Contents
p5
Nothing lasts forever. Look at the England rugby team’s unbeaten record at Twickenham (fortunately, I couldn’t watch Ireland break England’s
winning streak as I was at Whisky Live). Look at Cardhu Pur...
By Marcin Miller in the section
From the Editor
p11
Michael Jackson continues the saga of a tasting at Philip Pullman’s house
Despairing of my constant travels on various whisky trails, my partner Freckles occasionally retaliates in kind. She packs her goods with the
intention of absenting herself permanently.
“I have neve...
By Michael Jackson in the section
Musings with Michael Jackson
p12
Dave Broom wryly observes the surreal lovefest that Whisky Live has become
Depressed? Down in the dumps? Visit Whisky Live and bring a smile back to your face! For sheer entertainment it is the best show in town,
attracting such a diverse bunch of people.
There were hippies...
By Dave Broom in the section
A dram with Dave Broom
p14
If you read our cover story in Issue 37 you will know all about Lost in Translation – the Hollywood blockbuster where whisky enjoys a starring role.
If you read our cover story in Issue 37 you will know all about Lost in Translation – the Hollywood blockbuster where whisky enjoys a starring role. Well now we are offering you the chance to own a DV...
By in the section
Whisky Competitions
p14
Why did Jack Daniel call his whiskey Old No. 7?
Why did Jack Daniel call his whiskey Old No. 7? This question has mystified both whiskey fans and the Jack Daniel Distillery folks for almost a hundred years. Some say Uncle Jack took the answer to hi...
By in the section
Whisky Competitions
p15
Gavin D Smith provides an update on the Andrew Usher commemorations
In Issue 36 we reported on the second annual Andrew Usher Event, held at William Grant & Sons, hosted by Peter Gordon, great-great-grandson of company founder William Grant.
The occasion was designed...
By Gavin D. Smith in the section
Whisky Events
p16
Whisky Live London has grown into a major event attracting hundreds of whisky lovers from across Europe
The sold out signs out days before the event started, packed masterclasses and the addition of new events – Whisky Live London was bigger and better than ever before.
And the event, now in its fourth...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Whisky Events
p18
perfection The Whisky & Cigar Challenge matches a premium whisky with a premium Cuban cigar to produce the perfect match
It took hundreds of judges, three tasting sessions and events in Glasgow and Havana to do it, but the judges in this year’s Whisky & Cigar Challenge, hosted by Whisky Magazine, Habanos SA and London r...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Whisky and Cigars
p20
Are vatted malts set to be the success story of 2004? We asked a group of experts
Round table question: Vatted whisky is the way to attract new drinkers. Discuss
The Panel
Neil Macdonald, brand director, malt whiskies – Chivas Brothers (NMcD)
Annabel Meikle, Scotch Malt Whisky So...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Whisky Debate
p22
Compiling a top 90 best Scottish malts list is as ambitious a project as this magazine has ever undertook. Dominic Roskrowdescribes how it was done
A definitive list of the top malt whiskies in the world, counted down from number 90 to number one. Is such a thing possible?
There is a strong argument against, and without doubt we have set ourselv...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
Whisky Awards
p28
Luvian’s Bottle Shop has built a reputation for fine drinks products. Gavin Smith looks at its whisky offering
The historic university town of St Andrews in north-east Fife is renowned the world over as the home of golf. Recently, however, it has also been attracting attention because one of its current underg...
By Gavin D. Smith in the section
Whisky Spotlight
p29
Caroline Whitfield decided to give up life in the fast lane in London and decided to set up a distillery in The Shetlands instead. Tom Bruce-Gardyne reports
One morning in June 2002, Caroline Whitfield found herself doing some internet research on the Shetland Isles.
Living in London with her Scottish husband and pregnant with child number three, she was...
By Tom Bruce-Gardyne in the section
Whisky Profile
p30
Longmorn is a blenders’ favourite. But as a single malt it’s both wonderful and frustratingly hard to get. Ian Buxton adds his voice to the Whisky Magazine clamour for more of it
I arrived at Longmorn in a swirling snowstorm, quite worried about the directions I have been given.
“Pass the Shougle turn,” they had told me “right through Fogwatt and then turn right.” Shougle? Fo...
By Ian Buxton in the section
Distillery Focus
p35
Ian Rankin’s celebrated detective John Rebus is a hard talking whisky man. Jefferson Chase introduces him to a new audience
British readers won’t need much of an introduction to Ian Rankin and his alter ego detective chief inspector John Rebus. The Rebus series is not only afixture in the bestseller lists; several installm...
By Jefferson Chase in the section
Whisky Literature
p36
The Islay Festival is the highlight of the Scotch whisky year. Martine Nouet looks ahead to this year’s activities
The Islay and Jura Festival is not only a true highlight in the whisky lover’s calendar, but it is a particularly generous affair time-wise. It stretches over a week and each distillery has its own pr...
By Martine Nouet in the section
Islay
p38
As promised in Issue 36, we asked some experts to cross the usual genre boundaries to see if any combinations worked, what might work and what was best left in its
component bottles. Gavin Smith reports
The panel
David Robertson Co-founder of the Easy Drinking Whisky Company
Billy Walker Distillery owner
Gavin Smith Whisky writer and author
Richard Paterson Master blender, Whyte and Mackay
David...
By Gavin D. Smith in the section
Whisky Trends
p42
The Classic Malts Cruise is an annual event held by Diageo, formerly Guinness-UDV. For one person on it, it was a case of sailing with the enemy. But for Gillian Bell, the adventure was to change her perspective entirely
Given personal history and perceptions, I should have avoided the Classic Malts Cruise like the plague. A two week booze cruise with the heid yens of UDV, formally Guinness, and now Diageo.
It was 18...
By Gillian Bell in the section
Whisky Events
p46
Why, why, why Delilah’s? Because, says Charles Cowdrey, it’s a cracking bourbon bar
The Chicago Chowhounds are a group hedonistically dedicated to the passionate enjoyment of everything consumable.
In February, when they decided to have a tasting of bourbon whiskey, Delilah’s, on Li...
By Charles K. Cowdery in the section
American Whiskey
p50
John Rose provides another selection of collectible bottles
Aberfeldy 19 year old The Manager’s Dram
Distillation: Distilled at Aberfeldy Distillery, Aberfeldy, Perthshire.
Bottling: Aberfeldy 19 year old, single malt from a sherry cask, bottled 1991 by the ...
By John Rose in the section
Collecting Whisky
p55
Martine Nouet lightens up for summer
When spring appears, we crave light. Longer and brighter days but also lighter meals with fresh crunchy vegetables, special sauces and cold
dishes. This is the season for salads.
At first sight, that...
By Martine Nouet in the section
Whisky and Food
p57
What are the advantages of commercial maltsters, and why do some distilleries still have their own floor maltings? Ian Wisniewski reports
Embodying a sense of heritage and craftsmanship, floor maltings enable the entire production cycle to ben undertaken at the distillery, rather than ordering in ‘convenience malt.’ But various factors ...
By Ian Wisniewski in the section
Whisky Production
p74
Dominic Roskrow argues that we should act now to beat the censorship lobby
The highlight of Whisky Live for me came at the end of the masterclass by The Easy Drinking Whisky Company. The trio, fronted by former Macallan maestro David Robertson, had been mixing Scotch with al...
By Dominic Roskrow in the section
The Last Word
