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Whisky Magazine 88

Benromach Distillery Incense Sherry Casks English distilling
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Welcome to Whisky Magazine
Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine
By Rob Allanson
Spy
News Spy
By Rob Allanson
In memorial
A Dram with Dave Broom In memorial Dave pays tribute to South Africa's Mr Whisky
By Dave Broom
The English Revolution
News The English Revolution Could we be on the edge of a English distilling revival, Neil J. Ridley looks to the past for an...
By Neil Ridley
A perfumed world
Travel A perfumed world Dave Broom explores the sensory experience of incense
By Dave Broom
The way of the cocktail
People The way of the cocktail Liza Weisstuch meets the Japanese master of the bartending world
By Liza Weisstuch
Away from the crowds
Travel Away from the crowds Visiting Kentucky or Tennesse? Why not get off the tourist trail and pep up your visit by seeking out the...
By Dominic Roskrow
The lost legion
History The lost legion Gavin D. Smith looks at the Perthshire region
By Gavin D. Smith
Stepping up
People Stepping up William C. Meyers was one of three writers tasked with updating Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion for a sixth edition....
By William C Meyers
Reaching Madrid
Travel Retail Reaching Madrid Joe Bates braves volcano-related travel chaos to visit Madrid Barajas Airport
By Joe Bates
Controlling the burn
Production Controlling the burn Ian Wisniewski asks what is the effect of toasting or charring casks, and how does this influence the character of...
By Ian Wisniewski
Striking a balance
Distillery Focus Striking a balance Benromach is a small distillery but it's starting to punch above its weight. As Dominic Roskrow reports, it's a perfect...
By Dominic Roskrow
You don't flask, you don't get
Production You don't flask, you don't get You'll find the hip flask in every distillery across the world. How did such a simple and practical item become...
By Joel Harrison
Who's afraid of the sherried beaties
Production Who's afraid of the sherried beaties Gavin D. Smith looks at whether sherried whiskies are still relevant to whisky drinkers
By Gavin D. Smith
From Akons to Oak Barrels
Food From Akons to Oak Barrels It might not seem the most obvious of pairings but as Charles K. Cowdery discovers, pig and whiskey is a...
By Charles K Cowdery
The odd couple
Whisky & Culture The odd couple Jefferson Chase looks at a well observed American tale
By Jefferson Chase
Ask the expert
Ask the Expert Ask the expert
By Rob Allanson
It's Islay Time
Whisky Magazine Index It's Islay Time Jonny McCormick examines how a clutch of Feis Ilé bottlings fared at auction.
By Jonny McCormick
William C MeyersStepping upWilliam C. Meyers was one of three writers tasked with updating Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky...
Tom MortonIn a Northern glassTom Morton, BBC broadcaster and writer gives us his view of the whisky world from...
Rob AllansonSpy
Neil RidleyThe English RevolutionCould we be on the edge of a English distilling revival, Neil J. Ridley looks...
Liza WeisstuchThe way of the cocktailLiza Weisstuch meets the Japanese master of the bartending world
Jonny McCormickIt's Islay TimeJonny McCormick examines how a clutch of Feis Ilé bottlings fared at auction.
Joel HarrisonYou don't flask, you don't getYou'll find the hip flask in every distillery across the world. How did such a...
Joe BatesReaching MadridJoe Bates braves volcano-related travel chaos to visit Madrid Barajas Airport
Jefferson ChaseThe odd coupleJefferson Chase looks at a well observed American tale
Ian WisniewskiControlling the burnIan Wisniewski asks what is the effect of toasting or charring casks, and how does...
Gavin D. SmithWho's afraid of the sherried beatiesGavin D. Smith looks at whether sherried whiskies are still relevant to whisky drinkers
Dominic RoskrowStriking a balanceBenromach is a small distillery but it's starting to punch above its weight. As Dominic...
Dave BroomA perfumed worldDave Broom explores the sensory experience of incense
Charles K CowderyFrom Akons to Oak BarrelsIt might not seem the most obvious of pairings but as Charles K. Cowdery discovers,...
Ardbeg
Ardbeg
Supernova 2010
ABV 60.1%
Comments: A head-cleaning experience. Not for the fainthearted.
Overall score
8.3
Dewar Rattray
Dewar Rattray
1997, 12 Years Old
ABV 46%
Comments: The low aromatics knock it down but has real palate presence.
Overall score
7.9
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1994, 15 Years Old
ABV 57.4%
Comments: A very fine example from an under-rated distillery.
Overall score
8.4
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1996, 13 Years Old
ABV 58.2%
Comments: An inactive cask hasn’t allowed the sulphur to be removed fully. Nothing wrong with the spirit, it’s just been bottled too early.
Overall score
6.4
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection
1998, 11 Years Old
ABV 61.6%
Comments: Intriguing but just a little too dry.
Overall score
7.8
Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
1974, 34 Years Old
ABV 51.5%
Comments: Too dry and bitter for me.
Overall score
7.8
Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
1983, 26 Years Old
ABV 55.9%
Comments: Slightly obvious and a bit of a show pony, but not bad.
Overall score
8.0
Early Times
Early Times
150th Anniversay
ABV 50%
Comments: Stylish, but the finish knocks it back a few points for me.
Overall score
8.2
Firefly
Firefly
Sweet Tea Bourbon
ABV 30%
Comments: Not one for me but I am sure the sweet toothed out there will like it.
Overall score
6.5
Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich
Rich Oak
ABV 40%
Comments: It’s a decent enough dram but just falls flat in the mouth. More alcohol would have helped methinks.
Overall score
7.8
Highland Park
1973
ABV 50.6%
Comments: A warming dram. Well balanced and harmonious.
Overall score
8.9
Highland Park
Highland Park
1990
ABV 40%
Comments: Strangely similar to a golden rum - albeit a smoky one.
Overall score
8.3
Highland Park
Highland Park
1994
ABV 40%
Comments: For those with a sweeter palate.
Overall score
8.2
Highland Park
Highland Park
1998
ABV 40%
Comments: Balanced and lightly complex.
Overall score
8.1
Maker's
Maker's
46
ABV 47%
Comments: The layers of sweetness here make this a very easy drinking bourbon.
Overall score
8.2
Single & Single
Single & Single
1976, 31 Years Old
ABV 47.9%
Comments: Balanced and though oak-driven, not oak-dominated.
Overall score
8.5
Wemyss Malts
Wemyss Malts
5 Years Old
ABV 40%
Comments: If it's a chimney it's one above a sweet shop.
Overall score
7.7
Wemyss Malts
Wemyss Malts
5 Years Old
ABV 40%
Comments: Maybe just a little too eager to please, but maybe I'm just too hard to please.
Overall score
8.0
Wemyss Malts
Wemyss Malts
5 Years Old
ABV 40%
Comments: Nice.. really nice but not with a wow factor.
Overall score
7.8
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