Category: Blended whisky Page 8 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.

Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/20/2020

In Blended whisky

If you’re a whisky enthusiast like me, you’ve probably journeyed through the Johnnie Walker colour spectrum. Savored the nuanced delights of Blue Label, Green Label, Black, or Platinum Label. But today, I am setting my sights on where it all began, the cornerstone of the Johnnie Walker legacy – the Johnnie Walker Red Label blended Scotch whisky.

In the grand tapestry of whisky history, 1893 marked a pivotal moment when the Walker family acquired the Cardhu distillery. This strategic move was driven by their desire to secure a steady supply for their key whisky brands, including their iconic Old Highland blends.

Fast forward to 1909, and Johnnie Walker embarked on a rebranding journey that would forever change the whisky landscape. During this transformation, the Special Old Highland became known as the Red Label, and the Extra Special Old Highland evolved into the Black Label whisky.

Also Read: Black & White Whisky

Since 1945, Johnnie Walker Red Label has held the title of best-selling Scotch whisky worldwide. Its reputation precedes it as a preferred choice for crafting mixed drinks. And in my exploration of this classic, I opted for a more portable companion – the Johnnie Walker pocket Scotch.

This scaled-down version, neatly packaged in a 200 ml plastic bottle, proves ideal for travellers, hikers, and picnic-goers alike. Its resilient design ensures it won’t shatter in your picnic bag, tumble or weigh down your hiking adventure. The convenience extends to the Johnnie Walker Black Label, which also comes in a pocket-sized edition.

The heart of Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch whisky lies in its blend of 30 single malt and grain whiskies. It harmonizes the light, coastal whiskies from Scotland’s eastern shores with the more robust, peaty expressions from the west. A cornerstone of the Diageo portfolio, this whisky carries no age statement.

Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Honey gold

NOSE:As you bring the glass to your nose, there are gentle notes of fruit, malt, and wildflowers. There’s a hint of greenery, a touch of vanilla, and subtle wafts of smoke. While not the most intricate bouquet, it offers a warm and inviting introduction.

PALATE: The first sip reveals toasted oak and a delightful toffee sweetness, punctuated by wisps of smoke and peat. It boasts a medium body with underlying vanilla undertones and a whisper of pepper and cardamom heat.

Though not excessively intricate, it’s eminently drinkable. A few raw alcohol notes are tempered with a drop of water, which also elevates the malt’s presence.

FINISH:The Red Label has a medium-length finish featuring notes of pepper, pectin, and honey, leaving a pleasant impression on your palate.

RATING: VERY GOOD

In summary, the Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch whisky may not have the complexity and refinement of its siblings. However, as my hubby aptly described, it’s “cheap and cheerful.”

You can rely on its consistent Johnnie Walker signature taste without breaking the bank, making it a perfect companion for crafting cocktails.

Affordability and unwavering quality are the hallmarks of Johnnie Walker Red Label. In South Africa, a bottle will retail for around R240 and India is sells for around ₹ 2,830, making it affordable.

In my quest for exploration, I couldn’t resist a side-by-side comparison with the Black Label whisky to uncover the nuances that set these two releases apart.

Also Read: Royal Challenge Whisky

Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/13/2020

In Blended whisky

2020 – A new year and a new decade. And what better way to start the new decade with than with a proudly South African whisky. My first official whisky tasting notes for 2020 is the Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask whisky.

The Fino Cask Finish is the 4th addition to the Three Ships Whisky Master’s Collection. First came the PX Cask Finish, then the Pinotage Cask Finish and thirdly the 8 yo Oloroso Cask Finish whisky. My favourite thus far was the Pinotage Cask which was my Whisky of the Year 2017.

On the 24th of October 2019, the annual Master’s Collection store was opened online again. This event has become so popular that 90% of the whisky was sold within the first hour.

Also Read: Milk & Honey Elements Sherry

For the Fino Cask release, the whisky was matured for 5 years in ex-American oak, followed by an additional 4 years in ex-Fino sherry casks. From this, Andy hand-selected only 4 barrels to create this expression. It is a limited edition with only 2,940 bottles produced.

The Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask Finish is not chill-filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 48.6%. The accent colour on the label is bright green. The green accents are fresh and bright and make the bottle stand out. I love it.

Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask Whisky Review

I have bottle 643 of 2840.

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 48.6%

COLOUR: Dark Gold

NOSE: Notes of BBQ smoke, stone fruit sweetness with bits of spice. Dried peach and apricot with bits of peat and a tropical hint.

PALATE: Complex and rich. Raisins, soft spices and citrus notes. Hints of smoke and peat balanced with sherry notes and tropical fruit sweetness. Medium body and easy drinking. No need to add water; however, a few drops of water releases a richer dimension on the palate and brings more fruity sweetness forward.

FINISH: Medium length ending in sweetness with hints of pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Very delicious! This release is sweeter than the last 2 Three Ships releases I have tasted. The Private Barrel Co James Sedgwick 6 yo Fino and the Boutique-y Whisky Company 6 yo release both had a more spicy mouthfeel with less fruit.

With this release, there is a more fruit-forward profile again. I love how the Fino sherry shines through. It is a lovely release and probably my next favourite after the Master’s Collection Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish.

