Whisky Magazine 64

Mixing the Magic Cocktails Glengyle comes of age The Glenlivet

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Editor's Word DISCUS inferno

By Rob Allanson

Musings with Michael Jackson At the ambassador's Michael is invited for a special afternoon in Poland

By Michael Jackson

A Dram with Dave Broom Prepare for a surprise The recent World Whiskies Conference had its share of twists and turns. Dave gives his take on some of them

By Dave Broom

People The Innovation Game With so much discussion going on at the moment about innovation,we decided to ask members of the whiskymag.com forum for...

By Rob Allanson

Cocktails Shaking it up There is a revolution happening and whisky is at the cutting edge. We find out more

By Rob Allanson

People You have to be sensible and balance passion with a business mind (Sukhinder Singh) Ian Wisniewski interviews the man behind The Whisky Exchange

By Ian Wisniewski

News Standing out from the flock (Spencerfield Spirits) Ian Buxton dons his wellies and digs out his shepherd's crook

By Ian Buxton

Distillery Focus Full House (Hanyu) Dave Broom looks at the story behind this new Japanese whisky company which is upping the anté

By Dave Broom

News Blogging it Richard Jones surfs the ‘net to find some of the more interesting sites of whisky comment and debate

By Richard Jones

Whisky & Culture Rock to drink to What would make the ultimate whisky rock album? Rocky McCabe dreams up the perfect compilation

By Rocky McCabe

Distillery Focus Where it all started (Glenlivet) Situated in the heart of Speyside,The Glenlivet is a study of modern and progressive whisky making in the most historic...

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Coast to coast You don't tend to think of Glasgow and Edinburgh when it comes to whisky. But if you dig about...

By Rob Allanson

Food Dinner is served Whisky dinners are becoming more sophisticated and they are enjoying more popularity than ever before. Dominic Roskrow speaks to the...

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Life on the ocean wave Valencia is currently hosting sailing's weirdest event. So what is Chivas Regal doing there? Our man went to find out

Production Independently minded (Duncan Taylor) Behind the scenes at one of Scotland's biggest independent bottling companies some of the world's rarest whiskies are stored. Our...

Whisky & Culture Brogan's run

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky & Culture A good read Ian Buxton peruses the library for some of the finest whisky books

By Ian Buxton

History Highland survivor (Millburn) In the latest of our series Gavin D Smith investigates another gem

By Gavin D. Smith

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

By John Rose

Distillery Focus Coming of age (Campbeltown) Three years in the making but now the latest spirit from Campbeltown is ready to make its debut

Travel Retail Cypriot sunshine (Cyprus) Joe Bates checks out what the Mediterranean island has to offer the travellers

By Joe Bates

Awards & Events The BIG Apple America's east coast metropolis braced itself for the greatest whisky show on earth

By Rob Allanson

News Back to life (Kilbeggan) A unique occasion in the history of Irish whiskey took place recently – an old distillery came back to life\r–our...

Production With the grain Ian Wisniewski delves in to the role of grains in a blend

By Ian Wisniewski

Production Welcome the underdog In the latest in his series looking at the whisky glossary, Dominic Roskrow turns to the letter ‘G' and to...

By Dominic Roskrow

Rob AllansonThe Innovation GameWith so much discussion going on at the moment about innovation,we decided to ask members...

Joe BatesCypriot sunshine (Cyprus)Joe Bates checks out what the Mediterranean island has to offer the travellers

Dave BroomFull House (Hanyu)Dave Broom looks at the story behind this new Japanese whisky company which is upping...

Ian BuxtonA good readIan Buxton peruses the library for some of the finest whisky books

Jefferson ChaseBrogan's run

Michael JacksonAt the ambassador'sMichael is invited for a special afternoon in Poland

Richard JonesBlogging itRichard Jones surfs the ‘net to find some of the more interesting sites of whisky...

Rocky McCabeRock to drink toWhat would make the ultimate whisky rock album? Rocky McCabe dreams up the perfect compilation

John RoseAsk the expertJohn Rose fields more of your questions

Dominic RoskrowDinner is servedWhisky dinners are becoming more sophisticated and they are enjoying more popularity than ever before....

Gavin D. SmithHighland survivor (Millburn)In the latest of our series Gavin D Smith investigates another gem

Ian WisniewskiWith the grainIan Wisniewski delves in to the role of grains in a blend

Ardbeg
Almost There

ABV 54%

Comments: This is seamless stuff and despite the smokiness is unshowy. Only 9 Years Old? Great things are on their way.

Overall score

8.5

Balblair
1979 Vintage

ABV 43%

Comments: A vibrant and enticing nose. Really good stuff though.

Overall score

8.8

Balblair
1989 Vintage

ABV 43%

Comments: Seems young, but very attractive.

Overall score

7.7

Balblair
1997 Vintage

ABV 43%

Comments: Again, pleasant very pretty. A really good example of American oak maturation.

Overall score

8.8

Brora
30 Years Old

ABV 55.7%

Comments: A big beast, but the butiric knocks its score down.

Overall score

8.2

Caperdonich
Rum Finish, 33 Years Old

ABV 49.2%

Comments: They've done their best to improve a poor cask, but it's one note all the way.

Overall score

7.8

Cragganmore
17 Years Old

ABV 55.5%

Comments: Elegant, complex and still forceful. It took water and developed well, holding its structure and continuing to interest.

Overall score

8.8

Dalwhinnie
Aged 20 Years

ABV 57%

Comments: Try to get the dilution right.

Overall score

7.7

Duncan Taylor
Aged 32 Years

ABV 59.3%

Comments: Lush and sexy. A truly delicious hedonistic dram.

Overall score

8.4

Duncan Taylor, The NC2 Range
Aged 12 Years

ABV 46%

Comments: An aperitif dram.

Overall score

7.8

Fuji Sanroku
18 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Very clean and precise. Charming.

Overall score

7.7

Hakushu
12 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A perfectly balanced dram. Fruit and spices mingle gently.

Overall score

7.8

Hakushu
18 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A colourful character, lively and dancing on nose and palate.

Overall score

7.9

Hibiki
17 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: An elegant and satisfying dram. Well educated, in good quality casks for sure.

Overall score

8.4

Hibiki
21 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Just a little too fat for me.

Overall score

7.9

Ichiro's Malt
Ace of Hearts, 22 Years Old

ABV 56%

Comments: Water cuts the edges a little but does not mellow the sourness.

Overall score

8.3

Ichiro's Malt
King of Spades, 21 Years Old

ABV 57%

Comments: Best neat. Has that classic 'open' character that typifies Japanese whiskies.

Overall score

8.4

Ichiro's Malt
Three of Diamonds

ABV 56%

Comments: Lacks balance. Alcohol is quite fierce. Water tames it down but needs to be strictly dosed as it enhances bitterness. Some character but quite sharp.

Overall score

7.9