Whisky Magazine 82

Mull's drams Journey's Blend Lark's rise Icons of Whisky Scotland Rum Special Ardbeg Laphroaig Linkwood Bunnahabhain

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Welcome to Whisky Magazine

Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

Rising stars

News Rising stars The search starts again to find the cream of the crop in the whisky world. In the first round of...

By Rob Allanson

Class of their own

News Class of their own We showcase the results from this year's Independent Bottlers' Challenge.

By Rob Allanson

Whisky Live London 2010

Awards & Events Whisky Live London 2010

By Rob Allanson

On the home front

A Dram with Dave Broom On the home front Dave looks at the recent goings on in the industry and Scotland.

On the road

Travel On the road Part one of the tale of the three men, three motorbikes, five distilleries, and the search for one blended malt.

By Rob Allanson

All that glisters is not gold

News All that glisters is not gold Ian Buxton looks at the recent ultra premium releases.

But Mr. Ambassador...

People But Mr. Ambassador... On paper being a whisky ambassador would seem to be the dream job but is it all it's cracked up...

By Dominic Roskrow

Lark's Rise

People Lark's Rise Australian whisky has come of age. At the forefront of the country's drive for credibility is Bill Lark. Our man...

By Rob Allanson

Yeast Use

Production Yeast Use In the first of two articles on yeast, Ian Wisniewski looks at the range available to distillers, and the practicalities...

By Ian Wisniewski

The unsung saint

History The unsung saint Gavin D Smith charts the history of one of the founding distilleries of DCL (Distillers Company Limited) that still entralls enthusiasts.

By Gavin D. Smith

The passion

People The passion Serge Valentin is a founder member of The Malt Maniacs and is serious about his whisky. But as we found...

By Rob Allanson

Reaching the top

Travel Retail Reaching the top Top ranking Dubai takes whisky offers upmarket, Joe Bates finds out why

Heading out east

Travel Heading out east It doesn't shout about it loudly but Canada has some\rgreat whiskies and some great distilleries to visit. It's just a...

By Rob Allanson

The tale of two malts

Distillery Focus The tale of two malts Tobermory on Mull is enjoying a place in the spotlight for a change. Dominic Roskrow visited it.

By Dominic Roskrow

Perpetual Motion

People Perpetual Motion Gavin D Smith talks to the new broom at the Edrington Group.

By Gavin D. Smith

Less is Mhor

Food Less is Mhor Simple recipes that let the quality ingredients shine through are at the heart of Glengoyne's food partnership with Monachyle Mhor...

By Kate Portman (nee Ennis)

Rum in the tropics

Production Rum in the tropics We investigate the wonderful world of rum

By Rob Allanson

Bodega Don George

Distillery Focus Bodega Don George Dave Broom heads to a surprising Scottish outpost in the Dominican Republic.

The truth is...

Whisky & Culture The truth is... Whisky book worm Jefferson Chase looks at a different side of journalism.

By Jefferson Chase

Ask the expert

Ask the Expert Ask the expert

Join the debate

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

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonRising starsThe search starts again to find the cream of the crop in the whisky world....

Joe BatesReaching the topTop ranking Dubai takes whisky offers upmarket, Joe Bates finds out why

Dave BroomBodega Don GeorgeDave Broom heads to a surprising Scottish outpost in the Dominican Republic.

Ian BuxtonAll that glisters is not goldIan Buxton looks at the recent ultra premium releases.

Jefferson ChaseThe truth is...Whisky book worm Jefferson Chase looks at a different side of journalism.

Kate Portman (nee Ennis)Less is MhorSimple recipes that let the quality ingredients shine through are at the heart of Glengoyne's...

John RoseAsk the expert

Dominic RoskrowThe tale of two maltsTobermory on Mull is enjoying a place in the spotlight for a change. Dominic Roskrow...

Gavin D. SmithPerpetual MotionGavin D Smith talks to the new broom at the Edrington Group.

Ian WisniewskiYeast UseIn the first of two articles on yeast, Ian Wisniewski looks at the range available...

Ardbeg
Corryvreckan, Committee Reserve

ABV 57.1%

Comments: A rough lad. Hides behind the smoke. The fruit does not come through,andthe alcohol is not mastered enough.

Overall score

8.2

Berrys' Own Selection

Berrys' Own Selection
1994

ABV 46%

Comments: A downy cheeked youthfulness. A delicious aperitif.

Overall score

7.6

Berrys' Own Selection

Berrys' Own Selection
1998

ABV 58.7%

Comments: Good smokiness but seems to lack impetus.

Overall score

7.7

Berrys' Own Selection

Berrys' Own Selection
2000

ABV 46%

Comments: No.

Overall score

6.5

Captain W. G. MacDonald’s

Captain W. G. MacDonald’s
18 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: Balanced and characterful.

Overall score

7.6

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1982, 26 Years Old

ABV 47.7%

Comments: A typically odd melange from Pulteney.

Overall score

8.4

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1996, 12 Years Old

ABV 60.3%

Comments: Can’t help but thinking this would be better with more time in cask.

Overall score

7.5

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1983, 25 Years Old

ABV 53%

Comments: Balanced and gentle.

Overall score

8.3

Malts of Scotland

Malts of Scotland
1976, 32 Years Old

ABV 52%

Comments: Lots of cask influence but it is balanced. Recommended.

Overall score

7.9

Malts of Scotland

Malts of Scotland
1998, 10 Years Old

ABV 60.9%

Comments: A fascinating, exotic, Caol Ila and all the better for being relatively young.

Overall score

8.2

Malts of Scotland

Malts of Scotland
1996, 12 Years Old

ABV 58.1%

Comments: Atypically consistent example from Clynelish.

Overall score

7.8

Malts of Scotland

Malts of Scotland
1975, 34 Years Old

ABV 57.2%

Comments: Slow maturation has resulted in a balanced and complex package.

Overall score

8.4

Malts of Scotland

Malts of Scotland
1987, 22 Years Old

ABV 53.4%

Comments: There’s a lot here but it feels strangely compressed.

Overall score

7.7

Malts of Scotland

Malts of Scotland
1996, 12 Years Old

ABV 58.5%

Comments: The best of this trio but lacks interactive maturation.

Overall score

8.1

Wemyss Vintage Malts

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1990, 19 Years Old, Barbeque Sauce

ABV 55%

Comments: The palate does not hold what the nose promises. The expected subtleness is missing.

Overall score

7.4

Wemyss Vintage Malts

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1991, 18 Years Old, Flowers of Scotland

ABV 46%

Comments: Wemyss manage to produce highly quaffable bottlings. This is good but just lacks the cohesion that would elevate it to a higher level.

Overall score

7.6

Wemyss Vintage Malts

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1989, 20 Years Old, Fruit and Nut Fudge

ABV 46%

Comments: While this doesn't set the house on fire,it's eminently drinkable.

Overall score

7.7

Wemyss Vintage Malts

Wemyss Vintage Malts
1996, 13 Years Old, Smoked Cheese

ABV 46%

Comments: Good but lacks mid-palate weight.

Overall score

7.5

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