Whisky Magazine 62

Macallan Oak Cask Strength Canadian Whisky Pagodas Rankin on Rebus Icons of Whisky 2007

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Editor's Word A global community Rob Allanson dips his toe in the world whisky waters.

By Rob Allanson

News Casting off with Benromach

News Packing a punch

News In brief

News Pioneer Photos

News Jack's new look

News Newspirit

Travel Heart of oak Macallan has unveiled a £1 million development on its estate, Rob Allanson went to investigate

By Rob Allanson

Musings with Michael Jackson Not drinking, flying Michael issues a wake up call before the whole of Scotland vanishes...or is re-branded

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom The roots of home Dave uses four whiskies,the Washington cityscape and some stunning photography on a Celtic heritage trail

By Dave Broom

People Can the price be right? In this issue we wanted to look act the effect of discounting. Who better qualified to pass comment\rthan drinkers themselves....

Awards & Events The United Nations of Whisky With a few changes to previous years' events, the Icons of Whisky 2007 shows what a broad church the whisky...

By Rob Allanson

History Spirit of the architect Ian Buxton looks at the man behind the iconic pagoda,his contemporaries and his legacy

By Ian Buxton

Whisky & Culture Rough diamonds Our music guru showcases one of the bright new talents to break out of America. More perfect whisky music

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus Jack's No.7 heaven (Jack Daniel's) Jack Daniel's is bucking the trend in many markets and going from strength to strength. Dominic Roskrow went to Lynchburg...

By Dominic Roskrow

Bars Sweet smell of jasmine Iorwerth Griffiths finds a comfortable seat at one of Dublin's great whisky havens

By Iorweth Griffiths

Travel Celtic resurgence Is the Emerald Isle worth a visit for whiskey fans? You bet – and particularly in 2007

By Dominic Roskrow

Food Tempting suggestions Diageo is making a fresh assault on our taste buds with a new approach to pairing whisky and food. Dominic...

By Dominic Roskrow

Whisky & Culture A ward of the bar Jefferson Chase unearths a gem of whisky writing

By Jefferson Chase

Production Fields of Gold Barley is one of the vital ingredients in whisky,but with shortages and price increases is there going to be...

Production Raising the bar (Gordon & McPhail) Gordon & McPhail is something of a ‘one stop shop'f or whisky enthusiasts. As it celebrates 10 years as\ra distillery...

History Lochside no more In the first of a new series Gavin D. Smithgoes in search of whisky's lost heritage

By Gavin D. Smith

Ask the Expert Ask the expert John Rose fields more of your questions

By John Rose

People Edinburgh detective ages aswell as his whisky Roddy Martine shares a dram with Ian Rankin as he celebrates 20 years of his most famous creation,Inspector Rebus

By Roddy Martine

Cocktails Classic Burns Ian Wisniewski goes in search of Bobby Burns

By Ian Wisniewski

Travel Retail Gateway to exclusive whiskies Joe Bates checks out the latest offers

By Joe Bates

Production Cask Strength Malts The tradition of high strength bottlings was a natural launch pad for cask strength malts,which have gathered momentum since the...

By Ian Wisniewski

Production By the letter In the latest in the series Dominic Roskrow looks at the letter ‘D'

By Dominic Roskrow

Roddy MartineEdinburgh detective ages aswell as his whiskyRoddy Martine shares a dram with Ian Rankin as he celebrates 20 years of his...

Rob AllansonCasting off with Benromach

Michael JacksonNot drinking, flyingMichael issues a wake up call before the whole of Scotland vanishes...or is re-branded

John RoseAsk the expertJohn Rose fields more of your questions

Joe BatesGateway to exclusive whiskiesJoe Bates checks out the latest offers

Jefferson ChaseA ward of the barJefferson Chase unearths a gem of whisky writing

Iorweth GriffithsSweet smell of jasmineIorwerth Griffiths finds a comfortable seat at one of Dublin's great whisky havens

Ian BuxtonSpirit of the architectIan Buxton looks at the man behind the iconic pagoda,his contemporaries and his legacy

Ian WisniewskiCask Strength MaltsThe tradition of high strength bottlings was a natural launch pad for cask strength malts,which...

Gavin D. SmithLochside no moreIn the first of a new series Gavin D. Smithgoes in search of whisky's lost heritage

Dominic RoskrowJack's No.7 heaven (Jack Daniel's)Jack Daniel's is bucking the trend in many markets and going from strength to strength....

