brian TownsendGermany hot over whiskyThousands turned out for Germany's Limburg Whisky Fair. Brian Townsend was amongst them

Mystery VisitorBird Watching (Glenturret)Ruffling a few feathers? The Whisky Magazine Mystery Visitor tries out the Famous\rGrouse Experience

Ian WisniewskiThe chill factorIronically few subjects are likely to make a whisky aficionado's blood boil quicker than that...

Connoisseur's Choice
1991

ABV 43%

Comments: A refined and pleasant dram, perfect for a summer tea-time. Less attractive and aromatic when diluted.

Overall score

7.0

Craigellachie Hotel of Speyside
Glenlivet, 2002 Single Cask Bottling

ABV 59.1%

Comments: Fascinating comparison with the Murray McDavid example. A different personality but equally good.

Overall score

8.5

Gordon & MacPhail
1938, 60 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A great age, but it has matured beautifully.

Overall score

8.8

Gordon & MacPhail
18 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: The best Benromach I have tasted. I wonder what she should expect in a few years from the new stillhouse.

Overall score

8.1

Gordon & MacPhail
1972

ABV 40%

Comments: Hard to find Linkwood delicacy and elegance in this version. Probably not from outstanding sherry casks.

Overall score

7.9

Gordon & MacPhail
Longmorn-Glenlivet, 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Straightforward, well-balanced, pleasant anytime. Should go perfectly with a summer dessert (fruit pie, trifle or sherbet).

Overall score

8.4

Gordon & MacPhail
1980

ABV 63.8%

Comments: The unusually high strength of this 23 Years Old malt makes it taste younger. Water tames the spirit but heightens woodiness. Lacks delicacy.

Overall score

7.8

Gordon & MacPhail
1982

ABV 40%

Comments: A gentle Port Ellen, with the sea influencing the nose more than the palate. Would have proved a heftier guy at a higher strength.

Overall score

8.1

Gordon & MacPhail
1960

ABV 40%

Comments: A rich expression of a venerable sherry maturation. Will delight sherry-cask aficionados.

Overall score

8.0

Gordon & MacPhail
1983

ABV 46%

Comments: Sherry tends to overwhelm the palate. Persistent dryness. A good companion for coffee.

Overall score

7.3

Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old
1970

ABV 40%

Comments: Disappointing. Where is the richness, and especially the island character?

Overall score

8.6

James MacArthur's Old Masters
1992

ABV 64.2%

Comments: This bottling strongly manifests the woody dryness that seems to characterise the whiskies from the Islay valley. Water brings out Strathmill's muscat note.

Overall score

7.0

Murray McDavid
1979

ABV 46%

Comments: An opportunity to taste another version of Lagavulin. Subtle and complex, but I missed the instant punch of peat.

Overall score

8.4

Murray McDavid Mission
1972

ABV 46%

Comments: Typical Clynelish in its texture but a smokier than usual example.

Overall score

8.2

Murray McDavid Mission
1974

ABV 46%

Comments: Softness and subtlety is underrated these days, but can be more complex as any big old bruiser.

Overall score

8.7

Murray McDavid Mission
1975

ABV 46%

Comments: An especially rich sherryish bottling. Voluptuous. With the afterdinner chocs.

Overall score

7.9

Royal Brackla
25 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A well built and delicious dram.

Overall score

8.1

The Arran Malt
Single Malt Non Chill Filtered

ABV 46%

Comments: A curious inversion. As though the whisky (rich and sweet, but without penetrating flavours) provides the background, while the sherry and wood are the highlights.

Overall score

7.6