Whisky Magazine 59

The Blenders Art Kentucky Bourbon Festival First look at reopened Scapa Whiskey rebellion The price...

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Editor's Word Fresh beginnings It ‘s a big world out there,new Editor Rob Allanson ponders the view

By Rob Allanson

Musings with Michael Jackson The elephant parade Michael Jackson on recurring dreams of the circus coming to town

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Footprints of history Dave takes us on a walk through the Glasgow\rof his childhood

By Dave Broom

People The price is right? In this issue we ask some of the industry's luminaries to discuss the sensitive issue of pricing and effect on...

Production The perfect marriage Blending is about combining ingredients that stand the test of time,Rob Allanson finds out more

By Rob Allanson

Production The best of blends Is a passion for blends on the rise? Ian Wisniewski looks at what is being done to promote blended Scotch.

By Ian Wisniewski

Whisky & Culture Late night tunes and soulful drams What makes great whisky music? Our new\rmusic brain Rocky McCabe ponders\rthe issue and recommends a Mercury\rprize nominee

By Rocky McCabe

Distillery Focus The Orcadian phoenix The Scapa Distillery is producing spirit regularly again after a two year renovation programme. Dominic Roskrow reports\r

By Dominic Roskrow

History Rebellious times Ian Buxton looks at turbulent times during whiskey's history

By Ian Buxton

Travel Out of the ordinary Dave Broom gives us his guide to staying ,eating,drinking and visiting in Japan

By Dave Broom

Awards & Events Showtime Two of the greatest shows on earth.We provide an overview ofWhisky Live in Glasgow and Paris.

Food Scotching the myth The concept of whisky and food has come a long way in recent years. Dominic Roskrow charts its progress

By Dominic Roskrow

Whisky & Culture The curiosity of travel Jefferson Chase on the drinking culture in Georgia

By Jefferson Chase

Distillery Focus Back in business After 200 years,George Washington's distillery has been restored to its former glory, Charles K. Cowdery looks at the history and...

By Charles K Cowdery

Cocktails Whisky with water Sounds simple enough,but there is more going on as Ian Wisniewski finds out

By Ian Wisniewski

Awards & Events Kentucky calling Whisky musician Robin Laing experiences the Kentucky Bourbon Festival for the first time and finds a home from home.

By Robin Laing

History A free sofa with every case The dignified advertisements you see in this publication belie the rough and tumble past of\rAmerican whiskey promotion. Charles K.Cowdery reports

By Charles K Cowdery

Travel Retail P&O Ferries still offer dram fine savings at sea Joe Bates sets sail in search of a bargain

By Joe Bates

Production Grist to themill Ian Wisniewski gets to grips with an often\roverlooked yet vitally important stage of the\rproduction process – milling

By Ian Wisniewski

News Bruichladdich bonanza Ian Buxton gets his taste buds tickled with the latest releases

By Ian Buxton

Production As easy as A,B,C New to whisky? Then this new series goes back to basics. Dominic Roskrow explains

By Dominic Roskrow

Rob AllansonThe perfect marriageBlending is about combining ingredients that stand the test of time,Rob Allanson finds out more

Joe BatesP&O Ferries still offer dram fine savings at seaJoe Bates sets sail in search of a bargain

Dave BroomOut of the ordinaryDave Broom gives us his guide to staying ,eating,drinking and visiting in Japan

Ian BuxtonBruichladdich bonanzaIan Buxton gets his taste buds tickled with the latest releases

Jefferson ChaseThe curiosity of travelJefferson Chase on the drinking culture in Georgia

Charles K CowderyA free sofa with every caseThe dignified advertisements you see in this publication belie the rough and tumble past of\rAmerican...

Michael JacksonThe elephant paradeMichael Jackson on recurring dreams of the circus coming to town

Robin LaingKentucky callingWhisky musician Robin Laing experiences the Kentucky Bourbon Festival for the first time and finds...

Rocky McCabeLate night tunes and soulful dramsWhat makes great whisky music? Our new\rmusic brain Rocky McCabe ponders\rthe issue and recommends a...

Dominic RoskrowScotching the mythThe concept of whisky and food has come a long way in recent years. ...

Ian WisniewskiWhisky with waterSounds simple enough,but there is more going on as Ian Wisniewski finds out

Berrys' Own Selection
1994

ABV 46%

Comments: A lovely very summery aperitif.

