Whisky Magazine 53

How malt made social gambling cool Visiting Speyside Isle of Jura Russia's whisky elite

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Editor's Word Image is everything

By Dominic Roskrow

Musings with Michael Jackson Bottling the Holy Ghost What happens when you have a Mass at the mash-tun?

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Why Glenfiddich stands for a load of tripe South Africa provided Dave Broom with a whisky magic triple whammy

By Dave Broom

Bars A slice of paradise We recently asked for nominations for our ‘great whisky bars of the world' award. On the opposite page is the...

By Damian Riley-Smith

Bars Great whisky bars of the world A couple of issues ago we launched a new scheme to honour the world's best whisky bars. Here are the...

By Dominic Roskrow

People Tomorrow's world We recently teamed up with The Glenlivet for a readers' evening to discuss the world of whisky. We asked them...

By Dominic Roskrow

News A big hand for gambling nights Social poker nights both at home or at style bars and clubs have been the fad trend of 2005 –...

By Rob Allanson

Distillery Focus Worth rediscovering (Jura) Jura makes no economic sense. But when it comes to putting quality before profit it stands like a beacon. Ian...

By Ian Buxton

Production Recreating history What happens to United States Presidents after they leave office? The first one made whiskey. Charles K. Cowdery reports

By Charles K Cowdery

Distillery Focus How Low can you go? (Auchentoshan) The mystery visitor turns his sights on iconic Lowland malt Auchentoshan. Surely he won't savage that, too?

By Mystery Visitor

Travel Spey Pride The Speyside region is getting its act together and making life easier for the visitor. Here Dominic Roskrow reports on...

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel The visitors' guide to... Speyside In each issue of Whisky Magazine this year we will look at a whisky region from a tourist's point of...

By Dominic Roskrow

Whisky & Culture The beautiful South? Lew Guthrie III on Southern Rock Opera by Drive-By Truckers – an epic concept album on the life and times...

By Lew Guthrie

Travel Russians seek out a taste of luxury A new elite in Russia is demanding the world's very best products, quality single malt among them. Marcin Miller reports

By Marcin Miller

People Heather, honey and whisky's future Jamie Forbes is Albannach's young, gifted and enthusiastic bar manager, and he's bringing malt whisky to a younger audience. Rob...

By Rob Allanson

Food There's something about Mary If you visit Islay you have to try the cooking of Mary McKecknie and the outstanding visitor centre at Ardbeg...

By Richard Jones

Whisky & Culture A cut (or two) above the rest After reading this disturbing Scotland-based offering from Christopher Brookmyre you'll never look at school reunions the same way again says...

By Jefferson Chase

History The crazy world of James Grant With Glen Grant up for sale it's timely to look at the man behind the distillery. Iain Russell reports

By Iain Russell

Cocktails Irish Coffee Ian Wisniewski on a winter favourite

By Ian Wisniewski

News Working in harmony The new Whisky Exchange shop at London's Vinopolis is part of a new project that shows how grape and the...

By Kate Portman (nee Ennis)

News A true touch of glass Glencairn Crystal is playing a major role in promoting dedicated whisky glasses. But as Dominic Roskrow reports, there is more...

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Retail Whisky's coming home Joe Bates with the latest from travel retail

By Joe Bates

Production No Spain no Grain In the last issue we looked in depth at bourbon casks. Here Ian Wisniewski considers how sherry ones perform

By Ian Wisniewski

Rob AllansonHeather, honey and whisky's futureJamie Forbes is Albannach's young, gifted and enthusiastic bar manager, and he's bringing malt whisky...

Joe BatesWhisky's coming homeJoe Bates with the latest from travel retail

Dave BroomWhy Glenfiddich stands for a load of tripeSouth Africa provided Dave Broom with a whisky magic triple whammy

Ian BuxtonWorth rediscovering (Jura)Jura makes no economic sense. But when it comes to putting quality before profit it...

Jefferson ChaseA cut (or two) above the restAfter reading this disturbing Scotland-based offering from Christopher Brookmyre you'll never look at school reunions...

Charles K CowderyRecreating historyWhat happens to United States Presidents after they leave office? The first one made whiskey....

Lew GuthrieThe beautiful South?Lew Guthrie III on Southern Rock Opera by Drive-By Truckers – an epic concept album...

Michael JacksonBottling the Holy GhostWhat happens when you have a Mass at the mash-tun?

Richard JonesThere's something about MaryIf you visit Islay you have to try the cooking of Mary McKecknie and the...

