The Malt Maniacs Awards 2014

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.

2014 is no exception as we hold our 12th 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 9 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, with 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.

In addition to that we have decided to introduce a Supreme Champion award to highlight the whisky with the highest overall score, the Winner of Winners. Historically this always was the Supreme Winner of the the Ultra Premium category so a further highlighting was not really needed. But things are different this year.

So, without further ado we’d like to announce the MMA 2014 category awards

Supreme Champion

122_s
Awards-Medal-AWARD-2014-Supreme-Champion-Kavalan-HIGH

Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB, NAS, Sherry Cask C#S060904031, 516 Bts., 2014*)

 

Ultra Premium Category

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AWARD-2014-Supreme-UP-Yoichi2

Supreme Winner: Yoichi 1991/2014 (62%, Heavily peated, C#129459)

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AWARD-2014-Best-sherried-UP-Glen-Grant

Best Sherried Whisky: Glen Grant 59yo 1955/2014 (60.8%, Gordon & MacPhail Book of Kells for LMDW, 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead C#845)

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AWARD-2014-Best-peated-UP-Benriach

Best Peated Whisky: Benriach 29yo 1984/2014 (50.3%, OB, Peated, Tawny Port Finish, C#4051, 267 Bts.)

129_s
AWARD-2014-Best-natural-UP-Karuizawa

Best Natural Casks: Karuizawa 34yo 1980/2014 (63%, No.1 Drinks for LMDW, ex-Bourbon Cask C#6476)

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AWARD-2014-Best-thumbs-up-UP-Glengoyne

Thumbs Up Award: Glengoyne 25yo (48%, OB, Sherry Casks, 2014*)

 

Premium Category

122_s
AWARD-2014-Supreme-P-Kavalan

Supreme Winner: Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB, NAS, Sherry Cask C#S060904031, 516 Bts., 2014*)

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AWARD-2014-Best-Sherried-P-Kavalan

Best Sherried Whisky: Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB for LMDW, NAS, Sherry Cask C#S060821047, 497 Bts., 2014*)

123_s
AWARD-2014-Best-Peated-P-Kavalan

Best Peated Whisky: Kavalan 2007/2014 ‘Peaty Cask’ (55%, OB, Distillery Reserve No. 04459)

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AWARD-2014-Best-Natural-P-Bowmore-Blackadder

Best Natural Casks: Bowmore 13yo 2001/2014 (57.2%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead C#20066, 292 Bts.)

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AWARD-2014-Thumbs-Up-P-Glenrothes-Adelphi

Thumbs Up Award: Glenrothes 7yo 2007/2014 (66.7%, Adelphi, 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead C#3529, 320 Bts.)

 

Daily Dram Category

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AWARD-2014-Supreme-DD-Smoking-Blackadder

Supreme Winner: Smoking Islay (58.2%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, Sherry Finish C#BA2013/451, 370 Bts., 2013)

126_s
AWARD-2014-Best-Sherried-DD-Nantou

Best Sherried Whisky: Nantou 5yo 2009/2014 (58%, OB, Sherry Cask C#852, 246 Bts.)

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AWARD-2014-Best-Peated-DD-Smoking-Blackadder

Best Peated Whisky: Smoking Islay (60.5%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, Sherry Finish C#BA2013/452, 325 Bts., 2013)

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AWARD-2014-Best-Natural-DD-Inchmurrin

Best Natural Casks: Inchmurrin (54.7%, Boutique-y Whisky Co., NAS, 543 Bts., 2014*)

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AWARD-2014-Thumbs-Up-DD-Lagavulin-16

Thumbs Up Award: Lagavulin 16yo (43%, OB, 2014*)

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 2014 Awards is available for download here.

Bottlers wanting to use the graphics can find them here.

