Category: Blended Malt Whisky Page 2 of 5

Blended Malt Whisky

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for Blended Malt Whisky. A collection of all the interesting releases I have tried. Mainly Scotch whisky from all the whisky regions.

Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/27/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

An intriguing name for a Scottish whisky – Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whisky. The name stems from the shoulder strain (often temporary) that maltmen experienced due to the repetitive hand-turning of barley during the whisky-making process.

Monkey Shoulder whisky, crafted by Speyside legends William Grant & Sons, is a blended malt whisky that embodies the spirit of Scottish tradition and innovation.

This spirit is meticulously produced using malt from the company’s three prestigious Dufftown distilleries: Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, and Kininvie. All three malts are aged in first-fill bourbon casks before being expertly blended in small batches, with 27 casks coming together to create the magic.

I have tasted many Glenfiddich and Balvenie expressions. Kininvie is, however, not quite as well known. Kininvie, one of Scotland’s youngest distilleries, began its journey on July 4, 1990, nestled within the grounds of the Balvenie distillery.

While Kininvie boasts computer-controlled distillation, it notably lacks its own mash house. The age-old tradition of hand turning is still honoured by the Balvenie maltmen.

The bottle proudly displays three metal monkeys on its shoulder, symbolizing the three distilleries contributing to this exceptional blend.

Monkey Shoulder whisky has garnered critical acclaim, with Jim Murray awarding it an impressive 93 points in his Whisky Bible and a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards in 2013.

Approximately 10% of my whisky collection comprises bottles from The Balvenie and Glenfiddich distilleries, making Monkey Shoulder blended malt a fitting addition to my lineup.

Related Article: Clan Denny Islay Edition Whisky

Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review

REGION: Speyide

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark golden. It is a very thick and oily whisky.

NOSE: The nose has notes of bourbon sweetness, fruitcake, toffee, and vanilla notes; this whisky offers an exquisite drinking experience. Oak and cereals float past, and with the addition of a bit of water, there are hints of fresh cut-flowers.

PALATE: On the palate, Monkey Shoulder delights with a creamy texture and subtle notes of barley, cereals, spices, honey sweetness, and vanilla. It’s an easy-drinking whisky that will leave you yearning for a second glass.

FINISH: The finish is medium long, leaving a beautiful, warming sensation with hints of spice and caramelized nuts.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whisky is an outstanding standalone spirit and an excellent base for crafting cocktails. As the holiday season approaches, it will undoubtedly find a prominent place on my cocktail menu.

I’ve even acquired the Kininvie 17 year old expression, completing my trio of distilleries contributing to this fine dram’s magic.

I played around with a chocolate pairing. I found that Monkey Shoulder whisky proved a robust and versatile companion, beautifully complementing the sweet indulgence of Caramello chocolate.

Cheers to the perfect blend of tradition and innovation in every sip of Monkey Shoulder whisky!

The Monkey Shoulder is available around the world and the price is around R450 in South Africa, £24 in the UK and ₹ 3,990 in India.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Green Label Whisky

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2018 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/13/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

I am ending the year with my favourite Scottish fisherman; my last tasting notes for 2021 being for the Big Peat Christmas 2018 Edition blended malt Scotch whisky. Big Peat blended whisky needs no introduction; he has been a regular and welcome visitor on the blog over the last couple of years.

The Big Peat Cape Town Edition is one of my all-time favourite drams, and the Big Peat 26 year old Platinum Edition whisky is just as delicious. Since 2011, Douglas Laing has released a yearly limited edition of Big Peat to celebrate the festive season.

Also Read: Ardbeg Uigeadail vs An Oa Whisky

The 2018 label features Big Peat dressed as a Santa, trying to shimmy his way down a chimney. However, it seems that he got a bit stuck. The expression on this face is, as always, comically serious. The bright red and white labelling and packaging stand out between the more traditional bottles and look festive and tempting.

The 2018 edition is a blended malt small batch recipe that uses 7 Islay malts. Non-chill-filtered naturally coloured and bottled at a cask strength of 53.9%. The distilleries used in the blend include Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, and Port Ellen.

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2018 Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 53.9%

COLOUR: Light golden straw

NOSE: Smoke, BBQ, earthy peat, tarry coal; all the Islay notes you come to expect from Big Peat. It is interlaced with a honey sweetness and some malt. The nose is lovely and balanced and not overwhelming or intimidating. Bits of BBQ spice and hints of dried pineapple and salted caramel. Just beautiful and warming.

