The Malt Maniacs Awards 2012

Dear fellow whisky lovers and afficionados, the Malt Maniacs have been enjoying and discussing the joys and pleasures of single malt whisky for fifteen years now, ever since The Malt Maniacs was formed in 1997.

Since 2003 we have organised our own whisky competition; MMA (The Malt Maniacs Awards) which we firmly believe has evolved into one of the most important, influential and independent whisky competitons in the annual whisky calendar.

2012 is no exception as we hold our 10th edition of MMA and it is with great pleasure we now present to you the results of our labours over the last two months as 10 strictly amateur judges from our collective have tasted, nosed, sampled and re-sampled all the entries and submitted their final scores.

The Malt Maniacs Awards is a competition with two facets; firstly there are the awards themselves where we categorise all entries into three price ranges;

Daily Drams are bottles with a typical price no higher than €50

Premium whiskies are bottles in the range from €51 to €150

Ultra Premium whiskies have a typical price greater than €150

Then, within each category we offer 5 separate awards Supreme winner, Best sherried whisky, Best peated whisky, Best ‘natural’ cask(s) and finally, a Thumbs Up award for the whisky we believe deserves a special mention. It’s also worth noting that no single bottling may win more than one award.

So, without further ado we’d like to announce the MMA 2012 category awards

Ultra Premium Category

Supreme Winner: Glendronach 40yo 1972/2012 (50.2%, OB for LMDW, D2/3/’72 B3/’12, C#713, oloroso sherry butt, 476 Bts.)

Best Sherried Whisky: Glengoyne 1972/2012 (55.5%, Malts of Scotland, D9/’72 B9/’12, C#12044, sherry hogshead, 254 Bts.)

Best Peated Whisky: Benriach 27yo 1984/2012 (52.2%, OB, B7/’12, Hogshead, C#4050, tawny port finish, 283 Bts.)

Best Natural Casks: Glenury Royal 40yo 1970/2011 (59.4%, OB, 1500 Bts.)

Thumbs Up Award: Karuizawa ‘Noh’ 28yo 1983/2012 (57.2%, OB, C#7576, sherry butt, 571 Bts.)

Premium Category

Supreme Winner: Glenfarclas 1990/2011 (57%, OB The Family Casks for TSMC Taiwan, B12/12/’11, C#5098, 596 Bts.)

Best Sherried Whisky: Yamazaki ‘Sherry Cask’ (48%, OB, NAS, 2011*)

Best Peated Whisky: Elements of Islay ‘Pl1’ (60%, The Whisky Exchange, ‘Port Charlotte’)

Best Natural Casks: Glen Scotia 20yo 1991/2012 (44.2%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#1, sherry butt)

Thumbs Up Award: Laphroaig 1996/2012 (56.1%, Malts of Scotland, D6/’96 B9/’12, C#MoS 12041, sherry hogshead, 240 Bts.)

Daily Dram Category

Supreme Winner: Aberlour ‘A’Bunadh Batch #39’ (59.8%, OB, NAS, Oloroso sherry butts, 2011*)

Best Sherried Whisky: Bushmills 16yo (40%, OB, Oloroso & bourbon, Port cask finish, 2012*)

Best Peated Whisky: Lagavulin 16yo (43%, OB, 2012*)

Best Natural Casks: Kilkerran ‘Work in Progress’ (46%, OB, NAS, 4th batch, 2012)

Thumbs Up Award: Peat Reek 13yo (61.5%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, B6/’12, C#2012/1, 268 Bts., 2012)

As we mentioned earlier; The Malt Maniacs Awards is a competition with two facets, you’ve been introduced to the award winners, but we also acknowledge quality by awarding medals throughout the full range of entries. 90 Points or above, on average across all our judges, means a gold medal is awarded, 85-89 points wins a silver medal and 80-84 points a bronze medal.

For the complete scores of all judges you can download the Scorecard in PDF format.

Bottlers wanting to use the graphics can find them here.

