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.
2013 is no exception as we hold our 11th 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.
So, without further ado we’d like to announce the MMA 2013 category awards
Ultra Premium Category
Supreme Winner: Karuizawa 1973/2013 (67.7%, Number One Drinks, Ex-Sherry Oak, C#1607, 138 Bts.)
Best Sherried Whisky: Glenfarclas 1989/2012 (56.6%, OB The Family Casks, C#11046, 591 Bts.)
Best Peated Whisky: Benriach 27yo 1985/2013 (48.9%, OB, C#7188, 257 Bts.)
Best Natural Casks: Karuizawa 1983/2012 (62.1% Number One Drinks for LMDW, Hogshead, C#8597, 282 Bts.)
Thumbs Up Award: Teeling 21yo ‘Vintage Reserve’ (46%, Teeling Whisky Co., 2013*)
Premium Category
Supreme Winner: Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB, NAS, Sherry Cask, C#S06082, 2013*)
Best Sherried Whisky: Glendronach 18yo 1994/2012 (56.6%, OB for Kenny Hsu – Taiwan, Oloroso Sherry Butt, C#68, 621 Bts.)
Best Peated Whisky: Amrut ‘Peated’ (63%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, C#BA18/2013, 268 Bts., 2013)
Best Natural Casks: Clynelish 1996/2013 (57.1%, Berry Bros. for LMDW, C#6421)
Thumbs Up Award: Celtique Connexion Islay 1999/2013 ‘Sauternes Finish’ (58.7%, Celtic Whisky Compagnie, 332 Bts.)
Daily Dram Category
Supreme Winner: Aberlour ‘A’Bunadh Batch #45’ (60.2%, OB, NAS, Oloroso Sherry Butts, 2013*)
Best Sherried Whisky: Glendronach 10yo 2002/2013 (52.8%, OB for The Whisky Fair, C#710, 665 Bts.)
Best Peated Whisky: Benriach 10yo ‘Curiositas’ (46%, OB, Peated, 2013*)
Best Natural Casks: Springbank 12yo ‘Cask Strength’ (50.3%, OB, 2013*)
Thumbs Up Award: Benriach 10yo ‘Curiositas’ (46%, OB, Peated, 2013*)
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.
Postmaster General Keith Wood’s Report about the 2013 Awards can also be downloaded as PDF.
Bottlers wanting to use the graphics can find them here.
Gold Medals
| 91 | Karuizawa 1973/2013 (67.7%, Number One Drinks, Ex-Sherry Oak, C#1607, 138 Bts.) |
| 91 | Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB, NAS, Sherry Cask, C#S060821049, 2013*) |
| 90 | Glenfarclas 1989/2012 (56.6%, OB The Family Casks, C#11046, 591 Bts.) |
| 90 | Yamazaki 1993/2012 (57.5%, OB for LMDW, Sherry Butt, C#3T 70070, 300 Bts.) |
Silver Medals
| 89 | Glendronach 18yo 1994/2012 (56.6%, OB for Kenny Hsu, TW, Oloroso Butt, C#68, 621 Bts.) |
| 89 | Kavalan ‘Sherry Oak’ (46%, OB for LMDW, NAS, Oloroso Sherry Casks, 2013*) |
| 89 | North British 50yo 1962/2013 (53.3%, Douglas Laing Directors Cut, C#9783, 150 Bts.) |
| 89 | Grand Castle 18yo 1993/2012 (56.7%, Various Independent Bottlers, C#3598, 600 Bts.) |
| 89 | Caol Ila 9yo 2003/2013 (59.6%, Adelphi, C#301261, 285 Bts.) |
| 89 | Amrut ‘Peated’ (63%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, C#BA18/2013, 268 Bts., 2013) |
| 88 | Glendronach 42yo 1971/2013 (44.6%, OB, C#1246, 432 Bts.) |
| 88 | Celtique Connexion Islay 1999/2013 ‘Sauternes Finish’ (58.7%, Celtic Whisky, 332 Bts.) |
