Whisky Magazine 60

Praban na Linne Grain production Marmalade Laphroaig Cocktail time Whisky Islands New Zealand illicit stills Hokonui

Editor's Word Malt moments Some months are just packed with events you just want to savour,says Rob Allanson

Musings with Michael Jackson The Jackson Five As Michael is away we have decided to select some of the best bits from his columns spanning 60 editions...

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom The innovation game Dave gives us his thoughts on the latest crop of new whisky

By Dave Broom

People The four Ps of presents In this round table we ask how you make whisky the gift of choice over other luxury goods using price,positioning,...

Production New deli delights (Demijohn) Sally Toms visits Demijohn,a new breed of independent bottler and off-licence in the heart of Edinburgh

By Sally Toms

News New Classics The autumn is always an exciting time for whisky collectors and connoisseurs. There are generally a number of exciting limited...

By Ian Buxton

Whisky & Culture Back in print A new company is breathing new life in to old lost tomes.Ian Buxtontells us more

By Ian Buxton

Places Oh La La! (La Zouch) The name might suggest a certain French flavour but La Zouch is a quintessentially English restaurant\rselling some rather exceptional whiskies....

By Richard Jones

Distillery Focus Whisky by appointment (Laphroaig) Laphroaig on Islay is one of the iconic distilleries. Dominic Roskrow visited it

By Dominic Roskrow

News Noble plans As the Gaelic whisky company hits the big 30,Ian Buxton takes a trip to Skye to find out what's next

By Ian Buxton

Places Parker's Progress Richard Parker is turning a passion for whisky in to a healthy business. Dominic Roskrow reports

By Dominic Roskrow

Whisky & Culture A quiet secret to shout about Roddy Woomble is a superb Scottish songwriter and he deserves discovering says Rocky McCabe

By Rocky McCabe

News How do you drink yours? Ian Wisniewski discovers how whisky is drunk around the world.

By Ian Wisniewski

Ask the Expert Ask the expert John Rose answers another selection of our readers' letters

By John Rose

Travel Whisky's island outpost For very obvious reasons Islay tends to dominate the landscape when it comes to Scotland's whisky islands. But the other...

Awards & Events Toronto calling Friday 13th October proved lucky for the Master Distillers and exhibitors who poured in to Via Allegro Restaurant in the...

By Rob Allanson

Food The Magic of Citrus Martine Nouet delves in to the wonderful world of marmalades and tangy, fresh fruit

By Martine Nouet

Whisky & Culture The perils of drink Jefferson Chase unearths a forgotten gem

By Jefferson Chase

History South Island moonshine Ian R Mitchelltells the story of the Highland Scots emigrants to New Zealand,who took with them their Gaelic language, their...

By Ian R Mitchell

Cocktails Packing a punch Ian Wisniewski looks at the story behind this versatile cocktail

By Ian Wisniewski

History Saints and sinner Robin Laing delves in to the historical connections between the country's saints and the water of life

By Robin Laing

Travel Retail Scotch rules the roost at Ezeiza Joe Bates gets the low down on the Buenos Aires scene

By Joe Bates

Production Out of the shadows Grain whisky is stepping into the spotlight after years of being undervalued. Ian Wisniewski finds out more

By Ian Wisniewski

Bars Great Whisky Bars of the world Recently we launched a new scheme to honour the world's best whisky bars. As this exciting scheme has grown form...

By Rob Allanson

Production Dial B for blends In the second of our ‘back to basics'guides Dominic Roskrow looks at the letter B and in particular blends

By Dominic Roskrow

Sally TomsNew deli delights (Demijohn)Sally Toms visits Demijohn,a new breed of independent bottler and off-licence in the heart of Edinburgh

Rocky McCabeA quiet secret to shout aboutRoddy Woomble is a superb Scottish songwriter and he deserves discovering says Rocky McCabe

Robin LaingSaints and sinnerRobin Laing delves in to the historical connections between the country's saints and the water...

Rob AllansonToronto callingFriday 13th October proved lucky for the Master Distillers and exhibitors who poured in to...

Richard JonesOh La La! (La Zouch)The name might suggest a certain French flavour but La Zouch is a quintessentially English...

Michael JacksonThe Jackson FiveAs Michael is away we have decided to select some of the best bits from...