Gold Medals

92 Glendronach 40yo 1972/2012 (50.2%, OB for LMDW, D2/3/’72 B3/’12, C#713, oloroso sherry butt, 476 Bts.)
92 Glengoyne 1972/2012 (55.5%, Malts of Scotland, D9/’72 B9/’12, C#12044, sherry hogshead, 254 Bts.)
91 Glendronach 40yo 1971/2011 (47.5%, OB for Taiwan, D25/2/’71 B8/’11, C#1248, PX sherry puncheon, 545 Bts.)
91 Karuizawa ‘Noh’ 28yo 1983/2012 (57.2%, OB, C#7576, sherry butt, 571 Bts.)
90 Glenfarclas 1990/2011 (57%, OB The Family Casks for TSMC Taiwan, B12/12/’11, C#5098, 596 Bts.)
90 Glendronach 41yo 1971/2012 (48.9%, OB, D25/2/’71 B6/’12, C#1247, PX sherry puncheon, 529 Bts.)
90 Longmorn 44yo 1967/2011 (48.3%, G&M Book of Kells for LMDW, D4/2/’67 B5/9/’11, C#592)
90 Karuizawa 1984/2012 (61.6%, Number One Drinks, “Single Cask”, C#3692, sherry butt, 359 Bts.)
90 Glen Grant 58yo 1953 (47.9%, Gordon & McPhail Book of Kells for LMDW, C#2604, sherry butt, 294 Bts.)
90 Elements of Islay ‘Pl1’ (60%, The Whisky Exchange, ‘Port Charlotte’)
90 Benriach 27yo 1984/2012 (52.2%, OB, B7/’12, Hogshead, C#4050, tawny port finish, 283 Bts.)
90 Yamazaki ‘Sherry Cask’ (48%, OB, NAS, 2011*)

 

