Whisky Magazine 91

Music special K.T. Tunstall Back to the seventies Fettercairn

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

News spy We bring you the news, show and reviews amd Dave's look at the whisky world

A Dram with Dave Broom Changing times Dave muses about where we are and where we are going

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... The last glass ceiling Liza Weisstuch is a spirit, lifestyle and business journalist who's work has appeared in the Boston Globe and the New...

By Liza Weisstuch

Whisky & Culture Suited & booted Singer songwriter KT Tunstall is a passionate Scot who enjoys a whisky. Joel Harrison caught up with her

By Joel Harrison

Whisky & Culture The Distillery's muse Richard Hawley is a singer-songwriter who has carved a name for himself as a solo artist. Neil J. Ridley caught...

By Neil Ridley

Production The view from the top The premium blended Scotch market has proved to be highly resilient and has emerged from the downturn strongly. Dominic Roskrow reports

By Dominic Roskrow

People Rags to whiskies For the first time in 60 years a local man is at the helm of Springbank, Gavin D. Smith meets him

By Gavin D. Smith

Places Island hopping Charles Douglas visits the wild and beautiful edge of Scotland and provides an alternative history guide to the whisky islands

By Charles Douglas

History Lowland life Gavin D. Smith charts the rise, fall and soon the rise again of distilling in the Lowland region

By Gavin D. Smith

People Harris quality Mark Harris is an important name in the restaurant world, and he's using that as a platform to promote whisky,...

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Retail Concept retail Joe Bates finds out how Delhi T3 putting Indian aviation on the map

By Joe Bates

Production In praise of ester Ian Wisniewski asks how are esters created and what do they contribute to malt whisky

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Cometh the hour Fettercairn has been at best ignored and at worst pilloried for many years now. But a fight back is underway....

By Dominic Roskrow

Distillery Focus Dispelling the myths This month, Diageo's £40 million complex at Roseisle opened its doors to the press, offering an insight into one of...

By Neil Ridley

Food On a spirited Spice route Martine Nouet meets the chef who brings spice to our lives

By Martine Nouet

History The travelling drams Gavin D. Smith, Ian Buxton and Charles MacLean compare the old with the new

Column Join the debate email the team editorial@whiskymag.com

Whisky & Culture Radio silence Jefferson Chase reviews another whisky laden tome

By Jefferson Chase

Ask the Expert Ask the expert

By John Rose

Whisky Magazine Index What lies beneath? Jonny McCormick reports on Christie's Paris auction and looks ahead to the year end sales

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonWelcome to Whisky Magazine

Joe BatesConcept retailJoe Bates finds out how Delhi T3 putting Indian aviation on the map

Dave BroomChanging timesDave muses about where we are and where we are going

Jefferson ChaseRadio silenceJefferson Chase reviews another whisky laden tome

Charles DouglasIsland hoppingCharles Douglas visits the wild and beautiful edge of Scotland and provides an alternative history...

Joel HarrisonSuited & bootedSinger songwriter KT Tunstall is a passionate Scot who enjoys a whisky. Joel Harrison caught...

Jonny McCormickWhat lies beneath?Jonny McCormick reports on Christie's Paris auction and looks ahead to the year end sales

Martine NouetOn a spirited Spice routeMartine Nouet meets the chef who brings spice to our lives

Neil RidleyDispelling the mythsThis month, Diageo's £40 million complex at Roseisle opened its doors to the press, offering...

John RoseAsk the expert

Dominic RoskrowHarris qualityMark Harris is an important name in the restaurant world, and he's using that as...

Gavin D. SmithLowland lifeGavin D. Smith charts the rise, fall and soon the rise again of distilling in...

Liza WeisstuchThe last glass ceilingLiza Weisstuch is a spirit, lifestyle and business journalist who's work has appeared in the...

Ian WisniewskiIn praise of esterIan Wisniewski asks how are esters created and what do they contribute to malt whisky

Berrys' Own Selection
1982

ABV 46%

Comments: A very pleasing dram with decent balance, but just a touch too discreet.

