Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2022 i Whisky Advocate

Fall weather can be fickle. One day you need a scarf and cardigan, the next you’re pulling out summer clothing again. Luckily, depending on how you serve them, whisky cocktails can provide warmth or refreshment. Heating whisky releases more of the aromatics and flavor nuances of the spirit, while chilled drinks temper whisky’s boldness, allowing other ingredients to step into some of the spotlight. Taste for yourself in the cocktails below. With minimal changes to the recipe, each can be served hot or cold. So even when the temperature fluctuates outside, you can be confident that you’ll end the day with a perfectly balanced nightcap. Lion’s Mane Created by Travis Sanders, beverage director, Hotel Sorrento, Seattle Serve this cocktail cold for a mix of smoke, citrus, baking spices, and sweet…

In a move reported on Whisky Advocate’s website just as summer began, Evan Williams Single Barrel is now a Kentucky-only label. Will you non-Kentuckians miss it? In case you are unfamiliar, Evan Williams Single Barrel is an annual release of 9 year old rye-recipe bourbon. It is single-barrel, corked, wax-sealed, and bottled at an unusual but very specific 86.6 proof (43.3% ABV). The series started in 1995 with the 1986 vintage. Heaven Hill did not originate single-barrel bourbon, but took it one step further with “vintage” labeling. Vintage means the year the whiskey was distilled and barreled. It wasn’t a limited release in the usual sense of a finite number of bottles. So long as distributors kept ordering the current vintage, Heaven Hill kept bottling it until it was time…

Carnoustie Golf Links Carnoustie Golf Links has hosted eight Open Championships since 1937, and its layout, which was formally redesigned by James Braid in 1926, has hosted such esteemed players as Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Tom Watson hoist the Claret Jug. LOCATION Angus PUBLIC ACCESS/RESTRICTIONS Open to visitors seven days a week RESERVATION INFO Email golf@carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk WEBSITE carnoustiegolflinks.com Muirfield As the host venue for 16 Open Championships (and counting), Muirfield has seen victories by some of Britain’s most revered golfers—Harry Vardon, James Braid, and Ted Ray—along with American standouts like Walter Hagen, Jack Nicklaus, and Lee Trevino. LOCATION East Lothian PUBLIC ACCESS/RESTRICTIONS Visitor tee times available on Tuesdays and Thursdays RESERVATION INFO Email bookings@muirfield.org.uk WEBSITE muirfield.org.uk Musselburgh Links Documentation of golf being played at this nine-hole course dates back to 1672.…

Best Values Whiskies with solid scores, modest prices, and wide availability. HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT 91 Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish, 43%, $40 The sherry cask influence is apparent, and to great effect. The alluring nose is a symphony of raisins, Fig Newtons, quince paste, white peach, and dried pineapple. More fruit follows on the palate, which is delicate despite being heavy on fruit leather flavors. A touch of honey and a zip of lemon peel add even more dimension. The lengthy finish is fruity, with delightful wood spice at the tail end. (7,800 bottles)—JH TENNESSEE 90 Jack Daniel’s Bonded, 50%, $35 Fruity and fresh, there’s a whole lot to parse out on the nose, starting with citrus zest, Asian pear, cantaloupe, and banana peel. A drizzle of honey is a precursor…

Prima & Ultima Master blender Dr. Craig Wilson had the privileged task of selecting the rare casks—the first and last of their kind—for this third release of Diageo’s Prima & Ultima series. Acquiring one of the 317 full sets will set you back £36,500/$43,400, but for the first time, four of the individual bottles from the collection will be released for sale in the U.S. on their own. Based on the theme of “A Moment in Time,” the collection comprises eight whiskies with a combined maturation of nearly 300 years. It marks the series debut of Royal Lochnagar, and it’s the first collection to feature both Brora and Port Ellen whiskies: That hasn’t happened since the 2017 Diageo Special Releases. To mark this year’s Platinum Jubilee, the Port Ellen was…

