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Whisky Glossary : Nose

Whisky Glossary and Definitions

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.

 
 

Issue 103 Out Now

Whisky Magazine Issue 103

World Whiskies Awards edition 2012

 

Nose

The smell of a whisk(e)y.


With this issue Whisky Magazine celebrates its first anniversary. The birthday party will be held in New York because this issue also marks our arrival in the US, the largest consumer of whisky and wh...

October 1999, Issue 6, page 5

A balance of tradition and efficiency (Speyburn)
Deanston Distillery is something of a hidden gem. Ian Buxton visited it

April 2006, Issue 55, page 26

A brave new world
Using his knowledge and passion for wine,whisky maker John Hall is creating one of the most iconic Canadian brands, Rob Allanson went to find out why.

November 2007, Issue 67, page 45

A choice dram
Tom Bruce-Gardyne meets one of single-cask bottling's real success stories, as Lorne Mackillop and his Mackillop's Choice label go from strength to strength

May 2002, Issue 22, page 48

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 challenges
Martine Nouetheads to Sweden to find out what has been happening at the country's foremost distillery

February 2012, Issue 101, page 34

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 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 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 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 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 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 matter of art in a glass
What makes a great blend,and why do the biggest brands command such loyalty? Ian Buxton reports

October 2005, Issue 51, page 22

A matter of taste
It seemed like a good idea, and in the end the event turned into a great evening's tasting with some interesting company, cracking spirits and one belter of a cigar. Rob Allanson Reports

June 2008, Issue 72, page 42

A midsummer night's dreeam
Martine Nouet finds whiskies that lend themselves to teh warm, care free days of summer and creates a refreshing menu to accompany them

June 2001, Issue 16, page 36

A new frontier
Jonathan McCormick looks at selling bourbon to the Scots.

January 2009, Issue 77, page 20

A new meaning for Pyramid selling
Fake whisky bottles appear in most markets of the world. But as Erkin Touzmohamedov reports, there are some bizarre ones in Egypt

September 2004, Issue 42, page 48

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

December 2010, Issue 92, page 58

A perfumed world
Dave Broom explores the sensory experience of incense.

June 2010, Issue 88, page 20

A rare breed (Wild Turkey)
Wild Turkey is an old-fashioned American spirit, full of character, with an ability to seduce all-comers. Stuart Maclean-Ramsay pays his respects.

April 2000, Issue 9, page 38

A relationship that's on fire
Scottish whisky and Spanish sherry have long had a special relationship. But as the pursuit of better quality intensifies, the link is becoming stronger. Dominic Roskrow reports

April 2004, Issue 38, page 58

A right pair
Is whisky really suited to food? Ontario-based writer Andrew Coppolino finds out

August 2006, Issue 58, page 42

A salt on the senses
Can you taste salt in whisky? Many say of course you can, but the suggestion incenses others. Peter Woodsputs the case against

June 2003, Issue 31, page 82

A sense of Islay
Martine Nouet takes a scent and taste tour of whisky's most famous island as a preview for the forthcoming Islay Whisky Festival 2002

May 2002, Issue 22, page 30

A sense of place
Joe Bates finds a warm welcome in Sweden.

February 2009, Issue 78, page 34

A sense of place
Joe Bates finds out how the new Frankfurt store gets local.

February 2010, Issue 86, page 36

A single malt for the purists (Balvenie)
Once just William Grant's ‘other' Dufftown distillery, Balvenie is starting to build a big reputation for itself. Ian Buxton went to pay homage

February 2004, Issue 37, page 42

A singular idea
Mark Gillespie explores Buffalo Trace's single oak project

February 2012, Issue 101, page 24

A spirited career (Tom Aitken)
Ian Buxton looks back at the career of one of the whisky world's titans - Tom Aitken.

December 2007, Issue 68, page 20

A taste of Danish
Joe Bates with the latest from travel retail

September 2005, Issue 50, page 55

A taste of home
Jane Slade talks to racing yachtsman Andy Hindley about his love of the dram and the sea.

