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Whisky Magazine 43

The World's best blended whisky Jim McEwans's Whisky Academy Irish whiskey tastings Christmas indulgences

Buy this issue

Editor's Word Keep it in the family As low points go, the conversation I had with a senior person at Glenmorangie on the day the sale of...

By Dominic Roskrow

Musings with Michael Jackson Never mind the barley? Michael Jackson goes Babbity

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Plentytosmileabout BeingScottishisn'tbeingdepressed,youknow.Notallthetime,anyway

By Dave Broom

Awards & Events Stock of French whisky event rises The first Whisky LiveParis was held inteh old Parisian stock market - and it was a success

By Dominic Roskrow

Awards & Events Whisky comes home Whisky Live Glasgow was different to any other whisky show

By Dominic Roskrow

People It's all in the blend This month we ask three master blenders where the sector fits in in respect to the rest of the whisky market

By Dominic Roskrow

Places Small is beautiful Just miniatures does exactly what it says on the tin - sells just miniatures.

By Gavin D. Smith

Production Depends on the blend Blended whisky is most often considered a poor relation to single malts.

By Ian Buxton

Production A-Z of the world's best blends

By Dominic Roskrow

Production Big brands battle it out Chivas and Glenmoranige smarten up their act for Chistmas

By Dominic Roskrow

Awards & Events The ultimate Christmas indulgence We thought it would be fun to match some favourite whiskies with cigars, coffee and chocolate for a Christmas treat,...

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus Walking in a great poet's footsteps (Sendai) Dave Broom travels to the Sendai Distillery near Tokyo

By Dave Broom

Whisky & Culture A Place where men will be men Jefferson Chase on Richard Ford's bizarre hunting short story, Calling

By Jefferson Chase

Distillery Focus Bucketfuls of fun (Glenfiddich) The Mystery Visitor gets all artistic at Glenfiddich

By Dominic Roskrow

Food The proof of the whisky pudding It's a myth that Kentucky plus food means KFC. Kel McIntyre looks at the chefs that are helping put the...

By Kel McIntyre

News At whisky's coalface Bruichladdich is the latest of a series of distilleries to launch its own whisky academy. Mark Furse joined one of...

By Mark Furse

People Taking care of business (Colin Dunn - Morrison Bowmore) Colin Dunn is business develoment executive at Morrison Bowmore. So what does he do? Richard Jones reports

By Richard Jones

Travel The China syndrome Shanghai is now one of the world's cutting edge cities and blended whiskies are gaining big markets. But what about...

By Graham Thompson

Production Independent spirit Independent bottlers have driven innovation in the industry. But what future do they have?\rIan Wisniewski investigates

By Ian Wisniewski

Richard JonesTaking care of business (Colin Dunn - Morrison Bowmore)Colin Dunn is business develoment executive at Morrison Bowmore. So what does he do?...

Michael JacksonNever mind the barley?Michael Jackson goes Babbity

Mark FurseAt whisky's coalfaceBruichladdich is the latest of a series of distilleries to launch its own whisky academy....

Kel McIntyreThe proof of the whisky puddingIt's a myth that Kentucky plus food means KFC. Kel McIntyre looks at the chefs...

John HaydockIn the pink as Mrs H fights backIn the latest in our series of pieces from guest writers, John Haydock– the master...

Jefferson ChaseA Place where men will be menJefferson Chase on Richard Ford's bizarre hunting short story, Calling

Ian BuxtonDepends on the blendBlended whisky is most often considered a poor relation to single malts.

Ian WisniewskiIndependent spiritIndependent bottlers have driven innovation in the industry. But what future do they have?\rIan Wisniewski investigates

Graham ThompsonThe China syndromeShanghai is now one of the world's cutting edge cities and blended whiskies are gaining...

Gavin D. SmithSmall is beautifulJust miniatures does exactly what it says on the tin - sells just miniatures.

Dominic RoskrowStock of French whisky event risesThe first Whisky LiveParis was held inteh old Parisian stock market - and it was...

