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Whisky Magazine 34

Sean Connery East meets West Irish Coffee Whisky and sushi

Buy this issue

Musings with Michael Jackson The Buddha of Bourbon Michael Jackson has a vision, and learns why the Japanese sit on the floor to eat dinner

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Tomorrow's World Innovation in the world of whisky? It's all over the place, argues Dave Broom

By Dave Broom

Production Putting money where your mouth is

By Ian Buxton

Distillery Focus The last show in town (Springbank) Campbeltown was once a thriving centre for whisky production. Now little remains. Is Springbank worth the journey? Our mystery visitor...

By Mystery Visitor

Distillery Focus Kentucky Roses (Four Roses) Four Roses has thrived since it was bought by Japanese brewer Kirin. Stuart MacLean Ramsay found out why.

By Stuart MacLean Ramsay

Distillery Focus Chills and thrills (Yoichi) Dave Broomtries to discover the secret of Nikka by visiting its North Japanese Yoichi distillery

By Dave Broom

Bars On the fashion trail The Lonsdale in London recently hosted a Whisky Magazine cocktail challenge. Dominic Roskrow spoke to general manager Henry Besant.

By Dominic Roskrow

People Protective Shields (Robin Shields) Robin Shields isn't from Islay. He's not Scottish. And he doesn't have a distillery background. But as Martine Nouet finds...

By Martine Nouet

Distillery Focus Lead on Macduff Speyside's most eastern distillery is something of an enigma, but it's not without influence. Ian Buxton paid it a visit.

By Ian Buxton

History The strange case of the Bothy Still Gavin D Smith looks at how Diageo's forerunners flirted with the idea of launching a ‘boutique' distillery based on an...

By Gavin D. Smith

Whisky & Culture Keeping up appearances Whisky is a central part of the main character in Graham Greene's The Human Factor says Jefferson Chase

By Jefferson Chase

News How the hot toddy took flight Irish Coffee is known and loved across the world, but how did this happen? Peter Mulryan shows how it first...

By Peter Mulryan

News How the hot toddy took flight (Irish Coffee) Irish Coffee is known and loved across the world, but how did this happen? Peter Mulryan shows how it first...

By Peter Mulryan

Food A fishy tale In the latest in an occasional series of matching whisky with food, Dave Broom compares and contrasts some sushi-whisky combinations

By Dave Broom

Production Lets do the char char The cask plays a major role in the flavour of whisky. Ian Wisnieski takes a closer look at how they...

By Ian Wisniewski

Column Haydock gets sexed up Is the great John Haydock rattled? It would seem so. Here he goes on the defensive and answers his critics

By John Haydock

Stuart MacLean RamsayKentucky Roses (Four Roses)Four Roses has thrived since it was bought by Japanese brewer Kirin. Stuart MacLean Ramsay...

Peter MulryanHow the hot toddy took flight (Irish Coffee)Irish Coffee is known and loved across the world, but how did this happen? Peter...

Mystery VisitorThe last show in town (Springbank)Campbeltown was once a thriving centre for whisky production. Now little remains. Is Springbank worth...

Michael JacksonThe Buddha of BourbonMichael Jackson has a vision, and learns why the Japanese sit on the floor to...

Martine NouetProtective Shields (Robin Shields)Robin Shields isn't from Islay. He's not Scottish. And he doesn't have a distillery background....

Marcin MillerThe Miller's Tale

John HaydockHaydock gets sexed upIs the great John Haydock rattled? It would seem so. Here he goes on the...

Jefferson ChaseKeeping up appearancesWhisky is a central part of the main character in Graham Greene's The Human Factor...

Ian BuxtonLead on MacduffSpeyside's most eastern distillery is something of an enigma, but it's not without influence. Ian...

Ian WisniewskiLets do the char charThe cask plays a major role in the flavour of whisky. Ian Wisnieski takes a...

Gavin D. SmithThe strange case of the Bothy StillGavin D Smith looks at how Diageo's forerunners flirted with the idea of launching a...

Dominic RoskrowOn the fashion trailThe Lonsdale in London recently hosted a Whisky Magazine cocktail challenge. Dominic Roskrow spoke to...

Dave BroomChills and thrills (Yoichi)Dave Broomtries to discover the secret of Nikka by visiting its North Japanese Yoichi distillery

Bunnahabhain
1963

ABV 42.9%

Comments: Another cracker from the vaults. Burn Stewart must be rubbing their hands with glee.

Overall score

8.2

Glen Garioch
12 Years Old, National Trust for Scotland bottling

ABV 47.4%

Comments: Approachable and enjoyable, but a little mild-mannered for me. Bring back the peat...please!

Overall score

7.7

Glenfiddich
1973 Vintage Reserve

ABV 49.5%

Comments: All very precise with a polite procession of flavours. \"No please, you go first. \" \"Why thank you old boy. \"

Overall score

8.6

Hakushu
1982 Sherry Cask

ABV 61%

Comments: A fine example of European oak in action.

Overall score

7.9

Hakushu
1984 White Oak Cask

ABV 61%

Comments: Its edgy assertiveness might bother aesthetes but I warm to a whisky that knows its own mind.

Overall score

8.0

Hakushu
1988 Bourbon Cask

ABV 61%

Comments: Lean, limber and characteristically smoky. A clear sense of Hakushu malt without heavy wood influence.

Overall score

8.2

Hakushu
30th Anniversary Bottling

ABV 43%

Comments: A beautifully composed whisky. No aggression, but a great sense of authority.

Overall score

8.3

Springbank
25 Years Old, Frank McHardy Bottling

ABV 46%

Comments: Springbank can sound like a fruit salad, but the whisky has a lot of authority.

Overall score

8.4

The Balvenie
1972 Vintage Cask

ABV 47.3%

Comments: Proof, if it were needed, that this is a first-growth distillery.

Overall score

9.2

The Whisky Shop
30 Years Old

ABV 47.4%

Comments: For the collector.

Overall score

7.4

The Yamazaki
80th Anniversary Bottling

ABV 43%

Comments: A lovely, elegant, delicately malty Yamazaki.

Overall score

8.3

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Whisky Magazine 34

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