Update 16th December: Due to a mistake the Supreme Winner of the Premium category was originally announced as Yoichi 23 yo Madeira Finish. The correct entry is: Yoichi 1991/2014 (62%, Heavily peated, C#129459)

Gold Medals

92 Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB, NAS, Sherry Cask C#S060904031, 516 Bts., 2014*)
91 Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB for LMDW, NAS, Sherry Cask C#S060821047, 497 Bts., 2014*)
91 Yoichi 1991/2014 (62%, Heavily peated, C#129459)
90 Glen Grant 59yo 1955/2014 (60.8%, G&M Book of Kells for LMDW, 1st Fill Sherry HH C#845)

Silver Medals

88 Karuizawa 34yo 1980/2014 (63%, No.1 Drinks for LMDW, ex-Bourbon Cask C#6476)
88 Benriach 29yo 1984/2014 (50.3%, OB, Peated, Tawny Port Finish, C#4051, 267 Bts.)
88 Karuizawa 35yo 1978/2014 (63%, No.1 Drinks for LMDW, ex-Bourbon Cask C#8383)
88 Miyagikyo 18yo 1996/2014 (62%, OB, Light Peat Casks C#66535)
88 Caol Ila 30yo 1983/2014 (53.9%, LMDW Artist #4, Hogshead C#5287, 214 Bts.)
87 Karuizawa 33yo 1981/2014 (55.3%, No.1 Drinks for LMDW, ex-Sherry Cask C#136)
87 Kavalan ‘Solist’ (59%, OB, NAS, Sherry Single Cask C#S081217038, 2014*)
87 Smoking Islay (58.2%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, Sherry Finish C#BA2013/451, 370 Bts., 2013)
87 Laphroaig 15yo 1997/2014 (54.3%, LMDW Artist #4, Sherry Hogshead C#3350, 291 Bts.)
87 Kavalan 2007/2014 ‘Peaty Cask’ (55%, OB, Distillery Reserve No. 04459)
87 Glenrothes 7yo 2007/2014 (66.7%, Adelphi, 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead C#3529, 320 Bts.)
87 Glengoyne 25yo (48%, OB, Sherry Casks, 2014*)
87 Glenfarclas 2001/2014 ‘Family Casks’ (60.2%, OB for TSMC, C#3922, 574 Bts.)
86 Karuizawa 35yo 1979/2014 (58.8%, No.1 Drinks for LMDW, ex-Bourbon Cask C#8187)
86 Speyside’ 1993/2014 (54%, Chieftains Ltd. Ed. Coll., 1st Fill Sherry Butt C#3611, 628 Bts.)
86 Ledaig 2005/2013 (61.3%, L’Esprit, C#BH900120, 100 Bts.)
86 Littlemill 25yo 1988/2013 (52.7%, The Whisky Agency for Taiwan, ex-Sherry Hogshead, 95 Bts.)
86 Bunnahabhain 2005/2014 (46%, Signatory UnChill Filtered for LMDW, 1st Fill Oloroso Butt C#573, 836 Bts.)
86 Laphroaig 15yo 1998/2014 (61.6%, Signatory CS Coll. for LMDW, Refill Sherry Butt C#700356, 554 Bts.)
86 Bowmore 13yo 2001/2014 (57.2%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead C#20066, 292 Bts.)
86 Glendronach 21yo 1993/2014 (56.4%, OB for LMDW, Oloroso Butt C#475, 627 Bts.)
86 Smoking Islay (60.5%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, Sherry Finish C#BA2013/452, 325 Bts., 2013)
