Rare Malts Auchroisk 28 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.80%
7 Carries its age effortlessly. Approachable, clean, sweet-tempered. Unlike The Singleton version, no obvious sherry.
Rare Malts Benrinnes 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.40%
7 One of Speyside's secret delights. But a hard whisky to know. Big flavours, but tightly combined and unyielding.
Rare Malts Bladnoch 1977, 23 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.60%
8 Rather aggressive for a malt that is usually delicate and sweet, but still very distinctive. Will stand softening with a good splash of water.
Rare Malts Blair Athol 27 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.70%
7 The flavours seem to be held back, then suddenly released. This whisky might have been less inhibited at a younger age.
Rare Malts Brora 1977 24 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.10%
8 Lively, fruity, refreshing. Distinctive. Does the 19th hole at Brora serve sushi?
Rare Malts Brora 1977, 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.90%
8 A lovely coastal malt. It's a shame that its surviving brother Clynelish is more muted.
Rare Malts Brora 1982, 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.10%
8 Refreshing start; soothing finish. Quite a trick.
Rare Malts Brora 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.90%
8 A good example of Brora as a distinctive maritime malt. Very appetising indeed, but quite different from Talisker, for example.
Rare Malts Caol Ila 1977, 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 61.30%
8 A wonderful aperitif. Who would have thought of a Scotch to precede Greek food?
Rare Malts Caol Ila 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 61.30%
8 Confident. Austere.
Rare Malts Cardhu 1973 27 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.00%
7 They made bigger, peatier whiskies in those days.
Rare Malts Cardhu 1973, 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.50%
7 For teatime – more fun than Darjeeling.
Rare Malts Coleburn 1979
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.40%
7 The best Coleburn I have tasted.
Rare Malts Convalmore 24 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.90%
8 The second good Convalmore I have tasted. It was not highly rated in its lifetime, but could win friends now.
Rare Malts Dufftown-Glenlivet 1975, 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.80%
8 Pale in colour but by no means anaemic in flavour. Has matured a lot since it was 15.
Rare Malts Glendullan 1978 26 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.50%
8 In the crush bar at the opera?
Rare Malts Glenury Royal 28 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.40%
8 An elegant middleweight after the oak-fisted heavyweight 23 Years Old in the same series.
Rare Malts Glen Mhor 1976 28 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 51.90%
7 A straight-ahead, fruity, creamy, Speysider.
Rare Malts Glen Mhor 1979, 22 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 61.00%
8 A rare delight.
Rare Malts Glen Ord 1974, 23 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.80%
8 Far paler and less sherried than the main version from this distillery. I would like at least some sherry to round the gingery spiciness, but I like the way that rose character comes through in this o...
Rare Malts Linkwood 1974
Single Malt - Scotland - 54.90%
7 I couldn't decide if this lacked a little, or was just subtle. Pleasing enough, aging with prettiness, but didn't do enough for me.
Rare Malts Millburn 1969 35 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 51.20%
8 The mental picture is of an old library filled with leather bound volumes and someone smoking a pipe in the distance.
Rare Malts Millburn 1975, 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 61.90%
7 A grizzled old character, but gains points for resilience.
Rare Malts North Port 19 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 61.00%
6 Some malts are deservedly rare, but full marks to United for at least giving us the chance to taste them.
Rare Malts Port Ellen 1978 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.90%
8 An expressive, arousing, version of this fine malt.
Rare Malts Port Ellen 1978 22 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.50%
9 Pungent, powerful and appetising. A dram for the Islay-lover and connoisseur. This distillery should be revived.
Rare Malts Port Ellen 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.90%
9 Bring on the caeser salad.
Rare Malts Rosebank 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 62.30%
8 This is how Lowlanders used to be: drier, more herbal, more complex. Buy now, while stocks last.
Rare Malts St Magdalene 1998 19 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 63.80%
7 For a ghost, quite aggressive.
Rare Malts Teaninich 1972 27 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 64.20%
8 This little-known malt almost always surprises me with its robust flavours.
Limburg Whisky Fair grows on ...
In just three years, the Whisky Fair at Limburg in Germany has established itself as one of THE events in the continental whisky diary.
