Taster biographies
Bethany Brown
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
Ardbeg
Traigh Bhan
LVMH
ABV: 46.2%
Style: Single Malt
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Price per bottle:
Bottling: Distillery
Availability: Worldwide
Bethany
Nose: Green bell pepper and a hint of pickled jalapeño. Well-done wholewheat toast. Sesame-seed rye crackers. Tinned pineapple rings and crème anglaise. Hazelnut praline.
Palate: Medium. Creamy custard tarts with buttery puff pastry. Soft caramel and pears poached in vanilla syrup. Subtle note of iodine and the vegetal bitterness of raw green bell and jalapeño peppers.
Finish: Long. Gentle bonfire smoke and fresh mango linger.
Comments: A laid-back, easy-drinking single malt to relax over with friends.
8.3
Christopher
Nose: Earthy and woody. Mossy, then antiseptic. Burning charcoal and burnt wholemeal sourdough toast. Swimming pool, then lime zest, then rubber gloves. Under all this, cocoa, sandalwood, and cut slate. Fresh green apple and pear, too.
Palate: Light-medium. Medicinal. Limeade, leafy greens, smoked apples and pears. Liquorice, clove and cardamom. Baked fennel, with simple syrup sweetness. Under all this, sourdough bread.
Finish: The smoke lingers on and on as subtle tannins slowly dry out the palate.
Comments: The whisky Gaia would drink.
8.6
13th Colony
Double Oak Bourbon
THIRTEENTH COLONY DISTILERY
ABV: 68.4%
