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Whisky Magazine 84

Boutique Speyside Explore The Balvenie Japanese Focus Cocktails from New Orleans Bunnahabhain Buffalo Trace Mackmyra SMWS

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

News Mutiny Mr Christian?

By Rob Allanson

News Crowning Cocktail

By Rob Allanson

News Bumper Bowmore

By Rob Allanson

News 50 not out

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Naturally creative Dave reports from the front line at Whisky Live South Africa

By Dave Broom

Production The Art of Science Dave Broom examines how Japan's distillers are taking their country's whiskies into the world

By Dave Broom

People Tasting Success Gavin D. Smith meets the family behind the iconic glass

By Gavin D. Smith

People High society The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has slowly but surely been evolving and growing. We look at its progress

By Rob Allanson

People Whisky in the war zone Rob Allanson talks to veteran BBC journalist John Simpson about whisky, wars and passing the passion for the spirit on...

By Rob Allanson

Production Brewer's decline The number of distilleries using brewer's yeast has declined significantly since the 1990s. Ian Wisniewski asks why

By Ian Wisniewski

History Granite city blues Gavin D. Smith looks at how Aberdeen went from several distilleries to none

By Gavin D. Smith

People Kellar trends Andreas Haller has turned his hobby into something more serious

By Andreas Haller

Travel Retail Group growth Joe Bates looks at another popular Middle East destination

By Joe Bates

Travel Ginza a go-go Dave Broom takes us on a walking tour through one of Tokyo's popular drinking districts

By Dave Broom

Distillery Focus Inspirational distilling The VIP tour of Balvenie is quite arguably the best Scotland has to offer. Our man indulged himself

By Rob Allanson

Cocktails Mixing history Neil Ridley looks at two important cocktail tomes

By Neil Ridley

Cocktails Tales of the times Liza Weisstuch heads out to New Orleans to see what's mixing at the moment

By Liza Weisstuch

Food Eastern Promises

By Kate Portman (nee Ennis)

Whisky & Culture Short and sweet Jefferson Chase looks at the shorter form of story telling

By Jefferson Chase

Collections Under the hammer John talks us through some more investment opportunities

By John Rose

Ask the Expert Ask the Expert

Collections Join the debate Email the team editorial@whiskymag.com

By Rob Allanson

Rob AllansonMutiny Mr Christian?

Neil RidleyMixing historyNeil Ridley looks at two important cocktail tomes

Liza WeisstuchTales of the timesLiza Weisstuch heads out to New Orleans to see what's mixing at the moment

Kate Portman (nee Ennis)Eastern Promises

John RoseUnder the hammerJohn talks us through some more investment opportunities

Joe BatesGroup growthJoe Bates looks at another popular Middle East destination

Jefferson ChaseShort and sweetJefferson Chase looks at the shorter form of story telling

Ian WisniewskiBrewer's declineThe number of distilleries using brewer's yeast has declined significantly since the 1990s. Ian Wisniewski...

Gavin D. SmithGranite city bluesGavin D. Smith looks at how Aberdeen went from several distilleries to none

Dave BroomThe Art of ScienceDave Broom examines how Japan's distillers are taking their country's whiskies into the world

Andreas HallerKellar trendsAndreas Haller has turned his hobby into something more serious

Bains
Cape Mountain Whisky

ABV 43%

Comments: A pleasant dram, definitely on the sweet side. The nose is more appealing than the palate.

Overall score

7.7

Benromach
10 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: A well-structured dram with character and delicacy. Very refreshing. A perfect Speysider to recommend.

Overall score

8.2

Connemara
Sherry Finish

ABV 46%

Comments: Needs time to cheer up. A rigid oaky profile. Surprisingly,water softens it.

Overall score

7.5

Eagle Rare
17 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: A bourbon close to a rye whiskey, well structured and quite complex.

Overall score

8.2

George T. Stagg
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 70.7%

Comments: A big, muscular bourbon. George T. Stagg? Good guess...For a stag night maybe...

Overall score

8.2

Kilchoman
Inaugural Release

ABV 46%

Comments: Definitely one to watch as it matures. Promises big things.