Marcin MillerRussians seek out a taste of luxuryA new elite in Russia is demanding the world's very best products, quality single malt...

Kate Portman (nee Ennis)Working in harmonyThe new Whisky Exchange shop at London's Vinopolis is part of a new project that...

Damian Riley-SmithA slice of paradiseWe recently asked for nominations for our ‘great whisky bars of the world' award. On...

Dominic RoskrowGreat whisky bars of the worldA couple of issues ago we launched a new scheme to honour the world's best...

Iain RussellThe crazy world of James GrantWith Glen Grant up for sale it's timely to look at the man behind the...

Mystery VisitorHow Low can you go? (Auchentoshan)The mystery visitor turns his sights on iconic Lowland malt Auchentoshan. Surely he won't savage...

Ian WisniewskiNo Spain no GrainIn the last issue we looked in depth at bourbon casks. Here Ian Wisniewski considers...

Auchentoshan
Aged 10 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A malty nose but balanced and quite sweet on the palate. A drinkable session dram.

Overall score

7.3

Auchentoshan
Three Wood

ABV 40%

Comments: As warm and welcoming as a real Glasgow kiss.

Overall score

8.2

Auchentoshan
21 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A fruity rumble in the hay. Oo arr missus.

Overall score

8.0

Berry Bros. & Rudd
Lowland, 12 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A fine dram to start off a tasting, but not enough interest to engage you the whole night long.

Overall score

7.2

Berrys' Own Selection
1990

ABV 46%

Comments: Cute as a button.

Overall score

8.4

Berrys' Own Selection
1992

ABV 46%

Comments: So subtle it's barely there, but an intriguing mystery.

Overall score

7.9

Bruichladdich
Aged 20 Years, 'Islands' Third Edition

ABV 46%

Comments: Old and gentle with a broad smile.

Overall score

7.9

Cadenhead's
Islay

ABV 50%

Comments: A slap in the face with a wet haddock.

Overall score

8.1

Carme

ABV 43%

Comments: Put off slightly by a fatty edge, but otherwise a balanced and satisfying malt.

Overall score

7.4

Dewar Rattray
1964

ABV 51.3%

Comments: A pretty bundle of US oak, slathered in silky creaminess. Impossible not to like.

Overall score

7.3

Edradour
Aged 11 Years, Straight from the Cask Madeira Finish

ABV 59.6%

Comments: Bags of cask character, and fine if you find finishes fun.

Overall score

7.7

Glengoyne
Aged 32 Years, Single Cask

ABV 48.7%

Comments: Complex, old, not perfect, but good darned fun!

Overall score

8.8

Glenkinchie
10 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A charming everyday drinking malt.

Overall score

7.3

Gordon & MacPhail
1975

ABV 43%

Comments: Well balanced, though not quite the extra dimension of the very best on show.

Overall score

8.3

Ian Macleod
Lowland, Aged 8 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: A pretty face with muddy feet.

Overall score

8.0

James MacArthur's Old Masters
1992, 13 Years Old, Cask Strength

ABV 56.9%

Comments: I know, I know - it's a Lowland! Still, I want a little more from a whisky. Full stop.

Overall score

6.9

John McDougall's Selection
Aged 15 Years

ABV 55.8%

Comments: It's a decent dram, but the soapiness just knocks it back a few points.

Overall score

7.8

Littlemill
Aged 12 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Marked down for that cabbagey character - right back to school dinners.

Overall score

6.3

Macleod's
Aged 8 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A pleasing balance of spirit and wood, but lacked complexity. Young spirit in active oak?

Overall score

7.4

Rare Malts Selection
Aged 30 Years, Cask Strength

ABV 54.9%

Comments: I couldn't decide if this lacked a little, or was just subtle. Pleasing enough, aging with prettiness, but didn't do enough for me.

Overall score

7.3

The Glenrothes
Select Reserve

ABV 43%

Comments: It's a perfectly decent dram but not a patch on the great 'vintage' bottlings.

Overall score

7.5

The Single Malts of Scotland
1994, 11 Years Old

ABV 60.8%

Comments: Speyside you say, eh? A real region buster, and I loved that sootiness.

Overall score

7.8

W.L. Weller
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 60.95%

Comments: A phenomenal whiskey. Stephen Camisa we salute you.

Overall score

8.5

Wild Turkey
Heritage Single Barrel, 101 Proof

ABV 50.5%

Comments: A well-balanced slightly lighter style of Turkey, but another finer addition to the range.

Overall score

7.8

Whisky Magazine 53

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