86 Glendronach 19yo 1995/2014 (54.2%, OB for LMDW, Oloroso Butt C#1563, 640 Bts.)
86 Glenlivet 35yo 1979/2014 (51.6%, McKillops Choice, C#6102, 235 Bts.)
86 Bowmore 12yo 2001/2014 (57.9%, Signatory CS Coll. For LMDW, Refill Sherry Butt C#1368, 595 Bts.)
86 Clynelish ‘Darkness’ 16yo (54.9%, Boutique-y Whisky Co., Oloroso Casks, 2014*)
86 Convalmore 36yo 1977/2013 (58%, OB, Special Release, 2680 Bts.)
86 Big Peat (55.7%, Douglas Laing, NAS, Blended Malt, 2014)
86 Bunnahabhain 11yo 2003/2014 (58.8%, Signatory CS Coll. for Bonding Dram, C#1152, 627 Bts.)
86 Smoking Islay (60.5%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, Rum Finish C#BA2013/453, 266 Bts., 2013)
86 Balblair 2000/2014 (53%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, C#1343)
86 Speyside-Glenlivet 18yo 1995/2014 (62.8%, Cadenhead Small Batch, Sherry Butt & Hogshead, 738 Bts.)
86 Caol Ila 10yo 2003/2014 (58.5%, Cadenhead Small Batch for Taiwan, Bourbon Hoghead, 282 Bts.)
86 Hazelburn 12yo 2002/2014 (54.1%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 294 Bts.)
85 Nikka 21yo ‘Taketsuru’ (46%, OB, Madeira Finish, 2014*)
85 Laphroaig 14yo 2000/2014 (50%, Hunter Laing OMC, Refill Hogshead C# HL10741, 357 Bts.)
85 House Malt 1990/2014 (48%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, Sherry Butt C#17, 753 Bts.)
85 Bunnahabhain 26yo 1987 (54.2%, Berry Bros. for Whisky.com.TW, Hogshead C#2450, 180 Bts., 2014*)
85 Blair Athol 25yo 1988/2014 (59.5%, LMDW Artist #4, 1st Fill Sherry C#7494, 567 Bts.)
85 Glenturret 35yo 1977/2013 (49.2%, The Whisky Agency Private Stock, Refill Hogshead, 227 Bts.)
85 Longrow 11yo ‘Red’ (51.8%, OB, Fresh Port Casks, 9000 Bts., 2014*)
85 Port Askaig 15yo (45.8%, The Whisky Exchange, 2014*)
85 Glenburgie 1984/2014 (54.5%, G&M Exclusive for LMDW, Refill Bourbon Barrel C#8510, 70 Bts.)
85 Lagavulin 12yo (55.1%, OB, 2013)
85 Glen Grant 21yo 1992 (51.5%, Exclusive Malts for Whisky.com.TW, 204 Bts., 2014*)
85 Lagavulin 16yo (43%, OB, 2014*)
85 Inchmurrin (54.7%, Boutique-y Whisky Co., NAS, 543 Bts., 2014*)
85 Littlemill 24yo 1989/2014 (51.7%, Whisky Doris, Bourbon Hogshead C#32, 357 Bts.)
85 Lark (58%, OB, NAS, Small Cask Aged Cask Strength, Port Cask C#473, 2014)
85 Chichibu 2009/2014 ‘In the Mood for Love’ (61.7%, OB for LMDW, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, C#641)
85 Bunnahabhain 6yo 2007/2014 (57.7%, Berry Bros., C#800089)
85 Ledaig 8yo 2005/2013 (54.5%, Whisky Doris, Bourbon Hogshead C#800015, 149 Bts.)

