Tastings Latest

Taster biographies

Phoebe Calver

As editor of American Whiskey Magazine and deputy editor of Whisky Magazine, Phoebe splits her focus between the US and ‘global’ whisky scenes. She is also co-host of Whisky Live TV and a global whisky taster for this title.

Christopher Coates

A member of the team since 2013 and a keen whisky drinker long before that, Christopher was appointed as editor of Whisky Magazine in 2020. Beyond this, he is a keen photographer and chair of judges for the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky.

THE PROCESS

• All samples are blind tasted, with ABV, country/region and style the only information disclosed
• Samples are tasted individually over a two-week period
• Tasters work to tasting and scoring guidelines in order to assess samples consistently
• The top-scoring sample is awarded Editor’s Choice
• Samples receiving scores of 16.5+ receive a Recommended award

Angels’ Nectar

Cairngorms 3rd Edition - Single Cask Speyside - 12 Years Old

HIGHFERN LTD

ABV: 46.00%

Style: Single Malt

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside

Price per bottle:

Phoebe

Nose: Crunchy nut cornflakes up first, becoming more fruity with juicy pears and sandalwood notes.

Palate: Green apple skins jump in, more of that honey crunch, caramel drizzled over poached pear slices and a kick of almond.

Finish: Fresh and lingering, with just a hint of Bakewell tart.

Comments: This develops through the palate and into the finish, delivering the unexpected as it goes.

8.1

Christopher

Nose: Straw, honey cake, vanilla malt shake, and Robinsons Fruit & Barley lemon diluting juice. Subtle jasmine notes.

Palate: Light. Delicately creamy, with lots of vanilla sponge, icing sugar and lemon notes. Some white grape juice, subtle elderflower cordial, and a little caramel. Stewed apples and pears, too.

Finish: Medium. Ends on the orchard fruits, honey and vanilla.

Comments: Fresh and summery. Very easy drinking, but with enough going on to