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Whisky Magazine Issue 43

Whisky Magazine Issue 43

Whisky Magazine Issue 43

In this issue - The World's best blended whisky - Jim McEwans's Whisky Academy - Irish whiskey tastings - Christmas indulgences

Published October 2004

Keep it in the family
As low points go, the conversation I had with a senior person at Glenmorangie on the day the sale of the company was announced is up there.
October 2004, Issue 43, page 5

Never mind the barley?
Michael Jackson goes Babbity
October 2004, Issue 43, page 11

Plenty to smile about
Being Scottish isn't being depressed, you know. Not all the time, anyway
October 2004, Issue 43, page 12

Stock of French whisky event rises
The first Whisky LiveParis was held inteh old Parisian stock market - and it was a success
October 2004, Issue 43, page 15

Whisky comes home
Whisky Live Glasgow was different to any other whisky show
October 2004, Issue 43, page 16

It's all in the blend
This month we ask three master blenders where the sector fits in in respect to the rest of the whisky market
October 2004, Issue 43, page 18

Small is beautiful
Just miniatures does exactly what it says on the tin - sells just miniatures.
October 2004, Issue 43, page 20

Depends on the blend
Blended whisky is most often considered a poor relation to single malts.
October 2004, Issue 43, page 21

A-Z of the world's best blends
Ailsa Craig Company: A Dewar Rattray Age: none ABV: 40% Territories: NA Description: smoky but has a unique and unusual taste created by the harsh grain and the oily and interesting malt content The...
October 2004, Issue 43, page 24

Big brands battle it out
Chivas and Glenmoranige smarten up their act for Chistmas
October 2004, Issue 43, page 30

The ultimate Christmas indulgence
We thought it would be fun to match some favourite whiskies with cigars, coffee and chocolate for a Christmas treat, so we called on the experts. This is what we got
October 2004, Issue 43, page 32

Walking in a great poet's footsteps (Sendai)
Dave Broom travels to the Sendai Distillery near Tokyo
October 2004, Issue 43, page 36

A Place where men will be men
Jefferson Chase on Richard Ford's bizarre hunting short story, Calling
October 2004, Issue 43, page 41

Bucketfuls of fun (Glenfiddich)
The Mystery Visitor gets all artistic at Glenfiddich
October 2004, Issue 43, page 42

The proof of the whisky pudding
It's a myth that Kentucky plus food means KFC. Kel McIntyre looks at the chefs that are helping put the state on the culinary map
October 2004, Issue 43, page 44

At whisky's coalface
Bruichladdich is the latest of a series of distilleries to launch its own whisky academy. Mark Furse joined one of the first groups to see what you get for your money
October 2004, Issue 43, page 48

Taking care of business (Colin Dunn - Morrison Bowmore)
Colin Dunn is business develoment executive at Morrison Bowmore. So what does he do? Richard Jones reports
October 2004, Issue 43, page 52

The China syndrome
Shanghai is now one of the world's cutting edge cities and blended whiskies are gaining big markets. But what about malts? Graham Thompson has been peering into his dram to find out more
October 2004, Issue 43, page 54

Independent spirit
Independent bottlers have driven innovation in the industry. But what future do they have? Ian Wisniewski investigates
October 2004, Issue 43, page 72

In the pink as Mrs H fights back
In the latest in our series of pieces from guest writers, John Haydock– the master – is back
October 2004, Issue 43, page 82

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Laphroaig 17 Years Old, Feis Ile 2004, Cask Strength
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.20% 8 A touch sophisticated for the likes of me. Where are those stinging iodine notes? They are in there somewhere, but beautifully balanced and rounded.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Redbreast 12 Years Old
Pot Still - Ireland - 40.00% 9 This is what real pure pot still whiskey is all about, a glorious contradiction of soft fruit and firm grain, oily seeds and sweet wood. World beating stuff.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Midleton Very Rare
Pot Still - Ireland - 40.00% 8 Don't know how Barry Walsh keeps this standard up year on year, the most robust MVR in ages. Bravo!

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Private Collection Caol Ila 1969
Single Malt - Scotland - 45.00% 8 After a few of these, the rebel leader (played by Anthony Quinn) toasts freedom, and we start firing our carbines in the air.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

The Whisky Exchange Isle of Jura 1999, 5 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 63.00% 8 Why wasn't this done years ago? More please. Captivating.

Bushmills 10 Years Old
Single Malt - Ireland - 40.00% 7 After years of being overshadowed by its older wood finished cousins, this 10 Years Old is finally coming into its own.

Bushmills 16 Years Old
Single Malt - Ireland - 40.00% 7 Triple distilled whiskey drawn from bourbon, sherry and port wood...what a balancing act. It usually works a treat, but this time the elements are strangely out of kilter.

Bushmills 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Ireland - 40.00% 8 This whiskey has changed quite a bit in the last few years. It's now less subtle, more forthright, but no less delicious.

Cadenhead's Cooley, World Whiskies 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Ireland - 60.00% 8 This is some bottling; great distillate matured to perfection in excellent casks. One for the Islay bore in your life.

Connemara 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Ireland - 40.00% 8 This is a bottling of 28 casks of the 1991 vintage, so it is particularly rare an therefore collectible. When it's gone. It's gone.

Connemara Cask Strength
Single Malt - Ireland - 60.00% 8 I just love this un-chill filtered version; it's fat, it's loud and it's fun. In this price bracket, there are very few Scottish single malts that can match it.

Grand Old Parr 18 Years Old, Classic
Blended Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Is this a vatted malt? Glendullan-plus?

Jameson 12 Years Old
Blended - Ireland - 40.00% 8 For the money, this is the best damn blend you will ever, ever taste.

Jameson 18 Years Old
Blended - Ireland - 40.00% 8 Even after 18 years, the pot still refuses to be mastered by the wood. Very drinkable.

Jameson Original
Blended - Ireland - 40.00% 7 Not as interesting as it used to be, this brand is teetering on the brink of bland.

Locke's 8 Years Old
Single Malt - Ireland - 40.00% 7 A very enjoyable, no nonsense malt.

Magilligan 1991 Limited Edition, Sherry Wood Finish
Single Malt - Ireland - 46.00% 7 Finishing Cooley's peated malt in a sherry wood for a year works a lot better than I imagined, and makes me wonder what an unpeated malt would taste like after a year in Jerez.

Magilligan Pure Pot Still
Single Malt - Ireland - 43.00% 7 Although it says 'pure pot still' on the label, this is a single malt, there's no unmalted barley here. At 5 or so years old this malt is still a bit green.

Old Masters Bruichladdich 1991 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.70% 7 The Laddie in austere mood. Best before dinner.

The Arran Malt Port Cask
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.50% 7 Sinful. Bonus points for shamelessness.

Tomatin 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00% 7 More delicate than I remember.

Tullamore Dew 12 Years Old
Blended - Ireland - 40.00% 7 This is a super little whiskey; a premium Jameson clone. And a good one too.

Tullamore Dew Heritage
Blended - Ireland - 40.00% 8 A very decent and reserved blend that is simply overshadowed and outclassed by the 12 Years Old.

Tyrconnell
Single Malt - Ireland - 40.00% 7 This malt used to be a tad young, the current bottling is older and certainly works better.

Authors this issue

 

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