Bronze Medals

84 Nantou 5yo 2009/2014 (57.5%, OB, Bourbon Cask C#151, 179 Bts.)
84 Glen Garioch 21yo 1993/2014 (59%, Adelphi, 1st Fill Sherry Butt C#774, 501 Bts.)
84 Balblair 1990/2013 (46%, OB)
84 Lark (46%, OB, NAS, Distillers Selection, Sherry Cask C#475, 2014)
84 Blair Athol 20yo 1993/2013 (59.1%, First Editions, C#ES9990, 541 Bts.)
84 Nantou 5yo 2009/2014 (58%, OB, Sherry Cask C#852, 246 Bts.)
84 Bunnahabhain 26yo 1987/2014 (61.7%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead C#2488, 192 Bts.)
84 Craigellachie 18yo 1995/2014 (48.4%, Douglas Laing Old Particular, Sherry Butt C#DL 10419, 252 Bts.)
84 Mortlach 15yo 1990/2014 (56.6%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, Oloroso Sherry Butt C#2)
84 Caol Ila 12yo (43%, OB, 2014*)
84 Westport 1997/2014 (48%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, Sherry Wood C#3358-9)
84 Lagavulin 1995/2011 ‘Distillers Edition’ (43%, OB, Double Matured, Lgv 4/499)
84 Glenlivet 30yo 1983/2013 (58.8%, Berry Bros. for A. Light, C#2877)
84 Kornog ‘Sant Ivy’ (58.9%, OB, NAS, Bourbon Single Cask, 2014)
84 Springbank 15yo (46%, OB, 2014*)
84 Irish Single Malt Whiskey 26yo (51.6%, Nectar of Daily Drams & LMDW joint, 2014*)
84 Aberlour ‘A’bunadh’ Batch 48′ (59.7%, OB, NAS, Sherry Butts, 2014*)
84 Glen Keith 21yo 1992/2014 (51.5%, Archives, Bourbon C#120599, 218 Bts.)
84 Balblair 1999/2014 (46%, OB)
84 Glendronach 18yo ‘Allardice’ (46%, OB, Oloroso, 2014*)
84 Bushmills 21yo (40%, OB, Oloroso, Bourbon, Madeira, 2014*)
84 Glendronach 22yo 1991/2014 (52.1%, OB, PX Puncheon C#1346, 701 Bts.)
84 Kilchoman 2007/2013 ‘Loch Gorm’ (46%, OB, Sherry Cask Matured)
84 Tamdhu 10yo (46%, OB, Limited Edition, 100% 1st Fill Sherry, 2014*)
84 Nikka ‘Coffey Malt’ (45%, OB, NAS, 2014*)
84 Bunnahabhain 33yo 1980/2013 (45.6%, Whisky Doris, Sherry Butt C#92, 460 Bts.)
84 Benriach 15yo (46%, OB, PX Finish, 2014*)
83 Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, 2014*)
83 Littlemill 25yo 1988 (51.2%, Exclusive Malts for Whisky.com.TW, Sherry Hogshead C#432, 204 Bts., 2014*)
83 Nantou 5yo 2009/2014 (55.5%, OB, Bourbon Cask C#99, 191 Bts.)
83 Caol Ila 1993/2011 ‘Distillers Edition’ (43%, OB, Moscatel Wood Finish)
83 Teeling 21yo ‘Vintage Reserve’ (46%, Teeling Whisky Co., Silver Bottling, 5000 Bts. 2014*)
83 Clynelish 1997/2013 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice)
83 Bunnahabhain 26yo 1987/2014 (46%, Berry Bros., C#2787)
83 Glenesk 30yo 1983/2014 ‘Hillside’ (54.4%, Blackadder Statement/Raw Cask Refill Sherry C#4929, 328 Bts.)
83 Speyside 30yo (43.7%, Master of Malt Secret Bottlings Series, 6th Ed., 238 Bts., 2014*)
83 Deanston 19yo 1994/2014 (58%, Master of Malt Single Cask Series, Refill Bourbon, 100 Bts.)
83 Glenglassaugh ‘Torfa’ (50%, OB, NAS, 2014*)
83 Armorik ‘Maitre de Chai’ (47.3%, OB, NAS, 1000 Bts., 2014*)
83 Glen Albyn 1976/2012 (43%, Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage)
83 Talisker ‘Dark Storm’ (45.8%, OB, NAS, Heavily Charred Casks, 2014*)
83 Kornog ‘Taouarch Chwechved BC14’ (58.2%, OB, NAS, Bourbon Single Cask, 2014*)
83 Benriach 17yo ‘Solstice’ (50%, OB, Port Finish, 2nd Ed., 2014*)
83 The Glenlivet 18yo ‘Guardians’ (55.7%, OB, Single Cask C#2911, 2011)
83 Benromach 10yo (43%, OB, 2014*)
83 Amrut (46%, OB, NAS, Barrels, 2014*)
82 Highland Park ‘Dark Origins’ (46.8%, OB, NAS, “Double” 1st Fill Sherry Casks, 2014*)
82 The Glenlivet NAS ‘Nadurra’ (48%, OB, First Fill US White Oak, Batch No. FF0714, 2014)
