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Whisky Magazine Issue 61 cover image

Whisky Magazine Issue 61

In this issue - American Distiller of the Year - Icons of Whisky - Buffalo Trace Exclusive - Bar Exams - Premium Bourbon - Ballantines

Published on 19/01/2007

5

On the road to Louisville

Mid terms,football games and musicians, Rob Allanson takes a voyage of discovery in to bourbon country

I recently took my first trip out to Kentucky. Bourbon is having such a good run with sales rocketing and the industry straining to keep up with increased demand. My visit coincided with several big...

By Rob Allanson in the section From the Editor

11

Up close and personal

When Michael Jackson left The Streets of Sinners, what happened to his drinking?

In much the way that some people wear a monogrammed handkerchief in their top pocket to remind themselves who they are, some magazines carry under their title a slogan that sounds like a job descripti...

By Michael Jackson in the section Musings with Michael Jackson

12

African aspirations

Dave finds whisky and hip hop go well together in the Rainbow Nation

It has been a year of confounded expectations, (this, it must be said at the outset, is A Good Thing). Case in point. Benriach, which came out of nowhere with a series of remarkable whiskies. The res...

By Dave Broom in the section A dram with Dave Broom

14

The bourbon question

In this round table we asked two prominent members of the bourbon industry and Whisky Magazine readers about the future of bourbon.

Panel Chris Morris Woodford Reserve CM Julian Van Winkle Old Rip Van Winkle JW Jonathon Di Blasi Bergen, Norway JB Troy Egan Victoria, Australia TE Christopher Watkin Lincolnshire UK CW Q:How ...

By in the section Whisky Debate

17

The big five

Iconic distillery releases its latest antique collection

Whiskey fans rejoice! Buffalo Trace Distillery’s 2006 Antique Collection has been launched and it features some stunning whiskey. This year’s collection boasts a new edition—Thomas H. Handy, u...

By in the section American Whiskey

18

Rising spirits

Bourbon is not only continuing its growth in profitability but is carving out a new premium image for itself. Dominic Roskrow reports

You don’t expect to find a top Kentucky distiller conducting tastings on a Saturday afternoon in a sprawling shopping mall on the edge of Louisville. Mind you, until relatively recently you wouldnâ€...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section American Whiskey

20

Roll out the barrel

The Blue Grass Cooperage is one of the major barrel making companies in the United States, Rob Allanson took a tour

Opening the door to the work floor and you get hit with this wall of noise and a great smell of oak. The Blue Grass cooperage is an exceptionally busy place churning out high quality American white o...

By Rob Allanson in the section Whisky Production

23

Out from behind bars

Let 10 young bartenders loose in bourbon country and it’ll get messy. But as Dominic Roskrow reports, when it
came to the business end of the trip, our boys delivered

In Kentucky the racing folk have an expression: the money, they say, is in the lovin’. The expression refers to the thoroughbred race horses that have made the State one of the most famous horse-rac...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section American Whiskey

26

Two's company (Ballantines)

Ballantine’s is one of the world’s top blends but it is in need of a dose of loving and who better for that than the French? Dominic Roskrow reports

The way in which French drinks giant Pernod Ricard picked up a raft of new brands from Allied last year, assimilated them in to its company portfolio and has set about giving them a polish has been ru...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Distillery Focus

32

After dinner heaven

Cigar whiskies to go with a good smoke have become popular,we have a look at some of the best.

It is one of those classic silver screen moments. The bar doors flap closed behind him and the dusty clothed baddie enters the bar ready to pick his fight. A chiselled jawed and weather beaten Eastwo...

By Rob Allanson in the section Whisky and Cigars

34

Inverness and beyond

We look at the region of Speyside round about Inverness

Every whisky enthusiast knows the importance of the Speyside region to the production of Scotch single malt whisky. And even quite casual whisky drinkers know of the iconic distilleries at The Glenliv...

By Rob Allanson in the section Visitor Guides

39

Americana at its best

Are we getting old or is it really the case that most of the great album music is coming from older guys? Our man looks at Golden Smog’s Another Fine Day

Well what the hell was all that about? 2006 – a year when British bands produced some of the best power pop singles you’re ever likely to hear but the great albums all came from the American pensi...

By Rob Allanson in the section Whisky and Music

40

Live around the World

Three packed shows,three cities – Whisky Live spreads the gospel bringing the world’s best whiskies to South Africa and Holland

There is a huge transformation process taking place in South Africa. Together with newfound freedom and the opportunities it presents, South Africans, in all their rainbow colours, are discovering the...

By in the section Whisky Live

44

Whisky's jewel

Amber at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre has established itself as a class act. Now it's taking whisky and food pairings to new heights. Dominic Roskrow reports

It’s one thing putting on an expensive and elitist whisky dinner and matching specially-sourced food with the finest whiskies. But it’s quite another to do so and pitch it at a wider audience. Wh...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Whisky and Food

47

Short and sweet

Jefferson Chase looks at a career defining moment

Zz Packer is an African-American woman whose career took off in 2000 when, as a virtual unknown, she landed her story in no less than New Yorker magazine. “Opportunities,”my father says after I b...

By Jefferson Chase in the section Whisky Literature

48

That's amore

Kate Ennis looks at why the Italians have such a passion for whisky

The sharply tailored Armani suit, the Rolex watch, the Ferrari sports car… not forgetting the Gucci sunglasses, of course. The Italians are renowned for their instinctive style and good taste and â...