Overall score

8.4

Kornog
Taouarc'H Kentan 2006 3 Years Old

ABV 57.1%

Comments: The profile of a well knitted young islander. Of the gentle sort. Alcohol is well mastered. Invigorating and cuddling at the same time.

Overall score

8.0

Mackmyra
Special: 03

ABV 48.25%

Comments: A pleasant dram,with an interesting malty chore.

Overall score

7.9

Malts of Scotland
1988, 21 Years Old

ABV 46.3%

Comments: I like mushrooms but not so much in a glass! It is this musty note which gets so unpleasant.

Overall score

7.3

Malts of Scotland
1997, 12 Years Old

ABV 55.3%

Comments: The nose let expect a more integrated oak on the palate. The violet is overwhelming.

Overall score

7.8

Malts of Scotland
1972, 37 Years Old

ABV 52.8%

Comments: Oak seems integrated on the nose but blatantly shows on the palate. More pleasant if given time to breathe.

Overall score

7.6

Malts of Scotland
1997, 12 Years Old

ABV 57.2%

Comments: A dry character.Lacks elegancy and brightness.

Overall score

7.3

Master of Malt
1983, 26 Years Old

ABV 53.4%

Comments: Perfumy on the palate as well as on the nose. Quite surprising. Very pleasant until the soapy flavour develops.

Overall score

7.5

Master of Malt
1996, 12 Years Old

ABV 54.7%

Comments: An enticing combination of pudding-like flavours and crisp texture.Sweet but not cloying at all.

Overall score

8.0

Miyagikyo
1990, 19 Years Old

ABV 61%

Comments: Funny enough,that strong dram is better neat. But give it time.

Overall score

8.0

Nikka
Coffey Grain, 1995, 14 Years Old

ABV 60%

Comments: A grainy profile enriched by fruity flavours. I'd happily try it chilled.

Overall score

8.0

Sazerac
18 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: Another Rye Whiskey? The nose is a bit dour but the palate is more balanced. An interesting character.

Overall score

8.3

Speciality Drinks
30 Years Old

ABV 45.8%

Comments: A pleasant islander but kind of losing its colours like an old watercolour painting.

Overall score

7.8

Speciality Drinks
Ar2 (Ardbeg)

ABV 60.5%

Comments: Obviously a mariner.Getting a bit grumpy on the palate.

Overall score

7.9

Speciality Drinks
Lg1 (Laphroaig)

ABV 56.8%

Comments: A morning uplifter. To be enjoyed with cream and porridge on a dricht day !

Overall score

8.1

Springbank
1998, Vintage

ABV 53.3%

Comments: If you like it big and oaky this is your boy. Late night,night cap.

Overall score

8.3

The Balvenie
Madeira Cask 17 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Rich and complex. Superbly balanced and elegant. To enjoy with Beethoven's 7th Symphony.

Overall score

8.9

The Dalmore
Sirius

ABV 45%

Comments: A very old whisky which has retained vigour but lost its balance. Oak is prevailing. To savour more like a piece of liquid history.

Overall score

7.5

The Glenlivet
Nadurra Triumph 1991 Vintage Edition

ABV 48%

Comments: A lovely dram, more spring-time than autumnal. To enjoy with shellfish.

Overall score

8.5

The Glenrothes
John Ramsay

ABV 46.7%

Comments: A refined and fulfilling dram. Perfect balance. Complex without ostentation.

Overall score

8.6

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
120.4 – Tibetan Joss-Sticks and Polynesian Pork, 1990, 18 Years Old

ABV 59.3%

Comments: The nose is a delight. To enjoy the palate,you have to be a wood freak.

Overall score

7.7

Thomas H. Handy
Sazerac, Straight Rye Whisky

ABV 64.5%

Comments: Manhattan time. A benchmark rye.

Overall score

8.9

William Larue Weller
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

ABV 59%

Comments: Rich and deep but the alcohol is not mastered. Too much of a burning dram for me.

Overall score

7.9

Yoichi
1991, 18 Years Old

ABV 58%

Comments: A warm but rich character. Water tames it a little. Some like it hot !

Overall score

8.0

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Whisky Magazine 84

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