Whisky Bible 2011 Best Whiskies

[Keith]

I see Jim Murray has released his Whisky Bible 2011. I wondered what others thought of his World Whisky Awards this year. Do they all deserve to be rated so highly in your opinion Which ones do you agree are world winners

Top 3 World Whisky Award Winnners 2011
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2011 World Whisky of the Year: Ballantine's 17 Years Old

Second Finest Whisky in the World 2011: Thomas H Handy Sazerac Rye (129 proof)

Third Finest Whisky in the World 2011: William Larue Weller (134.8 proof)

See a list of the rest of the 2011 world whisky award winners here
www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/whiskybibleawardwinners.htm

[Brummie]

My first impression of the top 3 makes me think very American choices, he wouldnt be trying to make a bigger impression in the American market with his book, would he . Having said that the Ballantines 17 is very good indeed but i wouldnt put it above all single malts.

[Grant M]

Had the Sazerac and the Ballantines 17 both very very good, not had the pleasure of the William Larue Weller which is aparently also from Buffalo Trace the same as the Sazerac.

I will need to try get a hold of the Sainsbury's Dun Leire but cant see it on the Sainsburys website so it may no longer be available, anyone had the Sainsbury's Dun Leire.

[Samson]

There are some real nice whiskies on Jims list, i am not familiar with the Macallan Oscuro, a new one to me.

[Archer]

Samson, I had to look up the Macallan Oscuro, as it is a new one to me also. It is the latest addition to The Macallan's 1824 travel retail exclusive range. It comprises of a vatting of whiskies distilled between 1987 and 1997, 46.5% ABV.

World of Whiskies lists it at £400 and as being available since 6th September 2010. Here is WOW tasting note;

Tasting Notes
Appearance: burnished copper. Nose: an inviting nose of ripened woodland fruits layered with dark chocolate, orange and creamy vanilla. Palate: soft with dried figs, ripe oranges and hints of crisp apple. Finish: full and lingering with a hint of warming wood smoke.

[Craven]

[Alastair]

Nice new cover but i wish they would make the book bigger, it seems to enable them to add tasting notes for new expressions they reduce the tasting note for older expressions which Jim hasnt tasted for a while to only a few words.

[Jackson]

I like to sift through lists like this to try find something that is affordable to me that i havent yet tried, therefore i do like these sort of lists, The cheapest bottle of whisky on the list appears to be the Sainsbury's Dún L?ire Aged 8 Years but not sure if that is still available, it isnt listed on the Sainsburys website but i will certainly try to get a bottle when i next visit sainsburys.

Others which i havent personally tried that i consider affordable are the Compass Box The Spice Tree and may give the Knob Creek bourbon a try as i havent really ventured into the world of bourbon yet.

[Drover]

[McKay]

Good to see some of the independents doing well such as Compass Box with The Spice Tree and Douglas Laings Big Peat, i just hope it doesnt boost their ego or their prices, lol. Seriously well done to them both, two good drams.

[Samson]

[Big Mac]

Almost like an awards list for best newcomers and limoted editions, i hadnt heard of the Macallan Oscuro either. Still a handy quality guide, just waiting on my brother sending mine over the water.

[Mark]

Just waiting on my copy arriving from amazon, like you say Mac it is a good rough guide of what is a quality whisky and what isnt, obviously everyones tastes vary but i wouldnt be without it.

[Mark]

My copy arrived today, on first glance the distillery names are in bold red print which is easier on the eye when scrolling quickly through the book than last years purple print.

What is the point in his ramblings about football in the "review of the year" section, nonsense.

[Bookie]

Got my copy today also, just looked at the review for the year, i agree Mark the football ramblings are utter nonsense and of no interest. Why a publisher let this go in a whisky book i dont know.