By Kate Ennis in the section Whisky in Italy

50

The cream of the crop

Every year Whisky Magazine holds the Icons of Whisky, the international awards recognising the very best in the whisky industry

There are only really three things that are important in the whisky business,people, product and place. With these things you get the passion,craft and history behind every drop of the good stuff. T...

By Rob Allanson in the section Icons of Whisky

52

Comfy Bumpkin

London’s newest gastro-pub has created a relaxing,home from home atmosphere where drinkers can
feel comfortable experimenting with whisky,as Kate Ennis discovers

Walk past newly opened Bumpkin, a stylishly rustic looking bar and restaurant in London’s fashionable Notting Hill area, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just another one of those identik...

By Kate Ennis in the section Whisky Spotlight

53

A quick word please

Ian Buxton uncovers some of the less heard whisky quotes

On publication of his novel, The Hippopotamus, people kept giving Stephen Fry toy hippos. “It is really very kind of them,” said Fry, “but I have decided that my next book will be called 18 Yea...

By Ian Buxton in the section Whisky Spotlight

55

Norwegian whisky paradise

Joe Bates Gardermoen shops offer taxed locals whisky paradise

Norway suffers from some of the highest alcohol prices in the world so it comes as no surprise to learn the locals have an almost religious devotion to duty-free shopping. They track down bargains whe...

By Joe Bates in the section Travel retail

56

The buck stops here

Ian Wisniewski looks at the challenging role of distillery managers

It takes various professions to provide us with malt whisky, starting with the farmers who grow the barley, the maltsters and the peat cutters. That’s before any of the distillery team become invol...

By Ian Wisniewski in the section Whisky production

59

Blood and Sand

Ian Wisniewski looks at a silver screen classic cocktail

While some cocktails are the result of sheer creativity, and so can happen at any point in a bartender’s career, other recipes are inspired by specific events at a particular time. The blood and san...

By Ian Wisniewski in the section Whisky Cocktails

74

The C Words

In the latest in his series defining whisky terms Dominic Roskrow looks at the letter C

Barley, yeast and water may be whisky’s raw ingredients and the skill of the whisky maker and distiller may be crucial in placing the foundations of a great single malt. But it is two c words which ...

By Dominic Roskrow in the section Understanding whisky

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Whisky Tastings

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 1990 16 Years Old
A welcome addition to the range.

BenRiach 25 Years Old
Another killer from Mr Walker’s warehouse. Distillery of the year for me.

BenRiach 30 Years Old
Soft, subtle and not overwooded. Just shades it over the 25yo this time.

BenRiach Pedro Ximinez Sherry Wood Finish
A cheery dram, opening up on the sunny side with the definite rum colours on the nose. A dash of water sweetens the palate.

Berry's Own Selection Clynelish 1992
Tight and hard to love.

Berry's Own Selection Inchgower 1980
A big powerful bruiser.

Berry's Own Selection Longmorn 1992
What a bizarre bottle...musty nose and fragrant palate.

Chieftain's Choice Brora 24 Years Old
Elegant and highly individual. Takes no prisoners.

Chieftain's Choice Caol Ila 13 Years Old
Here we go again...Caol Ila hits the nail on the head yet again.

Cooper's Choice Mortlach 1990 16 Years Old, Sherry Cask
Yup, it’s Mortlach alright. Every bit as good as the OB.

Dun Bheagan Linkwood 11 Years Old
Insubstantial.

Compass Box Flaming Heart
Worth a try but not the most subtle or refined of the range.

Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1948
1948? Amazing. Has retained a refined almost raffish air and though frail is not overwooded.

Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1968
A ghost-like dram almost too elusive to grasp.

Glen Moray 1989 Signature Malt 16 Years Old
It’s hard to get excited about.

Greenore 8 Years Old 1996, Single Grain Irish Whiskey
The best Greenore yet. Worth a look.

The Balvenie Roasted malt Aged 14 Years
Give this time and you’ll find a delicious dram.

The Macallan Fine Oak 'Whisky Maker's Selection'
Fine, not a lot of oak.

Tomatin 18 Years Old
Lacks balance.

Tomatin 1962
High maintenance. Beneath that sleek exterior beats a hard, one dimensional heart.

Glenfiddich 21 Years Old, Gran Reserva
Delivers more than expected. Seems a bit bland at start but it displays an attractive array of aromas and flavours on time. The rum influence is under control.

BenRiach Dark Rum Finish
A cheery dram, opening up on the sunny side with definite rum colours on the nose. A dash of water sweetens the palate.

Private Collection Caol Ila 1990 Demarara Rum Finish
A bit puzzling at start. Seems somewhat austere and restrained. Then releases sweet notes. Is it an effect of the rum finish?

Private Collection Caol Ila 1990 Vintage Rum Finish
Hang on! Is that a single malt with a rum finish or a good rum matured in a bourbon cask? An exemplary phagocytosis or a magical trick. But we wanted whisky!

The Balvenie Rumwood 14 Years Old
A rich whisky which has taken some exotic and sensuous notes from the rum. Stiffens up on the finish.

Chieftain's Choice Dallas Dhu 26 Years Old Rum Finish
I wonder what type of rum casks were used. I cannot find any hint to a finish here. Don’t look for delicacy but fine if you look for a wake up call.

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