Whisky Magazine 9

Best selling blends Irish Special White Horse Wild Turkey

Editor's Word From the Editor

Musings with Michael Jackson Poitin patrol Michael Jackson joins the poitin patrol, in prepartation for St Patrick's Day on Friday 17 March.

By Michael Jackson

Whisky & Culture Sympathy for the devil Whisky is rock's decadent badge of credibility. Dave Broom rhapsodises about the bohemians whose primal screams reveal an inspired but...

By Dave Broom

People Desert island malts Derek Cooper, the winner of the 1999 Glenfiddich Lifetime Achievement award, reveals his selection of the eight favourite whiskies he...

By Derek Cooper

Production The gentle art of blending Blended whiskies are too often dismissed as the poor relation of single malts, but as Dr Jim Swan reveals, their...

By Jim Swan

Distillery Focus Bladnoch's bold revival Gavin Smith retraces the resurrection of Scotland's most southerly distillery, and discovers why it is being directed by an Irishman.

By Gavin D. Smith

Tastings Definitely maybe Do you always know your blend from your malt? See who got it right when whisky magazine hosted a blind tasting.

Distillery Focus A rare breed (Wild Turkey) Wild Turkey is an old-fashioned American spirit, full of character, with an ability to seduce all-comers. Stuart Maclean-Ramsay pays his respects.

By Stuart MacLean Ramsay

People A unique taste of Ireland Jamie Walker had revived the Adelphi name after nearly a century. Ken Hyder talks to the man whose cask crusade...

By Ken Hyder

People Variety performance Irish Whiskey is entering a golden age hanks to the efforts of entrepreneurs such as Mark Andrews, Gary Regan met...

By Gary Regan

Food Why 1 is never enough You can't mistake the taste of Irish Whiskey in Gallweys' award-winning chocolate truffles. Maisha Frost forgets the calorie counting to...

By Maisha Frost

Production Return of the rye The bad guy's whiskey is set to leap off the history shelves and stage a magnificent revival. Scott Aiges makes...

By Scott Aiges

Production Vintage explorations Glenmorangie's creative relationship with wine barrels has produced some radical and fascinating results, Maragaret Rand reports on the progression so far.

By Margaret Rand

History Peter the great Restless genius Peter Mackie was a true champion of malt. Tom Bruce-Gardyne describes the life of the whisky baron who...

By Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Column Golden blends Englishman Adam Edward relaxes his stiff upper lip to reveal a life-long passion.

By Adam Edwards

People A malt for all moods (Lord Thurso) Jane Slade talks to Lord Thurso, a Patron of the Qaich, about his family, his castle and his long love...

By Jane Slade

People In conversation with Robert Hicks Charles Maclean talks to Robert Hicks, the master blender at Allied Distillers.

By Charles MacLean

Scott AigesReturn of the ryeThe bad guy's whiskey is set to leap off the history shelves and stage a...

Dave BroomSympathy for the devilWhisky is rock's decadent badge of credibility. Dave Broom rhapsodises about the bohemians whose primal...

Tom Bruce-GardynePeter the greatRestless genius Peter Mackie was a true champion of malt. Tom Bruce-Gardyne describes the life...

Derek CooperDesert island maltsDerek Cooper, the winner of the 1999 Glenfiddich Lifetime Achievement award, reveals his selection of...

Adam EdwardsGolden blendsEnglishman Adam Edward relaxes his stiff upper lip to reveal a life-long passion.

Maisha FrostWhy 1 is never enoughYou can't mistake the taste of Irish Whiskey in Gallweys' award-winning chocolate truffles. Maisha Frost...

Ken HyderA unique taste of IrelandJamie Walker had revived the Adelphi name after nearly a century. Ken Hyder talks to...

Michael JacksonPoitin patrolMichael Jackson joins the poitin patrol, in prepartation for St Patrick's Day on Friday 17 March.

Charles MacLeanIn conversation with Robert HicksCharles Maclean talks to Robert Hicks, the master blender at Allied Distillers.

Stuart MacLean RamsayA rare breed (Wild Turkey)Wild Turkey is an old-fashioned American spirit, full of character, with an ability to seduce...

Margaret RandVintage explorationsGlenmorangie's creative relationship with wine barrels has produced some radical and fascinating results, Maragaret Rand...