PALATE: Soft and smooth with no alcohol heat! At 53%, you don’t have to add any water. Warming coriander and cumin, peat, smoke, with oak and bits of autumn fruit drizzled with honey. Hints of vanilla and dried salty seaweed. Wildflowers with bits of malt. Very oily and thick. It took me 3 glasses before I got around to add water. It is just perfection.

FINISH: Lingering with hints of peat, honey and mild warming pepper.

RATING: DIVINE

What a divine way to end this crazy Covid year’s tastings. This dram put a HUGE smile on both my and John’s faces. The BBQ notes remind me a bit of the Big Peat Cape Town Edition, but this release has a more flower honey sweetness to it.

It is rich and complex with enough Islay notes to impress peat lovers but is accessible enough for a Speyside lover as well. It has a superb balance between earthy and sweet notes, a perfect way to end the year.

I need to get my hands on more of the Christmas Editions. Looking at the 2021 Christmas Edition, Big Peat is enjoying a spot of sledding. I don’t think that edition will make it to our South African shores, but I will certainly look out for it when we travel again (one day).

Also Read: Compass Box No Name No 2 Whisky

Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/24/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

As I continue my journey through the remarkable Johnnie Walker colour spectrum, I am pausing today to explore the exceptional qualities of Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year old blended malt Scotch whisky.

The Green Label is a truly unique offering within the Johnnie Walker family, and I’m excited to delve into the details of this blended malt whisky.

Johnnie Walker Green Label, known for its distinct character, was initially introduced in 1997 under Johnnie Walker Pure Malt 15 yo. It was rebranded in 2004 as Johnnie Walker Green Label. One of its standout features is that it’s a blended malt whisky consisting of a blend of only single malts, each aged for a minimum of 15 years.

Also Read: Bennachie Whisky

Notably, in 2012, Diageo discontinued the production of the Green Label as part of a range restructuring effort. However, whisky enthusiasts worldwide rejoiced when the brand made a triumphant return in 2016.

To add to the excitement, in recent years, Diageo unveiled a special edition called the Green Island, offering a fresh take on this classic. For today’s tasting experience, I’m delving into the pre-2016 release of this iconic blend.

Johnnie Walker describes the Green Label as representing various Scotch whisky regions, including Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Island. This well-crafted blend results from harmoniously combining at least 27 distinct single malts, all matured in a mixture of American and European oak casks.

These single malts hail from renowned distilleries like Cragganmore and Linkwood, playing key roles alongside the spirited contributions of Caol Ila and Talisker distiller malts. Together, these components create a symphony of flavours that define the Green Label’s unique character.

Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden Honey

NOSE: On the nose, the Green Label offers delightful aromas of after-dinner mints, aniseed, oak, and subtle hints of smoke. The bouquet is further enriched by fruity sweetness, malt, and a slight dash of pepper. There are also gentle reminders of fresh-cut grass and vanilla, providing a sensory journey for the whisky enthusiast.

PALATE: The palate is equally captivating, with notes of vanilla, fruity sweetness, and a touch of cinnamon. This is complemented by a mild Scottish Highland peat smoke, which adds depth and complexity to the tasting experience.

The presence of oak, malt, and the freshness of flowers balances a slight warmth from the alcohol. The after-dinner mint sensation, resembling fresh-cut mint and dark chocolate, becomes even more pronounced. A dash of water enhances the honeyed sweetness within the palate.

FINISH: The finish is medium-length and concludes with a delightful combination of pepper and a faint wisp of smoke.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Unsurprisingly, the Johnnie Walker Green Label earns this rating, with its delightful mint chocolate notes setting it apart as a delightful and easy-drinking dram. The price for the Johnnie Walker Green Label is around R1000 in South Africa.

The allure of the Green Label is undeniable, and I find myself curious about the differences that the newer 15-year-old expression and the Island Green edition might bring to the table. An exciting side-by-side tasting awaits in the future.

But for now, I’m content to savour the timeless charm of this blended malt. What are your thoughts on this remarkable release?

Update: My whisky adventures continue, and in 2023, I had the pleasure of discovering the Johnnie Walker Island Green whisky. I have also played around with a Green vs Blue Label comparison to see how the those two colours differ.

Also Read: Shackleton whisky

Kamiki Blended Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/26/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

Time for a world whisky again and this week I look at the Kamiki blended malt whisky. I tasted this interesting expression last year at Bottega Cafe in Parkhurst, where Savi has an fantastic variety of whisky.

