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Whisky Magazine Issue 85

Whisky Magazine Issue 85

Whisky Magazine Issue 85

In this issue - 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

Welcome to Whisky Magazine
Well I have entered a new era, or according to some, gone a little retro, as I took the plunge and bought an old record player. I know it may sound silly given all the advances in sound technology, ho...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 5

The new rock and roll
Rockers of the world, time to put down that Jack n' Coke, for a new whisky is competing to become the most ubiquitous Rock n' Roll accessory since Slash's top hat… “Smoke and Coke” a cocktail us...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 6

CORRECTION
CORRECTION We wish to correct two errors made in Whisky Magazine issue 84. In the New Releases tasting section Martine's score of 7.7 for the Kornog bottling should have read 8.6. This would have ea...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 7

THERE'S AN APP FOR...
Choosing a Single Malt Scotch Whisky for yourself can be intimidating. There's so much choice but not much clear information. And the head-scratching really starts when you want to buy the perfect si...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 7

Vintage Orkney
Highland Park has launched the 1964 and 1968 expressions from the distillery's new Orcadian Vintage Series. The success of Highland Park's 40 Years Old, the 30 Years Old before it and the distillery'...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 7

WHISKY LIVE LONDON 2010
2010 marks the 10th anniversary of Whisky Live, first held in Tokyo and London 10 years ago. Whisky Live London 2010 will headline a number of new elements, including the first ever Whisky Antiques Ro...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 7

Cutty Sark sails back to UK
“Weel done, Cutty-sark!” roars Tam O'Shanter in the eponymous poem by Robert Burns, full of references to whisky and its emboldening effects. And the ‘cutty sark' of the poem (the old Scots for...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 8

Whisky Live North America
More than 1700 enthusiasts converged on the Metro Toronto Convention Centre recently to take part in the largest whisky tasting event in Canada. With seven sold out masterclasses, Highland Dancers an...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 10

Gone to pot
With Dave taking a break for this issue, we asked the BBC's Tom Morton to step up to the plate. He brings us the tale Lomond, Lobotomies and Captain Haddock.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 12

Heading off the trail
Charles K. Cowdery looks at 25 additions to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to help give you a bigger whiskey picture.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 14

A thoroughly Scottish night in
Neil Ridley donned his tweeds, applied the moustache wax and packed the picnic blanket for a splendid night in...
January 2010, Issue 85, page 20

The way of a Master
Liza Weisstuch talks bourbon history and more with the man credited with revolutionising American whiskey – Elmer T Lee.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 24

Lowland trinity
Our man suggests three different ways to see this clutch of distilleries.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 28

Caithness giant
Gavin D. Smith heads up the North East coast in search of Gerston.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 32

The blog boys
Dominic Roskrow meets the brains behind the Edinburgh Blog.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 32

Airport attactions
Joe Bates ventures a little closer to home.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 34

Living in a bacterial world
Ian Wisniewski asks: What is lactobacillus, and what influence can this have during the production process?
January 2010, Issue 85, page 36

Walking the mile
Dave Broom takes us to one of Osaka's many bars.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 38

Dutch courage
Dave Broom takes a trip to Holland to visit a very Dutch distillery – Millstone.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 40

Taking Flight
In 2010 Belgium will get serious about whisky. Dominic Roskrow travelled to Liege to meet one of the country's distilling pioneers.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 45

Don't Drink and Drive
The Editor takes to the streets of Louisville for a round of drinking golf.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 48

Winter Warmers
Martine Nouet meets a chef with a passion for peat.
January 2010, Issue 85, page 54

Life is not a beach
Jefferson Chase looks at a poigniant portrayal of family life
January 2010, Issue 85, page 71

Join the debate
email the team editorial@whiskymag.com
January 2010, Issue 85, page 74

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Selected by Berry's Speyside Reserve Blended Malt
Blended Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 8 A refined, complex and charming dram. An absolute cracker.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Berry's Own Selection Glen Grant, 37 Years Old, 1972
Single Malt - Scotland - 51.80% 8 A dry character. Quite strictly framed by oak but releasing an interesting and complex spicy character.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Black Bull 12 Years Old
Blended - Scotland - 50.00% 8 A pleasant dram. On the fruit side.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Old Forester 2009 Birthday Bourbon 1997 12 Years Old
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 48.50% 8 Another bourbon? A bit austere but elegant and complex. I found more pleasure on nosing than tasting.

Benrinnes 23 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.80% 7 You have got to like woody whiskies to drink this one. Has gone over the top for me. Certainly an old whisky but too long a maturation made it grumpy. Water kills it.

Brora 30 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.20% 4 A warm character if not hot. It needs a dash of water to find its balance and round up. Certainly a winter warmer.

Caol Ila 10 Years Old Unpeated
Single Malt - Scotland - 65.80% 7 There is a great difference between the nose and the palate. The alcohol is really aggressive on the palate. Better with water but still vibrant.

Dougie Macleans Caledonia Selection
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A tired sherry cask? Or a tyred one? A rubbery profile which does not release much, apart from dour sulphury notes. Water does not help.

Evan Williams Single Barrel 2000 Vintage
Bourbon - U.S.A. - 43.30% 8 An old bourbon? With lots of wood notes, all integrated and complex.

Lagavulin 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.90% 8 A well balanced islander. Feet in peat and head in smoke, standing in the briny air. With a warm heart. Great encounter.

Mannochmore 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.90% 7 The nose lets you expect more sweetness. Oak is overwhelming on the palate.

Pittyvaich 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.50% 7 That whisky definitely needs water to cut the edges. Incredibly oily. With a good dash of water, refreshing and invigorating.

Port Ellen 30 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 57.70% 8 A wonderful freshener on a warm summer day, citrussy and smokier than phenolic.

Selected by Berry's Islay Reserve Blended Malt
Blended Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A young Ileach, close to the new make. The cask has not imparted much. But a clean dram. Refreshing and tonic.

Talisker 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.80% 3 Lacks expression when neat. Water tones the bitterness down and releases a refreshing minty whiff.

Talisker 30 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.10% 7 A well structured dram. More appreciated neat than diluted. Water enhances oak and bitterness.

Tomatin 15 Years OId
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 3 Nothing wrong but surprisingly, nothing exciting. Because it is unidimensional maybe. You are expecting another aromatic layer and it does not come.

Tomatin 18 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 The nose is appealing but the sherry makes the palate a bit dour. Would certainly warm you up on a frosty morning.

Tomatin 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 8 Reminds of an Irish whiskey! So much exotic fruit and flowering currant. A big character. Not on the sweet side. Which is not a defect.

Authors this issue

 

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