90 Barrell Gold Label Seagrass 20 year old Rye Finished in Martinique Rum, Madeira, and Apricot Brandy Barrels, 64.06%, $500 Fruity flavors unite! Zesty lemon meshes with bing cherries, mandarin orange, red berries, strawberry frosting, and watermelon juice, resulting in a playful and enticing nose. If you thought the nose was fruit-forward, just wait until you take a sip; raspberry coulis, strawberry syrup, and maraschino cherries burst through. The heat from this one may very well singe your eyebrows, so consider adding water or big ice to mellow the spiciness out.—JH 90 Proof and Wood Good Day 21 year old Blended, 52%, $100 A bouquet in the glass, abundant with freshly cut grass, jasmine, and orange blossom. That changes dramatically upon first sip, where there’s a mouthwatering heat to the…

BLENDED 89 Talnua Heritage Selection, 43%, $50 Paying homage to the tradition of blending, this combines Talnua’s American single pot still with Irish grain whiskey. Sweetness and spice on the nose, with honey, vanilla, graham cracker, pepper, clove, and dry-roasted spices. This carries a weighty texture with flavors of maple syrup, toffee apple, gentle spice, golden sultana, ground ginger, orange peel, hazelnut, and baking spices, leading to a dry spicy finish with tangy citrus and gingersnaps. (Colorado only)—JM AUSTRALIA 91 Starward Octave Barrels Single Malt, 48%, $80/700 ml Some candied notes on the nose, but also very piney, with fresh wood and hints of mint. Lots of chocolate and mint-chocolate chip ice cream on the palate, pine nuts, and notes of pine bough, menthol, dark chocolate, and coffee. This is…

You might ask yourself why we’re doing a supplement on the topic of tequila. Some of you might not like the idea, but I suspect that most of you will be intrigued enough to check it out. Whisky lovers tend to be curious folks in search of new things, and luxury expressions in cognac, rum, and tequila are all kindred “spirits” to whisky in a certain way, if you’ll pardon the pun. As some of you may know, tequila sales have been on fire in recent years. In the old days, it had a reputation as a party drink, generously imbibed in Margaritas and with limes in quantities that were easily affordable. Those were the “mixto” tequilas—made with only 51% or more of tequila’s fermenting base, blue agave, with the…

You’d be hard pressed to find any imbiber who hasn’t had a Margarita or two, but not everyone has taken the time to develop a finer appreciation for tequila. Now might be just the right time to begin the journey. Tequila can deliver much of the same complex flavor development as whisky, while its range—from blanco to extra añejo—offers a breadth of styles from which to choose. Neat A slow sip of a well-made, well-aged tequila can be a sensory delight. “I must confess to being a purist in tequila matters—and by sipping a tequila neat, at room temperature, you can really appreciate the nuances regarding aromas and flavors of a particular tequila expression,” says Carlos Camarena, master distiller at La Alteña Distillery. As opposed to the grain-derived flavors of…

818 Model and media personality Kendall Jenner created this portfolio of three expressions made from agave sourced from Jalisco’s Lowlands. BLANCO 40% • $45 • Rested briefly in oak to provide vanilla elements that complement its fruity and floral undertones. REPOSADO 40% • $55 • Rested in oak barrels and blended with a bit of extra añejo to combine notes of caramel and vanilla with honey, meringue, and pecan elements. AÑEJO 40% • $65 • Aged for more than 1 year in white oak and blended with a bit of extra añejo, this expression has aromas of toasted nuts and chocolate, with a rich, full-bodied flavor. DeLeón Sean “Diddy” Combs owns this brand of three expressions made from agave sourced from Jalisco’s Highlands. BLANCO 40% • $40 • Made from…

Say “tequila,” and many people immediately think “Margarita.” And whether you’re hosting a party or making tacos for two, everyone should know how to make this easy classic without resorting to neon green mixers. Simply shake tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice with ice, then strain into a salt-rimmed glass. But don’t stop at Margaritas. Discover the many ways to enjoy tequila’s different styles. “Tequila is a uniquely complex spirit with an array of pleasant notes that can be incorporated with many flavor profiles that accent each other to create a well-balanced and enjoyable cocktail all year round,” says William Scyphers, beverage director of Cumberland Bar at JW Marriott Nashville. While all tequila adds depth and earthiness to cocktails, blanco tends to add black pepper and citrus flavors, reposado…