Kamiki is a blended malt whisky that combines Japanese malt whiskies with specially selected malt whisky from around the world. After blending, the Kamiki whisky is cut with Japanese spring water and then finished in casks made from Japanese cedar wood.

Also Read: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

Japanse Cedar or Yoshino Sugi trees are indigenous to Japan and grow at the base of Mount Miwa. These trees are well known as a particularly aromatic type of wood.

The brand website states that Kamiki is the first whisky ever to enjoy a cedar cask finish. According to the experts, the aromatic wood is difficult to handle but imparts immense depth to the final liquid.

Kamiki translates as ‘God’s breath’ and is named after the winds that descend from Mount Miwa in Nara. Kamiki blended malt whisky was bottled at cask strength and is non-chill-filtered and has no age statement.

Kamiki Blended Malt Whisky Review

ABV:48.5%

COLOUR: Rich Gold with hints of red

NOSE: Fruity sweetness and caramel with red berries with lashings of dry wood. Faint spicy hints with smoke. Not a very complex nose and there is a bit of alcohol burn.

PALATE: Tobacco and white pepper with caramel sweetness and raw wood. It is like standing in a carpenters workshop while they are sanding, and the wood dust burns your eyes and throat. The first bit of wood is warming, but then it quickly becomes overwhelming. Light fruity notes with cinnamon.

Many people commented that the Kamiki has some peaty notes, but neither John nor I picked up any peat. It needs a bit of water to tone down the alcohol burn. Water brings more fruity sweetness to the forefront. However, the whisky is a bit one dimensional with not a lot of depth.

FINISH: Medium length and end in notes of pepper and wood.

RATING: GOOD

I was expecting a bit more from this blended malt. The spice and woody notes quickly become overbearing and drown out any of the other, more subtle notes. My personal view; the cedar wood makes for a clever marketing angle.

However, the impact of the cedar wood finish drowns out of anything else. I also suspect that there are a few rather young malts in the blend, as some of the alcohol has distinct raw notes.

The Kamiki whisky retails for around R800 in SA and is only available in a 500ml bottle. You can find out more about Savi’s Bottega Whisky Club and see what other interesting releases he has.

Also Read: Milk & Honey Classic Whisky

Shackleton Blended Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/26/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

During 2018 I attended the soft launch of the new Shackleton blended malt Scotch whisky in South Africa. The blended malt is a follow up to the Mackinlay’s The Enduring Spirit that came out a few years earlier. Where the Enduring Spirit was a limited edition firmly in the premium price class, the Shackleton blended malt is more readily available and way more affordable.

The launch evening was terrific. Master storyteller Rob Caskie narrated the history of Shackleton’s attempt to traverse Antarctica, via the South Pole. Without visual media, Rob sketched the history in fascinating detail.

He told us all about the problems experienced by the expedition, the conditions that the team had to endure, the different personalities of the team members and the interaction with each other.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Island Green Whisky

It is a story of courage, perseverance and endurance. It is the story that inspired Master Blender Richard Patterson to create a more accessible version of the first limited edition Mackinlay release. He wanted to capture the spirit of the original whisky commissioned by Shackleton.

Using the flavour profile of Shackleton’s favourite whisky, Patterson created a blended malt whisky comprising various Highland and Speyside single malts. It was launched as the Shackleton blended malt whisky.

The Shackleton blended malt Scotch whisky is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon American white oak barrels and Spanish Sherry butts. It is available at major retailers and sells for less than R500 in SA. It is part of the Whyte and Mackay stable.

Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Sweetness balanced with notes of fruit, spices, smoke, and menthol. Faint peat in the background. The nose reminds me a bit of the Dalmore 15 yo.

PALATE: Rich and bold. Honey sweetness, malt, orchard fruit with warming cinnamon and vanilla balanced with dry oak and aniseed. Adding water makes the sweetness more rounded and complex. Easy drinking and smooth.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of sweetness and orange blossom.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What an enjoyable dram. And at the price point – this is a stand out malt! This bottle will not last long and will be replaced every time. This bottle is going with on my next hiking adventure.

After spending the day hiking in the beautiful Drakensberg, next to the fire, adding a few drops of fresh mountain water; it will just be perfect.

It is a whisky that works particularly well over ice. So it is also perfect for the sweltering SA summer we have been experiencing. On what adventure are you taking your Shackleton whisky?

Also Read: Whyte and Mackay Blended Whisky