Whisky Magazine 86

Shackleton's whisky Dalwhinnie New York Bars Kilbeggan Cocktails Peat Icons of Whisky 2010

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

News There is a light

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Reasons to be cheerful – Part 2 Actually, maybe that should read “reasons to be cautiously optimistic”, but it doesn't scan quite as\rwell. Instead of the usual...

By Dave Broom

History The case of Shackleton's Whisky Emily Stone looks at the exciting Antarctic find that has the whisky world buzzing

By Emily Stone

Bars The Whisky River along the Hudson Liza Weisstuch tracks down some of the new generation of bars in the Big Apple

By Liza Weisstuch

People Forever young Armed with a bottle of Lagavulin 16 years Old and a bag of records, Neil J. Ridley caught up with...

By Neil Ridley

Travel In God's distilling country Iorwerth Griffiths explores the Ireland Whiskey Trail

By Iorweth Griffiths

History The whisky island Gavin D. Smith charts the distilleries of Islay

By Gavin D. Smith

People Top of the pods Mark Gillespie ‘s Whisky Cast is in its fifth year of broadcasting. Dominic Roskrow spoke to him

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Retail A sense of place Joe Bates finds out how the new Frankfurt store gets local

By Joe Bates

Production Whisky, worts and all Ian Wisniewski asks, why do some distilleries have clear wort and some have cloudy wort, and what significance can this have?

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Kilbeggan's spirits rising Iorwerth Griffiths looks at the latest developments as Cooley's distilling experiment comes of age

By Iorweth Griffiths

Distillery Focus A frosty reception Classic malt distillery Dalwhinnie is revamping its visitor experience. Dominic Roskrow spoke to the man charged with ringing the changes

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus Heart of Oak Chris Bunting visits Japan's most maritime distillery

By Chris Bunting

Cocktails Drinking large in the Windy City Charles K.Cowdery finds craft cocktails in Chicago taking a whiskey spin

By Charles K Cowdery

Food The whispering gallery Martine Nouet finds the perfect match for the whispering whiskies requires a light hand when seasoning and careful attention in...

By Martine Nouet

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

By Rob Allanson

Whisky & Culture Burning bright Jefferson Chase looks at an exercise in the class system

By Jefferson Chase

Collections Under the hammer It was a great honour for me to have dinner and a dram with the great Italian whisky collector Valentino...

By John Rose

Ask the Expert Ask the Expert Email your questions to editorial@whiskymag.com

Rob AllansonThere is a light

Joe BatesA sense of placeJoe Bates finds out how the new Frankfurt store gets local

Dave BroomReasons to be cheerful – Part 2Actually, maybe that should read “reasons to be cautiously optimistic”, but it doesn't scan quite...

Chris BuntingHeart of OakChris Bunting visits Japan's most maritime distillery

Jefferson ChaseBurning brightJefferson Chase looks at an exercise in the class system

Charles K CowderyDrinking large in the Windy CityCharles K.Cowdery finds craft cocktails in Chicago taking a whiskey spin

Iorweth GriffithsKilbeggan's spirits risingIorwerth Griffiths looks at the latest developments as Cooley's distilling experiment comes of age

Martine NouetThe whispering galleryMartine Nouet finds the perfect match for the whispering whiskies requires a light hand when...

Neil RidleyForever youngArmed with a bottle of Lagavulin 16 years Old and a bag of records, Neil...

John RoseUnder the hammerIt was a great honour for me to have dinner and a dram with the...

Dominic RoskrowA frosty receptionClassic malt distillery Dalwhinnie is revamping its visitor experience. Dominic Roskrow spoke to the man...

Gavin D. SmithThe whisky islandGavin D. Smith charts the distilleries of Islay

Emily StoneThe case of Shackleton's WhiskyEmily Stone looks at the exciting Antarctic find that has the whisky world buzzing

Liza WeisstuchThe Whisky River along the HudsonLiza Weisstuch tracks down some of the new generation of bars in the Big Apple

Ian WisniewskiWhisky, worts and allIan Wisniewski asks, why do some distilleries have clear wort and some have cloudy wort,...

Ben Nevis
1996, 12 Years Old, Single Cask

ABV 59.3%

Comments: On the sour and dour side. Better with water. Cask problem? Disappointing.

Overall score

6.7

Berrys' Own Selection
1982, 27 Years Old

ABV 52.2%

Comments: The nose is enticing but the palate is overwhelmed by the wood. And water exacerbates the astringency.

Overall score

7.7

Berrys' Own Selection
1971, 38 Years Old

ABV 48%

Comments: The balance between sweet and sour is perfect. A grain whisky? I would have thought of an old bourbon.

Overall score

8.3

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1990, 19 Years Old

ABV 61.8%

Comments: A rich multi layered whisky which, surprisingly, I enjoyed better without water. The latter enhances a bitter tone.

Overall score

8.1

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1983, 26 Years Old

ABV 48.2%

Comments: A very fresh whisky, another upper to refresh you.

Overall score

8.5

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1974, 35 Years Old

ABV 44.3%

Comments: The nose has got some complexity but the palate is overwhelmed and overdried by spices. It needs water.

Overall score

7.8

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1982, 27 Years Old

ABV 54.2%

Comments: An assertive character. A complex nose, a less enticing palate though. But water cuts the edge and makes it conversational. Needs time to 'relax'

Overall score

8.0

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1992, 17 Years Old

ABV 54.9%

Comments: I had a suspicion at first nose. Then it seemed to open on rich aromas. But the palate unfortunately confirmed my apprehension. Can't see the point in drinking wood!

Overall score

7.5

Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1980, 12 Years Old

ABV 57.1%

Comments: An enticing note and a more 'square'

Overall score

7.8

Douglas Laing
Small Batch

ABV 46%

Comments: Fantastic Islay experience. Great balance of smoke and sweetness.

Overall score

8.6

Highland Park
Earl Magnus Edition 1

ABV 52.6%

Comments: A refreshing and enticing dram. Charming. an easy-going complexity. Water gives it a lovely silky feel.

Overall score

8.7

Laphroaig
18 Years Old

ABV 48%

Comments: Not the big phenolic guy but a very refreshing islander. Smoke is well integrated and the aromatic display is elegant.

Overall score

8.3

Malts of Scotland
1984, 25 Years Old

ABV 54.7%

Comments: Another oak and oak only whisky. I must have an oak-(over)sensitive palate!

Overall score

7.6

Malts of Scotland
1998, 10 Years Old

ABV 55.5%

Comments: The perfect image of the countryside in autumn on a wet chilly morning, with a mixture of fog and smoke hovering over the fields and the woods. Very suggestive.

Overall score

8.0