MMA2013

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 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 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.

Bottlers wanting to use the graphics can find them here.

Gold Medals

91Karuizawa 1973/2013 (67.7%, Number One Drinks, Ex-Sherry Oak, C#1607, 138 Bts.)
91Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.8%, OB, NAS, Sherry Cask, C#S06082, 2013*)
90Glenfarclas 1989/2012 (56.6%, OB The Family Casks, C#11046, 591 Bts.)
90Yamazaki 1993/2012 (57.5%, OB for LMDW, Sherry Butt, C#3T 70070, 300 Bts.)

 

Silver Medals

89Kavalan ‘Sherry Oak’ (46%, OB for LMDW, NAS, Oloroso Sherry Casks, 2013*)
89North British 50yo 1962/2013 (53.3%, Douglas Laing Directors Cut, C#9783, 150 Bts.)
89Grand Castle 18yo 1993/2012 (56.7%, Various Independent Bottlers, C#3598, 600 Bts.)
89Caol Ila 9yo 2003/2013 (59.6%, Adelphi, C#301261, 285 Bts.)
89Amrut ‘Peated’ (63%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, C#BA18/2013, 268 Bts., 2013)
88Celtique Connexion Islay 1999/2013 ‘Sauternes Finish’ (58.7%, Celtic Whisky, 332 Bts.)
88Lagavulin 1991/2007 ‘Distillers Edition’ (43%, OB, PX finish, lgv 4/495)
88Karuizawa 1983/2012 (62.1% Number One Drinks for LMDW, Hogshead, C#8597, 282 Bts.)
88Amrut (62.3%, Blackadder Raw Cask, NAS, Sherry Cask, C#BA17/2013, 236 Bts., 2013)
88Longmorn 17yo 1996/2013 (57.3%, Signatory CS for LMDW, 1st Fill Sherry Butt, C#72321, 620 Bts.)
88Highland Park 25yo 1988/2013 (55.7%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 1086 Bts.)
88Amrut ‘Single Cask’ 2009/2013 (62.8%, OB, C#2699, PX sherry cask)
88Longrow 11yo ‘Red’ (53.7%, OB, 9000 Bts., 2013*)
88Bunnahabhain 1990/2013 (50.9%, Whisky Doris, 228 Bts.)
87Laphroaig 15yo 1998/2013 (60.8%, Signatory Vintage for TWE, C#7000393, 551 Bts.)
87Tomatin 1991/2013 (51%, OB for TSMC, Oloroso sherry butt, Balance, C#31742, 667 Bts., 700ml)
87Teeling 21yo ‘Vintage Reserve’ (46%, Teeling Whisky Co., 2013*)
87Aberlour ‘A’Bunadh Batch #45′ (60.2%, OB, NAS, Oloroso Sherry Butts, 2013*)
87Yoichi 1998/2013 (62%, OB for LMDW, New Butt, C#100215, 427 Bts.)
87Mosstowie 35yo 1973/2012 (54.3%, LMdW ‘Artist’ Range #2, Sherry Butt, C#7621, 562 Bts.)
87Benriach 27yo 1985/2013 (48.9%, OB, C#7188, 257 Bts.)
87Caperdonich 35yo 1977/2013 (50.2%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 384 Bts.)
87Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.1%, OB, NAS, vinho barrique, C#W080225020, 192 Bts., 2013)
87Octomore 5yo ‘Edition: 06.1/6_167′ (57%, OB, 2013)
87Glendronach ‘Cask Strength’ (55.2%, OB, NAS, Batch #2, 70cl, 2013)
