Not a member? - Register and login now.

Whisky Magazine writer - Rob Allanson

Issue 101 Out Now

Whisky families, Mackmyra, Buffalo Trace, A drinker's guide to London and much more...

Subscribe to Whisky Magazine to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

Save up to 19%
Free issue with 2 year subscriptions
Free access to all back issues online

Subscribe now

Rob Allanson

Rob Allanson is editor of Whisky Magazine.

Rob Allanson's forum profile

Dispatches
COUPLE ON KINDLE The revised and updated edition of The Road to Craigellachie - Revisited, (2012), Hans Offringa's well-known travel story about Scotland and whisky, is now available on Kindle. The...
February 2012, Issue 101, page 7

Drinking in the big smoke
We look at some excellent whisky bars in the English capital, but also at what is happening elsewhere in the country, a distilling revolution is beginning to bear fruit
February 2012, Issue 101, page 44

Islay whisky comes to Savile Row
For those readers with a penchant for sartorial excellence, the good news is that Bowmore Distillery have recently launched an exciting collaboration with the esteemed Savile Row tailor, Malcolm Plews...
February 2012, Issue 101, page 7

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
Well here we go, hurtling into a new year and there has already been plenty of news to fill our hearts with joy regarding our chosen tipple. There are certainly a couple of major events that could se...
February 2012, Issue 101, page 5

All that jazz...
Jazz fans flocked to Islay in mid-September for the Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival and there was a new hook for whisky fans this year with the launch of an official Festival bottling. Now in its 13th y...
December 2011, Issue 100, page 8

First new bottling - Glenglassaugh
On the 24th November 2008, 22 years after it fell silent, Alex Salmon, first minister of Scotland started the inaugural milling for the first mash of a new era for Glenglassaugh distillery.
December 2011, Issue 100, page 7

Get focussed with Bowmore
If you needed any more incentive to get out there snapping, Bowmore has come up with a superb series of prizes.
December 2011, Issue 100, page 10

Iconic status
The search starts again to find the cream of the crop in the whisky world. In the second round of voting our focus turns to the USA.
December 2011, Issue 100, page 6

Pulling Together
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the world's toughest rowing race, was launched on 9th November .
December 2011, Issue 100, page 7

The 21st Century's 100 Greatest Bottles
Jonny McCormick looks at the top 100 single malt whisky bottles auctioned this century
December 2011, Issue 100, page 24

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
You know, sometimes it takes one of those late night malt moments to realise what it is all about: where you fit in, what life really means and how whisky pervades everything. Now I am not talking ab...
December 2011, Issue 100, page 5

Celebrate good times
We are delighted to invite you to an exclusive tasting event for Whisky Magazine readers: an evening of single cask, single malts and a sumptuous three course dinner at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,...
October 2011, Issue 99, page 6

In the palace
If you are ever in the Irish capital and have an hour to kill, you could do worse than spend it at the Palace Bar on Fleet Street. You won't be the first person to spend an idle hour there, as this pu...
October 2011, Issue 99, page 8

JOHN'S PRIVATE CASK
Canadian distiller John Hall's unceasing travels from coast to coast across Canada have made him the best known distiller in the country. Each September Hall invites Canadian whisky aficionados to vi...
October 2011, Issue 99, page 6

Laddich's own
Independently owned Islay distillery Bruichladdich launched its first 10 Years Old single malt whisky since reopening in May 2001 under new ownership. Employees, islanders and other guests joined the...
October 2011, Issue 99, page 6

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
The word 'blended' whisky seems to be one that divides the drinking public, and possibly the worst reaction you can get from people is the opinion that single malts are best and blends are somehow inf...
October 2011, Issue 99, page 5

Class acts
The search starts again to find the cream of the crop in the whisky world. In the first of three voting heats, we reveal the winners of the Scottish round.
September 2011, Issue 98, page 6

For the love
Our man visits the award winning duo of shops in Fife.
September 2011, Issue 98, page 34