Dave BroomWalking in a great poet's footsteps (Sendai)Dave Broom travels to the Sendai Distillery near Tokyo

Bushmills
21 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: It's balanced but it lacks the vibrancy of the 16 Years Old.

Overall score

8.2

Bushmills
10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: After years of being overshadowed by its older wood finished cousins, this 10 Years Old is finally coming into its own.

Overall score

7.8

Bushmills
16 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Plenty of oak but the spirit holds its own. An extra dimension to the 10.

Overall score

7.8

Cadenhead's World Whiskies
Aged 12 Years

ABV 60%

Comments: Has impact and aggression, but a bit one dimensional.

Overall score

8.3

Connemara
Cask Strength

ABV 59.6%

Comments: I just love this un-chill filtered version; it's fat, it's loud and it's fun. In this price bracket, there are very few Scottish single malts that can match it.

Overall score

8.6

Connemara
Aged 12 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Good balance. Doesn't like water. Start here.

Overall score

8.3

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1969

ABV 45%

Comments: After a few of these, the rebel leader (played by Anthony Quinn) toasts freedom, and we start firing our carbines in the air.

Overall score

8.3

James MacArthur's Old Masters
1991, 12 Years Old

ABV 58.7%

Comments: The Laddie in austere mood. Best before dinner.

Overall score

7.8

Jameson
Original

ABV 40%

Comments: Distinctly average. Very disappointing.

Overall score

7.1

Jameson
18 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Even after 18 years, the pot still refuses to be mastered by the wood. Very drinkable.

Overall score

8.7

Jameson
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: For the money, this is the best damn blend you will ever, ever taste.

Overall score

8.7

Laphroaig
17 Years Old, Feis Ile 2004, Cask Strength

ABV 55.2%

Comments: A touch sophisticated for the likes of me. Where are those stinging iodine notes? They are in there somewhere, but beautifully balanced and rounded.

Overall score

8.9

Locke's
8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A very enjoyable, no nonsense malt.

Overall score

7.8

Magilligan
1991, Limited Edition, Sherry Wood Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: Finishing Cooley's peated malt in a sherry wood for a year works a lot better than I imagined, and makes me wonder what an unpeated malt would taste like after a year in Jerez.

Overall score

7.4

Magilligan
Pure Pot Still

ABV 43%

Comments: Although it says 'pure pot still' on the label, this is a single malt, there's no unmalted barley here. At 5 or so years old this malt is still a bit green.

Overall score

7.3

Midleton
Very Rare

ABV 40%

Comments: Don't know how Barry Walsh keeps this standard up year on year, the most robust MVR in ages. Bravo!

Overall score

8.8

Old Parr Classic
Aged 18 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: Is this a vatted malt? Glendullan-plus?

Overall score

7.9

Redbreast
Aged 12 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: This is what real pure pot still whiskey is all about, a glorious contradiction of soft fruit and firm grain, oily seeds and sweet wood. World beating stuff.

Overall score

9.0

The Arran Malt
Port Cask

ABV 57.5%

Comments: Initially it's fine, but ends up more port rinse than finish.

Overall score

7.7

The Tyrconnell
Single Malt

ABV 40%

Comments: This malt used to be a tad young, the current bottling is older and certainly works better.

Overall score

7.2

The Whisky Exchange
1999, Aged 5 Years

ABV 63%

Comments: Jura's manager Michael Heads worked at Laphroaig. A coincidence? More please!

Overall score

8.3

Tomatin
Aged 12 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A pretty straightforward malty malt. For completists only.

Overall score

7.4

Tullamore Dew
Heritage

ABV 40%

Comments: A very decent and reserved blend that is simply overshadowed and outclassed by the 12 Years Old.

Overall score

8.0

Tullamore Dew
Aged 12 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: This is a super little whiskey; a premium Jameson clone. And a good one too.

Overall score

8.0

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Whisky Magazine 43

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