Bain’s Shiraz Cask 10 yo Single Grain Whisky

We went away on holiday, and I took some whisky with us. I have been loving the Bain’s 15 yo and was keen to try the Bain’s Shiraz Cask finish 10 yo single grain whisky.

We explored Mauritius, and the warm, tropical island was a great place to take a grain whisky to. The Bain’s Shiraz cask finish whisky is a new limited edition launched in 2020. It is available in travel retail and at the James Sedgwick distillery shop.

Like the standard Bain’s whisky, the Shiraz cask is a grain whisky double matured in ex-bourbon casks for about five years. Following its initial double maturation, this whisky was finished in ex-Shiraz American oak casks for five years.

A Shiraz finish is rarely selected as a whisky finish; however, it is not the first time that the James Sedgwick distillery has experimented with this type of cask.  A couple of years ago, a Three Ships Shiraz cask finish whisky was released as part of their Masters Collection.

Looking online, I also found a High West Double Syrah Finish and the Mythology Syrah Finish whiskey. However, this is one of the only grain whisky releases aged in Shiraz, and that makes this genuinely unique.

Shiraz is a red wine cultivar with a distinct smoky flavour. In some parts of the world, it is referred to as Syrah. Shiraz wines generally have smoky, peppery, spicy and ripe plum and berry flavour.

I wrote down my tasting notes for this whisky on the beautiful island during our holiday and just captured them here to remind us of our fabulous trip.

Also Read: Bain’s 15 yo Sonically Matured whisky

Bain’s Shiraz Cask 10 yo Whisky Review

The Bain’s Shiraz Cask Finish is a single grain whisky bottled at cask strength, non-chill-filtered and natural in colour. I have bottle 4368 of 4650.

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 63.5%

COLOUR: Golden red

NOSE: As I opened the bottle, the red wine nearly overpowers everything else. After the glass stood for a few minutes, the more traditional Bains tropical fruit and sweetness came through. Hints of oak, vanilla and red fruits with pepper.

PALATE: The first sip has loads of drying red wine and tannins. Big and bold and a bit overwhelming. The alcohol doesn’t burn, but you know you are drinking a high ABV dram.

After standing for a little while, the red wine notes wafted off and left ripe red fruits, spicy toffee, pineapples and vanilla. Hints of rum and raisin ice cream with a woody undertone. Water softens the alcohol but brings more red wine to the front.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of spice and tropical sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Smooth and delicious but not an easy drinking whisky. Well balanced and complex, this grain whisky is uniquely different. It is unlike anything I have tasted before.

Drinking the standard Bain’s whisky is like sitting around a dinner table with an old friend. You don’t have to dress up or fuss; you can kick back and talk about frivolous things the whole evening.

Sipping the Shiraz Cask is like sitting down for an hour with Albert Einstein. You dress formally, listen more than speak, and come away dazed but overwhelmed. The Shiraz Cask is a whisky to savour and appreciate.

It is not for the faint of heart or for a newbie. Let it breathe for 5 to 6 minutes before trying it. Andy Watts, the Master Distiller, has again shown his brilliance and his amazing skill. The whisky retail for R975, and I have bought mine online from the James Sedgwick shop.

Also Read: Three Ships 10 yo Whisky