Get focussed with Bowmore
If you needed any more incentive to get out there snapping, Bowmore has come up with a superb series of prizes.
September 2011, Issue 98, page 10

Stopping time
We meet the men behind forward thinking Edinburgh-based cocktail bar, Bramble Bar & Lounge.
September 2011, Issue 98, page 33

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
Well by the time you read this the epic Bowmore Ben Nevis Challenge will be over and I will probably not be looking forward to tackling any big flights of stairs in a hurry. I have never been in a ro...
September 2011, Issue 98, page 5

Storming the mansion
We report from the first Whisky Live Dublin show
July 2011, Issue 97, page 10

Travelling through a green land
The editor takes the new BMW R1200R on a road trip round Ireland
July 2011, Issue 97, page 52

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
?There is a strange phenomenon afoot in the whisky world at the moment, and I don't think we have seen it reach its zenith yet. This is of course the trend of über expensive whiskies in blinged out b...
July 2011, Issue 97, page 5

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
It is always good to be back in Ireland, to return to the cradle of so many things that we often take for granted: distilling, Christianity, EU funding and that elusive craic. Despite the recent econ...
June 2011, Issue 96, page 5

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
?This is not really the column I was planning on writing for this edition, but something has been on my mind. One thing that the Japanese disaster has brought home to me is the changing role of report...
April 2011, Issue 95, page 5

Whisky Live London 2011 Sell Out Show
We report from the recent Whisky Live London which saw the launch of the Walking with the Wounded expedition to the North Pole
April 2011, Issue 95, page 9

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
There are moments when you are whisky tasting that you are lost for words to describe the liquid in front of you. Those nail-on-the-head descriptors just don't come as quickly as they should. Usually...
March 2011, Issue 94, page 5

From the chef's table
The Editor joins a small group of writers and foodies for a preview of Glenfiddich's Burns supper experience
January 2011, Issue 93, page 54

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
Well here we go, hurtling into a new year. Looking ahead makes me wonder what we are going to find in our glasses this year, how much it's going to cost and how we are going to hear about it. I have a...
January 2011, Issue 93, page 5

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
Well it's that time of year where I think it's good to take a moment and reflect on what has been, and to be honest this year has been a bit of a whirlwind. There have been some stunning drams releas...
December 2010, Issue 92, page 5

Get focussed with Bowmore
If you needed any more incentive to get out there snapping, Bowmore has come up with a superb series of prizes
October 2010, Issue 91, page 10

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
Here at Whisky Towers we have been receiving lots and lots of your lovely images for our inaugural photographic competition. I have to say that there is some talent out there and I have been very impr...
October 2010, Issue 91, page 5

Whisky Live Glasgow
The world's premier whisky tasting show, Whisky Live visited Glasgow for the seventh time with great sucess.
October 2010, Issue 91, page 11

Get Focused with Bowmore
If you needed any more incentive to get out there snapping, Bowmore has come up with a superb series of prizes.
September 2010, Issue 90, page 8

More...

Whisky Magazine Issue 101
Whisky families, Mackmyra, Buffalo Trace, A drinker's guide to London and much more....

Published February 2012.

Whisky Magazine Issue 100
The Whisky Magazine anniversary issue celebrates 100 years of the greatest whisky people, the 21st Century's 100 greatest bottles and the 100 greatest distilleries to visit plus much more....

Published December 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 99
Charley Boorman - Drayman's Distillery - A drinker's guide to Paris - Micro Distilling and much more....

Published October 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 98
Icons of whisky Scotland Winners unveiled - Independent Bottlers Challenge Results - Cameronbridge - Whisky Magazine Photographic Challenge 2011 and much more....

Published September 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 97
USA spotlight: Wild Turkey, New York, Jack Daniel's and Diageo and much more....

Published July 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 96
Jura - Your guide to Speyside - Sydney bars guide and much more....

Published June 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 95
World Whiskies Awards and much more....

Published April 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 94
Photo challenge 2010 winners revealed - Dr Vijay Mallya - Midleton Distillery.

