Category: Whisky of the Week Page 3 of 75

Whisky of the Week

A blog about whisky and the whisky tasting notes.

Johnnie Walker Island Green Whisky

On 08/21/2023

This travel retail exclusive whisky is perfect for my current setting. I am trying the Johnnie Walker Island Green blended malt Scotch whisky here on the beautiful green island of Mauritius.

There is, however, nothing tropical about the Island Green whisky. It is Islay rather than island. But the colour of the box and the coconut trees around me matches, so it is as good an excuse as any.

The Johnnie Walker Island Green is a blended malt whisky and retail travel release. It blends malts from Caol Ila, Clynelish, Glenkinchie and Cardhu. So a malt from each Scottish region. Islay, Highlands, Lowlands, and Speyside. Caol Ila malts make up most of the blend, hence the reference to Island.

When you look at the make-up of Island Green vs Green Label, the Green Label has an age statement. It also blends many more malts, including Talisker, Cragganmore and Linkwood.

The Johnnie Walker Island Green blended malt Scotch whisky was released in July 2016. Because it is a travel retail release, it is available in a 1L bottle. It has no age statement. I shared my bottle with friends on the island, and the tasting notes also included their comments.

Johnnie Walker Island Green Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich gold

NOSE: Smooth, soft peaty goodness mixed with cereals and a green earthy note. Hints of vanilla, wood and light pepper. You can’t miss the Islay base on the Island Green. My friend D said the nose reminded her of her granny’s fashioned emergency kit with rolled-up bandages and disinfectant. The peaty notes are all Caol Ila, but the Cardhu toasted wood, malt and vanilla also have a spot. Rich and delicious.

PALATE: Again, the Caol Ila stands upfront with soft peat, oak and smoke. Hints of oily fish and malt in the background. With a few drops of water, a fruity sweetness comes forward with caramel, marmalade and pepper, probably from the Glenkinchie.

Malty goodness and vanilla with bits of cinnamon. Medium body with an oily mouth feel. A few people around the table got woody notes.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of lemon pepper, oak and drying ash.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious blended malt. Between the 5 of us, we finished the bottle. The peat is drinkable even for a novice, with enough sweetness to suit many tastes. It is complex enough to entice the serious whisky drinkers in our group but approachable enough for the newbie to enjoy.

An outstanding balance between the peppery notes and fruity sweetness. A great bottle. I will restock this Johnnie Walker as soon as I travel again.

Also Read: Big Peat 26 yo Whisky

Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/24/2023

In Rye Whiskey

This bottle of Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye whiskey has been in my cupboard for a couple of years after the hubby brought it back from a trip to the UK. I have been in the mood for something more spicy after the sweetness of the last couple of weeks, so a rye whiskey is perfect.

Pikesville Rye whiskey was initially produced in Maryland by L. Winand & Brothers Distillery, established in 1895. The brand went through several changes of ownership and survived Prohibition. The last batch of rye whiskey was produced in Maryland in 1972 by the Majestic Distilling Corporation.

In 1972 Majestic Distilling closed down. However, they left enough filled barrels, and the brand continued until 1982. In 1982, Heaven Hill bought the brand. Heaven Hill released the Pikesville Rye in 2015, and it is currently produced at the Bernheim Distillery.

Also Read: Michter’s Single Barrel Rye

Heaven Hill has an extensive whiskey and bourbon brand collection, and the Evan Williams, Rittenhouse and Henry McKenna brands fall under their banner. They are the biggest privately owned whiskey company in the USA.

The mash bill for the Pikesville Straight Rye whiskey is 51% rye, 39% corn and 10% malted barley. Compared to the other rye whiskies I have tried, this is the bare minimum rye to quality as a rye whiskey. The Jack Daniel’s Rye and the Bulleit Rye are considerably higher with 70% and 95%, respectively.

