Whisky Magazine 51

Winston and whisky Blended whisky Talisker Teacher's turn 175 Glen Grant Bourbon in Brooklyn The...

Editor's Word Fight back now! Are whisky drinkers getting the sort of service standards they – and the product – deserves? Not according to Dominic...

By Dominic Roskrow

Musings with Michael Jackson Elegy for the ‘Easy' The death of New Orleans has been exaggerated

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Spicing up the industry Compass Box's new product is a cracker. But will it upset the traditionalists?

By Dave Broom

Awards & Events How do the Scots like their whisky? They love it LIVE

By Dominic Roskrow

People Are they coming to get us? Smokers are facing ever increasing restrictions.Will the alcoholic drink sector be next?

By Dominic Roskrow

News Fuelling affairs of the state Whisky has often served as a lubricant driving the cogs of diplomacy and politics. But as Chris Hill reports,it has...

By Chris Hill

Production A matter of art in a glass What makes a great blend,and why do the biggest brands command such loyalty? Ian Buxton reports

By Ian Buxton

Production Still hot for Teacher's Teacher's is celebrating its 175th birthday with a new owner. And the brand's still bullish

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus Carving out a niche (Karuizawa) Karuizawa is one of Japan's smaller and lesser known distilleries.But as Dave Broom found out, it's producing some fine and...

By Dave Broom

Cocktails The Collins Ian Wisniewski on the most refreshing of all whisky cocktails

By Ian Wisniewski

News Liquid thunder, storm in a glass Talisker is an icon malt and it's celebrating its 175th anniversary. Dave Broom takes a walk on its wildside.

By Dave Broom

Distillery Focus In need of good loving (Glen Grant) Our mystery visitor discovers a melancholy garden at Glen Grant

By Mystery Visitor

News Arran flying like an eagle The Isle of Arran Distillery is 10 years old. Dominic Roskrow joined the celebrations

By Dominic Roskrow

News Licensed to still They fought the law,and they won. Dominic Roskrow visits Drumchork Lodge

By Dominic Roskrow

Food Entente cordiale Pascal Barbot is a young award-winning chef in Paris who wasn't too familiar with whisky before Glenfiddich challenged him.Martine Nouet reports

By Martine Nouet

Whisky & Culture How black can black be? Blacker... This issue Jefferson Chase on Terence Blacker's bleak novel 'Kill your Darlings'

By Jefferson Chase

Places From Bardstown to Brooklyn Charles Cowdrey reports on a one-woman crusadeto bring Kentucky's finest in to the Big Apple

By Charles K Cowdery

History Malice in the mix A book on the great Glasgow whisky scandal of 1872 is set to be republished.According to Ian Buxton,it makes essential reading

By Ian Buxton

Travel Retail Canada fly... Joe Bates with the latest from travel retail

By Joe Bates

Production Mixing the grain with the grape Ian Wisniewski looks at wine finishes

By Ian Wisniewski

Joe BatesCanada fly...Joe Bates with the latest from travel retail

Dave BroomCarving out a niche (Karuizawa)Karuizawa is one of Japan's smaller and lesser known distilleries.But as Dave Broom found out,...

Ian BuxtonMalice in the mixA book on the great Glasgow whisky scandal of 1872 is set to be republished.According...

Jefferson ChaseHow black can black be? Blacker...This issue Jefferson Chase on Terence Blacker's bleak novel 'Kill your Darlings'

Charles K CowderyFrom Bardstown to BrooklynCharles Cowdrey reports on a one-woman crusadeto bring Kentucky's finest in to the Big Apple

Chris HillFuelling affairs of the stateWhisky has often served as a lubricant driving the cogs of diplomacy and politics. But...

Michael JacksonElegy for the ‘Easy'The death of New Orleans has been exaggerated

Martine NouetEntente cordialePascal Barbot is a young award-winning chef in Paris who wasn't too familiar with whisky...

Dominic RoskrowHow do the Scots like their whisky? They love it LIVE

Mystery VisitorIn need of good loving (Glen Grant)Our mystery visitor discovers a melancholy garden at Glen Grant

Ian WisniewskiMixing the grain with the grapeIan Wisniewski looks at wine finishes

Basil Hayden's
8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Clean and fresh. Mid-morning.

Overall score

7.4

Berrys' Own Selection
1990

ABV 46%

Comments: A teasing early freshness is the overture to a richer, modestly structured, conclusion.

Overall score

7.7

Blanton's

ABV 46.5%

Comments: A complex, rich and interesting character. Water cuts the edges and adds creaminess. A real delight.

Overall score

8.6

Booker's
Bourbon

ABV 63.4%

Comments: An enticing nose but quite a rough palate. Water does not seem to tame the firewater much as it enhances spices. And don't say it is too virile for a female palate. It is NOT that!

Overall score

7.7

Cadenhead's
Highland

ABV 50%

Comments: A very decent dram with good balance and structure.

Overall score

7.8

Chieftain's
1978, Aged 26 Years, Sherry Wood

ABV 46%

Comments: Too burnt and dry. Not for everyone. Reminds me of a particular espresso and grappa, standing outside the Arsenale, on a winter's morning.

Overall score

7.6

Dewar Rattray
1964, 40 Years Old

ABV 48.1%

Comments: This isn't a bourbon? Shows how much oak has had its say. Throw some ice in and sip.

Overall score

8.0

Elijah Craig
12 Years Old

ABV 47%

Comments: Another from the big-boned camp.

Overall score

7.5

Elmer T. Lee

ABV 45%

Comments: A superbly balanced giant. More on the sweet side than the spicy one. Should marry so well with my pecan pie! Avoid water.

Overall score

8.4

Evan Williams
Black

ABV 43%

Comments: Not the biggest, but a versatile balanced bourbon.

Overall score

7.9

George T. Stagg
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 68.8%

Comments: A no-holds barred glass, but doesn't have the class of the best on show.

Overall score

6.9

Gordon & MacPhail
22 Years Old, Port Wood Finish

ABV 45%

Comments: Should the pink tangerine blush of this whisky hint at Bacchus? He may have glanced at the cask, but I can't find him in the glass.

Overall score

7.7

Jon, Mark and Robbo's
The Smooth Sweeter One

ABV 40%

Comments: A curious whisky. Not sure where it's coming from, or going to.

Overall score

7.4

JTS Brown

ABV 40%

Comments: A pleasant balance between oaky and creamy notes. The finish is surprisingly long for the alcoholic strength. The mid palate is a bit watery.

Overall score

7.4