Whisky - UK (2020-05)

66 Whisky Magazine | Issue 167

SCOTLAND AMERICA REST OF WORLD

Tastings: Latest

Taster biographies

Rob Allanson

Rob is editor-at-large of Whisky Magazine and formally

held the position as a global brand ambassador for William

Grant & Sons' whisky portfolio. His experience in the

industry, which has seen him explore whiskies from around

the world, has given him a keen and well-versed palate.

Becky Paskin

Becky has been writing about food and drink for over a

decade, after stepping out from behind the bar to take up

her pen. For her industry work, Becky has been made a

Keeper of the Quaich and is now a freelance sprits writer

and co-founder of Our Whisky.

THE PROCESS

• All samples are blind tasted, with ABV and style the only
  information disclosed.


• Samples are tasted individually over a two week period.


• Tasters are provided tasting and scoring guidelines
  for consistency.


• The top scorer is awarded Editor’s Choice.


• Scores of 17+ receive a Recommended award.

Antique Armchair

Bunnahabhain

WEMYSS MALTS

ABV: 46%

Style: Single Cask, Single Malt

Region: Islay

Price per bottle:

Bottling: Independent

Availability: Worldwide

Rob

9.1 9.6

Becky

Nose: Oh yes, what

a start, slow cooked

pork with cumin and

turmeric rub, cherry

and horseradish sauce,

griddled peaches with

brown sugar.

Palate: Continues from

the nose with hits of

cherry and applewood

smoking chips, plenty of

fruit, toffee apples and

poached pears. A rich,

creamy and spice-laden

vanilla depth.

Finish: Slowly dries with

all those spices, leaving

warm embers and

plenty of sweetness.

Comments: A stunner

of an Islay whisky, great

balance of sweet fruits,

smoke and wood notes.

Send case please.

Nose: Sticky grilled

pineapple and gooey

cooked banana drizzled

with toffee sauce.

Barbecued meat,

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bottles too.

Palate: Drying on the

sides of the mouth,

but with lots of grilled

fruits – peaches,

pineapple and banana

skin. A bold Sherry

sweetness, speckled

with cinnamon, ginger

and pepper.

Finish: Sherry, banana

and a little smoke.

Comments: Superb.

Delicious. Buy a bottle.

Black Gold

Bowmore

WEMYSS MALTS

ABV: 50%

Style: Single Cask, Single Malt

Region: Islay

Price per bottle:

Bottling: Independent

Availability: Worldwide

Rob

8.5 8.7

Becky

Nose: Plenty of fruit hits

off this, grilled pineapple

and bruised mint, melon

with cinnamon, candied

nuts and a moreish

saline edge too.

Palate: Ah that’s where

the smoke is hiding,

coal tar soap and dying

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citrus notes, oranges

and dark chocolate,

lemon oil and melted

vanilla and brown sugar

with a little clove.

Finish: Everything rolls

in together wrapped

in those glorious peat

notes and then dries.

Comments: Like eating

lemon drizzle cake and

vanilla ice cream at the

end of the pier.

Nose: A beach breeze: a

little salt, sand and kelp.

Toasted almond butter,

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Palate: Mouth coating

and full of sweet

blood orange juice,

roasted nectarines

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smoke winds through,

with added punch

from some anise and

cardamom as well.

Finish: Smoky, citrusy

and a little bitter, like

grilled orange skins.

Comments: Fruit-

forward and juicy yet still

smoky and gripping.

Arbikie

Highland Rye

ARBIKIE DISTILLING LTD

ABV: 46%

Style: Rye

Region: Highland

Price per bottle:

Bottling: Distillery

Availability: Worldwide

Rob

8.9 9.2

Becky

Nose: As warm and

inviting as a blanket

straight from the tumble

drier. Plenty of spice,

cinnamon, cumin and

a little powdered chilli.

Smoked vanilla pods

and herb scented salt.

Palate: Those spices

continue to warm up,

peppermint and cherry

cordial notes. Slowly

things become fruity,

with tinned peaches,

dried apricots.

Finish: Warming and

lasting, all that fruit

gives it a real sweet

edge that lingers.

Comments: Wonderful

stuff, soothing and

calming. One to take to

the end of the garden

and contemplate life.

Nose: Pow! That’s a

spicy dram. Let it settle

though, for aromas

of warm, toasted and

buttered rye bread,

menthol liquorice

blackcurrants and

smoky black cardamom.

Palate: Juicy

blackcurrants and

blackberries, liquorice

twists and menthol.

Surprisingly soft,

fruity and juicy with a

comforting rye spice.

Finish: Slightly dry.

Some blackcurrant

cough sweets.

Comments: Delightful.

A much-needed hug in

a glass.

SCOTLAND

SCOTLAND SCOTLAND

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