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 served as Whisky Magazine’s Scotch whisky editor before being appointed as editor in 2020. In 2022, he was named editor-at-large and now writes a regular column for this title, in addition to his role as a blind taster. He is also chair of judges for the World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky competitions.
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
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Sherry Cask Matured
BERRY BROS. & RUDD
ABV: 44.2%
Style: Blended Malt
Country: SCOTLAND
Region: N/A
Price per bottle:
Bottling: Independent
Availability: UK
Phoebe
Nose: A lovely combination of tropical dried fruits, followed by dates, caramelised sugar and old, earthy wood.
Palate: The darker fruit notes are brighter here, with more dates, blackberry yoghurt and caramel sauce. Chocolate chunks and candied peel appear with a hint of ginger.
Finish: Dried dark fruits linger with a sweet spicy hit.
Comments: A lot of lovey dark fruity notes here, with interesting progression and just the right amount of old wood character to play with.
8.4
Christopher
Nose: Black treacle, tar, and curry powder, with meaty and rubbery aromas. Blue cheese and malt extract (Marmite). Under it, there’s bruised red apple, anise and nutmeg.
Palate: Medium. Red vermouth and liquorice, samphire and roast beef. With water, it sweetens considerably as toffee and dark chocolate emerge. Pumpkin pie spices, too.
Finish: Short and drying, with subtle apple core.
Comments: An unusual style that reminds me somewhat of a Oaxacan mole sauce.
7.9
Balcones
Baby Blue Corn Whisky
BALCONES DISTILLING
ABV: 46.0%
Style: Corn
Country: USA
Region: Texas
Price per bottle:
Bottling: Distillery
Availability: UK
Phoebe
Nose: Syrupy orange polenta cake, with a vanilla cream frosting and malted milk biscuits.