Silver Medals

89 Hakushu ‘Sherry Cask’ (48%, OB, NAS, 2012*)
89 Laphroaig 1996/2012 (56.1%, Malts of Scotland, D6/’96 B9/’12, C#MoS 12041, sherry hogshead, 240 Bts.)
89 Glenrothes 42yo 1969/2012 (42.6%, Adelphi, C#2, 297 Bts.)
89 Glengoyne ‘Teapot Dram’ (58.8%, OB Distillery Only, first fill sherry casks)
88 Balvenie ‘Tun 1401 Batch #5’ (50.1%, OB, NAS, 2012)
88 Bowmore 15yo 1996/2011 (57.3%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#960005, sherry butt)
87 Grand Castle 18yo 1993/2012 (57.4%, OB, C#3593, 631 Bts.)
87 Glenury Royal 40yo 1970/2011 (59.4%, OB, 1500 Bts.)
87 Northern Islay 20yo 1990/2011 (46%, L’Esprit, D24/12/’90 B18/8/’11, C#13, first fill sherry butt, 78 Bts.)
87 Karuizawa 29yo 1983/2012 (62.1%, OB for LMDW, C#8597, bourbon cask, 282 Bts.)
87 Glen Grant 37yo 1974/2012 (49.3%, Berry Bros & Rudd, C#7646)
87 Yoichi 1989/2012 (60%, OB for LMDW, D12/2/’89 B3/7/’12, C#202393, recharged hogshead, 148 Bts.)
87 Bunnahabhain 38yo 1973/2012 (41.2%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#1, sherry butt)
87 Benrinnes 13yo 1998/2012 (53.5%, A.D. Rattray Cask Collection, D2/9/’98 B22/2/’12, C#6850, 499 Bts.)
87 Glenfarclas 20yo ‘105’ (60%, OB, 2012*)
87 Glenlivet 30yo 1981/2012 (53.4%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, D5/11/’81 B28/2/’12, C#9457, sherry hogshead, 186 Bts.)
87 Glenrothes 21yo 1990/2011 (60.1%, Wilson & Morgan for Taiwan, C#12899, sherry butt)
87 Glendronach 18yo ‘Allardice’ (46%, OB, Oloroso sherry casks, 2012*)
86 North British 50yo 1962/2012 (44.2%, Adelphi, C#39, 172 Bts.)
86 Glen Grant 37yo 1975/2012 (49.6%, Exclusive Malts for whisky.com Taiwan, D18/4/’75, C#5477, refill hogshead, 140 Bts.)
86 Glenlivet 38yo 1973/2012 (47.6%, Berry Bros & Rudd, C#10822)
86 Glenglassaugh 33yo 1978/2012 (44.8%, OB, D10/’78 B7/’12, Massandra Connection, Madeira style, 437 Bts., 2012)
86 Glen Scotia 20yo 1991/2012 (44.2%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#1, sherry butt)
86 Tormore 1988/2012 (55.4%, Malts of Scotland, D9/’88 B9/’12, C#MoS 12043, sherry butt, 524 Bts.)
86 Glenturret 34yo (47.6%, Berry Bros & Rudd, C#2, 2012)
86 Glenturret 34yo 1977/2012 (47.9%, Master of Malt Single Cask, D28/10/’77 B5/’12, refill sherry hogshead, 247 Bts.)
86 Littlemill 22yo 1990/2012 (52.2%, The Whisky Agency, refill sherry butt, 719 Bts.)
86 Bunnahabhain 1997/2012 ‘Driftwood’ (46%, Wemyss Malts, hogshead, 374 Bts.)
86 Caol Ila 16yo 1995/2012 (52.2%, Whisky Doris, D8/’95 B4/’12, C#9814, bourbon hogshead, 310 Bts.)
86 Benromach 30yo (43%, OB, first fill & refill sherry,2011*)
86 Bunnahabhain 13yo 1998/2012 (55.2%, Adelphi for Taiwan Whisky Club, C#6039, 629 Bts.)
86 Aberlour ‘A’Bunadh Batch #39’ (59.8%, OB, NAS, Oloroso sherry butts, 2011*)
86 Longmorn 19yo 1992/2012 (58.8%, Berry Bros & Rudd for whisky.com Taiwan, C#71769)
86 Glen Scotia 1991/2012 ‘Strawberry Ganache’ (46%, Wemyss Malts, butt, 833 Bts.)
86 Kavalan ‘Solist’ (56.3%, OB for Taiwan SMWTA, NAS, Taiwan, C#R061113061, bourbon cask, 170 Bts.)
85 Knockando 25yo (43%, OB, European oak, 4758 Bts., 2012*)
85 Karuizawa 1982/2012 (46%, The Whisky Exchange, C#8497, first fill bourbon)
85 Talisker 25yo (45.8%, OB, refill casks, 5946 Bts., 2011)
85 Bushmills 16yo (40%, OB, Oloroso & bourbon, Port cask finish, 2012*)
85 Glenesk 28yo 1983/2012 (54.6%, Blackadder Raw Cask, D16/11/’83 B1/’12, C#4929, refill sherry butt, 248 Bts.)
85 Longrow 11yo ‘Red’ (52.1%, OB, 7y refill bourbon & 4y Cabernet Sauvignon, 9000 Bts.)
85 Linkwood 1991/2012 (46%, Jean Boyer Best Casks of Scotland, first fill sherry)
85 Ballechin (46%, OB, NAS, bordeaux hogshead, 6000 Bts., 2012*)
85 Lagavulin 16yo (43%, OB, 2012*)
85 Bowmore 15yo 1997/2012 (53.7%, Whisky-Fässle, ‘Duck Edition’, bourbon hogshead)
85 Amrut ‘Peated’ (62.7%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, B6/’12, C#BA14/2012, 282 Bts.)
85 Lagavulin 12yo (57.5%, OB, 2011)
85 Lark (43%, OB, C#202, port cask, 2011)
85 Longmorn 20yo 1992/2012 (57.2%, Adelphi, C#48433, 285 Bts.)
85 Caol Ila 30yo 1980/2011 (56.3%, Maltbarn, ex-sherry butt, 66 Bts.)
85 Caol Ila 30yo 1982/2012 (51.2%, Archives, D2/’82 B7/’12, C#758, hogshead, 207 Bts.)

 

