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

In a Northern glass

Column In a Northern glass Tom Morton, BBC broadcaster and writer gives us his view of the whisky world from the Shetland archipelago

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...

A perfumed world

Travel A perfumed world Dave Broom explores the sensory experience of incense

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

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

Join the debate

Column Join the debate

By Rob Allanson

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

Rob AllansonSpy

Joe BatesReaching MadridJoe Bates braves volcano-related travel chaos to visit Madrid Barajas Airport

Dave BroomA perfumed worldDave Broom explores the sensory experience of incense

Jefferson ChaseThe odd coupleJefferson Chase looks at a well observed American tale

Charles K CowderyFrom Akons to Oak BarrelsIt might not seem the most obvious of pairings but as Charles K. Cowdery discovers,...

Joel HarrisonYou don't flask, you don't getYou'll find the hip flask in every distillery across the world. How did such a...

Jonny McCormickIt's Islay TimeJonny McCormick examines how a clutch of Feis Ilé bottlings fared at auction.

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...

Neil RidleyThe English RevolutionCould we be on the edge of a English distilling revival, Neil J. Ridley looks...

Dominic RoskrowStriking a balanceBenromach is a small distillery but it's starting to punch above its weight. As Dominic...

Gavin D. SmithWho's afraid of the sherried beatiesGavin D. Smith looks at whether sherried whiskies are still relevant to whisky drinkers

Liza WeisstuchThe way of the cocktailLiza Weisstuch meets the Japanese master of the bartending world

Ian WisniewskiControlling the burnIan Wisniewski asks what is the effect of toasting or charring casks, and how does...

Ardbeg
Supernova 2010

ABV 60.1%

Comments: A head-cleaning experience. Not for the fainthearted.

Overall score

8.3

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
150th Anniversay

ABV 50%

Comments: Stylish, but the finish knocks it back a few points for me.

Overall score

8.2

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
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
1990

ABV 40%

Comments: Strangely similar to a golden rum - albeit a smoky one.

Overall score

8.3

Highland Park
1994

ABV 40%

Comments: For those with a sweeter palate.

Overall score

8.2

Highland Park
1998

ABV 40%

Comments: Balanced and lightly complex.

Overall score

8.1

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
5 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: If it's a chimney it's one above a sweet shop.

Overall score

7.7

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
5 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Nice.. really nice but not with a wow factor.

Overall score

7.8

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