Whisky Magazine 46

Champions of Whisky 2005 Icons of Whisky Glen Grant Adelphi Distillery buy-out two years on

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Editor's Word What a mix up When is a blend, not a blend? When it's a vatted malt.

By Dominic Roskrow

Musings with Michael Jackson Call me a cab Michael Jackson goes a few rounds by taxi

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom In the wrong car park? Tokyo you expect the unexpected - most of the time

By Dave Broom

Awards & Events Limburg Whisky Fair 2005 In just three years, the Whisky Fair at Limburg in Germany has established a good reputation and continues to attract...

By Dominic Roskrow

People Treat us with respect How should the industry react over the issue of responsible drinking?

By Dominic Roskrow

Awards & Events In search of the world's best whiskies This is the third time we have held the Best of the Best. But as Dominic Roskrow reports, this is...

By Dominic Roskrow

Awards & Events Industry 'Oscars' honour the heroes of whisky The Icons of Whisky recognise the people and companies that have made the biggest contribution to the world of whisky....

By Dominic Roskrow

Cocktails Nothing wrong with Old Fashioned values In the latest of his series on classic cocktails, Ian Wisniewski looks at the Old-Fashioned

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Unique name, Major distillery (Glen Grant) Ian Buxton visits the picturesque and constantly surprising Glen Grant distillery in Speyside

By Ian Buxton

Places Wright On The Wright Wine Company doesn't do exactly what it says on the tin. Richard Jones investigates

By Richard Jones

Distillery Focus One for the tourists... (Tullibardine) Tullibardine is a distillery crossed with a shopping centre. Can it keep whisky fans happy without alienating the general public?...

By Mystery Visitor

People Meet the awkward squad The basic process of making whisky is similar throughout the world. But there are always some who have to be...

By Dave Broom

News The rise of the independents A couple of years ago there was a spate of takeovers of Scottish distilleries and independent buyouts. What happened to...

By Ian Buxton

Food Whisky à la carte in Belgium Whisky dinners are becoming increasingly popular in Belgium. Martine Nouet meets a chef passionate about malt on the plate

By Martine Nouet

Places Travelling in style Joe Bates provides a guide to the best duty free purchases and looks at the best stores to buy from....

By Joe Bates

Whisky & Culture Days when they were kings Jefferson Chase takes a nostalgic trawl through Robert Penn Warren's political classic

By Jefferson Chase

People Jack of all trades (Duncan Buie) He's here, he's there... it's not easy to pinpoint what Duncan Buie does. But Richard Jones has a go

By Richard Jones

Distillery Focus Badge of quality in safe hands (Adelphi) Adelphi distillery, the top-of-the-market independent bottler, has been bought by a couple of landowners in Argyll. Charles MacLeanlooks at the...

By Charles MacLean

News Women of High Spirits Some of the best whisky makers and blenders are women. Charles Cowdrey met some of them at a special roadshow.

By Charles K Cowdery

Production Respect your elders While it doesn't follow that older is necessarily better, great older whiskies are rare and to be respected. Ian Wisniewski reports

By Ian Wisniewski

Column Shake it up...maybe This issue BBC Radio London DJ and all-rounder Nigel Barden looks at cocktails

By Nigel Barden

Nigel BardenShake it up...maybeThis issue BBC Radio London DJ and all-rounder Nigel Barden looks at cocktails

Joe BatesTravelling in styleJoe Bates provides a guide to the best duty free purchases and looks at the...

Dave BroomMeet the awkward squadThe basic process of making whisky is similar throughout the world. But there are always...

Ian BuxtonThe rise of the independentsA couple of years ago there was a spate of takeovers of Scottish distilleries and...

Jefferson ChaseDays when they were kingsJefferson Chase takes a nostalgic trawl through Robert Penn Warren's political classic

Charles K CowderyWomen of High SpiritsSome of the best whisky makers and blenders are women. Charles Cowdrey met some of...

Michael JacksonCall me a cabMichael Jackson goes a few rounds by taxi

Richard JonesJack of all trades (Duncan Buie)He's here, he's there... it's not easy to pinpoint what Duncan Buie does. But Richard...

Charles MacLeanBadge of quality in safe hands (Adelphi)Adelphi distillery, the top-of-the-market independent bottler, has been bought by a couple of landowners in...

