Unlike wine, for example, whisky is not really about mystification, but it does bring its own jargon. Any unusual terms you are likely to come across are described and defined in this section.
Kentucky, Louisville, Benromach
A glass of whisky in Scotland.
Apple wrapped in pastry with Aberlour bourbon cask butter - Aberlour chocolate pralines - Aberlour ice cream
June 2003, Issue 31, page 46
100 Greatest Distilleries to Visit
Our team of writers around the world give you the distilleries you should visit.
December 2011, Issue 100, page 30
100 Greatest Whisky People
We highlight the people who have left a lasting legacy on the whisky world over the years.
December 2011, Issue 100, page 16
A barrel of laughs
Brian Hennigan chuckles his way through a rich supply of Scottish whisky humour
August 2002, Issue 25, page 18
A bourbon thoroughbred
Stuart Maclean Ramsay was totally sedcued by Kentucky's smallest distillery, which uses Scottish copper pot stills and a rare method of distillation.
December 1999, Issue 7, page 30
A captivating cocktail
Ian Wisniewski looks at the Atholl Brose
June 2006, Issue 56, page 25
A City of Secret Spots
Davin de Kergommeauxgoes searching in Taipei for some excellent bars
December 2012, Issue 108, page 46
A cure for hiccups
Robin Laing takes a gentle stroll with his friend through Speyside
November 2004, Issue 44, page 34
A day in the life... (Richard Paterson)
Dave Broom follows JBB's Richard Paterson on a typical working day and learns much about blending, showbiz and living life at full pelt
July 2001, Issue 17, page 20
A decade of words
To mark our 10th anniversary we decided to dig into our archives and bring some of the wittiest, incisive and often poignant words from our two columnists, starting the late, great Michael Jackson.
November 2008, Issue 76, page 14
A different beast
Canada's whisky industry is a pale imitation of what it once was. But if you're thinking of visiting its distilleries be prepared for a lot of travel – its few remaining distilleries are spread righ...
September 2007, Issue 66, page 32
A distillery seeped in history (Clynelish)
Ian Buxton travels North of Inverness to the remote distillery at Clynelish
July 2005, Issue 49, page 34
A distillery well off the beaten track (Tomatin)
Our mystery visitor made the long trek to Tomatin and found a distillery not geared up for the tourist or casual visitor
November 2004, Issue 44, page 17
A dram online
Bruichladdich's Jim McEwan is set to bring his whisky tasting sessions into your home. Mike Gerrard reports
September 2003, Issue 33, page 23
A dream of a distillery (Arran)
Our Mystery Visitor travels to Arran
November 2003, Issue 35, page 42
A drop of the soft stuff
Ian Wisniewski assesses the effect of the water used in whisky production and as mixer on the drink we love
October 2002, Issue 26, page 52
A fishy tale
In the latest in an occasional series of matching whisky with food, Dave Broom compares and contrasts some sushi-whisky combinations
October 2003, Issue 34, page 61
A Flirtatious Spirit
Ian Buxton heads north to find a Distillery in a basement
September 2012, Issue 106, page 40
A forgotten gem (Deanston)
Deanston is the least-known of Perthshire's six remaining distilleries. Ian Buxton visited it
March 2006, Issue 54, page 30
A frosty reception
Classic malt distillery Dalwhinnie is revamping its visitor experience. Dominic Roskrow spoke to the man charged with ringing the changes.
February 2010, Issue 86, page 44
A fulfilling time
Owning your own cask of malt is arguably the ultimate whisky experience. Having selected his cask type Dominic Roskrow travelled to Glengoyne to fill it with new spirit.
January 2008, Issue 69, page 8
A future classic from a modern distillery
John Lamond visits the Isle of Arran Distilleryy, a modern distillery that produces a whisky that may well have enthusiasts challenging their own perception of what is their favourite malt
April 2001, Issue 15, page 28
A gem in the eye of a storm (Cardhu)
Say the word ‘Cardhu' and it stirs up images of underhand dealings. But the distillery intrinsically linked to last year's scandal is charming and impressive, and its staff outstanding. Ian Buxton r...
January 2005, Issue 45, page 30
A giant culled
Gavin D Smithlooks at the recent loss of Dumbarton,a once vast grain distillery
November 2007, Issue 67, page 34
A Good Bassy Tone
Ian Buxton meets the team behind Tuthilltown Spirits, a craft distillery on the rise
February 2013, Issue 109, page 30
A good read
Ian Buxton peruses the library for some of the finest whisky books
June 2007, Issue 64, page 50
A great vintage
The fourth Whisky Live Paris saw an incredible gathering of rare and exciting drams,we find out more
November 2007, Issue 67, page 10
A Greener Future
We asked two of our writers to look at the issues affecting Scottish and American producers. The problems may be pressing but there is plenty
of innovation out there to keep the industry green
March 2012, Issue 102, page 21
A grievous loss (Rosebank)
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smith looks at the history behind Rosebank
July 2007, Issue 65, page 31
A Highland affair
Caroline Dewar takes a stroll through whisky's heartland
July 2006, Issue 57, page 37
A life away from the waver
Robin Laing joins a group of enthusiasts heading up the Spey with paddles.