THE PRICE IS RIGHT Dear Whisky Advocate, Thank you so much for your description of Wheel Horse bourbon. I live in Texas, and Wheel Horse Batch 2 just got here in Austin through Twin Liquors. I got one, and then went back and got two more! I’ve only been into whiskey and bourbon for less than a year, and Wheel Horse tastes like why I drink bourbon and it’s only $30! There’s no other reason why I would even know about this bourbon if it weren’t for Whisky Advocate! Many thanks, Ed Reidt Dear Ed, Thanks for the kind words, and we couldn’t agree more—what a nice price. Green River Distillery, where Wheel Horse is made, is located in Owensboro, Kentucky, about 100 miles west of Louisville, so it’s somewhat…

Today, we take you behind the closed doors of an exclusive private clinic that’s doing vital work to help the whisky social media community curb their harmful hashtag habits. Doc: Hello, take a seat. I’ll be your social media therapist today. Client: Nice to meet you, Doc. This therapy thing, then, eh? Are you fully qualified? Doc: Do you believe I’m qualified? Client: Are you one of these therapists that answer every question with another question? Doc: Were you expecting me to be one of those therapists? Client: Bravo, wise guy. Doc: Now, you’re here with me today to work through your #BottleKill issues. Client: I don’t have #BottleKill issues. Whenever I finish a bottle of whisky, I simply post a #BottleKill photo online. Nothing wrong with that, is there? Doc:…

What Scotland may lack in size, it makes up for in diversity. It boasts the highest peaks in the British Isles, more than 900 offshore islands including Skye, Islay, Arran, and Jura, a couple of thousand miles of hiking trails, prehistoric sites, medieval castles, and endless beaches. It has the world’s best collection of golf courses, as well as just about every other imaginable outdoor diversion. Scotland has big cities, tiny hamlets, and everything in between. Spread among the towns, cities, and countryside is a wealth of fantastic places to stay, with charming inns and hotels of every size, at every price point, and for every taste. What they all have in common is that you’re never far from a distillery, and you’re even closer to a fantastic selection of…

SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT 96 Macallan 30 year old Sherry Oak (2021 Release), 43%, $4,750 See Collectibles, page 101 95 Macallan 30 year old Double Cask (2021 Release), 43%, $4,250 Sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks produce a layered, complex whisky with notes of honeycomb, satsuma, vanilla, dried lavender, macadamia nut, white-fleshed apples, nectarine, and apricot juice. The qualities of the American oak make for a delightful whisky of honeyed citrus, nutty creaminess, and red apple, becoming more oily in texture, with spicy citrus peel, vanilla sponge, creamy oak, apricot, toffee, and a long, dry finish.—JM 94 Balvenie Rare Marriages 30 year old, 44.2%, $2,400 Needs time to open up, but the nose of this superb whisky reveals cocoa powder, heather honey, milk chocolate, dark berries, dried orange, toasted sourdough, and…

Master distiller Robert Fleming celebrated three decades at Tomintoul Distillery in 2020. When Angus Dundee Distillers bought Tomintoul Distillery from Whyte & Mackay in 2000, they insisted that Fleming remain as part of the deal. Fleming personally selected these long-aged whiskies to showcase the character of the gentle spirit in oloroso sherry casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry butts, and a single bourbon barrel. While only the second and third editions were released in the States, the third-edition single cask is exclusive to the U.S. Now in his 32nd year as the custodian of Tomintoul Distillery, Fleming can take great pride in the quality of these special whiskies named in his honor. 93 Tomintoul 30 year old Robert Fleming 30th Anniversary 2nd Edition, 51.1%, $950 After a 1-year finish in a PX sherry butt,…