Martine NouetWhisky à la carte in BelgiumWhisky dinners are becoming increasingly popular in Belgium. Martine Nouet meets a chef passionate about...

Dominic RoskrowLimburg Whisky Fair 2005In just three years, the Whisky Fair at Limburg in Germany has established a good...

Mystery VisitorOne for the tourists... (Tullibardine)Tullibardine is a distillery crossed with a shopping centre. Can it keep whisky fans happy...

Ian WisniewskiRespect your eldersWhile it doesn't follow that older is necessarily better, great older whiskies are rare and...

Angus Dundee
15 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Well put together.

Overall score

7.8

Ardbeg
1980, Kildalton

ABV 57.6%

Comments: A substantial drink with an all-enveloping charm.

Overall score

7.8

Berry Bros. & Rudd
Orkney, 14 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A delicious session dram but could do with more oomph.

Overall score

8.1

Berry Bros. & Rudd
25 Years Old, Second Release

ABV 45.6%

Comments: A rich, ripe and well-balanced dram.

Overall score

8.1

Berrys' Own Selection
1983

ABV 46%

Comments: One of those 'light' drams which sneaks up and beguiles you.

Overall score

7.8

Cadenhead's Authentic Collection
1976, Aged 27 Years

ABV 57.1%

Comments: The nose promised more smoothness. Quite an austere character on the palate but with a lot of class.

Overall score

8.0

Connoisseurs Choice
1981

ABV 43%

Comments: The bourbon cask influence is obvious. A refreshing dram but simplistic. Water ruins it.

Overall score

7.9

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
Aged 15 Years

ABV 59.9%

Comments: Quite an energetic guy which needs water to be tamed. A classic light Speysider, lacking elegance though.

Overall score

7.4

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
Aged 15 Years

ABV 63.5%

Comments: Shows good complexity, just tipped slightly into the oak camp.

Overall score

7.8

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
Aged 15 Years

ABV 52.9%

Comments: A good spirit dented by that essential oil quality.

Overall score

7.4

Douglas Laing
1992, 12 Years Old, Sherry Finish

ABV 50%

Comments: Little interaction going on here.

Overall score

7.4

Douglas Laing
1990, Aged 14 Years, Single Cask Sherry Finish

ABV 50%

Comments: Needs a bit more in the middle.

Overall score

7.7

Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
34 Years Old

ABV 50.9%

Comments: Has the austerity of age but not the sweetness to balance.

Overall score

7.8

Glenfiddich
1991 Vintage Reserve, Don Ramsey – The Head Cooper

ABV 40%

Comments: Gentle. Accessible. Enjoyable.

Overall score

8.2

Gordon & MacPhail
1990

ABV 43%

Comments: A pleasant dram, especially with a splash of water but lacks nerve and buoyancy.

Overall score

7.7

Gordon & MacPhail
1980

ABV 58.6%

Comments: Another vibrant springtime aperitif.

Overall score

7.8

James MacArthur's Old Masters
1993

ABV 56.1%

Comments: The aroma promises more than the whisky delivers.

Overall score

7.3

Linkwood
12 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A strange fellow. As if all was delivered in a dash. Then the finish seems to never end.

Overall score

7.4

Longmorn
15 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: A rewarding marriage of weight and elegancy.

Overall score

8.3

Royal Salute
The Hundred Cask Selection

ABV 40%

Comments: Robust, rather than complex. A sustaining, sweetish, restorative.

Overall score

7.8

Scott's Selection
1977, Sherry Wood

ABV 58.1%

Comments: Can't get hugely excited.

Overall score

7.3

The Cooper's Choice
1990, 14 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A middleweight Islay malt.

Overall score

7.9

The Cooper's Choice
1977, 27 Years Old, Sherry Cask

ABV 46%

Comments: Fascinating, but the oak is having the greater say.

Overall score

8.1

The Glenlivet
Cellar Collection, 1964

ABV 45.1%

Comments: After that sensuous aroma, the palate is subtle to the point of reticence. Still interesting.

Overall score

7.9

The Whisky Fair
Single Cask #144

ABV 61.3%

Comments: A lot happening. A very lively whisky.

Overall score

7.8

The Whisky Fair
1975, Aged 29 Years, Bottled for The Whisky Fair

ABV 49.2%

Comments: Astonishingly citric.

Overall score

8.2

Whisky Magazine 46

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