| 88 | Lagavulin 1991/2007 ‘Distillers Edition’ (43%, OB, PX finish, lgv 4/495) |
| 88 | Karuizawa 1983/2012 (62.1% Number One Drinks for LMDW, Hogshead, C#8597, 282 Bts.) |
| 88 | Amrut (62.3%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, Sherry Cask, C#BA17/2013, 236 Bts., 2013) |
| 88 | Longmorn 17yo 1996/2013 (57.3%, Signatory CS for LMDW, 1st Fill Sherry Butt, C#72321, 620 Bts.) |
| 88 | Highland Park 25yo 1988/2013 (55.7%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 1086 Bts.) |
| 88 | Amrut ‘Single Cask’ 2009/2013 (62.8%, OB, C#2699, PX sherry cask) |
| 88 | Longrow 11yo ‘Red’ (53.7%, OB, 9000 Bts., 2013*) |
| 88 | Bunnahabhain 1990/2013 (50.9%, Whisky Doris, 228 Bts.) |
| 87 | Laphroaig 15yo 1998/2013 (60.8%, Signatory Vintage for TWE, C#7000393, 551 Bts.) |
| 87 | Tomatin 1991/2013 (51%, OB for TSMC, Oloroso sherry butt, Balance, C#31742, 667 Bts., 700ml) |
| 87 | Teeling 21yo ‘Vintage Reserve’ (46%, Teeling Whisky Co., 2013*) |
| 87 | Aberlour ‘A’Bunadh Batch #45’ (60.2%, OB, NAS, Oloroso Sherry Butts, 2013*) |
| 87 | Yoichi 1998/2013 (62%, OB for LMDW, New Butt, C#100215, 427 Bts.) |
| 87 | Mosstowie 35yo 1973/2012 (54.3%, LMdW ‘Artist’ Range #2, Sherry Butt, C#7621, 562 Bts.) |
| 87 | Benriach 27yo 1985/2013 (48.9%, OB, C#7188, 257 Bts.) |
| 87 | Caperdonich 35yo 1977/2013 (50.2%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 384 Bts.) |
| 87 | Kavalan ‘Solist’ (58.4%, OB, NAS, vinho barrique, C#W080225020, 192 Bts., 2013) |
| 87 | Octomore 5yo ‘Edition: 06.1/6_167’ (57%, OB, 2013) |
| 87 | Glendronach ‘Cask Strength’ (55.2%, OB, NAS, Batch #2, 70cl, 2013) |
| 87 | Inchmurrin 16yo 1996/2013 (62.8%, Master of Malt Single Cask, 428 Bts.) |
| 87 | Craigduff 40yo 1973/2013 (49.6%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, C#2516, 616 Bts.) |
| 87 | Redbreast 21yo (46%, OB, Single Pot Still, 2013*) |
| 87 | Port Charlotte 2001/2013 (57.5%, Malts of Scotland, Rioja Hogshead, C#MoS13027, 358 Bts.) |
| 87 | Bowmore 22yo 1990/2013 (46.8%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#3321-3350, PX sherry) |
| 86 | Glenturret 35yo 1977/2013 (47.5%, Berry Bros. for LMDW, C#25) |
| 86 | Mortlach 23yo 1988/2012 (56.3%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Refill Sherry Butt, C#4741, 562 Bts.) |
| 86 | Glendronach 20yo 1993/2013 (53.6%, OB for The Whisky Agency, C#4, 665 Bts.) |
| 86 | Aberfeldy 16yo ‘Ramble’ (56%, OB for The Whiskyshop, 643 Bts., 2013*) |
| 86 | Glen Grant 37yo 1974/2012 (47.8%, Berry Bros, C#7643) |
| 86 | Bunnahabhain 24yo 1988/2013 (49.8%, Berry Bros, C#4111, sherry oak) |
| 86 | Benriach 10yo ‘Curiositas’ (46%, OB, Peated, 2013*) |
| 86 | Glann Ar Mor ‘Kornog’ (58.7%, OB for Auld Alliance, Britanny France, 2013) |
| 86 | Edradour 2006/2013 (59.2%, OB for TWE, 452 Bts.) |
| 86 | Glendronach 10yo 2002/2013 (52.8%, OB for The Whisky Fair, C#710, 665 Bts.) |
| 86 | Bowmore 16yo 1997/2013 (56.1%, Riverstown, Hogshead, C#2013:205, 251 Bts.) |