IRISH SINGLE MALT 91 Drumshanbo Galánta 2021 Release, 46%, $100 The first single malt from Connacht in 107 years is sweet, juicy, and utterly moreish. It has a bouquet of honeycomb, vanilla sponge, lemon meringue pie, amaretti cookies, marzipan, white pepper, and a spritz of lime. Honey, vanilla, custard creams, peel oils, pepper, and waves of sweet lemon ease into baked fruits, ripe apricot, and sponge fingers soaked in orange liqueur. Gentle spice and Refreshers candy on the finish. (8,400 bottles)—JM IRISH SINGLE POT STILL 94 Method & Madness 33 year old Mizunara Oak Cask Finish, 52.8%, $3,000 See Collectibles, page 101 93 Method & Madness Japanese Cedarwood Finish, 48%, $95 Delivering a unique flavor profile, this opens with delicate, ethereal notes of sweet lychee, grapefruit, white florals, and tangerine…

Situated in a spectacular setting in the Wanaka Valley on the South Island, Cardrona Distillery was founded by Desiree Whitaker. Before building the distillery, Whitaker learned her craft in Scotland and the U.S. from industry figures including the late Dave Pickerell. Distilling commenced in 2015, and this small-scale operation only produces enough spirit to lay down one cask per day. The spirit is distilled in Roaring Meg and Gentle Annie, a pair of copper pot stills built by Forsyths on Speyside. They are modeled on the Glenfarclas stills, although they have less than a tenth of the capacity. Just Hatched gives a glimpse of the developing whisky at 3 years old, Growing Wings checks in at 5 years, and a 7 year old called First Flight is in the works…

With so many varieties of tequila available today, this blue agave-based spirit makes a versatile and exciting addition to your home bar. From light and bright blanco expressions to oaky and smooth añejo, tequila offers something for everyone, and a wide range of labels adds to the sense of fun and exploration. Tequila is a spirit with a true sense of place, as it’s produced only in Mexico—primarily in the state of Jalisco, along with a few local municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, and Nayarit—and can vary greatly depending on the region’s specific terroir. Tequilas from the Highlands—a region known as Los Altos—tend to be sweeter and fruiter, while those from the Lowlands, or El Valle, have more peppery and herbal qualities. Unaged blanco expressions work well in Margaritas and…

The list of celebrities getting into the tequila space continues to grow. Here are a few more tequilas launched by notable names. Ambhar Actor Chris Noth owns a majority stake in the Ambhar tequila brand, which includes expressions of plata (silver), reposado, and añejo. Calirosa Singer Adam Levine and his wife, model Behati Prinsloo, launched Calirosa, a 100% agave tequila, last year. Along with añejo and extra añejo expressions, its lineup includes a rosa blanco which is aged briefly in California red wine barrels, giving it a pink hue. Dos Primos Country music star Thomas Rhett worked with his cousin Jeff Worn on Dos Primos tequila, creating 100% agave blanco and reposado varieties that aim to showcase Mexican heritage with a southern slant. Flecha Azul Actor Mark Wahlberg has become…

Chili is the Martini of the North American culinary world, in that everyone knows how to make it, but few agree on which method to use. Atop the list of debates is whether or not kidney beans belong in the recipe, with the nothing-but-meat advocates being particularly vocal in defense of their position. Then comes the matter of heat: mouth-burning from fresh chiles, moderately hot from dried pepper or simply a bit piquant from chile powder. And should the tomato element be fresh, canned, or added as sauce, if indeed it should be present at all? Most non-purist chili aficionados would agree, however, that there are three or possibly four primary families of chili: Texas, with cubed beef and no beans; vegetarian; beef and bean, some times simply known as…

I just finished “The Palace Papers,” a look inside the house of Windsor (nee Mountbatten, nee Battenberg, nee Saxe-Coburg Gotha) by Tina Brown, a woman who has edited four or five different magazines and never bought so much as a conjunction from me. The book is a treat though, with revelations about Prince Andrew that make Princess Margaret look like Mother Theresa, and that the unwritten (one hopes) rules for Royal Adultery call for a cessation of mistress relations during “the breeding,” i.e. production of heirs. I’d been reading the more salacious parts to the Steadfast Monica, the woman who shares this vale of tears with me, at least so far, and who makes the odd appearance in print because it’s easier than writing all this stuff myself. Apart from…

