Whisky Magazine 8

Wood finish tasting Gordon & McPhail Makers Mark Edradour

Awards & Events Clear as glass Over 60 guests attended Whisky Magazine's inaugural reader dinner for an exceptional tasting of a range of Aberlour single malts....

By Marcin Miller

Editor's Word From the editor Is it possible to compile an objective hierarchy of malts?

By Charles MacLean

Musings with Michael Jackson Southern sinners Lithuanian mead put Michael Jackson on the malt laden road. Here he talks about some friends he met along the way

By Michael Jackson

People Michael Palin's whisky adventure As well known for his international travelogues as his insane antics in Monty Python, Michael Palin, a New Year's honours...

By Damian Riley-Smith

Bars Grown-up & glamorous Retro luxury pervades the whisky bars of San Francisco as Larry Walker found out when he did a little relaxing...

By Larry Walker

History Pot of gold Ireland is rich in myths about the magic powers of poitin, the aromatic spirit that was distilled illegally for centuries....

By Susy Atkins

Collections God bless Herr Bourbon Heinz Taubenheim's grand passions have made him the toast of the American whiskey world. Susanne and Juergen Deibel meet the...

By Juergen Deibel

Distillery Focus Where small is very beautiful (Edradour) History lives at Edradour, the world's smallest Scotch whisky distillery, where traditional whisky-making methods remain unchanged to this day. Jane...

By Jane Slade

Food In the pink Margaret Rand's taste buds were transported when she feasted on game dishes flavoured with whisky created by top chef David Chambers

By Margaret Rand

Distillery Focus The Mark of a classic (Maker's Mark) Hand-made Maker's Mark bourbon tastes irresistibly good. Stuart MacLean Ramsay describes an enthralling encounter\rwith Kentucky's alchemists

By Stuart MacLean Ramsay

Production Sense and sensibility Marcin Miller receives an education in whisky detection

By Marcin Miller

Food Jazzin' with the dram London's first malt and cigar bar is now the capital's finest Scottish restaurant with a huge selection of whiskies. Jane...

By Jane Slade

Production Decoding labels he whisky label is a treasure trove of information if you know how to crack the codes. Graham Moore reveals all

By Graham Moore

Places Cut and thrust on the Royal Mile Young entrepreneur Keir Sword is going places with Scotch. Marcin Miller met up with him at his shop on Edinburgh's...

By Marcin Miller

History Smooth operators

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

News The best is yet to come Handsome dividends could be in store for whisky drinkers and the Scotch industry, now Scotland has its own...

By Dave Broom

Production Grand masters of malt Gordon & MacPhail brought malt whisky to the people. Ken Hyder salutes the legendary pioneers who have always done it...

By Ken Hyder

Whisky & Culture Drawing in the drinks Art and commerce can be a potent cocktail and one of which distillers are becoming increasingly aware . Annie Davies...

By Anne Davies

Susy AtkinsPot of goldIreland is rich in myths about the magic powers of poitin, the aromatic spirit that...

Dave BroomThe best is yet to comeHandsome dividends could be in store for whisky drinkers and the Scotch industry,...

Tom Bruce-GardyneSmooth operators

Anne DaviesDrawing in the drinksArt and commerce can be a potent cocktail and one of which distillers are becoming...

Juergen DeibelGod bless Herr BourbonHeinz Taubenheim's grand passions have made him the toast of the American whiskey world. Susanne...

Ken HyderGrand masters of maltGordon & MacPhail brought malt whisky to the people. Ken Hyder salutes the legendary pioneers...

Michael JacksonSouthern sinnersLithuanian mead put Michael Jackson on the malt laden road. Here he talks about some...

Charles MacLeanFrom the editorIs it possible to compile an objective hierarchy of malts?

Marcin MillerCut and thrust on the Royal MileYoung entrepreneur Keir Sword is going places with Scotch. Marcin Miller met up with him...

Graham MooreDecoding labelshe whisky label is a treasure trove of information if you know how to crack...

Stuart MacLean RamsayThe Mark of a classic (Maker's Mark)Hand-made Maker's Mark bourbon tastes irresistibly good. Stuart MacLean Ramsay describes an enthralling encounter\rwith...

Margaret RandIn the pinkMargaret Rand's taste buds were transported when she feasted on game dishes flavoured with whisky...

Damian Riley-SmithMichael Palin's whisky adventureAs well known for his international travelogues as his insane antics in Monty Python, Michael...

