Whisky Magazine 70

Icons of Whisky 2008 Speyside Treasures Silent Season Tour de France Ireland Guide

Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

News What's in a bottle? Faked single malt whisky has once again been making headlines in recent months,we look at what has been going on

By Rob Allanson

News War on whisky fakers

By Rob Allanson

Column The Chivas Life In the first of a series of guest columns,we ask Chivas Brothers' Douglas Cruickshank about everyday life at the distillery....

By Douglas Cruickshank

A Dram with Dave Broom January's blue eyes Dave takes a look at the United Kingdom market and finds himself wondering if the glass is half full or...

By Dave Broom

Awards & Events Icons of Whisky 2008 Following months of scrutiny,much debate and exhaustive rounds of voting, we finally reveal the cream of the crop in the...

By Rob Allanson

Production The Cooley effect In the second of three features asking ‘what is Irish whiskey? 'Dave Broom gets caught up in Cooley

By Dave Broom

Production The silent season A distillery's year comprises more than four seasons,with the addition of an annual silent season.But while nature's seasons happen quite...

By Ian Wisniewski

History Bowling for Littlemill Gavin D.Smith investigates the lost fortunes of Glasgow's other distillery.

By Gavin D. Smith

Production Meet peat In the latest in his series on whisky terms,Dominic Roskrow addresses part one of a two part look at the...

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Retail Whisky sales take off at Colombo airport Joe Bates heads to the Indian subcontinent to look atSri Lanka's main airport

By Joe Bates

Ask the Expert Under the hammer Now you can find both of John Rose's superb articles about collecting whisky in one place. In collections,he looks at...

By John Rose

Ask the Expert Ask the expert

By John Rose

Travel The emerald isle Once rich in distilleries, Ireland has few left and only one permits visitors. So whisky tourists have to work domainly...

By Rob Allanson

Distillery Focus Technical perfection The Glenrothes is one of Scotland's biggest distilleries but is an enigmatic one too,its doors generally closed to visitors and...

By Dominic Roskrow

News Money for Barrels So you'd like to invest in Whisky? Ian Buxton reports

By Ian Buxton

News Indian gala gathering For the first time Whisky Magazine decided to honour the Indian whisky industry as part of the Icon awards. We...

By Rob Allanson

Production Too little of a good thing? Charles K. Cowdery looks at the buzz created by the limited editions market.

By Charles K Cowdery

Travel French flair Ted Bruning visits the distilleries making waves in Brittany.

By Ted Bruning

Food The spice route Kate Ennis discovers that whisky can be the spice of life

By Kate Portman (nee Ennis)

Whisky & Culture Welsh's whisky links Jefferson Chase looks at another home grown literary giant

By Jefferson Chase

People We can also help with inspiration for a new product. Ian Wisniewski talks with Christine McCafferty,Diageo's archive manager

By Ian Wisniewski

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

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonWhat's in a bottle?Faked single malt whisky has once again been making headlines in recent months,we look at...

Joe BatesWhisky sales take off at Colombo airportJoe Bates heads to the Indian subcontinent to look atSri Lanka's main airport

Dave BroomThe Cooley effectIn the second of three features asking ‘what is Irish whiskey? 'Dave Broom gets caught...

Ted BruningFrench flairTed Bruning visits the distilleries making waves in Brittany.

Ian BuxtonMoney for BarrelsSo you'd like to invest in Whisky? Ian Buxton reports

Jefferson ChaseWelsh's whisky linksJefferson Chase looks at another home grown literary giant

Charles K CowderyToo little of a good thing?Charles K. Cowdery looks at the buzz created by the limited editions market.

Douglas CruickshankThe Chivas LifeIn the first of a series of guest columns,we ask Chivas Brothers' Douglas Cruickshank about...

Kate Portman (nee Ennis)The spice routeKate Ennis discovers that whisky can be the spice of life

John RoseAsk the expert

Dominic RoskrowTechnical perfectionThe Glenrothes is one of Scotland's biggest distilleries but is an enigmatic one too,its doors...

Gavin D. SmithBowling for LittlemillGavin D.Smith investigates the lost fortunes of Glasgow's other distillery.