Gary ReganVariety performanceIrish Whiskey is entering a golden age hanks to the efforts of entrepreneurs such as...

Jane SladeA malt for all moods (Lord Thurso)Jane Slade talks to Lord Thurso, a Patron of the Qaich, about his family, his...

Gavin D. SmithBladnoch's bold revivalGavin Smith retraces the resurrection of Scotland's most southerly distillery, and discovers why it is...

Jim SwanThe gentle art of blendingBlended whiskies are too often dismissed as the poor relation of single malts, but as...

Adelphi
11 Years Old

ABV 59.8%

Comments: I normally rate Clynelish very highly, but this bottling leaves its fireworks until the last minute, and with more heat than light.

Overall score

7.9

Adelphi
17 Years Old

ABV 64.2%

Comments: Linkwood always evokes thoughts of sweetmeats, sometimes delicate, on other occasions more robust. This is in the latter mood: down-to-earth sweetness.

Overall score

8.8

Ardbeg
10 Years Old

ABV 46%

Comments: A punch in the chops from a stroppy Islay middleweight. Flavour-packed yet delicate.

Overall score

8.8

Ballantine's
Finest

ABV 40%

Comments: For those imbibers who relish a honeyed/caramel core to their whisky. If you prefer the more sinewy, definitive elements of oak or smoke, stay clear.

Overall score

7.5

Bell's
Extra Special, Aged 8 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: Assertive but rounded. A wonderfully satisfying whisky. Enormously improved since its (and my) younger days.

Overall score

8.3

Bennachie
10 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Decent but unexciting.

Overall score

6.8

Bennachie
17 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Light but pleasant, with some delicacy and complexity.

Overall score

6.8

Bennachie
21 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A slightly bizarre malt.

Overall score

6.8

Cadenhead's Authentic Collection
Aged 5 Years, Bourbon

ABV 63%

Comments: A little woody and young.

Overall score

6.8

Cadenhead's Authentic Collection
13 Years Old, Bourbon

ABV 65.9%

Comments: Despite this being older, it is less astringently woody than the similar five-year-old.

Overall score

7.9

Chivas Regal
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: The blend for grown-ups, for people who have made their rites of passage and are ready to enjoy their success. Sweet, but not cloying. Buxom, but not overblown. Balanced.

Overall score

8.3

Cutty Sark
Original Scots

ABV 40%

Comments: I find it too manipulated and, as a result, painfully bland. A cardboard cut-out.

Overall score

6.5

Dewar's
White Label

ABV 40%

Comments: Answers the question: why single malts?

Overall score

6.5

Formidable Jock of Bennachie
Superior Blended Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: I'm not convinced about the potential of any whisky named after a cow...(or a cliched term for a Scotsman).

Overall score

5.8

Formidable Jock of Bennachie
Deluxe Blended Scotch Whisky, 8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A decent enough dram, though not as formidable as the name suggests.

Overall score

6.7

J & B
Rare

ABV 40%

Comments: Okay, okay, so you can mix with it. Do I hear any other useful applications?...I'm waiting...Is this that famous sound of one hand clapping?

Overall score

6.3

Johnnie Walker
Red Label

ABV 40%

Comments: Full of youthful daring, but with enough stamina to last all night (this means that you and your buddy will probably drink the whole bottle).

Overall score

7.3

Johnnie Walker
Black Label

ABV 40%

Comments: A blend that I like more every time I evaluate it.

Overall score

8.5

Springbank
Aged 10 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: A worthy replacement for the previous cask vatting, another complex Campbeltown beauty.

Overall score

8.7

Teacher's
Highland Cream

ABV 40%

Comments: Cream is the appropriate moniker. Smoky, robust, vibrant.

Overall score

8.5

The Famous Grouse
Finest Scotch Whisky

ABV 40%

Comments: Creates the illusion of being massively more malty than it really is. Very good extraction of flavours from the wood seems to be the secret (or part of it). I am in awe of the dexterity of the blender, though the result is a little soft and sweet for my personal tastes.

Overall score

7.5

William Grant's
The Family Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: I have always felt this blend to lack dimension but, as it warmed in the glass, more flavours emerged, especially heathery-peaty elements. Also a more honeyed, malty fullness.

Overall score

7.8

Whisky Magazine 9

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