Another different aspect is the higher ABV when looking at the other rye releases. Sazerac and Bulleit Rye has a 45% ABV while the Pikesville rye is at 55% (110 proof).

Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey Review

The Pikeville Rye is a 6 year old release.

REGION: USA

ABV: 55%

COLOUR: Pale copper

NOSE: The nose is subtle with hints of grassy rye, brown sugar, oak, pepper and baking spices. Hints of cherry and liquorice in the background. A whiff of alcohol on the first sniff, so let it stand a few minutes.

PALATE: The Pikesville Straight Rye whiskey starts quite spicy with notes of cloves, pepper and rye spices, but then comes red fruits and cherries with toasted oak. Maple syrup sweetness balances out the spicy notes. Not as spicy or complex as some of the other rye releases I have tried, but it is relatable and easy to drink. A few drops of water cool down the alcohol heat.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of vanilla, cinnamon spice and bits of drying oak. A faint dark chocolate-covered cherry note makes me want to go back to try this rye again.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a drinkable bottle of rye whiskey. Not quite as spicy as I expected, which is a good thing. I have a sweeter palate, and some rye releases can quickly become too spicy. It does need a few minutes to breathe and a few drops of water to cool down the alcohol heat, but this is an impressive rye.

The Pikesville Straight Rye whiskey retail for around $58. I will pick up another bottle when I travel again.

Also Read: Pike Creek 10 year old Whisky

Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Irish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/19/2023

In Irish Whiskey

Today I try the last of the Dunville samples and it seems that I left the best for last. The remaining sample was the Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish blended Irish whiskey. The original Three Crowns brand was introduced in the 1830s and it was around for about 100 years before being discontinued.

I wrote about the history of the Three Crowns brand and the Echlinville distillery when I captured my tasting notes for the 12 yo PX Cask and the Three Crowns Peated whiskey and you can read all about it on those blog posts.

Also Read: Bisquit & Dubouché VS Cognac

This distillery is also not a stranger to winning awards. During March 23, Dunville’s won two major awards at the World Whiskies Awards in London. The Dunville’s 21 yo Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt was named Ireland’s Best Single Malt and the PX 20 yo Cask Strength, Cask 1644 won Ireland’s Best Single Cask Whiskey award.

The Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish is a blended whiskey made up of a 4 yo single grain, 10 yo single malt and a 15 yo single malt finished in Oloroso casks.

Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Irish Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 43,5%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Yummy. Red orchard fruit sweetness with bits of malt, raisins, and brown sugar. A gentle floral note in the background with bits of vanilla and nutmeg.

PALATE: Creamy oak, sherry, orchid fruits, nutmeg, and hints of green pepper. A walnut note mixed with some malt and dried orange. Smooth, rich, and bold. Water softens the boldness and complexity. You don’t need to add any water.

FINISH: The finish has notes of drying oak, sherries fruits, vanilla, and pepper. Warming you from the inside out. Long and lingering.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish is a lovely release! Rich with a chewy mouthfeel that will be ideal for winter. Perfect for the sherry-finish whisky enthusiast. I enjoyed it more than the Peated and the 12 yo PX cask whiskey.

It is the bottle I will buy for myself and would encourage you to try. Serve it in a cognac glass on a winter’s evening next to a camel throne fire. A lovely sipping dram.

It is available in South Africa. I saw it at WhiskyShop and it retails for around R1100 as well as at Cutler Drinks.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the Truman & Orange team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whiskey.

Ballantine’s Limited Edition Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/15/2023

In Blended whisky

One of the bottles that made it to the island with me is the Ballantine’s Limited Edition blended Scotch whisky. It is no secret that we are huge Ballantine’s whisky fans. This is the second bottle from the Ballantine’s range I am writing about this year. The first one was the Ballantine’s 7 year old Bourbon finish whisky.

I have several Ballantine’s releases in my collection and have written about some of the flavoursome releases I have tasted. The Ballantine’s Limited Edition whisky is a blend of Ballantine’s most exclusive Scotch whiskies. It has no age statement, and little information is available on the this Limited Edition.