87Inchmurrin 16yo 1996/2013 (62.8%, Master of Malt Single Cask, 428 Bts.)
87Craigduff 40yo 1973/2005 (49.6%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, C#2516, 616 Bts.)
87Redbreast 21yo (46%, OB, Single Pot Still, 2013*)
87Port Charlotte 2001/2013 (57.5%, Malts of Scotland, Rioja Hogshead, C#MoS13027, 358 Bts.)
87Bowmore 22yo 1990/2013 (46.8%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#3321-3350, PX sherry)
86Glenturret 35yo 1977/2013 (47.5%, Berry Bros. for LMDW, C#25)
86Mortlach 23yo 1988/2012 (56.3%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Refill Sherry Butt, C#4741, 562 Bts.)
86Aberfeldy 16yo ‘Ramble’ (56%, OB for The Whiskyshop, 643 Bts., 2013*)
86Glen Grant 37yo 1974/2012 (47.8%, Berry Bros, C#7643)
86Bunnahabhain 24yo 1988/2013 (49.8%, Berry Bros, C#4111, sherry oak)
86Benriach 10yo ‘Curiositas’ (46%, OB, Peated, 2013*)
86Glann Ar Mor ‘Kornog’ (58.7%, OB for Auld Alliance, Britanny France, 2013)
86Edradour 2006/2013 (59.2%, OB for TWE, 452 Bts.)
86Bowmore 16yo 1997/2013 (56.1%, Riverstown, Hogshead, C#2013:205, 251 Bts.)
86Bushmills 21yo (40%, OB, Single Malt, Bourbon & Sherry, Madeira Finish, 2013*)
86Benrinnes 14yo 1998 (54.6%, Exclusive Malts for whisky.com.tw, C#999, 689 Bts., 2013*)
86Laphroaig 16yo 1996/2013 (48.4%, DL, Old Particular for LMDW, Refill Hogshead, C#DL10002, 323 Bts.)
86The Glenlivet 16yo 1997/2013 (46%, Signatory Vintage Unchillfiltered Collection, C#123546, 742 Bts.)
86Old Pulteney 2006/2013 (57.5%, Malts of Scotland, Sherry Hogshead, C#MoS13033, 124Bts.)
86Talisker 1996/2008 ‘Distillers Edition’ (45.8%, OB, Oloroso finish)
86Springbank 12yo ‘Cask Strength’ (50.3%, OB, 2013*)
86Tomatin 30yo (46%, OB, 700ml, 2013*)
86Speyside 40yo (40%, Master of Malt Secret Bottlings, 2nd edition, 2013*)
86Tamdhu 23yo 1990/2013 (52.9%, Blackadder Raw Cask, C#10928, 224 Bts.)
86Glenfarclas 1990/2013 ‘No. 17 Alexander Selkirk’ (46%, OB, 1200 Bts.)
86Kavalan ‘Solist’ (57.1%, OB, NAS, Bourbon cask, C#B080816080, 210 Bts., 2013)
86Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, 2013*)
85Clynelish 1996/2013 (57.1%, Berry Bros. for LMDW, C#6421)
85Cragganmore 20yo 1993/2013 (50%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#1902-1904)
85Glenburgie 21yo 1992/2013 (50%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection, C#4895-4900)
85Kornog ‘Sant Ivy 2013′ (58.6%, OB, Glann ar Mor distillery, France)
85Midleton 1997 (59.5%, OB for LMDW, Single Pot Still, First Fill Bourbon, C#7102, 228 Bts., 2013*)
85Sullivans Cove 2000/2013 ‘French oak’ (47.5%, OB, C#HH0392, 510 Bts.)

