Whisky Magazine 74

The Ardbeg Story Glentauchers New Orlean Cocktails Rum Special

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events Whisky Magazine Aged 10 Years The Macallan join the celebrations!

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Grouse season Dave looks at the famous bird's new clothes with an eye on past trends

By Dave Broom

Cocktails Attracting barfiles There is only one place to take the temperature of the great cocktail makers, New Orleans. Liza Weisstuch went to...

By Liza Weisstuch

News En parade As part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations Rob Allanson headed up to Speyside as the magazine was invited to lay...

By Rob Allanson

Travel Drams on the ocean wave Nothing quite beats the thrill of visiting a distillery by water. Dominic Roskrow looks at the link between whisky and sailing.

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus The experience game Gavin D Smith discovers Glentauchers unplugged.

By Gavin D. Smith

Production Supply and demand Ian Wisniewski looks at the turbulent world of barley.

By Ian Wisniewski

History Irish history Gavin D Smith uncovers the story of Comber Distilleries

By Gavin D. Smith

Production That's the spirit In our latest in our series on whisky terms we look at the second part on the letter S,and the...

By Rob Allanson

Travel Retail Shopping on the fly Joe Bates finds himself at Glasgow airport facing early morning drams and security warnings

By Joe Bates

Ask the Expert Ask the expert 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

Travel Land of legends Canada is a great holiday destination and has a fascinating take on whisky production. In this guide we look at...

By Rob Allanson

Distillery Focus Rennaissance Dram It's more than ten years since Ardbeg ended a period of stop-start production and went back on stream properly. And...

By Dominic Roskrow

Production New Irish Dawn Much has been made of the Scotch whisky boom,but Irish whiskey is also in rude good health. Dominic Roskrow looks...

By Dominic Roskrow

Production It's School time You may think you've had enough of classrooms and teachers, but what about a new learning experience - a whisky school?

By Rob Allanson

Food Festival Menus Martine Nouet takes us through recent whisky and food combinations she has discovered

By Martine Nouet

Production The sunshine spirit While it has always been Whisky Magazine's remit to celebrate the great whiskies of the world,we have long realised thatthere...

By Rob Allanson

Production Interesting times Dave looks at the increasing interest in rum.

By Dave Broom

Production Global phenomenon Travelling around the rum world, Dave introduces us to the various styles.

By Dave Broom

Production At the still Dave takes us through the production process.

By Rob Allanson

Production But why the rum? Dave tell's it like it is.

By Dave Broom

Whisky & Culture The butler's tale Jefferson Chase delves into a Pulitzer prize winner's follow up work.

By Jefferson Chase

People “What we'redoing is always exposing the very best theindustry hasto offer” Ian Wisniewski talks with Paul Miles,managing director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

By Ian Wisniewski

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

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonWelcome to Whisky Magazine

Joe BatesShopping on the flyJoe Bates finds himself at Glasgow airport facing early morning drams and security warnings

Dave BroomInteresting timesDave looks at the increasing interest in rum.

Jefferson ChaseThe butler's taleJefferson Chase delves into a Pulitzer prize winner's follow up work.

Martine NouetFestival MenusMartine Nouet takes us through recent whisky and food combinations she has discovered

John RoseAsk the expertNow you can find both of John Rose's superb articles about collecting whisky in one...

Dominic RoskrowRennaissance DramIt's more than ten years since Ardbeg ended a period of stop-start production and went...

Gavin D. SmithIrish historyGavin D Smith uncovers the story of Comber Distilleries

Liza WeisstuchAttracting barfilesThere is only one place to take the temperature of the great cocktail makers, New...

Ian Wisniewski“What we'redoing is always exposing the very best theindustry hasto offer”Ian Wisniewski talks with Paul Miles,managing director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
14 Years Old

ABV 54%

Comments: Too young.

Overall score

7.2

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
14 Years Old

ABV 59.8%

Comments: At its best in a couple of years.

Overall score

7.3

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
16 Years Old

ABV 60.7%

Comments: It’s good, but can’t help thinking it might be better as an 18 year old.

Overall score

7.2

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1992, 16 Years Old

ABV 52.5%

Comments: Pleasant and pleasing.

Overall score

7.9

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1990, 18 Years Old

ABV 56.6%

Comments: Lovely balance. Delicate in its own way.

Overall score

8.4

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1989, 18 Years Old

ABV 58.7%

Comments: It’s big, it’s oaky but it’s lovely (because it’s balanced).

Overall score

8.3

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1992, 15 Years Old

ABV 56.8%

Comments: Oddly beautiful and as good as the distillery bottling.

Overall score

8.5

Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
1981, 27 Years Old, C2932

ABV 53.8%

Comments: Caol Ila, but with all the smoke machine turned off.

Overall score

7.9

Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare
1978, 29 Years Old

ABV 45.5%

Comments: There’s something about Duncan Taylor and creamy whiskies. It’s almost a house style, which is good.

Overall score

8.3

Forty Creek
John K. Hall, Double Barrel Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Not working for me.

Overall score

6.8

Mackmyra
The 1st Edition

ABV 46.1%

Comments: Mackmyra comes of age and it's good.

Overall score

7.6

Miyagikyo
No Age

ABV 43%

Comments: Not at its best.

Overall score

7.7

Parker's Heritage Collection
27 Years Old, 96 Proof

ABV 48%

Comments: Heaven Hill has quietly been releasing some stunners in recent years. Thisis another.

Overall score

8.4

The BenRiach
Arumaticus Fumosus Dark Rum Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: A constantly shifting but balanced mix of sweetness and smoke anddistillery character.

Overall score

8.1

The BenRiach
Heredotus Famosus Pedro Ximinez Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: Fantastic balance and richness of character.

Overall score

8.7

The BenRiach
Importanticus Fumosus Tawny Port Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: Worth a look.

Overall score

8.1

The BenRiach
Maderensis Fumosus Madeira Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: Great balance. When Madeira works it really works!

Overall score

8.5

The BenRiach
Sauternes Finish 16 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Lacks a little depth in the centre, but of interest.

Overall score

7.7

The BenRiach
Sherry Matured

ABV 46%

Comments: Good, sweet and balanced.

Overall score

7.8

The Dalmore
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Sweet and simple. Maybe higher alcohol would help?

Overall score

7.6

The Dalmore
15 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: I'm normally a fan of Dalmore, this doesn't do it for me.

Overall score

7.3

The Dalmore
Gran Reserva

ABV 40%

Comments: This is the best of the bunch,but in general I find the construction of thesejust a little too obvious.

Overall score

7.5

The Dalmore
King Alexander

ABV 40%

Comments: Does not give all what you expect. Like a too soft cushion. Not comfortable in the end. It would be interesting to taste it at a higher strength.

Overall score

6.9