June 2004, Issue 40, page 14
Ask the Expert
If you have a question for John, send it to
editorial@whiskymag.com
or by post to
Questions & Answers,
Whisky Magazine,
St Faiths House, Mountergate,
Norwich, England, NR1 1PY
December 2011, Issue 100, page 97
Market Wobbles
Should we be concerned when the WMI falls? Jonny McCormick explains.
October 2011, Issue 99, page 74
In the Summertime
Jonny McCormick toasts Centenary bottlings and welcomes a new entry.
September 2011, Issue 98, page 74
New Classics
The autumn is always an exciting time for whisky collectors and connoisseurs. There are generally a number of exciting limited edition releases,targeted at the gift market,and this year is no exceptio...
November 2006, Issue 60, page 18
Germany hot over whisky
Thousands turned out for Germany's Limburg Whisky Fair. Brian Townsend was amongst them
September 2003, Issue 33, page 17
Distiller of the year: Diageo
There were many entrants for this category, some obvious, some not so. The award is meant to be for an individual, but a clear trend started to emerge – there was a regular stream of votes for Diage...
April 2003, Issue 30, page 19
For your pleasure
Jonny McCormick encourages you to
delve into your private collection.
September 2010, Issue 90, page 74
Brora Returns
The stills may be silent but it is back in the WMI, Jonny McCormick celebrates
June 2012, Issue 104, page 72
Ask the Expert
A friend has this interesting bottle of Burke's Whiskey by E&J Burke, Dublin he got through a family member, from the Canadian prairies. Could you shed any light on this item regarding its age and the...
September 2012, Issue 106, page 74
One Day They Will
Glenfiddich puts in a serious challenge, observes Jonny McCormick
April 2012, Issue 103, page 70
The price is right
Jonny McCormick reports on the Spring whisky auctions, some spectacular Macallan prices and why Bruichladdich is on the up.
April 2010, Issue 87, page 74
A table of two names (Brora)
Gavin D Smith delves into Brora's past.
January 2008, Issue 69, page 30
In conversation with Dr Nicholas Morgan
Charles Maclean talks to Dr Nicholas Morgan who, as UDV's Marketing Direcotr (Malts), is responsibel for the largest portfolio of malt whiskies in the world.
June 2001, Issue 16, page 75
Weather watching
Rob Allanson ponders that eternal question:what's your favourite?
April 2007, Issue 63, page 5
In brief
Glenrothes loss
Tributes have poured in for John Sutherland distillery manager of Glenrothes who died recently.
Luke Tegner, Glenrothes brand director said: “John was taken into hospital, initiall...
March 2007, Issue 62, page 7
The unsung saint
Gavin D Smith charts the history of one of the founding distilleries of DCL (Distillers Company Limited) that still entralls enthusiasts.
September 2009, Issue 82, page 32
Collecting dust
Certain whiskies, distillery names and expressions are highly desirable to collectors – Gavin Smith tries to find out why: what makes collectables collectable?
May 2002, Issue 22, page 58
A grievous loss (Rosebank)
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smith looks at the history behind Rosebank
July 2007, Issue 65, page 31
The best Scotch malts in the world
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
May 2004, Issue 39, page 22
A royal threesome
It's one of the easier whisky trivia questions. Which three Scottish distilleries are allowed to append the word 'royal' to their titles, asks Gavin Smith.
November 2000, Issue 12, page 42
Frontier spirit (Oddbins)
A drinks retail pioneer, Oddbins stands head and shoulders above many other UK chains for the way it approaches and sells Scotch – like a fellow whisky lover. Tom Bruce-Gardyne finds out more
June 2002, Issue 23, page 48
Being one of the best
David Stirk, one of Whisky Magazine's tasting panel representatives in Edinburgh, explains what it was like to be part of this definitive tasting and how he and his fellow panelists managed to suriviv...
June 2001, Issue 16, page 50
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
January 2007, Issue 61, page 44
Up and Up
Jonny McCormick on a record breaking month
January 2011, Issue 93, page 74
Taking Caol comfort at Islay's biggest distillery (Caol Ila)
A high proportion of Caol Ila whisky is used for blends. But as Ian Buxton discovered, Diageo is making some excellent single malts available from the enigmatic Islay distillery.