June 2000, Issue 10, page 16

A taste of Ireland
Martine Nouet heads into the little-charted waters of cooking with Irish whiskey, combining traditional Gaelic fare with some arguably controversial choices of spirit. Three tantalising courses, five ...

December 2001, Issue 20, page 62

A tasteful way to understand whisky
Pip Hills explains how his Scotch Whisky Directory can help you improve your tasting skills

November 2005, Issue 52, page 36

A touch of glass
There is no doubt that the glass you use has an effect on the appreciation of the spirit therein. Marcin Miller investigate further.

July 2002, Issue 24, page 46

 

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Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 9 Years Old, Millennium Malt
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.10%
9 Frighteningly good. Godzilla is alive and well and living in Campbeltown.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

BenRiach 30 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
9 Soft, subtle and not overwooded. Just shades it over the 25yo this time.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Yamazaki 1979, Japanese Oak Cask, 119.2
Single Malt - Japan - 57.40%
8 A breakfast malt? Splendidly complex, with Japanese oak adding that extra touch of distinctiveness.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

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.

Bunnahabhain 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.30%
8 On the oak side but with depth and distinction.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

BenRiach Authenticus Peated Single Malt 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
8 Another region-buster and a good one too.

BenRiach Solstice 15 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
8 A somewhat lurid colour, but this is an extremely sound and stylish BenRiach with an integration not often seen in finished whiskies.

Bunnahabhain 1963
Single Malt - Scotland - 42.90%
8 The Islay origins become more obvious the more mature Bunnahabhain is. This one would be comfortable in distant Cathay or in Tokyo or even 42nd Street.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Hakushu 1981, 21 Years Old, 120.1
Single Malt - Japan - 60.70%
8 A very enigmatic malt. Lighter in body but drier and more assertive in flavour than Yamazaki. A digestif.

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.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

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 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 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 Over 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 Muscular. Welcome in a blizzard but don't expect Mozart when you are likely to get Wagner.

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.

Glengoyne 17 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 A lovely, complex, sophisticated malt.

Glengoyne 17 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 Quite a complex character for its age. The palate is well-structured, just a little too woodframed.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Glenlivet 24 Years Old, 2.35
Single Malt - Scotland - 61.00%
7 A heavily sherried whisky that is nonetheless surprisingly lively for its age.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 33.70 Ardbeg Keith Richards meets Socrates 1998 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.30%
7 An effusively phenolic smouldering hulk. Recommended.

BenRiach Horizons 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.00%
7 Triple distillation heightens the aromatics though can't really see the oloroso influence.

Glengoyne 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 If this were a Lowland malt, it would be a star. As a Highlander, it gets lost.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 120.4 Tibetan Joss-Sticks and Polynesian Pork 1990 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 59.30%
7 The nose is a delight. To enjoy the palate,you have to be a wood freak.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 97.11 Littlemill 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.00%
7 Lovely balance. A slow sipper.

Glengoyne 19 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.80%
7 A nice fresh feel. But alcohol is not tamed. Water cools it down but takes the zesty kick away.

Whisky Magazine - Best Buy - Winner

Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.30%
7 What was already a very fine (if underrated) 12yo has been given greater depth with a bump up in strength and non chill filtering. It's now one of the best on the market.

Glengoyne 14 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00%
7 ?Just get the feeling that bottling at a slightly higher strength might have given it the kick it needs for the palate to balance the nose.

Bunnahabhain Manzanilla Sherry Wood 16 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.20%
7 Well controlled. Wood just coming into play and despite the sulphur it's a pleasing light,sweet spirit.

Glengoyne 1972
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 Amazingly fresh for such an oldie. Much prefer this style of Glengoyne to the sherried monsters which tend to drown the distillery character.

Glengoyne Burnfoot
- Scotland - 40.00%
7 Just a little thin and lacking in substance

BenRiach 16 Years Old 1993 Claret Wood
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00%
7 Pleasant, but the burnt wood knocks it back.

Bunnahabhain 14 Years Old Port Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.00%
7 Front-loaded, clumsy and forced. Bunna's good enough on its own.

Bunnahabhain 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 I couldn't get past that taste of overfried bacon. This is a great malt distillery, and one of my favourites, so I am a little disappointed.

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.

 

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