 

Bronze Medals
84Bruichladich 2002/2013 (55.2%, Malts of Scotland, Bourbon Barrel, C#MoS13026, 235 Bts.)
84Lagavulin 16yo ‘Port Ellen’ (43%, OB, 2013*)
84Bushmills 10yo (40%, OB, Single Malt, Bourbon Port & Sherry, 2013*)
84Redbreast 12yo ‘CS’ (58.6%, OB, Batch: B1/12, Single Pot Still, 2012*)
84Amrut ‘Single Cask’ 2009/2013 (62.8%, OB, bourbon cask)
84Glenglassaugh 30yo (44.8%, OB, decanter, 2013*)
84Talisker ‘Port Ruighe’ (45.8%, OB, port casks, 2013)
84Edradour 15yo 1997/2012 (55%, Signatory Straight From The Cask, Moscatel, 141 Bts.)
84Midleton ‘Very Rare’ (40%, OB, 2013)
84Lark ‘Cask Strength’ (58%, OB, C#486, 2013, 50cl
84Bunnahabhain 6yo 2006/2013 (60.7%, Berry Bros, C#800097)
84Imperial 17yo 1995 (55%, Berry Bros for whisky.com.tw, C#50347, 2013*)
84Littlemill 1998/2013 (52.1%, Malts of Scotland, Sherry Hogshead, C#MoS13035, 185 Bts.)
84Nikka ‘From the Barrel’ (51.4%, OB, NAS, Blend, 50cl, 2013*)
84Islay Blended ‘Big Peat Christmas Edition’ (54.9%, Douglas Laing, NAS, 2013)
84Jura 23yo 1989/2013 (57.6%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, C#30708, 196 Bts.)
84Peat Reek (60.6%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, 216 Bts., 2013*)
84Port Charlotte ‘Scottish Barley’ (50%, OB, NAS, 700ml, 2013)
84Highland Park ‘Cask Strength’ (56%, OB, 2013*, 35cl)
84Clynelish 15yo 1997/2012 (57%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead C#5724, 230 Bts.)
84Balblair 1975/2012 (46%, OB)
84The Glenlivet 16yo ‘Nadurra’ (53%, OB, Batch #911P, 2011)
84Glen Moray 27yo 1986/2013 (56.8%, Adelphi, C#1931, 243 Bts.)
84Balmenach 24yo 1988/2013 (54.4%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, C#2794, 238 Bts.)
84Powers 12yo ‘John’s Lane Release’ (46%, OB, Single Pot Still, 2013*)
84Armorik ‘Millesime’ 2002/2012 (56.1%, OB, Warenghem, C#3261, France, 748 Bts.)
84Black Snake ’1st Venom’ (59.1%, OB, NAS, VAT No. 1, Sherry Butt Finish, 390 Bts., 2012)
84Ballechin ‘#8′ (46%, OB, NAS, Sauternes Cask, 6000 Bts., 2013)
84Arran (49.4%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, NAS, 459 Bts., 2013*)
84Speyside 35yo (43%, Master of Malt Secret Bottlings, 5th edition, 2013*)
84Nikka 21yo ‘Taketsuru Pure Malt’ (43%, OB, Blend, 2013*)
84Compass Box ‘Peat Monster 10th Anniversary Ed.’ (48.9%, OB, NAS, 2013)
84The Glenlivet 18yo (46%, OB, 2013*)
84Midleton ‘Barry Crockett Legacy’ (46%, OB, NAS, Single Pot Still, US Bourbon, C#016715, 2013*)
83Highland Park 25yo 1988/2013 (55.7%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 1086 Bts.)
83Highland Park 12yo ‘Fascadale’ (46%, Adelphi, Batch 5, 1483 Bts., 2013)
83Ben Nevis 16yo (54.8%, Riverstown, Oak Butt, C#2012:22, 392 Bts., 2012)
83Balblair 1989/2013 (46%, OB, 2013*)
83Talisker ‘Storm’ (45.8%, OB, NAS, 2013*)
83Blairfindy 16yo 1997/2013 (56.2%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, C#BF2013-2, 287 Bts.)