Dave BroomThe roots of homeDave uses four whiskies,the Washington cityscape and some stunning photography on a Celtic heritage trail

Berrys' Own Selection
1980

ABV 46%

Comments: Choose the 1974 over this one, although if you are a fan of sherry cask led malt this may be your thing.

Overall score

7.6

Berrys' Own Selection
1988

ABV 46%

Comments: Well balanced. A real wee sweetie.

Overall score

7.9

Berrys' Own Selection
1972, 33 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: After a nose that can only be described as 'hairy'

Overall score

7.8

Berrys' Own Selection
1974

ABV 46%

Comments: A great wee aperitif. Fresh and fun.

Overall score

8.2

Bunnahabhain
35 Years Old, Limited Edition

ABV 44.9%

Comments: No water required, as this brought out a soapiness for me. A very satisfying old malt.

Overall score

8.3

Bunnahabhain
14 Years Old, Port Wood Finish

ABV 53%

Comments: Front-loaded, clumsy and forced. Bunna's good enough on its own.

Overall score

7.3

Cadenhead's
Canadian Indian Corn, 15 Years Old

ABV 54.9%

Comments: Quite young and green, with a nice fresh tang, especially when diluted. But this cardboardy flavour hangs on.

Overall score

7.6

Canadian Club
8 Years Old, Sherry Cask

ABV 40%

Comments: Everything turned up to 11, but that can't hide its clumsy character. More bolted together than blended.

Overall score

7.3

Canadian Club
6 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Hard to believe this is a whisky. Closer to a rum.

Overall score

6.7

Canadian Club
Classic, Aged 12 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Again, this rum taste, in a sharper and richer version than the first one.

Overall score

7.0

Canadian Club
Reserve, 10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: It's sweet...and then sweeter.

Overall score

7.3

Canadian Mist
Blended Canadian Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: Trying to please too many people therefore has no individuality, other than aggression.

Overall score

7.4

Centennial Premium Rye
Aged 10 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: The nose makes you expect a more original profile. Lack of balance. Too much of that 'rummy'

Overall score

7.3

Century Reserve
15 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A wraith of a whisky. The spirit is OK, the cask has let it down.

Overall score

7.4

Chieftain's
Aged 12 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: A good, clean Laphroaig. Not exceptional, but true to character.

Overall score

7.9

Crown Royal
XR Extra Rare

ABV 40%

Comments: That maple syrup taste works more like an additive than a natural aroma gained through maturation.

Overall score

7.6

Crown Royal
SR Special Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: A mild character, soft and pleasant but lacking nerve. Fine for a sweet tooth.

Overall score

7.9

Crown Royal
Canadian Blended Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: Better balance between this sweet, easy-going Canadian character and some grip.

Overall score

7.9

Deanston
Aged 30 Years, Limited Edition

ABV 46.7%

Comments: An old malty number just about holding its own, but it hasn't gained hugely in terms of complexity.

Overall score

7.7

Edradour
# 1 Burgundy Matured

ABV 46%

Comments: It is young and showing great promise. Keep watching this with interest.

Overall score

7.9

Forty Creek
Barrel Select

ABV 40%

Comments: Well put together.

Overall score

7.8

Forty Creek
John K. Hall Small Batch Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Interesting nose but the palate does not quite fulfil the expectations. Oak speaks too loud at times.

Overall score

7.5

Glenmorangie
Margaux Cask Finish Vintage 1987

ABV 46%

Comments: Disappointing to drink given the price tag and all the fancy frippery that goes with a bottling like this. I much prefer the 10 Years Old and Artisan cask!

Overall score

7.2

Ledaig
Aged 10 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: No complexity, but a pleasant peaty dram. A definite step up from the old bottlings with no age statement.

Overall score

7.7

Mackmyra
Preludium 03

ABV 54.2%

Comments: Very unusual and now knowing what it is, this one was hard to assess blind, as it feels very different to Scotch malt, just as it should do.

Overall score

7.2

Seagram's
VO

ABV 40%

Comments: Clean and light and sweet, but it's merely another...and lesser...variation on the clean light and sweet theme.

Overall score

7.5

Seagram's
VO Gold, 8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Perfectly nice, but nice isn't enough! There's such a bland similarity between most of these you wonder if it's whisky-making by committee.

Overall score

7.6