Whisky Magazine 92

Albert Watson & The Macallan Kyoto Springbank Zen & whisky

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

A Dram with Dave Broom Backing the favourite Mr Broom ponders the similarities between horse racing and the great whisky race...

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... The finished article? Ed Bates is a freelance whisky writer, taster and industry commentator. He has worked for various spirit companie including...

By Ed Bates

Production Contemplating perfection Dave Broom goes in search of his inner whisky self

By Dave Broom

Production Fruits of the sea Dave Broom discovers eating and drinking with a seasonal twist

By Dave Broom

Distillery Focus The crest of a wave Past rumours of Springbank's demise were greatly exaggerated. Dominic Roskrow finds a distillery in fine fettle

By Dominic Roskrow

People Recording the journey Our man meets photographic legend Albert Watson to discuss his latest project with the Macallan

Places In search of refreshment WM's Japanese sister magazine, WM-J takes us out on the tiles in the ancient city of Kyoto

History Stromness' still Gavin D. Smith looks at one of Orkney's lost distilleries

By Gavin D. Smith

People Spread the word Regis Lemaitre has used his passion for whisky to convert hundreds of recluctant drinkers to the joys of Scotch whisky....

By Regis Lemaitre

Travel Retail Fun in the sun Joe Bates finds out why the sun shines down on upbeat Cannes show

By Joe Bates

Production The angel's share Ian Wisniewski asks how does the process of evaporation affect the ageing process of a malt whisky

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus There's life on mars Dave Broom visits on of Japan's least known distilleries which is about to start production again

By Dave Broom

Cocktails Stiring times in the Big Easy Liza Weisstuch reports from this year's Tales of the Cocktails event

By Liza Weisstuch

Food Out of the ordinary Martine Nouet meets the woman with designs on boutique chocolates

By Martine Nouet

Tastings A new relationship Beer guru Roger Protz looks at some oak aged beers on the market

By Roger Protz

Whisky & Culture Join the debate Email the team editorial@whiskymag.com

Whisky & Culture Gone fishing Jefferson Chase looks at another whisky laden tome

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky Magazine Index The online bidder Jonny McCormick reports on the Italian collection sold by Christie's, London

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonWelcome to Whisky Magazine

Ed BatesThe finished article?Ed Bates is a freelance whisky writer, taster and industry commentator. He has worked ...

Joe BatesFun in the sunJoe Bates finds out why the sun shines down on upbeat Cannes show

Dave BroomContemplating perfectionDave Broom goes in search of his inner whisky self

Jefferson ChaseGone fishingJefferson Chase looks at another whisky laden tome

Regis LemaitreSpread the wordRegis Lemaitre has used his passion for whisky to convert hundreds of recluctant drinkers to...

Jonny McCormickThe online bidderJonny McCormick reports on the Italian collection sold by Christie's, London

Martine NouetOut of the ordinaryMartine Nouet meets the woman with designs on boutique chocolates

Roger ProtzA new relationshipBeer guru Roger Protz looks at some oak aged beers on the market

Dominic RoskrowThe crest of a wavePast rumours of Springbank's demise were greatly exaggerated. Dominic Roskrow finds a distillery in fine fettle

Gavin D. SmithStromness' stillGavin D. Smith looks at one of Orkney's lost distilleries

Liza WeisstuchStiring times in the Big EasyLiza Weisstuch reports from this year's Tales of the Cocktails event

Ian WisniewskiThe angel's shareIan Wisniewski asks how does the process of evaporation affect the ageing process of a...

Ballantine's
Christmas Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Tastes rather young but a pleasant and easy to drink dram. Just a little weak at midpalate.

Overall score

7.7

Berrys' Own Selection
1984, 26 Years Old

ABV 53.7%

Comments: An interesting multilayered dram. The peat character does not show muchbut 'seasons'

Overall score

8.5

Bowmore
40 Years Old, 1969

ABV 44.8%

Comments: A superb dram but given the price...

Overall score

9.0

Bowmore
29 Years Old, 1981

ABV 49.6%

Comments: That perfume problem that bedevils old MBD malts knocks this back.

Overall score

7.9

Eagle Rare
17 Years Old 2010

ABV 45%

Comments: An old bourbon which has taken too much wood. Sad as there is elegancyand complexity on the nose.

Overall score

7.7

Forty Creek
Confederation Oak Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Even a sweet tooth would find it too sweet! Soft and lacking character.

Overall score

7.5

George T. Stagg
17 Years Old 2010

ABV 71.5%

Comments: Needs to be tamed. Pour it, let it breathe and nose it after to avoid thesharpness of the alcohol. The palate is rewarding. Water enhances the wood notes and, funny enough, it is not needed in spite of the strength!

Overall score

8.5

Glenfiddich
Snow Phoenix

ABV 47.6%

Comments: A pleasant dram, well structured and satisfying.

Overall score

7.9

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1966, 44 Years Old

ABV 45%

Comments: The unpleasant note at first nose goes away. A rich and deep matured whisky which brings out memories of invigorating walks in the woods on acold frosty morning.

Overall score

8.9

Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection
1964, 46 Years Old

ABV 51.9%

Comments: I'm the biggest fan of Longmorn but here the distillery's lost in an oak forest.

Overall score

7.5

Knob Creek
Single Barrel 9 Years Old

ABV 60%

Comments: Interesting how a few years ago an 8yo bourbon would have been considered old, yet here you can still pick put 'youthful' vibrancy.

Overall score

8.4

Limeburner's
Barrel M39 2008

ABV 43%

Comments: A sweet character, lacking balance of course. Not surprising for a work inprogress. Very much cereal-centered. Not sure it is interesting to bottle such an infant.

Overall score

7.4

Limeburner's
Barrel M40

ABV 61%

Comments: A strong character with a Deep South aromatic profile. I found the nose more convincing than the palate, still a bit spirit for me. But there are aficionados for flaming drams.

Overall score

7.6

Limeburner's
M59 2009

ABV 48%

Comments: The whisky's (just) at the additive rather than interactive stage and whileit will (hopefully) settle down (though that farmyard note is a little worrying)there's really no point in bottling something at this stage.

Overall score

6.8

Mackmyra
Special:05 Happy Hunting

ABV 47.2%

Comments: An enjoyable light but vibrant dram. Which will accompany a fish dish (adda splash of water in your glass). Don't expect complexity. The cask did notgive much.

Overall score

7.7