Sailing is an oft-overlooked way to explore the coastline of Scotland’s Western Isles. This 130-mile-long archipelago, known as the Outer Hebrides, forms the extreme western edge of Scotland and is the perfect destination for those seeking freedom, solitude, and epic adventure. It’s an island hopper’s paradise with thousands of miles of coastline to explore—the land of Compton Mackenzie’s “Whisky Galore!,” the origin of Harris Tweed, and a wildlife haven of eagles and whales. There are golden sandy beaches lapped by turquoise seas, a moonscape of boulders across Harris, peat stacks drying on the bogs of Lewis, and the summer blooms of the machair, Uist’s fertile grasslands. The Calanais Standing Stones, Dun Carloway Broch, and the peat smoke-filled dwellings known as blackhouses provide an evocative insight into the old ways of…

The Buying Guide provides ratings of whiskies from around the world with an emphasis on new releases available for purchase in the U.S. Complete tasting notes are provided for all whiskies scoring 84 points or more (on the Whisky Advocate 100-point scale). Lower-scoring whiskies are included at the discretion of the editors, and some may appear exclusively on whiskyadvocate.com. RATINGS AND PRICES Ratings are to provide a relative comparison of quality with reference to both directly competing products and whiskies in general. Price is not a consideration when arriving at ratings. Prices shown reflect the suggested retail price or a representative retail price. Actual retail prices may vary. Whiskies sold in the U.S. have prices marked in dollars; any whisky priced in other currency is not presently available in the…

BOURBON 93 Booker’s “Ronnie’s Batch 2022-01,” 62.15%, $90 Richly herbal on the nose, with dark fruits, subtle notes of cooked meat and barbecue, sweet pickles, hints of cinnamon, and vanilla cream. Very creamy on the palate, well-spiced, with more meaty flavors, cinnamon stick, and chocolate ball. A lot of depth of flavor here, and the texture is creamy despite the heft. A great spice bomb with an explosive finish full of more cinnamon spice, cooked fruit, and chocolate sweetness.—DF 92 Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut, 58.75%, $45 Vanilla wafers and fresh marshmallows on the nose, with bake shop notes of fresh pastry. The palate is spicy and rich, with flavors of chocolate fudge, coffee, black pepper, and cooked red fruits. Water brings out more chocolate and spice. Very well-balanced and…

91 Hatozaki Omakase Collection 8 year old Pure Malt Mizunara Cask Finish, 46%, $90 This one has plenty to say for itself: sweet and spicy mizunara characteristics with aromas of baked apple, heather honey, golden sultana, marzipan, dried orange peel, and stone fruits. Created by Kimio Yonezawa, Kaikyo Distillery’s master distiller and blender, there is a burst of fragrant spice disrupting the flavors of red apple and golden syrup, relinquishing control to candied orange, apricot, and crystalized ginger. Definitely deserves your attention. (3,500 bottles)—JM…

While there are many brands and styles of tequila available today, the spirit can only be classified in two ways based on how it’s made: 100% agave and mixto. Both have an important place within the spirit’s history and each has its own applications for sipping or mixing into cocktails. All tequilas, regardless of type, must be made from the Weber blue agave plant sourced from one of five states in Mexico. Tequilas labeled as 100% agave must be made using only the sugars from Weber blue agaves, while mixtos need only contain 51% agave sugars, with the remaining percentage allowed to come from other sugar sources like cane syrup, molasses, or high fructose corn syrup. By Mexican law, any sugar additives in mixto must go in before fermentation. Additionally,…

Tequila is made only in Mexico—and primarily in the state of Jalisco, which lies in the center of the country like a beating heart. Like so much of the Mexican countryside, Jalisco is remarkably scenic, offering views of high mountain ranges and scrubland, rolling fields of blue agave and Pacific Ocean beaches. While best known for tequila, Jalisco is also the birthplace of Mariachi music, whose singers will serenade you on many occasions during your visit. Jalisco’s charming town of Tequila is to its namesake spirit what the town of Sonoma is to its surrounding wine country, and is the heart and soul of the region’s production. Located only 40 miles northwest of the cosmopolitan city of Guadalajara (population 1.5 million), Tequila is home to La Rojeña, Latin America’s oldest…