Jane SladeJazzin' with the dramLondon's first malt and cigar bar is now the capital's finest Scottish restaurant with a...

Larry WalkerGrown-up & glamorousRetro luxury pervades the whisky bars of San Francisco as Larry Walker found out when...

Aberlour
15 Years Old, Sherry Wood

ABV 40%

Comments: A biggish-bodied Aberlour which helps to lengthen the complex effects of the double maturation.

Overall score

8.8

Adelphi
Single Malt Irish Whiskey

ABV 67.3%

Comments: Charming but unemphatic. The nose promises more than delivers.

Overall score

6.8

Adelphi
Single Malt Irish Whiskey

ABV 0%

Comments: Pleasant, soothing, sociable.

Overall score

7.4

Adelphi Suir
Peated Malt

ABV 40%

Comments: Intriguing combination of flavours. Sweet meets peat.

Overall score

7.9

Bowmore
Claret

ABV 56%

Comments: An elaborate malt which enhances Bowmore's association with perfume. Good enough to wear!

Overall score

9.0

Bowmore
Darkest

ABV 43%

Comments: Forget expresso and cappuccino, try this for breakfast with a fat Havana. Hedonistic!

Overall score

8.8

Bushmills
16 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Absolutely charming Bushmills. Expertly composed.

Overall score

8.7

Cadenhead's
10 Years Old, Bourbon

ABV 45%

Comments: A ripe age for bourbon but this one shows great balance as the wood has not dominated.

Overall score

9.0

Cragganmore
1984 Distillers Edition, Ruby Port Finish, 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Connoisseurs might miss the austerity of the original - or enjoy the added layer of fruity, winey, sweetness.

Overall score

8.5

Dalwhinnie
1981, Distillers Edition, Oloroso Sherry

ABV 43%

Comments: Beautiful interplay and balance.

Overall score

7.5

Glen Moray
16 Years Old, Chenin Blanc Finish

ABV 40%

Comments: Greater dimensions than the original 16 Years Old.

Overall score

8.2

Glen Moray
1971 Vintage

ABV 43%

Comments: Glen Moray has never been seen as a glamorous malt, but it gains mystery with maturity.

Overall score

8.5

Glenmorangie
Fino Sherry Wood Finish

ABV 43%

Comments: A marriage made in heaven.

Overall score

9.0

Glenmorangie
Madeira Finish

ABV 43%

Comments: Glenmorangie in spite of its lightish origins can walk the wood finish tight rope with majestic balance.

Overall score

8.5

Glenmorangie
Port Wood Finish

ABV 43%

Comments: Do you smoke after sex? No I have a port finish.

Overall score

8.4

Glenmorangie
Sherry Wood Finish

ABV 43%

Comments: Interesting and complex with some characteristics reminiscent of Scotland's other national drink.

Overall score

8.4

Gordon & MacPhail
1985

ABV 40%

Comments: Big and old fashioned feel.

Overall score

7.5

Gordon & MacPhail
1988

ABV 43%

Comments: Fairly gentle for a Scapa and a little drier throughout than expected.

Overall score

6.7

Lagavulin
1980, The Distillers Edition, Pedro Ximenez Finish

ABV 43%

Comments: A more lingering, classic Lagavulin with some of the corners knocked off and some subtle depths added.

Overall score

9.5

Oban
1980, The Distillers Edition, Montilla

ABV 43%

Comments: Demonstrably an evocative whisky. Salty and winey, but neither as overt as in the comparable Glenmorangie Fino.

Overall score

8.8

Talisker
1986, The Distiller's Edition, Amoroso Sherry

ABV 0%

Comments: Sensational (both literally and figuratively).

Overall score

9.0

The Balvenie
12 Years Old, Double Wood

ABV 43%

Comments: Delicious.

Overall score

8.7

The Balvenie
21 Years Old, PortWood

ABV 47.6%

Comments: An extremely graceful and charmingly feminine dram.

Overall score

9.0

The Macallan
18 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A lovely whisky in its own right, but not quite as layered as the best vintages.

Overall score

9.3

The Macallan
10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A king-pin malt which never disappoints.

Overall score

8.9

The Macallan
1979, 18 Years Old, Gran Reserva

ABV 40%

Comments: A formidable dram with enough about it to scrum down with any heavyweight.

Overall score

9.5

Whisky Magazine 8

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