April 2010, Issue 87, page 50
A life under sail
Dave Broom talks about the ocean wave, true grit,determination and a good drop of malt with one of Britain's most iconic maritime explorers.
June 2009, Issue 80, page 24
A lochindaal moment
Dave Broom takes a deep breath and plunges headlong into the wonders of Islay
August 2002, Issue 25, page 8
A lord among malts (Glenrothes)
Glenrothes has a formidable reputation as a single malt and is a key component in the internationally renowned Cutty Sark. Tom Bruce-Gardyne visited the distillery
December 2003, Issue 36, page 42
A Love Supreme
Rob takes a quiet night with a jazz legend to reflect on what whisky can mean
July 2007, Issue 65, page 5
BenRiach 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.70%
8 Reveals a rich profile by a succession of aromatic layers. Alcohol is perfectly tamed.
Bunnahabhain 1968 Auld Aquaintance, Hogmanay Edition
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.80%
8 A brilliantly sunny winter's day; a walk by the sea in late afternoon; a dram at dusk. Still Bunnahabhain, but so different.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 1972 Birthday Bottle
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.60%
8 Lovely chestnut colour. Soothing. After dinner and in front of a log fire. A touch woody, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
BenRiach Arumaticus Fumosus Dark Rum Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
8 A constantly shifting but balanced mix of sweetness and smoke and
distillery character.
BenRiach 16 Years Old 1995 Cask 7164
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.30%
8 This whisky is oak dominated. Too much for me as we have lost the distillery character, but the nose is expressive. Beware of water, it kills it.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 7.51 Longmorn Sweet, Rich & Fruity 1984 26 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.40%
8 Balanced and fine. Worth a look.
Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.30%
8 The nose lets you expect sweeter notes. The palate is a bit disappointing.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bunnahabhain, 10.56
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.40%
8 I admired its feistiness, but I might be more comfortable with a greater degree of maturity.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 66.27 Foodie Dram
Single Malt - Scotland - 52.30%
7 The nose is richer than the palate. Seems a bit uncoordinated,like a young untamed horse.
BenRiach Curiositas peated malt, 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00%
7 A Speyside? The most Islayish of all the Speysides I have ever tasted. Interesting as a freak even if wood toughens the whole profile a little.
BenRiach Dark Rum Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 A cheery dram, opening up on the sunny side with definite rum colours on the nose. A dash of water sweetens the palate.
BenRiach Pedro Ximinez Sherry Wood Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 A cheery dram, opening up on the sunny side with the definite rum colours on the nose. A dash of water sweetens the palate.
BenRiach Sherry Matured
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 Good, sweet and balanced.
Bunnahabhain Darach Ur
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.30%
7 Seems to be slightly hidden somehow. Maybe it just needs time to settle in the bottle.
BenRiach Curiositas 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 Quite a nice dram but a bit edgy.
Glengoyne Burnfoot
- Scotland - 40.00%
7 Just a little thin and lacking in substance
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 64.17 Mannochmore Oozes Juiciness 1992 16 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.70%
7 Don't water. Decent aperitif dram.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 27.72 Springbank Harbour-side Harmonies
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.30%
7 Lacks integration.
The Macallan 1979 18 Years Old, Gran Reserva
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00%
9 Strictly for lovers of powerfully oaked whiskies.
Bowmore 1968
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.40%
9 What a start! A truly magnificent dram and for me miles ahead of the competition.
Talisker 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 45.80%
9 Always a classic, though I still miss the 8 Years Old.
Talisker 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 45.80%
9 Loch Harport on a winter's day, gale force eight! Less peppery than younger versions. Complex, endearing, balanced. 18 seems a perfect age for malts.
The Balvenie 1972 Vintage Cask
Single Malt - Scotland - 49.40%
9 The ultimate dessert dram. Beautifully composed.
Balblair 38 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 44.00%
9 An enticing expression of old age. Forever young! With elegance and style.
Bowmore 40 Years Old, 1969
Single Malt - Scotland - 44.80%
9 Superb balance. Classic distillery character retained after four decades
- no mean achievement.
Rare Malts Port Ellen 1978 22 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.50%
9 Pungent, powerful and appetising. A dram for the Islay-lover and connoisseur. This distillery should be revived.
Rare Malts Port Ellen 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.90%
9 Bring on the caeser salad.
The Balvenie 21 Years Old PortWood
Single Malt - Scotland - 47.60%
9 The full, honeyed, richness of the malt combines beautifully with what seems to be a generous kiss of port.
The Whisky Exchange BenRiach 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.70%
9 Complex with excellent balance. A typical for a Speyside, but it's one hell of a dram!
Glenmorangie Astar
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.10%
8 A gorgeous,luscious dram. ‘Morangie to the max.
Secret Bottlings Series 30 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00%
8 A superb after dinner dram.
Selected by Berry's Speyside Reserve Blended Malt
Blended Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
8 A refined, complex and charming dram. An absolute cracker.
Glenmorangie The Nectar D'Or
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
8 Long and sweet. Try with soft goat's cheese.
Highland Park 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.60%
8 Sheer classiness and head and shoulders above the rest for me.
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