June 2004, Issue 40, page 28
The Lap of Luxury
Sandeep Arora discovers and explores some of the best whisky bars in India.
December 2011, Issue 100, page 44
Spectacular!
Jonny McCormick reports on the year's top priced bottle and salutes Glenmorangie's gains.
July 2010, Issue 89, page 82
Small or Far Away
Jonny McCormick examines life in miniature
February 2013, Issue 109, page 72
Sean's Canadian hub
The Irish Heather is a whisky mecca in downtown Vancouver. Brigid James visited it
July 2005, Issue 49, page 39
Vat is the fuss about?
Are vatted malts set to be the success story of 2004? We asked a group of experts
May 2004, Issue 39, page 20
Conval-no-more
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smithlooks at the history behind Convalmore
September 2007, Issue 66, page 35
The Mission & Message
Meet the man who moved from history to marketing expert
April 2013, Issue 111, page 26
Highland survivor (Millburn)
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smith investigates another gem
June 2007, Issue 64, page 52
Whisky's des res
Sally Toms explores the whisky bar at Glasgow's most luxurious hotel.
November 2008, Issue 76, page 20
The dynasty of Dallas
Gavin D Smithlooks at the fascinating history behind Dallas Dhu
June 2008, Issue 72, page 28
First of the royal malts (Royal Brackla)
Ian Buxton discovers the charms of Royal Brackla, also a RAF base at one time
September 2003, Issue 33, page 44
A royal loss (Glenury Royal)
In the latest in our series Gavin D.Smithtracks down the story behind Glenury Royal
December 2007, Issue 68, page 30
Russians seek out a taste of luxury
A new elite in Russia is demanding the world's very best products, quality single malt among them. Marcin Miller reports
January 2006, Issue 53, page 38
Men behaving well (Jack and Wallace Milroy)
Joanna Simon meets Jack and Wallace Milroy, single malt whisky pioneers, and finds them refusing ot live up to their reputations
August 1999, Issue 5, page 60
From monsters to minnows
Pip Hills looks at who owns what in the world of whisky
March 2003, Issue 29, page 17
A matter of duty
Eighty-five bottles of Scotch are sold every minute in duty-free shops around the world. Martin Moodie looks at where the best ranges can be found, and where it's worth missing your fight for a specia...
May 1999, Issue 3, page 50
On her Majesty's service (Royal Lochnagar)
Royal Lochnagar is an iconic distillery that ticks all the whisky lovers' boxes. Ian Buxton visited it
August 2006, Issue 58, page 32
Fort William's loss
Gavin D.Smith charts the history of one of the two
Fort William distilleries,Glenlochy.
July 2009, Issue 81, page 32
In search of the world's best whiskies
This is the third time we have held the Best of the Best. But as Dominic Roskrow reports, this is the biggest and most ambitious attempt yet to find the world's best whiskies
March 2005, Issue 46, page 18
The deferred consumer
Ulf Buxrud had dedicated a large portion of his life to his passion for malt whisky, enabling him to addemble one of the most inpressive collections of its kind. We caught up with him to find out more...
February 2002, Issue 21, page 56
After dinner heaven
Cigar whiskies to go with a good smoke have become popular,we have a look at some of the best.
January 2007, Issue 61, page 32
Blackadder goes forth
Tom Bruce-Gardyne talks to Robin Tcek, proprietor of the independent bottler blackadder, and finds out why he dislikes filtering, industry attitudes and armchairs
April 2001, Issue 15, page 52
Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky 2013
After many months of debate, scrutiny and four rounds
of voting, Whisky Magazine's international panel of
judges has finally settled on the winners. Here we
reveal who has scooped the coveted Global I...
March 2013, Issue 110, page 39
Happy hunting grounds - Mystery Visitor goes to Speyside
Shrouded in an enigmatic air, Whisky Magazine's undercover visitor centre guru checks out four of Speyside's finest
June 2002, Issue 23, page 44