Published March 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 93
Four Roses - Mount Vernon - Old Crow Distillery and much more.

Published January 2011.

Whisky Magazine Issue 92
Albert Watson & The Macallan - Kyoto - Springbank - Zen & whisky and much more....

Published December 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 91
Music special part - Back to the seventies - Fettercairn and much more....

Published October 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 90
Music Special - Ailsa Bay - Independent Bottlers' Challenge and much more....

Published September 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 89
Woodford Reserve - US micro distilleries - Glenlivet - WIN Four Days at Bowmore and much more....

Published July 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 88
Benromach Distillery - Incense - Sherry Casks - WIN Four Days at Bowmore and much more....

Published June 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 87
Awards Edition - Best Whiskies in the World 2010.

Published April 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 86
Shackleton's whisky - Dalwhinnie - New York Bars - Kilbeggan - Cocktails - Peat - Icons of Whisky 2010 and much more....

Published February 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 85
Bourbon's Liquid Legend - Elmer T. Lee on 90 years of the American spirit - A drinker's tour of Louisville - Millstone distillery - The Lowlands & much more....

Published January 2010.

Whisky Magazine Issue 84
Boutique Speyside - Explore The Balvenie - Japanese Focus - Cocktails from New Orleans - Bunnahabhain - Buffalo Trace - Mackmyra - SMWS and much more....

Published January 1970.

Whisky Magazine Issue 83
Exclusive - Diageo's Ambitious Project - Bladnoch - Manhattens in Manhatten - Whisky Islands - Blair Athol - Glenrothes - Macallan and much more....

Published October 2009.

Whisky Magazine Issue 82
Mull's drams - Journey's Blend - Lark's rise - Icons of Whisky Scotland - 11 Page Rum Special - Ardbeg - Laphroaig - Linkwood Bunnahabhain -and much more....

Published September 2009.

Whisky Magazine Issue 81
Evan Williams - Bushmills - Highland Park - Auchentoshan - Bowmore - Mackmyra - Glen Scotia and much more....

Published July 2009.

Whisky Magazine Issue 80
Jim Beam - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston - Kentucky Guide and much more....

Published June 2009.

Whisky Magazine Issue 79
World Whiskies Awards Edition - Best Whiskies in the World 2009.

Published April 2009.

Whisky Magazine Issue 78
Icons of Whisky 2009 - Edradour - Bill Lumsden - Three Glens - Southern Ireland - Evan Williams - The Dalmore & much more....

Published February 2009.

Whisky Magazine Issue 77
The Macallan - Richard Paterson - Diageo - Chieftain's - Edradour- Glenmorangie - SMWS & much more....

Published January 2009.

Whisky Magazine Issue 76
Whisky Magazine Aged 10 Years - Grain whisky comeback - Top 10 lost distilleries - Visitors guide to the islands - Welsh whisky - Top 10 London bars - Tastings, blends - Lewis, new distillery - and more....

Published November 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 75
Global blends - Chichibu - Buffalo Trace - Independent Bottlers Challenge - Icons of Whisky - Awards - Yamazaki - Yoichi - The Balvenie - Old Forester - Whisky Kitchen - Bourbon Festival.

Published October 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 74
The Ardbeg Story - Glentauchers - New Orlean Cocktails - Rum Special - Caol Ila - Inverleven - Mackmyra - The Dalmore - Benriach - Cragganmore - Tomatin and much more....

Published September 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 73
Beautiful Bourbon - Highland Park hits 40 - Balblair - Glenrothes - Tobermory - Auld Reeke - Prince Charles - Caol Ila - Glenmorangie and much more....

Published July 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 72
The Dalmore - Forest to Flask - The Whisky Boom - Four Roses - Auchentoshan - Glen Grant - AnCnoc and much more.....

Published June 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 71
Best Whiskies in the World 2008 - Wonderful wood - Old Bourbon - Lost Distilleries - Travel Retail - Tastings Grain Whisky and much more....

