One of the more affordable whiskies here in Mauritius is the Whyte and Mackay Triple matured blended whisky. It had been a while since I last tried anything from this brand, so I decided to give it a go.
Category: Blended whisky Page 1 of 14
Blended whisky
Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for blended whisky. A collection of all the interesting releases I have tried. From Scotland and all around the world including some of the most well known and loved brands.
Over the years, I have explored a variety of affordable whiskies, including releases from India like Signature Rare whisky and many well-known Scottish whiskies available worldwide. Continuing this journey, I’m now turning my attention to the White Horse Scotch blended whisky.
Famous Grouse, a name that resonates with whisky aficionados worldwide, needs little introduction. Today, let’s delve into the Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask blended Scotch whisky.
With an impressive annual sale of 43 million bottles across more than 90 countries, Famous Grouse is one of the most accessible whisky brands. I can find it even here in Mauritius. Since 1980, it has held the title of Scotland’s highest-selling whisky brand, a testament to its enduring popularity.
Like many of its peers, Famous Grouse traces its origins back to a humble beginning in a local grocery store. Matthew Groag, the visionary behind the brand, embarked on a quest to craft his own premium blended whisky in the heart of Perthshire, Scotland.
Today, the Edrington Group is the torchbearer of his legacy; other whisky in their portfolio include Macallan and Highland Park whisky.
In 2018, the brand broadened its horizons by introducing two new cask-finished expressions. First was the Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask, the inaugural offering within the Cask Series. The Ruby Cask release, which undergoes a finishing process in port casks, joined its ranks soon afterwards.
The Bourbon Cask edition celebrates diverse oak influences, predominantly featuring whiskies aged in American Oak and first-fill bourbon casks. It is a NAS release.
The label is adorned by the iconic red Grouse, Scotland’s revered national game bird, which serves as a poignant symbol of heritage and tradition.
Priced at approximately R 290 in South Africa (€33.50 in Europe, £29 in the UK, and $25 in the USA), the Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask falls comfortably within the budget blend category. This is similar to the standard Famous Grouse retail price.
Also Read: The Top 5 Blends under R500
The Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask Whisky Review
ABV: 43%
COLOUR: Pale gold
NOSE: This is such a typical Famous Grouse nose. It’s fruity and sweet with notes of toasted oak, caramel, pepper, and vanilla. It’s lovely but not the most complex nose.
PALATE: The Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask starts quite spicy with lots of pepper, but after sipping two, it becomes sweeter. There are notes of oak, pepper, and caramel sweetness. Hints of vanilla and a tropical note are in the background. Water smooths the peppery spice, and it becomes very drinkable. It is easy to drink and smooth with a medium body.
FINISH: A medium length with caramel, oak and pepper.
RATING: VERY GOOD
It’s not the most complex dram, but we nevertheless made a dent in the bottle. It’s an uncomplicated dram for when you just want to relax.
Compared to the standard Famous Grouse whisky, the Bourbon Cask is spicier, with more toasted oak and caramel. The standard release has more cherries and candied fruit, while the fruit in the Bourbon Cask is more in the background.
The sweet note on the Bourbon Cask is more reminiscent of caramel, whereas on the standard Grouse, it is more of a honey sweetness. Both of these releases are easy drinking, and I can understand why this is the top-selling dram in Scotland.
Also Read: Pink Valentine’s Day Whisky Cocktails
As a whisky enthusiast living in Mauritius, I relish stumbling upon unique whisky finds, especially those hailing from India. So when I encountered Royal Challenge whisky at Winners in Cascavelle, I knew I had to grab it.
Initially, the brand was crafted by Shaw Wallace and introduced to the Indian market in the early 1980s. United Spirits Ltd (USL), a Diageo group company, acquired Shaw Wallace in July 2005.
Royal Challenge is a grain-flavoured blended whisky with some Scotch and Indian malts. Approximately 12% of the blend is derived from this blend of Scotch and Indian whiskies matured in charred American oak casks. The rest is a neutral spirit distilled from molasses.
However, it’s important to note that Royal Challenge whisky, akin to many Indian “whiskies” (Indian-made foreign liquor), ventures into the realm of ambiguity. In essence, it is a rum blended with some whisky. It is not in line with the Scottish whisky regulations. In the United States, it is called “spirit whisky”.