Overall score

8.0

Berrys' Own Selection
1995

ABV 56.2%

Comments: A sunny malt. Quite sharp and spirity but a pleasant aromatic freshness. Could be a thirst quenching for some. Water does not cut all edges.

Overall score

7.7

Berrys' Own Selection
1974

ABV 46%

Comments: Very elegant and balanced on the nose. Oak tends to show off but the dram keeps its charm though.

Overall score

7.9

Berrys' Own Selection
1976

ABV 46%

Comments: A classic malty malt. Good balance, interesting dry spiciness. Well structured, hexagonal like Bach music. For those who don't like the unexpected. I don't mean boring though.

Overall score

7.3

Bowmore
1968, Aged 37 Years

ABV 43.4%

Comments: Head and shoulders above the others in this batch.

Overall score

9.3

Dewar Rattray
17 Years Old

ABV 49.6%

Comments: This is where Bowmore was stuck for too long.

Overall score

7.3

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
17 Years Old

ABV 58.4%

Comments: Plump. A pudding whisky. Excellent.

Overall score

8.7

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
30 Years Old

ABV 60.8%

Comments: The high strength makes it difficult to tame even with water. Some like it hot. But my palate waves a white flag.

Overall score

7.6

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
15 Years Old

ABV 59%

Comments: A bit flabby and dry.

Overall score

7.5

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
14 Years Old

ABV 57.8%

Comments: A beautiful Islay malt in a sherry refill dressing. Rich aromatic development, great combination of strength and sweetness.

Overall score

8.7

Douglas Laing
1990, 15 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: A whisky on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Overall score

7.0

Douglas Laing
1991, Aged 14 Years

ABV 50%

Comments: Has better weight than the Bladnoch.

Overall score

7.2

Douglas Laing
1989, 16 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: An aperitif best taken by 10am. Has identifiable Linkwood character but it's all rather muted.

Overall score

7.6

Douglas Laing
1982, 23 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: There's just nothing to get excited about here.

Overall score

7.4

Glenfiddich
1973 Vintage

ABV 48.1%

Comments: A sophisticated, spicy dram with oodles of class.

Overall score

8.6

Gordon & MacPhail
15 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Decent balance. Worth a look.

Overall score

7.5

Harris Whisky
16 Years Old, No Ordinary

ABV 53.1%

Comments: A wake up call dram for those who like action on the tongue. A classic bourbon maturation which outlines a buoyant character.

Overall score

6.9

Harris Whisky
14 Years Old

ABV 58.5%

Comments: At last something to get to grips with.

Overall score

7.7

Hazelburn
Aged 8 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: An ideal first dram of the day, and a good example of how younger malt can offer a livelier, fat texture in the mouth.

Overall score

7.9

James MacArthur's Old Masters
1988, 18 Years Old

ABV 53.9%

Comments: Real weight and character.

Overall score

8.4

Laphroaig
1994, 12 Years Old, Feis Isle 2006 Bottling

ABV 56%

Comments: The reserved nose is compensated by a lively, palate. Laphroaig is bang on form.

Overall score

8.3

Rittenhouse Rye
21 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: Rye is a love or hate thing. I happen to love it. I usually prefer my ryes young, this works.

Overall score

7.7

Springbank
9 Years Old, Marsala

ABV 58%

Comments: Bags of flavour and a good duel between cask and spirit.

Overall score

8.1

The Glenrothes
1994

ABV 43%

Comments: A full-on, after dinner style and a bold, characterful spirit.

Overall score

7.9

The McGibbon's Provenance
1994, Over 11 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Better weight but ultimately this is still fragile.

Overall score

7.7

The Singleton of Dufftown
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A perfectly pleasant dram, but lacking the finesse and complexity of the best on show here.

Overall score

7.5

The Whisky Fair
Heavily Peated

ABV 52.7%

Comments: A little pongy at points, but with youthful charm. A tyke with a grubby face.

Overall score

7.8

The Whisky Fair
32 Years Old

ABV 58.6%

Comments: A muscular yet elegant old malt. Brisk and complex. Alcohol is somewhat insistent.

Overall score

8.1

Wemyss Malts

ABV 40%

Comments: A mis-nomer?

Overall score

7.5

Wemyss Malts

ABV 40%

Comments: Best neat.

Overall score

8.0

Whisky Magazine 59

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