Martine NouetThe Magic of CitrusMartine Nouet delves in to the wonderful world of marmalades and tangy, fresh fruit

John RoseAsk the expertJohn Rose answers another selection of our readers' letters

Joe BatesScotch rules the roost at EzeizaJoe Bates gets the low down on the Buenos Aires scene

Jefferson ChaseThe perils of drinkJefferson Chase unearths a forgotten gem

Ian BuxtonBack in printA new company is breathing new life in to old lost tomes.Ian Buxtontells us more

Ian R MitchellSouth Island moonshineIan R Mitchelltells the story of the Highland Scots emigrants to New Zealand,who took with...

Ian WisniewskiPacking a punchIan Wisniewski looks at the story behind this versatile cocktail

Dominic RoskrowParker's ProgressRichard Parker is turning a passion for whisky in to a healthy business. Dominic Roskrow reports

Dave BroomThe innovation gameDave gives us his thoughts on the latest crop of new whisky

Chivas Brothers 100 Pipers
8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A very gentle and fruity whisky. Would have benefited from a balancing dryness.

Overall score

7.7

Compass Box

ABV 46%

Comments: A warm, clean and charming whisky. The Islay influence is there but gently flirting with a mainland fellow. An accomplished character.

Overall score

8.4

Compass Box

ABV 43%

Comments: Perky, smooth yet firm and spicy. Clever stuff and hugely drinkable.

Overall score

8.4

Dewar Rattray
1992, 14 Years Old

ABV 57.2%

Comments: I find it a little grubby.

Overall score

7.3

Dewar Rattray
1990, 16 Years Old

ABV 54%

Comments: Has richness and some finesse.

Overall score

8.2

Dewar Rattray
1991, 15 Years Old

ABV 56.7%

Comments: Another good example from Mr Consistency, Caol Ila.

Overall score

8.4

Dewar Rattray
1980, 25 Years Old

ABV 53.1%

Comments: A bit dull, and there's no excuse for dull whisky.

Overall score

7.3

Dewar Rattray
1989, 16 Years Old

ABV 54.7%

Comments: The different elements haven't been pulled together. A better cask would have given some order and control.

Overall score

7.7

Dewar Rattray
1975, 30 Years Old

ABV 54.4%

Comments: A dazzling quality you only get when cask and spirit have been in a long slow dance.

Overall score

8.5

Dewar Rattray
1976, 29 Years Old

ABV 53%

Comments: A strange cask, which has produced an unusual malt whisky. Could be to some people's tastes but not mine.

Overall score

7.1

Dewar Rattray
1975, 31 Years Old

ABV 49.3%

Comments: The wood has taken charge. Doesn't appear to have the character to carry extended aging.

Overall score

7.4

Dewar Rattray
1975, 30 Years Old

ABV 48.5%

Comments: Slightly angular. Not a lot seems to have happened.

Overall score

7.6

Dewar's
15 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A palatable whisky which comes as some relief after the initially alarming nose.

Overall score

7.7

Glenfiddich
Aged 12 Years, Toasted Oak Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: A bit of a let down after such a great nose. A very pretty whisky but higher alcohol might have given it better impact in the mouth.

Overall score

7.5

Ian Macleod
Island Blended Malt

ABV 43%

Comments: Definitely an Islander, tastes young. Could have more finesse.

Overall score

7.8

James MacArthur's Old Masters
14 Years Old, Islay Blended Malt

ABV 58.3%

Comments: A big playfight on Port Ellen beach after closing time.

Overall score

8.1

Monkey Shoulder
Batch 27 Smooth and Rich

ABV 40%

Comments: An elegant dram, dominated by orange and spices. For a Christmas treat? Water is not needed.

Overall score

7.9

Old Pulteney
15 Years Old, Cask Strength

ABV 54.9%

Comments: A slightly odd melange of flavours and textures...but it works.

Overall score

8.3

Seagram's
Aged 8 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A very gentle and fruity whisky. Would have benefited from a balancing dryness.

Overall score

7.7

The Mackenzie

ABV 40%

Comments: A very strange aromatic profile. Nose is not very pleasant at start then it delivers more.

Overall score

7.2

The Queen of the Moorlands
Rare Cask, 1995, Edition XII

ABV 57.2%

Comments: Nothing wrong, just bottled too early.

Overall score

7.7

Wild Scotsman
Aged 15 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: A comforting dram, cheery, brings in visions of a warm summer day in the country.

Overall score

7.8

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