Despite its unconventional origins, Royal Challenge whisky boasts a formidable presence in the global spirits market, with over 4.5 million cases sold annually. While it enjoys widespread popularity in India, it has also made waves in the USA, Canada, and the UK, showcasing its universal appeal.
In Mauritius, acquiring a bottle won’t break the bank, with a reasonable price tag of Rs 1350. The retail price in Canada was around $29 and $23 in the USA. In the UK, it costs around 42 GBP and ₹ 974 in India.
The Royal Challenge whisky earned a Gold medal for ‘Best Indian Whisky – 2011’ at the International Whisky Competition. It does have added colour.
Also Read: Vat 69 Whisky
Royal Challenge Whisky Review
COUNTRY: India and Scotland
ABV: 42,8%
COLOUR: Antique gold
NOSE:Caramel and fruity sweetness with malt. A slight alcohol note, so let it stand for a minute or 2 for the alcohol to dissipate. Not the most complex nose, but bold nevertheless. My favourite part of the whisky.
PALATE: First taste brings caramel sweetness, malt, and black pepper. After I added a few drops of water, a bitter lemon note came forward and drowned out the malt and sweetness. Faint oak in the background.
FINISH: The finish is short. Without adding water the finish is sweeter. With the water, the finish becomes more bitter lemon and pepper.
RATING: GOOD
My personal tasting experience unveils a mixed verdict. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. Possessing a mild sweetness and devoid of any harsh alcohol burn, it serves as a versatile addition to cocktail creations.
I won’t use this in whisky-forward cocktails like an old-fashioned, but I might add this to a whisky mule or a peach smash as it is quite sweet. Just don’t add water.
Have you enjoyed sampling Royal Challenge whisky in your neck of the woods? Share your experiences and impressions with this spirit.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky
In 2022, I tried the Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish whisky. I decided it was time to open another of the Johnnie Walker expressions. This week it is the Johnnie Walker Select Casks 10 year old Rye cask finish whisky.
The Johnnie Walker Select Casks 10 year old Rye Casks Finish (a big mouth full) is a blended Scotch whisky. It was crafted under the meticulous eye of Master Blender Jim Beveridge. The base is a Cardhu single malt, blended with other whiskies matured for at least ten years in first-fill American oak casks. The blended whisky was then finished in ex-rye whiskey casks.
Introduced in October 2015, the Johnnie Walker Rye Casks Finish marks the inception of a series of limited-edition wood-finished blends from Johnnie Walker.
The Rye Cask finish is the first in a series of limited edition wood-finished blends from Johnnie Walker. It was released in October 2015.
The only experimental release I can find from Johnnie Walker is the Sweet Peat, a limited edition experimental blended Scotch whisky. I can’t see mention of any other releases in the Select Cast range.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 year old Whisky
Johnnie Walker Select Casks 10 Year Rye Casks Finish Review
ABV: 46%
COLOUR: Dark Wheat
NOSE: Prepare your senses for a symphony of creamy wood, vanilla, and rye spices adorned with a hint of malt and honeyed sweetness. Let it stand for a bit for the alcohol to evaporate.
On second nosing, it reveals freshly baked coconut loaf intertwined with delicate notes of cinnamon and a subtle nuttiness. A complexity that warms the soul and tantalizes the taste buds.
PALATE: Immerse yourself in a palate of creamy vanilla, gentle rye spices, and oak nuances harmonized by a sugary sweetness. It needs a few drops of water to temper the alcohol heat. Yet, the essence of coconut, cinnamon, and vanilla persists, weaving a tapestry of flavours.
FINISH: A medium-length finish with lingering echoes of drying oak, rye spices, and a whisper of black pepper.
RATING: EXCELLENT
Elegant and refined, the Johnnie Walker Select Casks 10-Year-Old Rye Cask Finish embodies a symphony of soft rye spices, oak, vanilla, and grain sweetness. Each element seamlessly interlocks, creating a flawless mosaic of flavour.
Perfectly balanced with a delightful interplay between wood and vanilla, sweetness and spice. The coconut notes bring a unique dimension, making it perfect for drinking here on the tropical island. The Johnnie Walker Select Cask 10 year old Rye cask finish whisky is one of the nicest drams I have had in a while.
Rarely do we encounter such experimental cask finishes in blended Scotch whisky, and this one is an unequivocal triumph. Should you chance upon this remarkable creation, buy it without hesitation.
Also Read: Royal Challenge Whisky
