Whisky Magazine 93

Four Roses Mount Vernon Old Crow Distillery

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Editor's Word Welcome to Whisky Magazine

By Rob Allanson

News Future Casting Our experts open their almanacs and explore the challenges facing the industry in 2011

News Artic ice bound

Awards & Events Double Success in Africa

By Karen Chaloner

A Dram with Dave Broom Absolute Beginners Dave Broom recalls his first encounter with the water of life

By Dave Broom

Thoughts from... Faking It Josephine McDermott is a China commentator. She has reported on China for three years and writes for the Weekly World...

By Josephine McDermott

Production Has Kentucky Lost it's Mojo Is Kentucky in danger of losing its special place in the hearts of whiskey lovers? Some say the decline has...

By Charles K Cowdery

Cocktails Whiskies get fatter Naren Young looks at the latest trend of fat washing whiskies

By Naren Young

Production A little piece of history Once, Old Crow was synonymous with quality bourbon, but for some years it has been lost in the wilderness. Now...

By Dominic Roskrow

People The Jewel of Orkney Neil J. Ridley talks to Scottish jewellery designer Maeve Gilles about the inspiration behind Highland Park's 50 Year Old

By Neil Ridley

Places A region of subtlety Gavin D. Smith takes us through this often maligned producing region

By Gavin D. Smith

History Western losses Campbeltown once boasted scores of distilleries. Now most are gone. Gavin D. Smith tells their story

By Gavin D. Smith

People Enduring Legacy Isabel Graham-Yooll is a key driving force behind one of the world's most iconic whisky shops

By Dominic Roskrow

Travel Retail Whisky gems Dublin airport launches new Irish Whisky showcase

By Joe Bates

Production Have you got Worms? Ian Wisniewski asks what role do condensers play when producing malt whisky

By Ian Wisniewski

Distillery Focus Bringing bourbon back home Four Roses is in its ascendancy, Marcin Miller finds out why and Dave Broom looks at the technical side that...

By Marcin Miller

History A life less ordinary 50 years since her death, Dave Broom looks at the great woman behind Japan’s great whisky man

By Dave Broom

Places George and the distilled peach Liza Weisstuch joins a group of distillers bringing history back to life

By Liza Weisstuch

Food From the Chef's Table The Editor joins a small group of writers and foodies for a preview of Glenfiddich's Burns supper experience

By Rob Allanson

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

Whisky & Culture Riverside Tales Jefferson Chase delves into another whisky laced tome

By Jefferson Chase

Whisky Magazine Index Up and Up Jonny McCormick on a record breaking month

By Jonny McCormick

Rob AllansonFrom the Chef's TableThe Editor joins a small group of writers and foodies for a preview of Glenfiddich's...

Joe BatesWhisky gemsDublin airport launches new Irish Whisky showcase

Dave BroomA life less ordinary50 years since her death, Dave Broom looks at the great woman behind Japan’s great...

Karen ChalonerDouble Success in Africa

Jefferson ChaseRiverside TalesJefferson Chase delves into another whisky laced tome

Charles K CowderyHas Kentucky Lost it's MojoIs Kentucky in danger of losing its special place in the hearts of whiskey lovers?...

Jonny McCormickUp and UpJonny McCormick on a record breaking month

Josephine McDermottFaking ItJosephine McDermott is a China commentator. She has reported on China for three years and...

Marcin MillerBringing bourbon back homeFour Roses is in its ascendancy, Marcin Miller finds out why and Dave Broom looks...

Neil RidleyThe Jewel of OrkneyNeil J. Ridley talks to Scottish jewellery designer Maeve Gilles about the inspiration behind Highland...

Dominic RoskrowEnduring LegacyIsabel Graham-Yooll is a key driving force behind one of the world's most iconic whisky shops

Gavin D. SmithWestern lossesCampbeltown once boasted scores of distilleries. Now most are gone. Gavin D. Smith tells their story

Liza WeisstuchGeorge and the distilled peachLiza Weisstuch joins a group of distillers bringing history back to life

Ian WisniewskiHave you got Worms?Ian Wisniewski asks what role do condensers play when producing malt whisky

Naren YoungWhiskies get fatterNaren Young looks at the latest trend of fat washing whiskies

Auchroisk
1997 20 Years Old

ABV 58.1%

Comments: Good to see Auchroisk finally getting a bottling which does it justice.

Overall score

8.2

Balblair
2000

ABV 43%

Comments: Quite a shy whisky but elegant and well knitted. Avoid water though.

Overall score

8.0

Brora
1980 30 Years Old

ABV 54.3%

Comments: Well balanced, clean. A pleasant malty core and an appetising freshness.

Overall score

8.7

Caol Ila
1997 12 Years Old

ABV 57.6%

Comments: All very poised and pleasant, but apart from its unusual provenance (anunpeated Caol Ila) not exceptional.

Overall score

7.9

Connemara
Turf Mor 3 Years Old

ABV 58.2%

Comments: Way, way too young.

Overall score

6.8

Cragganmore
1989 21 Years Old

ABV 56%

Comments: I'd want more for a 21Year Old. Disappointing.

Overall score

7.5

Fort Glen
The Blender's Reserve 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Perfectly OK, but a bit whisky by numbers.

Overall score

7.6

Fort Glen
The Distiller's Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Hard nose and lacking in individuality.

Overall score

7.2

Fort Glen
The Blender's Reserve, 12 Years Old

ABV 40%

Comments: Perfectly OK, but a bit whisky by numbers.

Overall score

7.6

Fort Glen
The Distiller's Reserve

ABV 40%

Comments: Hard nose and lacking in individuality.

Overall score

7.2

Glen Spey
1988 21 Years Old

ABV 50.4%

Comments: It has a sweet punch and some will love this overtly oaky style. I'm not wholly convinced about what it's done to the overall balance.

Overall score

8.1

Glenkinchie
1990 20 Years Old

ABV 55.1%

Comments: A lively character. Better than a wake up call.

Overall score

8.0

Jameson
Select Reserve Small Batch

ABV 43%

Comments: Nose and palate differ a lot. Oak is blatantly present.

Overall score

7.7

Lagavulin
1989 12 Years Old

ABV 56.5%

Comments: A clean cut frisky hearty Ileach. For a damp and foggy day.

Overall score

8.4

Lion's Pride
Dark Rye

ABV 40%

Comments: Handy if you need to clean your nails I suppose.

Overall score

6.6

Lion's Pride
Rye

ABV 40%

Comments: Yet more immature whisky on the market - why? It's not doing the distiller, or the consumer any favours.

Overall score

6.8

Lion's Pride
Dark Oat

ABV 40%

Comments: This is weird.

Overall score

6.5

Lion's Pride
Oat

ABV 40%

Comments: Young and gawky, but there’s something stirring.

Overall score

6.8

Midleton
1996, Single Cask

ABV 46%

Comments: A fruity springtime whiskey, which needs time to reveal itself. Interesting though.

Overall score

7.9

Midleton
1991, 10 Years Old, Single Cask

ABV 53.7%

Comments: Complex, subtle. Recommended quite a bunch this issue.

Overall score

8.9

Port Ellen
10th Release, 1978, 31 Years Old

ABV 54.6%

Comments: That whisky needs a dash of water as the alcohol tends to numb the tastebuds. But too much makes it cardboardy. Interesting but the palate is a bit harsh.

Overall score

7.9