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Brands and Distilleries : Rare Malts

Issue 103 Out Now

Whisky Magazine Issue 103

World Whiskies Awards edition 2012

 

Rare Malts

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?

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

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.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Rare Malts Brora 1982, 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 58.10%
8 Refreshing start; soothing finish. Quite a trick.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

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.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

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.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

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.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

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.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Rare Malts Port Ellen 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.90%
9 Bring on the caeser salad.

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

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

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

Sean's Canadian hub
The Irish Heather is a whisky mecca in downtown Vancouver. Brigid James visited it

July 2005, Issue 49, page 39

Conval-no-more
In the latest of our series Gavin D Smithlooks at the history behind Convalmore

September 2007, Issue 66, page 35

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

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

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

Icons of Whisky 2012
Following months of debate,scrutiny and several rounds of voting,Whisky Magazine's international judging panel has finally settled on the winners. We reveal who has collected the coveted Icons

March 2012, Issue 102, page 49

Fine Scottish fayre
Glasgow restaurant Arisaig is fast becoming a whisky venue of some note.Ian Buxton visited it

September 2005, Issue 50, page 44

Elementary my dear Michael
Michael Jackson visits Sherlock's Home in Minnesota: he loves the bar, hates the pun

March 1999, Issue 2, page 39

A distillery seeped in history (Clynelish)
Ian Buxton travels North of Inverness to the remote distillery at Clynelish

July 2005, Issue 49, page 34

A gem in the eye of a storm (Cardhu)
Say the word ‘Cardhu' and it stirs up images of underhand dealings. But the distillery intrinsically linked to last year's scandal is charming and impressive, and its staff outstanding. Ian Buxton r...

January 2005, Issue 45, page 30

Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1977 Rare Malts
Master of Malt
£152.43
Caol Ila 1975 20 Year Old Rare Malts
The Whisky Exchange
£499.00
Clynelish 1972 23 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£525.00
Clynelish 1974 23 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£250.00
Dailuaine 22 Year Old 1973 Rare Malts 20cl
Master of Malt
£124.80
Glen Ord 1973 23 Year Old Rare Malts 59.8%
Whisky-Online.com
£350.00
Glendullan 1973 23 Year Old Rare Malts
The Whisky Exchange
£450.00
Hillside 1969 25 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£1,450.00
Hillside 1970 25 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£475.00
Hillside 1971 25 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£450.00
Linkwood 1974 23 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£225.00
Linkwood 26 Year Old Rare Malts 1975
The Whisky Barrel
£145.99
Port Ellen 1978 22 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£550.00
St. Magdalene 1970 23 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£499.00
St. Magdalene 1970 23 Year Old Rare Malts
Whisky-Online.com
£450.00
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