Whisky Magazine 45

Whisky and Art Young Malts Whisky on the Web Tullibardine Cardhu Heaven Hill Blends vs Malts

Editor's Word A world of difference Of all the events that this job involves, the Best of the Best tasting is among my favourites.

By Dominic Roskrow

Musings with Michael Jackson When the ears met the nose Michael Jackson continues the saga of his appointment with Prince Charles

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Never turn your back on a friend Is the globalisation of drinks causing a rejection of regionalised products?

By Dave Broom

People View from the other side For this debate we ask a group of non whisky industry people for their view on the subject

Whisky & Culture Seeking inspiration from a dram Whisky has long helped provide the inspiration for some artists. Glenfiddich even provides a home for artists each year. Robin...

By Robin Laing

Distillery Focus A gem in the eye of a storm (Cardhu) Say the word ‘Cardhu' and it stirs up images of underhand dealings. But the distillery intrinsically linked to last year's...

By Ian Buxton

News Back with a vengeance Tullibardine shut its doors in the 1990s. Now, as part of a retail complex, it is back. Charles MacLean went...

By Charles MacLean

News Whisky on the Web New technology is being adopted by whisky companies. Richard Jones goes surfing

By Richard Jones

Whisky & Culture Liquor, lawlessness, and loose, loose ladies Jefferson Chase gets in to frontier territory with hard-boiled crime writer James Crumley

By James Crumley

Food Square deal for whisky Albannach is an exciting new Scottish restaurant in the very heart of London. Dominic Roskrow reports

By Dominic Roskrow

Bars Speyside opens up The Cluny Bank Hotel is working within the community of Forres to give whisky fans the perfect Scottish break. Dominic...

By Dominic Roskrow

News All a matter of taste Pip Hills has compiled a directory comparing the taste profile of some leading malts and blends – and has reached...

By Pip Hills

News Stepping into Heaven Louisville's Heaven Hill have taken visitor centres in to a new dimension. Charles K. Cowdery went to the opening

By Charles K Cowdery

Cocktails A drink not to mess with In the first of a new series on great whisky cocktails, Ian Wisniewski looks at The Manhattan

By Ian Wisniewski

People Waste not, want not (Bob Pass - Diageo) In the latest in his series Richard Jones talks to Bob Pass marketing and technical manager, animal feeds for Diageo

By Richard Jones

Production Young at heart It's a fallacy to state that the older the whisky, the better it is. Young malts can have their own...

By Ian Wisniewski

Column You asked for it.... ‘Ritchie Blackmore' steps up to the mark at the last minute and gives his view of the world

By Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie BlackmoreYou asked for it....‘Ritchie Blackmore' steps up to the mark at the last minute and gives his view...

Dave BroomNever turn your back on a friendIs the globalisation of drinks causing a rejection of regionalised products?

Ian BuxtonA gem in the eye of a storm (Cardhu)Say the word ‘Cardhu' and it stirs up images of underhand dealings. But the distillery...

Charles K CowderyStepping into HeavenLouisville's Heaven Hill have taken visitor centres in to a new dimension. Charles K. Cowdery...

James CrumleyLiquor, lawlessness, and loose, loose ladiesJefferson Chase gets in to frontier territory with hard-boiled crime writer James Crumley

Pip HillsAll a matter of tastePip Hills has compiled a directory comparing the taste profile of some leading malts and...

Michael JacksonWhen the ears met the noseMichael Jackson continues the saga of his appointment with Prince Charles

Richard JonesWaste not, want not (Bob Pass - Diageo)In the latest in his series Richard Jones talks to Bob Pass marketing and technical...

Robin LaingSeeking inspiration from a dramWhisky has long helped provide the inspiration for some artists. Glenfiddich even provides a home...

Charles MacLeanBack with a vengeanceTullibardine shut its doors in the 1990s. Now, as part of a retail complex, it...

Dominic RoskrowSquare deal for whiskyAlbannach is an exciting new Scottish restaurant in the very heart of London. Dominic Roskrow reports

Ian WisniewskiYoung at heartIt's a fallacy to state that the older the whisky, the better it is. Young...

Duncan Taylor
1969, 34 Years Old

ABV 41%

Comments: Quite engaging, but just past its best.

Overall score

7.7

Glen Moray
Aged 16 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Not quite as complex as the previous 16 Years Old, but delicious.

Overall score

8.0

Glen Moray
Classic

ABV 40%

Comments: Seems rather neutral at first, but develops engaging subtleties.

Overall score

7.6

Glenmorangie
1995, Artisan Cask

ABV 45%

Comments: This is a substantially richer style of Glenmorangie, but not overwhelmingly sweet. The balancing spices and herbs are all present and correct.

Overall score

8.2

Isle of Jura
Aged 16 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A very restorative and comforting dram.

Overall score

7.9

Isle of Jura
Aged 21 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Jura needs time to open and this is a good example.

Overall score

8.0

Isle of Jura
Superstition, Aged 10 Years

ABV 45%

Comments: The nose is lively but the palate is put to sleep by sweetness.

Overall score

7.6

Isle of Jura Elixir
Legacy, Aged 10 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Not as enticing as the older versions. Lacks depth but it has nothing to do with youth. Water kills it down.

Overall score

7.3

Ledaig
Aged 7 Years

ABV 42%

Comments: Direct. One to watch.

Overall score

7.7

Ledaig

ABV 42%

Comments: Nothing to cheer up tastebuds. Water saves the nose but does not help palate. A pale image of Ledaig.

Overall score

6.9

Ledaig
Sherry Finish

ABV 42%

Comments: Quite a rich and complex malt. Needs a long aeration to release it all.

Overall score

7.7

Longrow
Aged 14 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: Far more interesting than the 10 Years Old versions. It has the freshness and vibrancy of a crisp cold and rainy morning.

Overall score

8.3

Oban
20 Years Old

ABV 57.9%

Comments: Excellent balance given the age - wood hasn't overpowered it.

Overall score

8.1

Oban
14 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Classic, gentle and pleasing. A consensual malt. Good match with salmon and light seafood dishes.

Overall score

7.9

Old Pogue
9 Years Old, Master's Select

ABV 45.5%

Comments: Like sitting in a bar next to a gent who has overdone the aftershave.

Overall score

7.3

Springbank
Aged 10 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: The nose is lighter and more subtle than the palate. A dash of water tones down the flavours. Disappointing.

Overall score

7.9

Talisker
10 Years Old

ABV 45.8%

Comments: Elemental. Another classic...

Overall score

7.9

Talisker
Aged 18 Years

ABV 45.8%

Comments: Loch Harport on a winter's day, gale force eight! Less peppery than younger versions. Complex, endearing, balanced. 18 seems a perfect age for malts.

Overall score

9.2

Talisker
25 Years Old

ABV 57.8%

Comments: Rich and luscious. Needs a dash of water to cut spirit harshness. The marine influence is overwhelmed by wood but in a charming way.

Overall score

8.7

The Arran Malt

ABV 43%

Comments: A subtle yet characterful malt. Sweetness is teased up by dry spices. Beautiful structure. The proof that you can be young and accomplished.

Overall score

7.9