Ian WisniewskiWe can also help with inspiration for a new product.Ian Wisniewski talks with Christine McCafferty,Diageo's archive manager

anCnoc
16 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Takes water nicely. A real fun summery mouthful.Session dram.

Overall score

8.5

Ardmore
Peated Malt

ABV 46%

Comments: A pleasant dram. No complexity of any sort,but a good outdoor companion for a barbecue or a walk inthe fields.

Overall score

7.6

Bakery Hill
Classic

ABV 46%

Comments: Nicely made.

Overall score

7.6

Bakery Hill
Peated Single Malt Whisky

ABV 46%

Comments: Interesting but needs to fill out.

Overall score

7.8

Barrogill
North Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: An unpleasant fermenting note all the way. And a weak profile. Diluted, strength wise as well as aroma wise.

Overall score

6.8

Battlehill
Auchentoshan

ABV 43%

Comments: Not much to shout about really. A slow developer perhaps? Put it back in the cask for anotherfour years.

Overall score

7.1

Battlehill
8 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A nice young Speysider and a curiosity:Imperial was mothballed 10 years ago.

Overall score

7.6

Benromach
Traditional

ABV 40%

Comments: Better than I remember it. Spritely and light on its toes.

Overall score

7.6

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

ABV 55.1%

Comments: Surprising. The nose is more appealing than the palate. A cardboardy flavour when water added.Disappointing.

Overall score

7.5

Glenalmond
1998 Pure Highland Malt

ABV 40%

Comments: A light and gentle aperitif.

Overall score

7.4

Glenmorangie
The Nectar D'Or

ABV 46%

Comments: Long and sweet. Try with soft goat's cheese.

Overall score

8.9

Glenmorangie
18 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: The perfect infusion for a night cap.

Overall score

8.4

Glenmorangie
Original

ABV 40%

Comments: A gentle dram,lively and refreshing. To toast the spring.

Overall score

8.0

Glenmorangie
Lasanta

ABV 46%

Comments: Very well integrated. A real improvement.

Overall score

8.0

Glenmorangie
Quinta Ruban

ABV 46%

Comments: Again a real improvement on the old finish.Light.

Overall score

8.3

Glenmorangie
Quarter Century

ABV 43%

Comments: A straightforward whisky. Delivers the whole package in one go. A good warmer up for rainy days. Don'texpect stylish manners.

Overall score

7.8

Ian Macleod
Speyside, Aged 8 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: A pretty dram.

Overall score

7.4

Ian Macleod
Lowland, Aged 8 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Not quite the extra dimension that would raise it to the next level but great for a youngster.

Overall score

7.7

Ian Macleod
Islay, Aged 8 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: At their best, these are approachable, easy-drinking whiskies. This is a good example.

Overall score

7.7

Ian Macleod
Island, Aged 8 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Plays a bit rough and ready, but still quite likeable.

Overall score

8.0

Longrow
CV

ABV 46%

Comments: I have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to Longrow.This is a revelation.

Overall score

8.1

Longrow
Gaja Barolo

ABV 55.8%

Comments: The unusual cask provides a different take to the previous malt - but not an unwelcome one.

Overall score

8.0

Macleod's
Speyside Single Malt, 8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Fine in an undemanding way.

Overall score

7.5

Macleod's
Islay Single Malt, 8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: An unreconstructed alpha male.

Overall score

8.0

Nikka
Single Coffey Malt, 12 Years Old

ABV 55%

Comments: I can't believe this is a whisky. A(decent) rum yes,but where is the grain?

Overall score

7.2

Old Malt Cask
1977, 30 Years Old, Bourbon Cask

ABV 50%

Comments: Seems to hesitate between sweet and dry. Water gets the balance right.

Overall score

7.9

Old Malt Cask
1975, 31 Years Old

ABV 50%

Comments: On the oakyside. Too old? Lacks subtleness.

Overall score

7.8

Port Ellen
7th Release, 1979, 28 Years Old

ABV 53.8%

Comments: A tough lad with a lot of muscles and energy but not deprived of finesse. Tastes young. Invigorating like a walk by a shore on a 'dricht'

Overall score

8.3