Published in Whisky Magazine Issue 69 on 18/01/2008.

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Welcome to Whisky Magazine

The signs are lining up for a good year in 2008 here at Whisky Towers, and in the whisky world at large.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the magazine. Ten years of tasting, whisky facts and fun. I feel quite privileged looking back down the line of illustrious writers who have held the editor’s chair. I am also very proud to steer this good ship through such a celebratory year.

Look out for several special things happening during the year in several cities across the world to mark this momentous occasion, believe me its going to be exciting.

Elsewhere in the industry there are rumblings of some lovely new releases in the pipelines, and the one that should prove most interesting is the latest in the Highland Park line, the 40 Years Old.

There has been a lot of chatter about this expression. By the time you read this, the liquid will have hit the magic age and the boys on Orkney will be looking at getting it bottled. Having had a sneak preview it is very good stuff, watch out for it.

I don’t know about where you are but here we have had our first frost, with it the slight annoyance of having to get out in the morning and scrape the car windows with a squirming 14-month-old (that’s my daughter not a very young cask sample) tucked under one arm and those odd plastic inventions in the other.

Why is it that you can never find the scrapers when the weather turns cold. Every year I make a mental note to put it and the anti-freeze where I can find them. They are never there though.

But the cold snap has also brought with it that wonderful excuse of lighting the fire and curling up with something nicely sherried or outrageously peated. Just helps to finish the nights off properly.

It has to be one of my favourite places to drink, if it’s not out with friends, for that serious appreciation moment. A blazing coal fire, my armchair and a decent book or Coltrane on the stereo, certainly helps to ease the stresses and strains of daily life that’s for sure.

Mind you the stresses and strains recently have been pretty fun. Tasting the whole of the Glenfarclas Family Casks range with Mr Broom was an excellent experience. I always learn something new when I get the chance to sample with Dave. Honest it’s hard work too, but one thing I like is that he does not judge you on what you pick up when nosing, you are never wrong. Some the times when you hit on something and you get the thumbs up, that’s the exhilarating moment and makes the learning curve less steep.

So let’s hope this year’s a good one, and with Whisky Magazine’s team of top writers we aim and hope to entertain you for the next 10 years.

By Rob Allanson

Section : From the Editor

Page number : 5