Bronze Medals

84 Bushmills 21yo ‘Madeira Finish’ (40%, OB, Irish single malt, 2012*)
84 Tamdhu 27yo 1984/2011 (50.3%, Exclusive Malts for Taiwan SMWTA, D12/10/’84 B11/’11, C#2839, refill hogshead, 261 Bts.)
84 Kilchoman ‘Inaugural 100% Islay’ (50%, OB, NAS, 700ml, 2011)
84 Elements of Islay ‘Bw1’ (52.9%, The Whisky Exchange, ‘Bowmore’)
84 Blairfindy 27yo 1984/2011 (55.3%, Blackadder Raw Cask, D16/5/’84 B10/’11, C#BF2011/01, hogshead, 228 Bts.)
84 Caol Ila 1998/2011 ‘Distillers Edition’ (43%, OB, Moscatel finish)
84 Balmenach 32yo 1979/2012 (53.1%, Maltbarn, bourbon barrel, 209 Bts.)
84 Peat Reek 13yo (61.5%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, B6/’12, C#2012/1, 268 Bts., 2012)
84 Bunnahabhain 35yo 1976/2012 (49.1%, Whisky Doris, D11/’76 B 6/’12, C#6112, sherry hogshead, 248 Bts.)
84 Dalmore 1990 (51.8%, OB for LMDW, C#1, bourbon single barrel)
84 Glenlochy 31yo 1980/2012 (53.1%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, D21/10/’80 B11/1/’12, C#3021, hogshead, 164 Bts.)
84 Clynelish 23yo 1989/2012 (49.7%, The Perfect Dram, bourbon wood, 229 Bts.)
84 Hakushu ‘Heavily Peated’ (48%, OB, NAS, 2012*)
84 Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, 2012*)
84 Rosebank 21yo 1990/2011 (53.8%, OB, 5886 Bts.)
84 Kilkerran ‘Work in Progress’ (46%, OB, NAS, 4th batch, 2012)
84 Bunnahabhain 6yo 2005/2012 (60.1%, Riverstown, D20/12/’05 B6/’12, C#11045, hogshead, 262 Bts.)
84 Glenrothes 1978/2008 (43%, OB, D3/11/’78 B7/1/’08, 5600 Bts.)
84 Talisker 2000/2011 ‘Distillers Edition’ (45.8%, OB, Oloroso finish)
83 Glen Moray 21yo 1990/2012 (55%, Single Cask Collection, D15/5/’90 B2/3/’12, C#4560, bourbon hogshead, 109 Bts.)
83 Yamazaki ‘Bourbon Barrel’ (48%, OB, NAS, 2011*)
83 Edradour 18yo 1993/2012 (59%, OB, D17/8/’93 B23/4/’12, first fill oloroso sherry butt, 599 Bts.)
83 Laphroaig 15yo 1996/2012 (51.2%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, D26/11/’96 B11/6/’12, C#8510, hogshead, 297 Bts.)
83 Benromach 10yo (43%, OB, 2012*)
83 Dufftown 29yo 1982/2011 (53.7%, Riverstown, D3/11/’82 B11/’11, C#18648, hogshead, 212 Bts.)
83 Glenturret 34yo 1977/2012 (48.4%, Maltbarn, bourbon barrel, 249 Bts.)
83 Dewar House 17yo (58.9%, OB, B17/6/’12, C#001, experimental batch no.A39, 80 Bts.)
83 Glendronach 8yo ‘Octarine’ (46%, OB, bourbon & sherry casks, 2012*)
83 Benromach 2001/2010 (59.9%, OB, D5/3/’01 B20/9/’10, C#87-91+93-4, first fill bourbon barrels)
83 Smoking Islay (55%, Blackadder, B7/’12, C#BA2012/438, hogshead, 240 Bts.)
83 Aberlour 12yo (48%, OB, 2012*)
83 Ben Nevis 1995/2012 (46%, Jean Boyer One Shot, first fill sherry)
83 Longmorn 20yo 1992/2012 (55.5%, Master of Malt, D25/5/’92 B19/7/’12, refill bourbon hogshead, 259 Bts.)
83 The Glenlivet 16yo ‘Nadurra’ (53%, OB, B9/’11, Batch 0911P)
83 Lochranza 16yo 1996/2012 (52.8%, Blackadder Raw Cask, D7/2/’96 B4/’12, hogshead, 309 Bts.)
83 Tomintoul 45yo 1967/2012 (48.9%, Exclusive Malts for whisky.com Taiwan, D6/10/’67, C#6579, refill hogshead, 220 Bts.)
