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
• 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
Bankhall
Triple Pot Distilled
HALEWOOD ARTISANAL SPIRITS
ABV: 46%
Style: Grain
Country: England
Region: N/A
Price per bottle:
Bottling: Distillery
Availability: UK
Bethany
Nose: Fresh apricot and nectarine. Cloudy apple juice and the syrup from tinned fruit cocktail. Hint of Farley’s Rusk and corn tortilla dough. Subtle floral notes and toffee sauce.
Palate: Medium bodied. Sticky toffee pudding with dates, and a hint of boot polish. Savoury seeded cracker. Orange citrus, like expressed peel. A little ripe banana and stem ginger.
Finish: Medium. A little tannic and warm, with notes of toffee and black tea.
Comments: Calm the heat and enhance the fruit notes with a little water.
7.9
Christopher
Nose: Wood polish, heather honey, fudge, fresh blackberries, new leather, and pine needles. Quite resinous, with pecan-flavoured coffee beans, too.
Palate: Medium-full. Dried apricots, caramel, some fleeting rose and black cherry notes, then back to bitter dark chocolate and espresso. Some raisin and mixed candied citrus peels. Chinese five spice and green peppercorn.
Finish: Long, on caramel and white pepper.
Comments: Smells like a freshly dumped bourbon barrel and tastes like American whiskey. I wouldn’t guess it was English!
7.9
Ardbeg
Heavy Vapours
LVMH
ABV: 46%
