Taster biographies
Bethany Whymark
After studying English literature at university, Bethany worked as a journalist for regional newspaper groups before moving to the spirits industry. She was appointed as editor of Whisky Magazine in 2022, having previously edited its sister titles Gin and Rum. She is also editor of annual publications Travelux and Scotch Whisky.
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
• 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
Cù Bòcan
Creation #5
TOMATIN DISTILLERY
ABV: 46%
Style: Single Malt
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Price per bottle:
Bottling: Distillery
Availability: Worldwide
Bethany
Nose: Red wine and spicy sherry. Cinnamon, clove, and orange curd. Fresh blackcurrant and underripe cherry. Hints of sour cream and hot mash.
Palate: Medium. Malty fruitcake, with rich dates and baked figs. Vanilla-flecked Chantilly cream and toffee sauce. Hints of Armagnac and lemon juice. Multigrain hoop cereal. The fresh fruit notes brighten to raspberry.
Finish: Medium-long, on raisin and walnut malt loaf.
Comments: Delicious. For a fortified wine cask lover who wants some extra oomph.
8.7
Christopher
Nose: Raspberry and blackcurrant fromage frais, toffee sauce, tamarind, delicate gingerbread, and burnt brown bread.
Palate: Light-medium. Toffee cake, baked red apple tart with lots of brown sugar, roasted pine nuts, wholemeal bread, and smoked butter. Subtle citrus peels and a herbal note of rosemary and thyme.
Finish: Medium. A sweet and creamy coffee note emerges. wrong with that.
Comments: Cake and coffee – can’t go
8.0
Ad Gefrin
Tácnbora
AD GEFRIN
ABV: 42.7%
Style: Blended
: England