John picked up this bottle in one of the whisky auctions, and we have had it in our collection for at least 5 years.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Whisky

The bottle comes in a beautiful blue box with wood insides, and the bottle is a striking blue colour. When the bottle is empty, I am keeping the empty bottle just because it is pretty. My Ballantine’s Limited Edition is release no: G25095.

The inside of the box states that “it carries the name Limited because only the best whiskies are used in its making, including the company’s own aged single malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie.”

One of the reasons we enjoy Ballantine’s so much is the bold, memorable flavours from their releases. The Ballantine’s 17 year old and 17 year old Scapa Edition is on my list of best drams ever. The Limited Edition was quite expensive, and I have seen prices in excess of $150 online.

Ballantine’s Limited Edition Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden Amber

NOSE: Subtle and elegant with rich red fruits, bits of oak, vanilla, and notes of honey sweetness. Dried cherries with soft spices and soft green notes. Really lovely.

PALATE: Smooth and rich with toffee notes and overripe pears and hints of black pepper and cinnamon. All notes are put together very elegantly. Bits of drying oak and vanilla with hints of lemon. Adding water releases notes of dark chocolate and leather and softens the pepper.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of drying oak, soft honey sweetness, and light pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It’s a lovely dram. Easy drinking and well-balanced. The bottle will not last very long. However, it is not the bold and complex dram I expected from Ballantine’s. At the price point, I was hoping for something more memorable. Something special that holds our attention. However, at this price point there are more impressive blends and single malts out there.

For the serious Ballantine’s collector, it’s an interesting bottle to have to complete the collection. But rather buy the Ballantine’s 17 year old if you want to spoil yourself with something spectacular.

Also Read: GlenDronach Peated Whisky

Belgian Owl Passion Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/24/2023

In Single Malt whisky

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Belgian Owl Evolution whisky I tasted as part of a tasting pack. Evolution was John’s favourite of all five samples. My favourite was the Belgian Owl Passion single malt whisky.

You can read more about Belgian Owl in my previous blog post. I also captured my notes on Identity a couple of years ago. Today I want to look at Etienne Bouillon’s sustainable farming philosophy behind Belgian Owl. Etienne is passionate about Belgium and the soil and spent time with Jim McEwan at Bruichladdich distillery.

The focus is very much on the terroir; 2-eared spring barley is grown in the region around Hesbaye. Nature is left to take its course around the fields where the barley is grown. Water for the distillery comes straight from a 38 m deep well right next to the distillery.

There are two stills from the Caperdonich distillery installed at the distillery. Care is shown not only in the growing and distilling process but also in the choice of casks. Belgian Owl whisky is non-chill-filtered and without artificial colouring. Over the years, the care and attention to quality have been recognised with many awards.

The Belgian Owl Passion is an unseated single cask edition, and each bottling series is unique. Passion was aged for between 36 – 60 months in American white oak.

Belgian Owl Passion Whisky Review

COUNTRY: Belgium

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Bright gold

NOSE: Creamy condensed milk, baked pear drizzled with honey, oak with faint citrus hints. Warming and inviting.

PALATE: Banana and tropical fruit, bits of grilled pineapple, hints of wood and vanilla with shortbread creaminess. Big and bold with soft pepper and citrus. I finished my first glass without water. Just delicious and drinkable.

FINISH: Medium length with a creamy sweetness and black pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Just like the Identity, Passion has that distinctive Belgian Owl fruity sweetness balanced with soft spices that are the defining characteristic of this Belgian distillery. This sweeter dram suited my sweet palate very well.

Now I need to capture my tasting notes for the Belgian Owl Intense release. I also saw the new bottling from this distillery. They are gorgeous! I want to buy and finish a bottle just to have the beautiful bottle!

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the SA Belgian Owl team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Also Read: Bain’s 15 yo Whisky