82 Chieftains Ltd. Ed. Coll. 1995/2013 (52.8%, Chieftains Ltd. Ed. Coll., 1st Fill Sherry Butt C#1357, 614 Bts.)
82 Benromach 1976 (46%, OB, Sherry Casks, 2012)
82 Talisker ‘Storm’ (45.8%, OB, NAS, 2014*)
82 Glendronach 18yo (46%, OB, Tawny Port Finish, 2014*)
82 Bushmills 16yo (40%, OB, Bourbon & Oloroso, Port Finish, 2014*)
82 Armorik 12yo 2002/2014 ‘Millesime’ (55.7%, OB, Oloroso C#3298, 723 Bts.)
82 Cardhu 21yo 1991/2013 (54.2%, OB, Special Release)
82 Kilkerran (46%, OB, NAS, Bourbon Wood, 2014*)
82 Great King St. (43%, Compass Box, NAS, Blend, 2014)
82 Hazelburn 10yo (46%, OB, 2014*)
82 Glengoyne 13yo 2000/2014 (46%, Berry Bros., C#1073)
82 Glenglassaugh 45yo 1968/2014 ‘Rare Cask’ (44.3%, OB, Sherry Hogshead C#1601, 349 Bts.)
82 Longmorn 22yo 1992/2014 (54%, Adelphi, Refill Sherry Hogshead C#48509, 250 Bts.)
82 Lark (43%, OB, NAS, Small Cask Aged, Port Cask C#516, 2014)
82 Kilkerran (46%, OB, NAS, Sherry Wood, 2014*)
82 Black Snake (57.5%, Blackadder, NAS, Vat 5, PX Butt Finish, 464 Bts., 2014)
82 Amrut 2009/2014 (56.5%, OB for Taiwan, PX Sherry Butt C#2702, 360 Bts.)
81 The Glenlivet ‘Nadurra’ (48%, OB, , NAS, First Fill Oloroso, Batch No. OLO314, 2014)
81 Glen Garioch 23yo 1990/2014 (56.1%, Berry Bros., C#7939)
81 Glenmorangie 12yo ‘Lasanta’ (43%, OB, Sherry Finish, 2014*)
81 Amrut ‘Peated” (58.1%, Blackadder Single Cask, NAS, Hogshead, Sherry Finish, 138 Bts., 2014)
81 Cardhu ‘Amber Rock’ (40%, OB, NAS, Toasted Bourbon Cask Finish, 2014*)
81 Slyrs (46%, OB, NAS, Sauternes Finish, 2014*)
81 Nantou 4yo (46%, OB, Bourbon Wood, 2014)
81 Clynelish 18yo 1996/2014 (46%, Berry Bros., C#6424)
81 Mortlach 25yo 1988/2014 (56.8%, Cadenhead, Sherry Cask, 276 Bts.)
81 Dalwhinnie 15yo (43%, OB, 2014*)
81 Singleton of Dufftown 28yo 1985/2013 (52.3%, OB, Special Release, 3816 Bts.)
81 Craigellachie 23yo (46%, OB, Batch 67.KA23, 2014*)
81 Glenturret 26yo 1986 (46.8%, Hunter Laing, Bourbon Casks, 2014*)
81 Glenglassaugh ‘Evolution’ (50%, OB, NAS, Ex-Tennessee Bourbon Cask, 2014*)
81 Craigellachie 17yo (46%, OB, Batch 98-ZC21, 2014*)
81 Chivas 18yo ‘Gold Signature’ (40%, OB, Blend, 2014*
81 Aberlour 12yo (48%, OB, 2014*)
81 Singleton of Dufftown ‘Tailfire’ (40%, OB, NAS, 2014*)
81 Tomatin ‘Cu Bocan’ (46%, OB, NAS, 2014*)
81 Speyburn 10yo (40%, OB, 2014*)
81 Clynelish 19yo 1995/2014 (55%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Sherry Cask C#1471, 244 Bts.)
81 Säntis 9yo ‘Edition Formosa’ (53%, OB for ArenTrading Taiwan, Beer Cask, Sherry Finish, 432 Bts., 2014)
81 Auchentoshan 22yo 1991/2014 (56.3%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead C#2871, 178 Bts.)
81 Glentauchers 18yo 1996/2014 (46%, Berry Bros., C#1161)
81 Oban 18yo (43%, OB, Limited Edition, 2014*)
80 Clynelish 16yo 1997/2013 (56.7%, Master of Malt Single Cask Series, 276 Bts.)
80 Tomatin 12yo ‘French Oak’ (46%, OB, 2014*)
80 Singleton of Glen Ord ‘Signature’ (40%, OB, NAS, 2014*)
80 Singleton of Dufftown ‘Sunray’ (40%, OB, NAS, 2014*)
80 Dalmore 1996/2013 (46%, L’Esprit, C#BH9092/RB58, 103 Bts.)
80 Säntis 9yo ‘Edition Formosa’ (53%, OB for ArenTrading Taiwan, Beer Cask, Sherry Finish, 432 Bts., 2014)
80 Chivas 12yo ‘Regal’ (40%, OB, Blend, 2014*)
80 Singleton of Glen Ord 15yo (40%, OB, 2014*)
80 Kornog ‘Taouarch Pempved 14BC’ (46%, OB, NAS, Bourbon Barrels, 2014*)
80 Nantou 4yo (46%, OB, Sherry Wood, 2014)

Note: Because of space constraints a few list entries have been slightly shortened. The PDF scorecard contains the full entries.