Whisky Magazine 90

Music Special Independent Bottlers Challenge Ailsa Bay

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Happy Times Dave Broom discusses whisky fuelled cars and\ra new excellent watering spot

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... New Digital Emperors Tim Forbes has worked for The Whisky Exchange since 2003 and looks after the company's online presence including The Whisky...

By Tim Forbes

Whisky & Culture Whisky a Quo Quo After 45 years on the road, Status Quo are arguably Britain's ultimate kings of Rock and Roll. And with a...

By Neil Ridley

Whisky & Culture Prodigal sons For the past few years London's Nu-Folk scene has been quietly bristling away in the basements of a few nondescript...

By Neil Ridley

Whisky & Culture Joyful order Dave Broom talks to one of the pioneers of an innovative electronic/guitar blend of music and a founder member of...

By Dave Broom

People Leading the revolution Iorweth Griffiths meets the man who helped Irish Whisky in to the limelight

By Iorweth Griffiths

People Dr in demand Dr Jim Swan plays a key role in the whisky industry and is at the forefront of innovation. And as...

By Dominic Roskrow

Places A sense of determination Davin de Kergommeaux undertakes the great Western Canadian distillery challenge

By Davin de Kergommeaux

History Up on the hill Gavin D. Smith charts the fortunes of Port Dundas

By Gavin D. Smith

People Bourbon tastes Spent any time in Kentucky and you'll soon come across Jeff and Ann McMichael. Dominic Roskrow reports

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Retail Capital offers Joe Bates heads to Edinburgh airport to find a new whisky offer

By Joe Bates

Production Developing character Ian Wisniewski asks what role does yeast play during fermentation, and how influential can this be in determining the flavour...

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Weathering the storm Family-owned distillery Glenfarclas isn't flash or fancy, but it's in rude health Dominic Roskrow reports on a good old-fashioned success story

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus Not backing down Gavin D. Smith visits Ailsa Bay, the Grant family's new kid on the block

By Gavin D. Smith

Bars A quiet retreat Gavin D. Smith investigates a newly developed whisky room offering comfort and drams

By Gavin D. Smith

Food Speyside delights Martine Nouet looks back at 10 years of Aberlour whisky dinners at the Spirit of Speyside festival with a ‘best...

By Martine Nouet

Ask the Expert Join the debate

Whisky & Culture American Gothic Jefferson Chase looks at another whiskey laden tome

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky Magazine Index For your pleasure Jonny McCormick encourages you to\rdelve into your private collection.

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonWelcome to Whisky Magazine

Joe BatesCapital offersJoe Bates heads to Edinburgh airport to find a new whisky offer

Dave BroomJoyful orderDave Broom talks to one of the pioneers of an innovative electronic/guitar blend of music...

Jefferson ChaseAmerican GothicJefferson Chase looks at another whiskey laden tome

Davin de KergommeauxA sense of determinationDavin de Kergommeaux undertakes the great Western Canadian distillery challenge

Tim ForbesNew Digital EmperorsTim Forbes has worked for The Whisky Exchange since 2003 and looks after the company's...

Iorweth GriffithsLeading the revolutionIorweth Griffiths meets the man who helped Irish Whisky in to the limelight

Jonny McCormickFor your pleasureJonny McCormick encourages you to\rdelve into your private collection.

Martine NouetSpeyside delightsMartine Nouet looks back at 10 years of Aberlour whisky dinners at the Spirit of...

Neil RidleyProdigal sonsFor the past few years London's Nu-Folk scene has been quietly bristling away in the...

Dominic RoskrowBourbon tastesSpent any time in Kentucky and you'll soon come across Jeff and Ann McMichael. Dominic...

Gavin D. SmithNot backing downGavin D. Smith visits Ailsa Bay, the Grant family's new kid on the block

Ian WisniewskiDeveloping characterIan Wisniewski asks what role does yeast play during fermentation, and how influential can this...

Blair Athol
Limited Edition

ABV 55.8%

Comments: Not spectacular but a solid and enjoyable malt and a pleasantambassador for a distillery which rarely gets the limelight.

Overall score

7.5

Caol Ila
25 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: Great nose but a little dry on the tongue.

Overall score

8.1

Duncan Taylor Rare Auld
1975, 35 Years Old

ABV 52.7%

Comments: This distillery has always been capable of greatness. Maybe this will kick-start a comeback under the new (ish) owners.

Overall score

8.5

Glenallachie
35 Years Old

ABV 46.9%

Comments: Big cask influence on a pretty light whisky. Interesting, but only forsherry nuts.

Overall score

8.5

Glencadam
12 Years Old Portwood

ABV 46%

Comments: I'm a fan of Glencadam, but not this time.

Overall score

7.4

Glencadam
14 Years Old Sherrywood

ABV 46%

Comments: On the surface all smiles and amenability but like a David Lynch filmthere's darkness lurking underneath.

Overall score

7.9

Glenkinchie
Limited Edition

ABV 59.3%

Comments: Unbalanced.

Overall score

7.4

Glenmorangie
Finealta

ABV 46%

Comments: Really? Wouldn't have called that. Those holiday taste buds again. A bit ofa radical departure for Glenmorangie, but an exciting one.

Overall score

8.3

Lagavulin
Limited Edition 2010

ABV 52.5%

Comments: If you're a sucker for rich fruity peated whisky this won'tdisappoint you.

Overall score

9.1

Oban
Limited Edition

ABV 55.2%

Comments: Gets there in the end but you have to work for it.

Overall score

7.7

Proof Whisky
Two Grains, Rye & Wheat

ABV 42%

Comments: Don't think this is quite there yet. Possibly more ageing would help knitthings together more.

Overall score

6.0

Speciality Drinks
Lg2 (Lagavulin)

ABV 57%

Comments: Vibrant and full of character. Best neat.

Overall score

8.3

The BenRiach
17 Years Old 1993 Burgundy Wood

ABV 46%

Comments: This is like batting against a team with four fast bowlers. It's relentless. A tangy taste sensation, sure, but the jury's out as to whether the malt's beenenhanced by the finish.

Overall score

7.4