| 86 | Bushmills 21yo (40%, OB, Single Malt, Bourbon & Sherry, Madeira Finish, 2013*) |
| 86 | Benrinnes 14yo 1998 (54.6%, Exclusive Malts for whisky.com.tw, C#999, 689 Bts., 2013*) |
| 86 | Laphroaig 16yo 1996/2013 (48.4%, DL, Old Particular for LMDW, Refill Hogshead, C#DL10002, 323 Bts.) |
| 86 | The Glenlivet 16yo 1997/2013 (46%, Signatory Vintage Unchillfiltered Collection, C#123546, 742 Bts.) |
| 86 | Old Pulteney 2006/2013 (57.5%, Malts of Scotland, Sherry Hogshead, C#MoS13033, 124Bts.) |
| 86 | Glendronach 10yo 2002/2013 (54.1%, OB for TWRI, C#1513, 482 Bts.) |
| 86 | Talisker 1996/2008 ‘Distillers Edition’ (45.8%, OB, Oloroso finish) |
| 86 | Springbank 12yo ‘Cask Strength’ (50.3%, OB, 2013*) |
| 86 | Glendronach 10yo 2002/2013 (55.3%, OB for Dutch Usquebaugh Society, C#1743, 312 Bts.) |
| 86 | Tomatin 30yo (46%, OB, 700ml, 2013*) |
| 86 | Speyside 40yo (40%, Master of Malt Secret Bottlings, 2nd edition, 2013*) |
| 86 | Tamdhu 23yo 1990/2013 (52.9%, Blackadder Raw Cask, C#10928, 224 Bts.) |
| 86 | Glenfarclas 1990/2013 ‘No. 17 Alexander Selkirk’ (46%, OB, 1200 Bts.) |
| 86 | Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.1%, OB, NAS, Bourbon cask, C#B080816080, 210 Bts., 2013) |
| 86 | Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, 2013*) |
| 85 | Clynelish 1996/2013 (57.1%, Berry Bros. for LMDW, C#6421) |
| 85 | Cragganmore 20yo 1993/2013 (50%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#1902-1904) |
| 85 | Glenburgie 21yo 1992/2013 (50%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#4895-4900) |
| 85 | Kornog ‘Sant Ivy 2013’ (58.6%, OB, Glann ar Mor distillery, France) |
| 85 | Midleton 1997 (59.5%, OB for LMDW, Single Pot Still, First Fill Bourbon, C#7102, 228 Bts., 2013*) |
| 85 | Sullivans Cove 2000/2013 ‘French oak’ (47.5%, OB, C#HH0392, 510 Bts.) |
Bronze Medals
| 84 | Glengoyne 1972/2013 (46.8%, Malts of Scotland, Bourbon Barrel, C#MoS13009, 124 Bts., 35cl) |
| 84 | Bruichladich 2002/2013 (55.2%, Malts of Scotland, Bourbon Barrel, C#MoS13026, 235 Bts.) |
| 84 | Lagavulin 16yo ‘Port Ellen’ (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 84 | Bushmills 16yo (40%, OB, Single Malt, Bourbon Port & Sherry, 2013*) |
| 84 | Redbreast 12yo ‘CS’ (58.6%, OB, Batch: B1/12, Single Pot Still, 2012*) |
| 84 | Amrut ‘Single Cask’ 2009/2013 (62.8%, OB, bourbon cask) |
| 84 | Glenglassaugh 30yo (44.8%, OB, decanter, 2013*) |
| 84 | Glendronach 12yo ‘Original’ (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 84 | Talisker ‘Port Ruighe’ (45.8%, OB, port casks, 2013) |
| 84 | Edradour 15yo 1997/2012 (55%, Signatory Straight From The Cask, Moscatel, 141 Bts.) |
| 84 | Midleton ‘Very Rare’ (40%, OB, 2013) |
| 84 | Lark ‘Cask Strength’ (58%, OB, C#486, 2013, 50cl |
| 84 | Bunnahabhain 6yo 2006/2013 (60.7%, Berry Bros, C#800097) |
| 84 | Imperial 17yo 1995 (55%, Berry Bros for whisky.com.tw, C#50347, 2013*) |
| 84 | Littlemill 1998/2013 (52.1%, Malts of Scotland, Sherry Hogshead, C#MoS13035, 185 Bts.) |
