Whisky Magazine 77

The Macallan Richard Paterson Diageo Chieftain's Edradour Glenmorangie SMWS

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

News Pachyderm parade

By Rob Allanson

News Other Stories New centre Auchentoshan Distillery,home to Scotland's only triple distilled single malt whisky, has provided an injection to Glasgow tourism with...

By Rob Allanson

News Whisky Case in China

By Rob Allanson

News Scapa Reborn

By Rob Allanson

News Sweden goes Japanese

By Rob Allanson

News Horses for 'Farclas

By Rob Allanson

News Scotland's Tallest Still

By Rob Allanson

Awards & Events A growing church We report from Holland's excellent Whisky Live event.

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom The view from... Dave muses as he casts his eye over a whisky landscape from the top of Ben Rinnes

By Dave Broom

People Life through a lens Rob Allanson goes behind the scenes of The Macallan's latest ambitious project and gains exclusive access to the people involved.

By Rob Allanson

Production A new frontier Jonathan McCormick looks at selling bourbon to the Scots.

By Jonny McCormick

People The nose knows As his book hits the shelves Kate Portman talks to Master blender Richard Paterson.

By Kate Portman (nee Ennis)

Production The price is right? The price of a malt whisky has to cover a wide range of costs,many of which are variable and unpredictable.\rIan...

By Ian Wisniewski

History Irish Powerhouse Gavin D Smith investigates Jameson's old rival

By Gavin D. Smith

History At the helm In a new series Dominic Roskrow celebrates some of the people who are contributing to whisky,quietly making our lives richer....

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Retail Flying to Frankfurt? Joe Bates heads out to Germany's largest place of work to check out the whisky selection

By Joe Bates

Ask the Expert Ask the expert

By John Rose

Travel Crossing the continent In the latest of our series on places to visit we look at Europe

By Rob Allanson

Distillery Focus The pride of Speyside BenRiach is still relatively unknown but it's a gem of a distillery and as Dominic Roskrow reports,it will continue to...

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus Northern Highland highlights Gavin D Smith visits three Diageo distilleries in search of a sense of regionalisation.

By Gavin D. Smith

People Future proof? The world may be going somewhere in a handbag,but the bourbon industry seems to be pretty buoyant at the moment.

By Rob Allanson

People Royal flush Kate Portman plays a hand of poker with Buffalo Trace's Master Distiller, Harlen Wheatley.

By Kate Portman (nee Ennis)

Food Sweet temptations Chocolate and Whisky have been a classic combination for many people, Rob Allanson talks to the latest convert

By Rob Allanson

Whisky & Culture The beautiful game Jefferson Chase delves between the leaves of another novel.

By Jefferson Chase

People There's a greater awareness among people who are buying to be careful Ian Wisniewski talks with Martin Green, whisky consultant at Bonhams in Edinburgh.

By Ian Wisniewski

Ask the Expert Join the debate

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonPachyderm parade

Joe BatesFlying to Frankfurt?Joe Bates heads out to Germany's largest place of work to check out the whisky selection

Dave BroomThe view from...Dave muses as he casts his eye over a whisky landscape from the top of...

Jefferson ChaseThe beautiful gameJefferson Chase delves between the leaves of another novel.

Jonny McCormickA new frontierJonathan McCormick looks at selling bourbon to the Scots.

Kate Portman (nee Ennis)Royal flushKate Portman plays a hand of poker with Buffalo Trace's Master Distiller, Harlen Wheatley.

John RoseAsk the expert

Dominic RoskrowThe pride of SpeysideBenRiach is still relatively unknown but it's a gem of a distillery and as Dominic...

Gavin D. SmithNorthern Highland highlightsGavin D Smith visits three Diageo distilleries in search of a sense of regionalisation.

Ian WisniewskiThere's a greater awareness among people who are buying to be carefulIan Wisniewski talks with Martin Green, whisky consultant at Bonhams in Edinburgh.

Celtique Connexion
Affinage Armagnac, 1990, 18 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: An edible Archimboldo painting! Delicious. To enjoy like a pudding.