Published April 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 70
Icons of Whisky 2008 - Speyside Treasures - Silent Season - Tour de France - Ireland Guide - Littlemill - Dalmore - Ardmore ... and more.

Published February 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 69
Highland Gem - Home of Anoc - Americas youngest distillers - Food matching the Diageo way - Brora - Bartenders Trip - Mackmyra - Ginkgo and more.....

Published January 2008.

Whisky Magazine Issue 68
Lowland perfection - Auchentoshan - History of the cork - Premium whisky - Glenury Royal - Dewars - Makers Mark - Mash Tuns - Glenlivet - Ben Nevis - Inverleven - 40 whiskies tasted.

Published December 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 67
Premium Blends - Kittling Ridge - 200 Whiskies Tasted - Icons of Whisky - Whisky and Food - VIP Tours - Climate change ... and more....

Published November 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 66
How glass affects your taste - Rise of small stills - Tamnavulin - Woodford Reserve - Jura - Ardbeg Dinner - Michael Jackson - Bunnahabhain.

Published September 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 65
Rye rebound - Blood Brothers - Teacher's - Americas whisky heartland - 50 Whiskies tasted - Barbecues - George Dickel - Woman in whisky - Benromach - Bruichladdich - Longmorn - Tullibardine.

Published July 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 64
Mixing the Magic - Cocktails - Glengyle comes of age - The Glenlivet - 40 whiskies tasted - Kilbeggan - Duncan Taylor - Grain Whisky - Events - Music - Food and much more....

Published June 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 63
World Whiskies Awards - The Best Whiskies in the World - New distilleries - Balblair Vintages - Kentucky Visitors Guide - Whisky and Food - Port Ellen and more....

Published April 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 62
Macallan Oak - Cask Strength - Canadian Whisky - Pagodas - Rankin on Rebus - Icons of Whisky 2007 - Ledaig - Glen Grant - Glenmorangie.

Published March 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 61
American Distiller of the Year - Icons of Whisky - Buffalo Trace Exclusive - Bar Exams - Premium Bourbon - Ballantines.

Published January 2007.

Whisky Magazine Issue 60
Praban na Linne - Grain production - Marmalade - Laphroaig - Cocktail time - Whisky Islands - New Zealand illicit stills - Hokonui - Compass Box - Old Pulteney - Dewar Rattray.

Published November 2006.

Whisky Magazine Issue 59
The Blenders Art - Kentucky Bourbon Festival - First look at reopened Scapa - Whiskey rebellion - The price of malts - 40 whiskies reviewed - Milling Malts - American Ads - Glenrothes Dinners.

Published October 2006.

Whisky Magazine Issue 58
Independent Bottlers Challenge - Setting up your own distillery - World of the whisky ambassador - Royal Lochnagar - Guide to Ireland - Goat Fell - Distillery Ghosts - Canadian Blends.

Published August 2006.

Whisky Magazine Issue 57
American idols - The legends behind the great brands - The Highlands - The Sma' Still - Speyside history - Sir Iain Noble - Cooley - Silent Stills Tasting - Gotemba - Johnnie Walker Blue.

Published July 2006.

Whisky Magazine Issue 56
Scotland's Lowlands - Shake it up - China and India - Glengoyne - Indian food - Highlander Inn - Japanese Tastings.

Published June 2006.

Whisky Magazine Issue 55
Abraham Lincoln - Up in smoke - Scotch on the rocks - Kentucky visitors' guide - Deanston - Islay and Jura - The Whisky Shop.

Published April 2006.

Whisky Magazine Issue 54
Icons of Whisky 2006 - Islay & Jura guide - Grain whisky - Bourbon's future - Cask strength Higlanders - Deanston.

Published March 2006.

Whisky Magazine Issue 53
On the roll - How malt made social gambling cool - Visiting Speyside - Isle of Jura - Auchentoshan - George Washington - Russia's whisky elite - Lowland malts tasted.

Published January 2006.

Amrut Two Continents Second Edition
Single Malt - India - 50.00% 8 Amrut are doing some really interesting work right now.

