Whisky Magazine 67

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

Awards & Events National Treasures The search starts to find the cream of the crop in the whisky world. Scotland, Ireland and Canada have been...

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events A great vintage The fourth Whisky Live Paris saw an incredible gathering of rare and exciting drams,we find out more

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Harry's great bar game Whisky Live Paris rekindles some fond memories for Dave, and sparks a few thoughts about pricing

By Dave Broom

Production Drink less but better Ian Buxton delves into the world of premium aged blends

By Ian Buxton

Awards & Events Independently minded What are the best independent bottlings out there? Our tasters tried more than 160 of them to find out. Here...

By Rob Allanson

News Energy efficient Dave Broom concludes his two part investigation into the impact of climate change on whisky\rproduction by examining how the industry...

By Dave Broom

Production All in the wash Ian Wisniewski looks at the essential decisions behind choosing washbacks

By Ian Wisniewski

History A giant culled Gavin D Smithlooks at the recent loss of Dumbarton,a once vast grain distillery

By Gavin D. Smith

Production Dial M for malts In our series looking at whisky terms we have reached the letter m. In the first of two features Dominic...

By Dominic Roskrow

People About the blends This issue we decided to focus on and how they are viewed by the drinking public. We put two questions...

By Rob Allanson

Ask the Expert Ask the expert

By Rob Allanson

Travel Land of the rising sun Dave Broom gives us his tips on places to go when in Japan.

By Dave Broom

Distillery Focus A brave new world Using his knowledge and passion for wine,whisky maker John Hall is creating one of the most iconic Canadian brands, Rob...

By Rob Allanson

Travel The red carpet treatment Whisky tourism continues apace and discerning enthusiasts continue to demand something special\rfrom their visit. Dominic Roskrow reports

By Dominic Roskrow

News Pioneering Spirit Change is certainly in the air in deepest Ross-shire, we investigate further

By Rob Allanson

Travel Retail French flair Joe Bate shops across the Channel to check out the latest shopping opportunities

By Joe Bates

People Global appeal We chat to two of Beam Global's top men, CEO and President TomFlocco and seventh generation master distiller Fred Noe

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events A blue grass state of mind Now in its 16th year, this annual event has become the gathering for bourbon fans. Rob Allanson went to find...

By Rob Allanson

Food Dutch whisky delights Tell Wullie Macmorland that whisky doesn't go with food and he'll laugh at you. He'd know;he's been serving the two...

By Wullie Macmorland

Whisky & Culture Absurdistan or bust Jefferson Chase leafs through a modern classic

By Jefferson Chase

People I like to think I started malt whisky cocktails Ian Wisniewski talks to Ranald Macdonald of Boisdale Restaurants,London

By Ian Wisniewski

Rob AllansonNational TreasuresThe search starts to find the cream of the crop in the whisky world. Scotland,...

Joe BatesFrench flairJoe Bate shops across the Channel to check out the latest shopping opportunities

Dave BroomEnergy efficientDave Broom concludes his two part investigation into the impact of climate change on whisky\rproduction...

Ian BuxtonDrink less but betterIan Buxton delves into the world of premium aged blends

Jefferson ChaseAbsurdistan or bustJefferson Chase leafs through a modern classic

Wullie MacmorlandDutch whisky delightsTell Wullie Macmorland that whisky doesn't go with food and he'll laugh at you. He'd...

Dominic RoskrowThe red carpet treatmentWhisky tourism continues apace and discerning enthusiasts continue to demand something special\rfrom their visit. Dominic...

Gavin D. SmithA giant culledGavin D Smithlooks at the recent loss of Dumbarton,a once vast grain distillery

Ian WisniewskiI like to think I started malt whisky cocktailsIan Wisniewski talks to Ranald Macdonald of Boisdale Restaurants,London

Auchentoshan
1990, 16 Years Old Bourbon Matured

ABV 53.7%

Comments: A well educated dram, pleasant, balanced. Maybe just lacking the sparkle which would make it gain a better score.

Overall score

7.8

Auchentoshan
1976, 30 Years Old

ABV 41.8%

Comments: Did that whisky stay too long in cask? It certainly is not at its best.

Overall score

7.4

Auchentoshan
1976, 40 Years Old

ABV 41.6%

Comments: Old but still fresh. All very discreet. At its best neat.

Overall score

7.8

Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection
6 Years Old, Zinfandel Aged

ABV 45%

Comments: A traffic light whiskey: rampant red nose, cautious amber body, and green foregone on the finish.

Overall score

7.3

Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection
10 Years Old Zinfandel Aged

ABV 45%

Comments: A finer structured example but the Zinfandel element seems a little bolted on.