83Clynelish (50.6%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, NAS, batch #2, 319 Bts., 2013*)
83Lark ‘Distillers Selection’ (46%, OB, Port wood matured, C#387, 2013)
83Bladnoch 21yo (54.9%, Riverstown, Hogshead, C#2012:23, 296 Bts., 2012)
83Balvenie 12yo ‘Single Barrel’ (47.8%, OB, C#12759, 300 Bts., 2013*)
83Glenrothes 18yo 1994/2013 (46%, Cadenhead, 642 Bts.)
83Benriach 20yo (43%, OB, 2013*)
83Smoking Islay (55%, Blackadder, 386 Bts., 2013*)
83Singleton of Glen Ord 15yo (40%, OB, 2013*)
83Caperdonich (45.7%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, NAS, 120 Bts., 2013*)
83Glengoyne 18yo (43%, OB, 2013*)
83Dalwhinnie 15yo (43%, OB, 2013*)
83Aberlour 18yo (43%, OB, 2013*)
83Ben Nevis 21yo 1990/2013 (46%, C#23, The Maltman, 312 Bts.)
83Linkwood 1997/2013 (45%, Gordon & MacPhail for LMDW, Refill Sherry Hogshead, C#10811)
83Glenrothes ‘Minister’s Reserve’ (43%, OB, 2013)
83Inchgower 18yo 1995/2013 (50%, Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask, C#HL9983, 242 Bts.)
83King Car (46%, OB, NAS, Kavalan distillery, Taiwan, 2013)
82Glenallachie 8yo 2004/2013 (53.5%, Whisky Doris, 377 Bts.)
82Powers ‘Signature’ (46%, OB, NAS, Single Pot Still, 2013*)
82Jameson ‘Gold Reserve’ (40%, OB, NAS, 2013*)
82Lark ’20th Anniversary’ (50.5%, OB, para port barrel quarter cask, 2013*, 50cl)
82Highland Park ‘Einar’ (40%, OB, 2013*)
82Edradour 11yo 2001/2012 (57.2%, OB, Barrique, 303 Bts.)
82Bladnoch 21yo 1991/2012 (52.9%, The Whiskyman, 118 Bts.)
82Glenfarclas 17yo (43%, OB, 2013)
82Yellow Spot (46%, OB, NAS, Single Pot Still, 2013*)
82Singleton of Dufftown 15yo (40%, OB, 2013*)
82Armorik ‘Double matured’ (46%, OB, Warenghem Distillery, single malt, France, 2013)
82Campbeltown Loch 21yo (46%, OB, 2013*)
82Smoking Islay (59.9%, Blackadder, 318 Bts., 2013*)
82Glengoyne 15yo (43%, OB, 2013)
82Redbreast 15yo (46%, OB, Single Pot Still, 2013*)
82Bruichladdich 21yo 1991/2013 (55%, Blackadder Raw Cask, Hogshead, C#3047, 282 Bts.)
82Mortlach 14yo 1998/2013 (46%, The Maltman, C#10998, 376 Bts.)
82The Glenlivet 37yo 1974/2012 (46%, Berry Bros for whisky.com.tw, C#5247)
81Sullivans Cove 2000/2013 (47.5%, OB, C#HH115, 240 Bts.)
81Bruichladdich 2007 ‘Islay Barley Rockside Farm’ (50%, OB, 700ml, 2013)
81Jameson ‘Select Reserve’ (40%, OB, NAS, Small Batch, 2013*)
81Dalmore (49.1%, Asta Morris, C#AM005, 2013*)
81Singleton of Glen Ord 12yo (40%, OB, 2013*)
81Kavalan (40%, OB, NAS, 2013*)
81Aberlour 12yo (43%, OB, 2013*)
81Balvenie 17yo ‘Doublewood’ (40%, OB, 2012)
81Sullivans Cove 2000/2013 ‘Double cask’ (40%, OB, C#DC063, 1398 Bts.)
81Highland Park ‘Harald’ (40%, OB, 2013*)
81Singleton of Glendullan 12yo (40%, OB, 2013)
81Ledaig 1997/2013 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail Reserve for LMDW, Refill Sherry Hogshead, C#461, 318 Bts.)
81Tomatin ‘Legacy’ (43%, OB, 2013*)
81Bushmills 10yo (40%, OB, Single Malt, Bourbon & Oloroso, 2013*)
80Highland Park ‘Svein’ (40%, OB, 2013)