| 84 | Nikka ‘From the Barrel’ (51.4%, OB, NAS, Blend, 50cl, 2013*) |
| 84 | Islay Blended ‘Big Peat Christmas Edition’ (54.9%, Douglas Laing, NAS, 2013) |
| 84 | Jura 23yo 1989/2013 (57.6%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, C#30708, 196 Bts.) |
| 84 | Peat Reek (60.6%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, 216 Bts., 2013*) |
| 84 | Port Charlotte ‘Scottish Barley’ (50%, OB, NAS, 700ml, 2013) |
| 84 | Highland Park ‘Cask Strength’ (56%, OB, 2013*, 35cl) |
| 84 | Clynelish 15yo 1997/2012 (57%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead C#5724, 230 Bts.) |
| 84 | Balblair 1975/2012 (46%, OB) |
| 84 | The Glenlivet 16yo ‘Nadurra’ (53%, OB, Batch #911P, 2011) |
| 84 | Glen Moray 27yo 1986/2013 (56.8%, Adelphi, C#1931, 243 Bts.) |
| 84 | Balmenach 24yo 1988/2013 (54.4%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, C#2794, 238 Bts.) |
| 84 | Powers 12yo ‘John’s Lane Release’ (46%, OB, Single Pot Still, 2013*) |
| 84 | Armorik ‘Millesime’ 2002/2012 (56.1%, OB, Warenghem, C#3261, France, 748 Bts.) |
| 84 | Black Snake ‘1st Venom’ (59.1%, OB, NAS, VAT No. 1, Sherry Butt Finish, 390 Bts., 2012) |
| 84 | Ballechin ‘#8’ (46%, OB, NAS, Sauternes Cask, 6000 Bts., 2013) |
| 84 | Arran (49.4%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, NAS, 459 Bts., 2013*) |
| 84 | Speyside 30yo (43%, Master of Malt Secret Bottlings, 5th edition, 2013*) |
| 84 | Nikka 21yo ‘Taketsuru Pure Malt’ (43%, OB, Blend, 2013*) |
| 84 | Compass Box ‘Peat Monster 10th Anniversary Ed.’ (48.9%, OB, NAS, 2013) |
| 84 | The Glenlivet 18yo (46%, OB, 2013*) |
| 84 | Midleton ‘Barry Crockett Legacy’ (46%, OB, NAS, Single Pot Still, US Bourbon, C#016715, 2013*) |
| 83 | Ardmore ‘Traditional Cask’ (46%, OB, NAS, 2013*) |
| 83 | Highland Park 12yo ‘Fascadale’ (46%, Adelphi, Batch 5, 1483 Bts., 2013) |
| 83 | Ben Nevis 16yo (54.8%, Riverstown, Oak Butt, C#2012:22, 392 Bts., 2012) |
| 83 | Balblair 1989/2013 (46%, OB, 2013*) |
| 83 | Talisker ‘Storm’ (45.8%, OB, NAS, 2013*) |
| 83 | Blairfindy 16yo 1997/2013 (56.2%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, C#BF2013-2, 287 Bts.) |
| 83 | Clynelish (50.6%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, NAS, batch #2, 319 Bts., 2013*) |
| 83 | Lark ‘Distillers Selection’ (46%, OB, Port wood matured, C#387, 2013) |
| 83 | Bladnoch 21yo (54.9%, Riverstown, Hogshead, C#2012:23, 296 Bts., 2012) |
| 83 | Balvenie 12yo ‘Single Barrel’ (47.8%, OB, C#12759, 300 Bts., 2013*) |
| 83 | Glenrothes 18yo 1994/2013 (46%, Cadenhead, 642 Bts.) |
| 83 | Benriach 20yo (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 83 | Smoking Islay (55%, Blackadder, 386 Bts., 2013*) |
| 83 | Singleton of Glen Ord 15yo (40%, OB, 2013*) |
| 83 | Caperdonich (45.7%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, NAS, 120 Bts., 2013*) |
