Whisky Magazine 68

Lowland perfection - Auchentoshan History of the cork Premium whisky Glenury Royal Visitors' guide to Japan

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events American Icons 2008 This edition we present the Icons of Whisky for America.

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events Glasgow Showtime New venue,different time of the year and some fresh new features made for another great show in Glasgow.

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events Maple leaf malts The Toronto event goes from strength to strength. We report on the second gathering in Canada's largest city.

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom African adventures Dave has an epiphany while lion watching in the bush

By Dave Broom

Production Cork uncorked Whisky writer John Lamond delves into the issue of corks.

By John Lamond

People A spirited career (Tom Aitken) Ian Buxton looks back at the career of one of the whisky world's titans - Tom Aitken.

By Ian Buxton

History Scotland's double pride Ian R Mitchell looks at the relationship between two Scottish icons, the national bard and the national dram.

By Ian R Mitchell

Production Into the melting pot The mash tun is a vital vessel,accommodating the conversion of starch within the grist into sugars,using a\rsequence of three,or even...

By Ian Wisniewski

History A royal loss (Glenury Royal) In the latest in our series Gavin D.Smithtracks down the story behind Glenury Royal

By Gavin D. Smith

Production More with M In our series looking at whisky terms we have reached the second part of the letter m.\rDominic Roskrow looks at maturation

By Dominic Roskrow

People Kentucky's finest After our Icons of Whisky America lunch we decided not to waste the opportunity of having some of the finest...

By Rob Allanson

Ask the Expert Ask the expert

By John Rose

Travel Osaka bound Dave Broom gives us his tips on places to go when in Japan.

By Dave Broom

Travel Retail Melbourne finds room for Scotch Joe Bates travels down under to check out what's on offer

By Joe Bates

Distillery Focus Lowland Perfection (Auchentoshan) Auchentoshan is the nearest distillery to Glasgow but it is often criminally overlooked. Dominic Roskrow explains why it warrants closer inspection.

By Dominic Roskrow

News Loaded! For most of us, so-called premium whiskies remain firmly in the realms of fantasy, whisky jewels to be enjoyed vicariously...

By Richard Jones

News Dreamers in the grain Health guru Galina Imrie looks at the health benefits of whisky and drinking.

By Galina Imrie

Food Bourbon's oasis Four years after it opened the Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge is an island of quality in a sea...

By Rob Allanson

Whisky & Culture Wallace and whisky Jefferson Chase turns his attentions to Scottish grown authors.

By Jefferson Chase

People I think a lot more is known than people realise (Dr Gordon Steele) Ian Wisniewski talks to Dr Gordon Steele,director of The Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI),located near Edinburgh.

By Ian Wisniewski

Ask the Expert Join the debate Email the team editorial@whiskymag.com

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonAmerican Icons 2008This edition we present the Icons of Whisky for America.

Joe BatesMelbourne finds room for ScotchJoe Bates travels down under to check out what's on offer

Dave BroomOsaka boundDave Broom gives us his tips on places to go when in Japan.

Ian BuxtonA spirited career (Tom Aitken)Ian Buxton looks back at the career of one of the whisky world's titans -...

Jefferson ChaseWallace and whiskyJefferson Chase turns his attentions to Scottish grown authors.

Galina ImrieDreamers in the grainHealth guru Galina Imrie looks at the health benefits of whisky and drinking.

Richard JonesLoaded!For most of us, so-called premium whiskies remain firmly in the realms of fantasy, whisky...

John LamondCork uncorkedWhisky writer John Lamond delves into the issue of corks.

Ian R MitchellScotland's double prideIan R Mitchell looks at the relationship between two Scottish icons, the national bard and...

John RoseAsk the expert

Dominic RoskrowLowland Perfection (Auchentoshan)Auchentoshan is the nearest distillery to Glasgow but it is often criminally overlooked. Dominic Roskrow...

Gavin D. SmithA royal loss (Glenury Royal)In the latest in our series Gavin D.Smithtracks down the story behind Glenury Royal

Ian WisniewskiI think a lot more is known than people realise (Dr Gordon Steele)Ian Wisniewski talks to Dr Gordon Steele,director of The Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI),located near Edinburgh.

Ben Nevis
14 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Like the new Ardmore,an acquired but complex taste worth working on.

Overall score

7.6

Blue Hanger
3rd Release 30 Years Old

ABV 45.6%

Comments: Wonderfully balanced. A stonker of a fireside dram.

Overall score

8.9

Chieftain's
1994, Aged 13 Years

ABV 54.4%

Comments: Intriguing mix of earthy, vegetal flavours.

Overall score

7.1

Chieftain's
1996, Aged 11 Years

ABV 54.9%

Comments: Alcohol is too assertive. Water eases the burning sensation and gives an oily feel.

Overall score

7.1

Chieftain's
Robusto 1997, Aged 10 Years

ABV 55.1%

Comments: Reminds me of accident I had once with my chemistry set.

Overall score

6.8

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1992, 15 Years Old

ABV 58.9%

Comments: A rich nose and a somewhat restrained palate with an assertive oak print,which the high strengthamplifies. But an elegant dryness.

Overall score

7.9

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1977, 29 Years Old

ABV 47.2%

Comments: Glenlivet fans won't be disappointed.

Overall score

8.2

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1998, 9 Years Old

ABV 62.3%

Comments: A rough and ready youngster that shouldn't have been let out on its own.

Overall score

6.7

Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
1976, Aged 30 Years

ABV 57.5%

Comments: A bold character,delivering the whole package at once.Keeps spirity to the finish. Water cuts the edges but stilltooharsh for me.

Overall score

7.2

Duncan Taylor
1982, 25 Years Old

ABV 55.4%

Comments: Very strange. The nose and palate are miles apart.

Overall score

7.6

Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
1972, 35 Years Old

ABV 53.5%

Comments: A fruit basket ! Needs water to keep alcohol quiet. Quiet a restless fellow. The nose delivers layers of fruit.

Overall score

8.3

Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare
1979, 27 Years Old

ABV 54.1%

Comments: This whisky definitely needs water to extinguish the fire. Would have benefited from a bottling at a lower strength.

Overall score

7.9

Glenfiddich
Vintage Reserve 1976

ABV 51.9%

Comments: Elegant and stately,like a sophisticated old lady.

Overall score

7.6

MacDonald's Glencoe
8 Years Old

ABV 58%

Comments: A warm comfort blanket of flavours.

Overall score

7.8

Monkey Shoulder
Batch 27 Smooth and Rich

ABV 40%

Comments: Classy nose somewhat let down by the palate.

Overall score

6.8

Nikka
Pure Malt Black

ABV 43%

Comments: A delicatessen whisky which quietly earns your respect.

Overall score

7.3

Nikka
Pure Malt Red

ABV 43%

Comments: A classy and sophisticated all-rounder.

Overall score

7.5

Nikka
Pure Malt White

ABV 43%

Comments: Intriguing and dynamic.

Overall score

7.8

Nikka
Super Nikka Malt

ABV 43%

Comments: A growling bear among a bunch of deer-like whiskies.This is a good thing. The mushroomy noteis one I associate with newJapanese whiskies.

Overall score

7.5