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel
Blended - Canada - 40.00% 8 A little one-paced.

Famous Grouse Celebratory Blend
Blended - Scotland - 40.00% 7 A decent addition to the Famous Grouse flight.

Glenrothes 16 Years Old, 1995
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 Drinkable enough, but marked down for its ‘fousty' nose.

High Spirits Mesquite Smoked Arizona
Single Malt - U.S.A. - 40.00% 7 Has the true spirit character slightly masked here?

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Redbreast Cask Strength
Pot Still - Republic of Ireland - 57.70% 9 Redbreast is one of the world's great whiskeys. Delicious!

Scott's Selection Dailuane 1983 28 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.80% 7 Marked down slightly for an undistinguished nose.

Tweedale 12 Years Old Blend Batch 2
Blended - Scotland - 46.00% 8 A lovely old-fashioned blend.

Woodford Reserve Masters Collection Rare Rye
Rye - U.S.A. - 46.20% 7 Not all that well balanced.

Breckenridge 4 Years Old, Bourbon 2007
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 43.00% 8 This doesn't really need more than four years.

Brora 32 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.70% 9 An old-fashioned classic!

Bruichladdich 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 8 Laddie reaches 10 in good shape.

Buffalo Trace William La Rue Weller
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 66.75% 8 A substantial, stylish Bourbon.

Caol Ila Unpeated 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 64.00% 8 An elegant, very drinkable Highland style dram.

Duncan Taylor Octave Caol Ila 1983 28 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 51.70% 8 A bit of an old sea beast!

E.H. Taylor Jnr Single Barrel 2000 11 Years Old
Single Malt - U.S.A. - 50.00% 8 A polished and complex whiskey.

Eagle Rare 17 Years Old
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 45.00% 8 A supple, pleasing Bourbon.

Forty Creek John's Private Cask
Single Grain - U.S.A. - 40.00% 7 Interesting contrast between nose and palate.

George T. Stagg
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 71.30% 8 Something of a gentle giant.

Glen Garioch 25 Years Old, 1986
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.60% 8 More well-chosen wood.

High West Whiskey Son of Bourye
Blended - U.S.A. - 46.00% 8 The world's only Bourbon/rye marriage. And it works.

Jura 35 Years Old, 1976 Feith A'Chaorainn
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 8 Distillery character has not been overwhelmed by long maturation.

Knockando 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 8 Manages to retain its delicacy despite the big sherry notes.

Lagavulin 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.50% 8 A complex yet approachable Islay.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2011 12 Years Old
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 49.00% 7 Not as integrated as one might like.

Parker's Heritage Collection Cognac Finish 10 Years Old
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 50.00% 8 Everything meshes very nicely here.

Port Dundas 20 Years Old
Single Grain - Scotland - 57.40% 8 A real curiosity.

Port Ellen 32 Years Old
Single Grain - Scotland - 53.90% 8 Another shining example of shrewd cask selection.

Rare Auld Cragganmore 1985 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 48.30% 8 The nose is pure confectionary, while the palate introduces a more masculine note.

Rosebank 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.80% 8 At its best with a splash of water.

Sazerac 18 Years Old
Rye - U.S.A. - 45.00% 8 A big, rye experience.

Scott's Selection Aultmore 1982 29 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.40% 8 Well-made and well-matured.

Scott's Selection Craigellachie 1991 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.80% 8 Starts off nosing younger than its years, but grows into itself with time.

The Arran Malt 4 Years Old, 1997 Single Cask Sherry Butt
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.30% 8 Keep this for Christmas and drink it with the pudding.

The Arran Malt Machrie Moor,Peated 2nd Edition 2004
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A moody offering from the Arran Distillery team.

More...

Paragraph Publishing Limited, registered in England and Wales, number 5292845.
Registered office: King Street House, 15 Upper King Street, Norwich. NR3 1RB.
VAT number: 706 7778 02

Whisky Magazine writer - Rob Allanson

Issue 101 Out Now

Subscribe

Subscription offer

Rob Allanson