Overall score

7.8

Berrys' Own Selection
Islay Reserve Blended Malt

ABV 46%

Comments: Perfectly acceptable.

Overall score

7.6

Berrys' Own Selection
1998

ABV 59.5%

Comments: A pungent summer dram with character and simplicity. Strangely,water makes it fiery. To try with oysters (just a drop please!).

Overall score

7.7

Berrys' Own Selection
Speyside Reserve Blended Malt

ABV 46%

Comments: Tastes young (close to new spirit !) and one-dimensional. But not unpleasant.

Overall score

7.6

Berrys' Own Selection
1983, 27 Years Old

ABV 56.2%

Comments: Great balance between distillery character and oak. Unsung hero No3.

Overall score

8.5

Bunnahabhain
12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Wood is overwhelming, especially on the palate. Water does not help at all.Lacks balance and charm.

Overall score

7.6

Four Roses
Limited Edition Small Batch 2010 Release

ABV 55%

Comments: A rich, deep, intense and perfumy bourbon. Give it enough time to openup and you will be rewarded.

Overall score

8.7

Glenfarclas
8 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: A very pleasant dram. Don't expect complexity but savour your pleasure.And get the apple-pie out of the oven!

Overall score

7.9

Glenfarclas
Heritage

ABV 40%

Comments: Nothing to write home about. For the sugar freaks maybe.

Overall score

7.0

Hammer Head
1989

ABV 40%

Comments: It’s of interest and hope it gets going once more, because there’s clearly something going on.

Overall score

7.2

High West Whiskey
Silver Oat

ABV 40%

Comments: Two questions - why bottle this at 40 when even a drop of water kills it?And given this fragility what on earth is going to happen when it goesinto cask?

Overall score

6.8

Highland Park
1970 Vintage

ABV 48%

Comments: An incredible buoyancy and vitality for its age. You thinkof Dylan's song Forever Young. Fantastic!

Overall score

9.3

Highland Park
St Magnus

ABV 55%

Comments: Quite muscular but well structured. For a wintery day.

Overall score

8.2

Isle of Jura
Boutique Barrels Bourbon J0

ABV 56.5%

Comments: Lost in the forest like Hansel and Gretel, but before they find the houseof sweets.

Overall score

7.4

Isle of Jura
Boutique Barrels Bourbon XU

ABV 55%

Comments: Balanced and quite rich. Worth a look.

Overall score

7.4

Isle of Jura
Boutique Barrels Sherry J1

ABV 54%

Comments: Another often dismissed distillery comes out swinging.

Overall score

7.4

Ledaig
Aged 10 Years

ABV 43%

Comments: Water takes some of the butyric notes but not the burning sensation.Unbalanced and leaving an unpleasant taste.

Overall score

7.3

Old Forester
Birthday Bourbon, 12 Years Old

ABV 47.5%

Comments: Balanced and complex. Recommended.

Overall score

8.6

Parker's Heritage Collection
Wheated Bourbon

ABV 47.5%

Comments: The high strength can be a barrier. And you lose the balance by diluting it. So, only for those who like it hot !

Overall score

8.3

Penderyn
Portwood Edition, Cask PT26

ABV 60.6%

Comments: The nose is miles away from the palate. Sad as I was expecting morecomplexity and subtlety.

Overall score

7.8

Tobermory
Aged 10 Years

ABV 40%

Comments: The feel is what is the biggest improvement here.

Overall score

7.7

Tomintoul
12 Years Old, Portwood

ABV 46%

Comments: No real complexity. Maybe longer in cask would have helped. Compare tothe Penderyn.

Overall score

7.3

Wemyss Malts
2002, 8 Years Old, Toasted Oats

ABV 46%

Comments: Needs more assertive wood. Should really be further along at this age.

Overall score

7.1

Wemyss Malts
1990, Freshly Cut Grass

ABV 46%

Comments: Like No2 this is delicate but while that shows good distillery character thisjust seems not quite fully formed. Pleasant, but pleasant isn't enoughafter two decades.

Overall score

7.6

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Whisky Magazine 91

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