Overall score

8.2

Celtique Connexion
Affinage Armagnac, 1990, 18 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Rich in fruit obviously but the influence of sauternes cask does not seem as obvious as with the previous sample. The raisins note is more present on the nose.

Overall score

8.2

Chieftain's
10 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Difficult to sense the sauternes cask influence. Maybe some added sweetness but the aromas are not precise. A pleasant dram though.

Overall score

8.0

Danny Boy
15 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Pleasant enough but not one of Cooley'schampionship efforts.

Overall score

7.4

Deanston
12 Years Old 1996

ABV 46.3%

Comments: Disappointing.The nose has more than the palate.Less cardboardy with water but surprisingly fiery.

Overall score

7.8

Edradour
1984, 24 Years Old, Chateau d'Yquem Cask Finish

ABV 48%

Comments: For masochists only. Finish in a sauternes cask? Might be a tired one then.

Overall score

6.2

Edradour, Straight from the Cask
1997, 10 Years Old, Chateau d'Yquem Cask Finish

ABV 57.7%

Comments: I was expecting more fruit from a sauternes finish but I don’t mind nuts and chocolate.Water enhances the spices and oakiness but takes the luscious chocolate note out.

Overall score

8.1

Glenfarclas
105 Cask Strength, 40 Years Old

ABV 60%

Comments: The nose was promising but the palate is too woody for me. And the alcohol is not mastered.

Overall score

7.8

Glenmorangie
Nectar D'or

ABV 46%

Comments: Slow to bloom. But so rewarding once opened. Elegant, delicate, and characterful. The sauternes has enriched it with more citrus and dried fruit. A delight.

Overall score

9.0

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1994, Sauternes Wood Finish

ABV 45%

Comments: The nose is enticing, the palate disappointing. Funny enough, the heavy sweetness does not tame the alcohol bite.

Overall score

7.7

Limeburners
Barrel M11, 2006, 2 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: An aromatised whisky ? Odd,rather well constructed but leave a sickeningfeel. Like a cough syrup.

Overall score

7.0

Mackmyra
Special:01 Eminent Sherry

ABV 51.6%

Comments: A lovely dram. Delicate on the nose, quite brisk on the palate. But with a good substance. Invigorating.

Overall score

8.4

Pig's Nose
5 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A well balanced dram. A bit unidimensional but nothing wrong with it. Water dilutes the aromas too much.

Overall score

7.1

Sheep Dip
A Traditional Blend of Rare Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

ABV 40%

Comments: A lovely dram. Well balanced with a generous fruity aromatic display. Has a calming effect Perfect for enjoying a wee break in the sun.

Overall score

7.7

The BenRiach
16 Years Old, Sauternes Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: A wonderful dram, retaining the fruity and almondy notes of the sauternes.

Overall score

9.1

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
66.27 – Foodie Dram

ABV 52.3%

Comments: The nose is richer than the palate. Seems a bit uncoordinated,like a young untamed horse.

Overall score

7.9

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
26.57 – An Absolute Cracker

ABV 54.5%

Comments: A surprising flavour for this distillery, but good to see the Society's standards aren't slipping.

Overall score

8.4

The Wild Geese
Classic Blend

ABV 40%

Comments: A skimpy lad. Nothing unpleasant but too easy to forget.

Overall score

7.2

The Wild Geese
Limited Edition, Fourth Centennial

ABV 40%

Comments: Quite similar to the previous one but with more character. Drier and better structured. Obviously young.

Overall score

7.3

The Wild Geese
Rare Irish Whiskey

ABV 40%

Comments: Wild geese fly together! This one could be the leader. More flesh than the others. And a good balance between fruit and oak.

Overall score

7.3

The Wild Geese
Single Malt

ABV 40%

Comments: A pleasant dram with a gentle character.On the fruit side. A perfect companion for a sweet. Close to the leader of the flock!

Overall score

7.6

Tullibardine
1993, Sauternes Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: A rich character which does not seem to allow the sauternes cask leave its sweet print. It shows through with water however. Broad, complex and enjoyable.

Overall score

7.9