83 Ben Nevis 1995/2012 (46%, Jean Boyer One Shot, first fill sherry)
83 Clynelish 14yo 1997/2012 (56.8%, Single Cask Collection, D14/7/’97 B13/2/’12, C#6891, refill sherry hogshead, 302 Bts.)
83 Caol Ila ‘Moch’ (43%, OB, NAS, 2012*)
83 Bunnahabhain 12yo (46.3%, OB, *2012)
83 Aberlour 17yo 1995/2012 (56%, Master of Malt, D21/2/’95 B21/2/’12, refill bourbon hogshead, 265 Bts.)
83 Singleton of Glen Ord 15yo (40%, OB, 2012*)
83 Blair Athol 12yo 1998/2011 (60.3%, Single Cask Collection, D8/4/’98 B11/2/’11, C#2767, bourbon hogshead, 337 Bts.)
83 Yellow Spot 12yo (46%, OB, bourbon, sherry & malaga casks, Midleton)
83 Glenfarclas 15yo (46%, OB, 2012*)
83 Ben Nevis 15yo 1996/2012 (55.4%, OB for Calgary & Victoria Companions of the Quaich, C#911, Hogshead)
83 Aultmore 5yo 2007/2012 (66.8%, Master of Malt, D12/3/’07 B5/’12, first fill sherry puncheon, 628 Bts.)
83 Redbreast 12yo Cask Strength (57.7%, OB, batch B1/11)
82 Balvenie 21yo ‘Portwood’ (47.6%, OB, 2012*)
82 Tomintoul 43yo 1969/2012 (47.6%, Liquid Sun, refill hogshead, 122 Bts.)
82 Whisky Experience 2003 ‘House Malt no1’ (40%, A. D. Rattray, C#900610, butt)
82 Clynelish 15yo 1995/2011 (46%, L’Esprit, D22/9/’95 B25/8/’11, C#8657, first fill sherry butt, 384 Bts.)
82 Deanston 12yo (46.3%, OB, 2012*)
82 Kornog ‘Sant Erwan’ (50%, OB, Glann ar Mor distillery, France, 2012)
82 Linkwod 1991/2012 (46%, Best Casks of Scotland, first fill sherry)
82 Springbank 18yo (46%, OB, 2012*)
82 Lagavulin 1995/2011 ‘Distillers Edition’ (43%, OB, PX finish)
82 Kornog ‘Taouarch Pevared 12BC’ (46%, OB, Glann ar Mor distillery, France)
82 Glenrothes 24yo 1988/2012 (49.3%, Whisky Doris, D4/’88 B6/’12, C#7317, sherry hogshead, 288 Bts.)
82 Yamazaki ‘Puncheon’ (48%, OB, NAS, 2011)
82 Benriach 17yo ‘Septendecim’ (46%, OB, 2012*)
82 Glenfarclas 21yo (43%, OB, 2012*)
82 Islay Blended ‘Big Peat’ (53.6%, Douglas Laing, NAS, 2012*)
81 Smoking Islay (62%, Blackadder Raw Cask, C#BA2012/436, 287 Bts., 2012)
81 Aberfeldy ‘Unravel’ (56.5%, OB, single cask)
81 Chichibu 2008/2011 ‘The First’ (61.8%, OB, 7400 Bts., 700ml)
81 Ledaig 6yo 2005/2012 (64%, Riverstown, D14/9/’05 B7/’12, C#9011, sherry cask, 166 Bts.)
81 Compass Box ‘Flaming Heart’ (48.9%, Compass Box, NAS, B8/’12, 9147 Bts.)
81 Glen Garioch 21yo 1990/2012 (48.8%, Master of Malt, D16/5/’90 B8/2/’12, refill bourbon hogshead, 245 Bts.)
81 Benriach 16yo (43%, OB, 2012*)
81 Lark ‘Cask Strength’ (58%, OB, NAS, C#205, 2011)
81 The Glenlivet 18yo (43%, OB, 2012*)
81 Glengoyne 12yo (43%, OB, 2012*)
80 Kornog ‘Taouarch an Hanv 2012’ (58.7%, OB, Glann ar Mor distillery, France)
80 Overeem (43%, OB, NAS, Old Hobart Distillery, sherry cask, C#OHD-005, 158 Bts.)
80 Glenrothes 1995/2011 (43%, OB, D26/10/’95)
80 Bowmore 8yo 2002/2011 (46%, L’Esprit, D15/10/’02 B23/8/’11, C#20148, hogshead, 372 Bts.)
80 Singleton of Glen Ord 12yo (40%, OB, 2012*)
80 Longmorn 16yo (48%, OB, 2012*)
80 Cardhu 12yo (40%, OB, 2012*)
80 Oban 14yo (43%, OB, 2012*)
80 Bushmills 10yo (40%, OB, Oloroso & bourbon, 2012*)
80 Cutty Sark 12yo (40%, OB, 2012*)