Overall score

7.8

Cadenhead's World Whiskies
America Bourbon

ABV 62.2%

Comments: Impressive and bullish bourbon.

Overall score

7.9

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1976, 31 Years Old

ABV 48.4%

Comments: All was going so well then the finish undoes all the good work. Ultimately unbalanced. Still at least my breath smells minty fresh.

Overall score

7.8

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1982, 25 Years Old

ABV 62.5%

Comments: Like an unripe fruit. Too biting, too thin flavourwise. Possibly a tired cask.

Overall score

7.8

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1986, 21 Years Old

ABV 53.4%

Comments: A good example of cask tyranny. The sherry acts like a tsunami. Makes no quarter!

Overall score

6.6

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1989, 18 Years Old

ABV 53.5%

Comments: Couldn't be more different from the other Highland Park. That's casks for you!

Overall score

7.7

Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
1978, Aged 29 Years

ABV 56.7%

Comments: Obviously sherried with a perfect integration of malt and wood. Incredibly smooth given the strength. Bring the chocolates, please!

Overall score

8.5

Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
1979, Aged 28 Years

ABV 54.6%

Comments: Good but pretty tired.

Overall score

7.4

Laphroaig
27 Years Old Vintage 1980

ABV 51%

Comments: A'wyniwyg'

Overall score

7.7

Laphroaig
25 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: All the aromas are working against each other and it's incredibly muted. Why bottle this at 40%?

Overall score

6.3

Old Forester
Birthday Bourbon, 1994, 13 Years Old

ABV 47%

Comments: Classic old fashioned style bourbon and nothing wrong with that.

Overall score

7.7

Old Malt Cask
1977, 30 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: Oak is prevailing, especially on the palate. Lacks balance and charm.

Overall score

7.7

Old Malt Cask
1976, Aged 30 Years

ABV 50%

Comments: An unusually fragrant dram. Palate does not totally follow though.

Overall score

7.5

Old Malt Cask
1977, Aged 30 Years

ABV 50%

Comments: Has a cleanliness and delicacy but lacking in impact overall. You expect complexity from old whiskies.

Overall score

7.7

Old Malt Cask
1985, Aged 21 Years

ABV 50%

Comments: Mature, balanced, elegant.

Overall score

7.8

Parker's Heritage Collection
1996, Cask Strength Small Batch Bourbon

ABV 61.3%

Comments: A fine and full bourbon all-rounder.

Overall score

8.3

The Balvenie
17 Years Old Sherry Oak

ABV 43%

Comments: The sherry influence conveys a certain dourness to the malt. Not fully convinced by this finish.

Overall score

7.8

The Macallan
Easter Elchies Seasonal Cask Selection Summer 2007

ABV 60.2%

Comments: This is all about power, show and bravado and misses out on elegance depth and nuance. Some will love it.

Overall score

7.4

The Yamazaki
1980, Vintage Malt

ABV 56%

Comments: A warm expression of sherry. Quite sensuous if not fiery. Rich and deep.

Overall score

8.5

Two Bobs
Kentucky Bourbon, 1994, 13 Years Old, Cask No. 65

ABV 63.7%

Comments: In line with cask No. 66, but with greater complexity. One for a cigar.

Overall score

8.4

Two Bobs
Kentucky Bourbon, 1994, 13 Years Old, Cask No. 66

ABV 63.7%

Comments: Not exactly subtle, but has a certain bruising charm.

Overall score

8.2

Two Bobs
Kentucky Bourbon, 1994, 13 Years Old, Cask No. 64

ABV 64%

Comments: Out on its own. More finesse but less power.

Overall score

7.7

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1995, Chocolate Heaven

ABV 46%

Comments: Slightly disappointing until the finish which is worth the entry price.

Overall score

7.7

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1970, Campbeltown

ABV 46%

Comments: Great balance. Worth a look.

Overall score

8.3

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1991, Smoked Sausages

ABV 46%

Comments: It's young and seems to have been too heavily reduced.

Overall score

7.3

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1990, Coconut Cream

ABV 46%

Comments: Light, but a good aperitif. Have it with ice.

Overall score

7.8

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1991, Apples and Pears

ABV 46%

Comments: A strange package that almost works.

Overall score

7.3

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1994, Glace Fruits

ABV 46%

Comments: There's a restrained quality about all of these. Amusing lunchtime companions.

Overall score

7.6

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1995, Chocolate Heaven

ABV 46%

Comments: Slightly disappointing until the finish which is worth the entry price.

Overall score

7.7

Woodford Reserve
Sonoma-Cutrer Finish

ABV 43.2%

Comments: An oddball. Like an over-thin model: neither very attractive and not much in the way of body.

Overall score

5.8

Whisky Magazine 67

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