Whisky Forum - Your highest rated SIngle Malt Scotch by Jim Murray

Quaich1

I checked my whole collection of single malts and the highest rating by Jim Murray is my Ardbeg 10 years at 97, my Lagavulin 16 at 95, Talisker 57 Degrees North at 95 and Dalwhinnie 15 years at 95. I have many others in the lower 90's. What are your highest rated ones?

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

Wow, I didn't know he rated Dalwhinnie 15 so highly. I don't quite see how it's that special, though it's certainly very good. I don't have any Ardbegs on my shelf at the moment, so I guess the highest-rated are Lagavulin 16 and Talisker 57 Degrees North.

Charlie · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 1410

I dont always agree with Jim Murrays ratings but taste is an individual thing. I wouldnt be without his whisky bible though as it is a very useful rough guide which has lead me to a few quality drams and when he rates any whisky very low i know to stay away from them.

Some which he has rated highly i have at the moment are Ardbeg 10 year old, Supernova 2009, Uigeadail, Ballantines 17, Old Pulteney 21, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Redbreast 12 - all of which i believe he rated in the high 90's

Quaich1 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:08 pm Post subject:

TheWM · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject:

So, there I was searching on ol' interweb for Jim Murray's scores on some whiskies I have and guess what I stumbled across this post Laughing

Resurrecting this thread from the dead - so I am trying the Maxwell 33 again now and whilst it is smooth, light and IMO quite refreshing, I cannot believe he rated it so highly (95) compared with this week's faves of mine, Lagavulin 16 (95) and Glenlivet 18 (83.5).

In fact going through what I have:

Penderyn Madiera (76)
Glenmorangie 10 (94)
Glenlivet 12 (83)
Talisker 10 (?)
Chivas Regal 18 (95)
Glenlivet Nadurra (?)
Balvenie Doublewood (80.5)
Bowmore Small Batch Reserve (?)
Jura 10 (86)

My comments would be that I think the Pederyn got a bad deal and the Glenmorangie & Chivas Regal were flattered.

Do you think Jim Murray gets 'special treatment' from some distilleries and this affects his scoring? Or does he, like most of us (I assume) have our tastes vary slightly depending how we're feeling etc...?

Quaich1 · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:58 pm Post subject:

minesascotch · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:58 pm Post subject:

Waiting for Santa to bring the 2013 edition but looking at 2012 here is my list down from top score to 96. (11 in total).

Ardbeg Uigeadail (97.5)
Ballantines 17 (97.5)

Ardbeg 10 (97)

Ardbegt Corryvreckan (96.5)
GlenDronach 18 (96.5)
Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX (96.5)
Powers John's Lane 12 (96.5)

Aberlour a'bunadh Batch No 23 (96)
Laphroaig Quater Cask (96)
Big Peat (96)
Redbreast 12 (96)

Like Charlie I use the Bible only as a rough guide, I prefer to go to Whisky Shows (four this year) and do my own tastings and buy accordingly.

Cheers everyone Very Happy

Diademo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 1255

Not really fond of whisky (or any other) gurus but here are some of mine higher scored bottles from his 2013 Bible:

Old Pulteney 21 - 97,5
Laphroaig Quarter Cask - 96
Highland Park 18 - 95,5
Aberlour A'Bunadh (Batch #37) - 94,5
Glenfiddich 15 Solera - 94,5
Laphroaig 18 - 94

andyroid20 · Double Malt Member Joined: 24 May 2012 Posts: 107

My wife bought me the 2013 edition today so according to that, the ones I have between 94.5 and 97.5

Ardbeg Uigeadail - 97.5
Ardbeg 10 - 97
Ardbeg Corryvreckan - 96.5
Laphroaig Qtr Cask - 96
Highland Park 18 = 95.5
Glenfiddich 18 - 95
Lagavulin 16 - 95
Talisker 57 Degrees North - 95
Aberlour 16 - 94.5
Glenfiddich 15 - 94.5

Only half of them are opened though so got some good stuff to look forward too!

Alfieboy1 · New Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Denny

He likes the sound of his own voice this 1,likes 2 be controversial...he has got books to sell!! Rolling Eyes

bifter · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:12 am Post subject:

Not got my 2012 Bible to hand but most of the scores have been mentioned here:

Dalwhinnie 15
Lagavulin 16
Highland Park 18
Ballantine's 17
Maxwell 33

@TheWM Jim Murray invariably scores blends highly, even Bells and Famous Grouse get into the 90s.
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

TheWM · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject:

Really? I need to get me a copy so I can critique his work!

DavidUK · Double Malt Member Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 174

Not 100% sure, but I have the Glen Moray Portwood finish which he scored at 95.5

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

I really need to have a look and work that out.

I know I have the Talisker 10 which is highly rated (I think)
There is the SMWS Port Charlotte that is highly rated
The Laga 16 I think is in there too
Old Puleteny 17
a'Bunadh 37

Thats whats currently in the cupboard, but I have had a number of them in the past which are now empty.

It's interesting reading some of his thoughts and, while I don't hang my hat on what he says, it's often a very good perspective to read and I do believe that I'm very sulphur intolorant, so JM is always worth checking out being as I know what his thoughts and feelings are on sulphur.