| 83 | Glengoyne 18yo (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 83 | Dalwhinnie 15yo (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 83 | Aberlour 18yo (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 83 | Ben Nevis 21yo 1990/2013 (46%, C#23, The Maltman, 312 Bts.) |
| 83 | Linkwood 1997/2013 (45%, Gordon & MacPhail for LMDW, Refill Sherry Hogshead, C#10811) |
| 83 | Glenrothes ‘Minister’s Reserve’ (43%, OB, 2013) |
| 83 | Inchgower 18yo 1995/2013 (50%, Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask, C#HL9983, 242 Bts.) |
| 83 | King Car (46%, OB, NAS, Kavalan distillery, Taiwan, 2013) |
| 82 | Glenallachie 8yo 2004/2013 (53.5%, Whisky Doris, 377 Bts.) |
| 82 | Powers ‘Signature’ (46%, OB, NAS, Single Pot Still, 2013*) |
| 82 | Jameson ‘Gold Reserve’ (40%, OB, NAS, 2013*) |
| 82 | Lark ’20th Anniversary’ (50.5%, OB, para port barrel quarter cask, 2013*, 50cl) |
| 82 | Highland Park ‘Einar’ (40%, OB, 2013*) |
| 82 | Edradour 11yo 2001/2012 (57.2%, OB, Barrique, 303 Bts.) |
| 82 | Bladnoch 21yo 1991/2012 (52.9%, The Whiskyman, 118 Bts.) |
| 82 | Glenfarclas 17yo (43%, OB, 2013) |
| 82 | Yellow Spot (46%, OB, NAS, Single Pot Still, 2013*) |
| 82 | Singleton of Dufftown 15yo (40%, OB, 2013*) |
| 82 | Armorik ‘Double matured’ (46%, OB, Warenghem Distillery, single malt, France, 2013) |
| 82 | Campbeltown Loch 21yo (46%, OB, 2013*) |
| 82 | Smoking Islay (59.9%, Blackadder, 318 Bts., 2013*) |
| 82 | Glengoyne 15yo (43%, OB, 2013) |
| 82 | Redbreast 15yo (46%, OB, Single Pot Still, 2013*) |
| 82 | Bruichladdich 21yo 1991/2013 (55%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, C#3047, 282 Bts.) |
| 82 | Mortlach 14yo 1998/2013 (46%, The Maltman, C#10998, 376 Bts.) |
| 82 | The Glenlivet 37yo 1974/2012 (46%, Berry Bros for whisky.com.tw, C#5247) |
| 81 | Sullivans Cove 2000/2013 (47.5%, OB, C#HH115, 240 Bts.) |
| 81 | Bruichladdich 2007 ‘Islay Barley Rockside Farm’ (50%, OB, 700ml, 2013) |
| 81 | Jameson ‘Select Reserve’ (40%, OB, NAS, Small Batch, 2013*) |
| 81 | Dalmore (49.1%, Asta Morris, C#AM005, 2013*) |
| 81 | Singleton of Glen Ord 12yo (40%, OB, 2013*) |
| 81 | Kavalan (40%, OB, NAS, 2013*) |
| 81 | Aberlour 12yo (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 81 | Balvenie 12yo ‘Doublewood’ (40%, OB, 2012) |
| 81 | Sullivans Cove 2000/2013 ‘Double cask’ (40%, OB, C#DC063, 1398 Bts.) |
| 81 | Highland Park ‘Harald’ (40%, OB, 2013*) |
| 81 | Singleton of Glendullan 12yo (40%, OB, 2013) |
| 81 | Ledaig 1997/2013 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail Reserve for LMDW, Refill Sherry Hogshead, C#461, 318 Bts.) |
| 81 | Tomatin ‘Legacy’ (43%, OB, 2013*) |
| 81 | Bushmills 10yo (40%, OB, Single Malt, Bourbon & Oloroso, 2013*) |
| 80 | Highland Park ‘Svein’ (40%, OB, 2013) |
| Award Winners are shown in bold Text | |
| Ultra Premium Category | |
| Premium Category | |
| Daily Dram Category |
Note: Because of space constraints a few list entries have been slightly shortened. The PDF scorecard contains the full entries.