I noticed that both the Private Barrel Co 6 yo release and this both have a Fino Cask Finish and during the year, I will certainly do a comparison between the 6 yo and this 9 yo whisky. Pick n Pay also jumped onto the single cask release bandwagon and released a Three Ships Virgin Oak Cask during 2021.

Also Read: Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish 11 yo Whisky

Teacher’s Blended Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/30/2019

In Blended whisky

Welcome back to the second instalment of my series on affordable drams. Today’s bottle is none other than Teacher’s blended Scotch whisky.

If you missed Part 1, where I delved into the world of budget-friendly drams, you might want to catch up here with the Jim Beam bourbon. But for now, let’s pour ourselves a dram and dive right into the world of Teacher’s whisky.

My first encounter with Teacher’s whisky was on one of our trips to India, where our friend consistently stocked up on this blend. It’s safe to say that Teacher’s whisky has quite the following in India, and for good reason. It’s affordable and trendy, making it a favourite among many whisky enthusiasts.

But what exactly is Teacher’s Highland Cream blended Scotch whisky? It’s one of the more affordable blends out there, and when I spotted it on the shelves of my local liquor store, I couldn’t resist giving it a try. At around R 170 (roughly $13 for our international friends) in South Africa, it definitely falls into the affordable category.
Also Read: Ballantine’s 7 yo Bourbon Finish Whisky

The story of Teacher’s whisky dates back to around 1830, when William Teacher founded it. He began selling his blends from his wife’s grocery store in Glasgow. It wasn’t until 1863 that he perfected the Teacher’s Highland Cream blend and the brand was officially registered in 1884. After William Teacher’s passing, his two sons, William Jr. and Adam, took the company’s reins.

To ensure a steady supply of high-quality malt whisky for Teacher’s Highland Cream, Adam Teacher founded the Ardmore distillery and acquired the Glendronach distillery. With time, Teacher’s Whisky and the Ardmore distillery attracted the attention of various buyers, leading to ownership changes.

In 2014, Beam Inc. acquired Ardmore, along with the Laphroaig distillery and the Teacher’s brand. Later on, Beam Inc. was purchased by Suntory, forming Beam Suntory. As for Glendronach, it found its way into the Brown-Forman portfolio.

The heart and soul of Teacher’s still emanate from the Ardmore distillery, known for its peat-smoked malt. The range includes the Teacher’s 50 year old to celebrate India’s 50-year independence, Teacher’s Origin to honour the founder, and Teacher’s 25 year old whisky.

Notably, Teacher’s blended whisky is renowned in India where the price is around ₹ 2,030 and it is exported to over 100 countries. Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the whisky itself:

Teacher’s Highland Cream Blended Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: When you give Teacher’s blended Scotch whisky a sniff, you’ll pick up hints of smoke, gentle earthy peat, raw alcohol, vanilla, and malty notes. The nose is subtle and not overly sophisticated.

PALATE: The palate packs more punch than the nose suggests, with notes of smoke, peat, and a touch of pepper. The fruity sweetness emerges after adding a bit of water, which also tames the raw alcohol notes but tempers the smoke and peat. It’s not the most complex of drinks, but it has its moments.

FINISH: The finish is long and spicy, with hints of pepper lingering on the palate.

RATING: GOOD

According to some research, Jim Murray, the whisky guru, loves this blend and rated it a 90 in his Whisky Bible. However, personal preferences vary, and after a busy day or two, I found that Teacher’s whisky didn’t tickle my taste buds the way I’d hoped. I revisited it a few days later, but it still didn’t win me over.

Considering the price point, I wasn’t expecting the most complex of whiskies. Still, for my palate, Teacher’s has a bit too much of that raw alcohol edge. It’s a one-glass wonder, and I might not even finish the glass I poured.

Update: I decided to have fun over the weekend and conducted a taste-off between Teacher’s and Ballantine’s Finest whisky, both budget-friendly blends. Stay tuned for the results; it made for an enjoyable afternoon of exploration on the patio.

What budget blend should I try next?

Also Read: Grant’s Sherry Cask Edition whisky

Black Bottle Old Release Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/29/2019

In Blended whisky

The first Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky I tasted was the new version that was launched in 2013. Burn Stewart went back to the original roots of the blend and updated the inside and the outside. That got me thinking about the Black Bottle old release whisky, that if you are lucky enough, you sometimes still find in the shops.

While researching the new Black Bottle, I read a lot about the Islay character of the old Black Bottle whisky, and when I spotted a few of the pre-2013 versions in the shop, I grabbed it.

For many years, Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky was known for its Islay peatiness. The bottle changed from the original Black glass that was sourced from a supplier in Germany to green glass during the early part of the 1900s.

The change was due to the outbreak of World War 1. The Islay character change is probably also from that time when Islay whiskies were more readily available and affordable.

Old Black Bottle is (according to some) a blend of at least 7 different Islay distilleries as well as some grain whisky from the mainland. The older release and the newer release can’t be more different. But what exactly does the old Black bottle taste like?

Also Read: William Lawson’s whisky

Black Bottle Old Release Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Classic peaty Islay notes with hints of wet seaweed and honey sweetness. It does not have that heavy medicinal notes from a Lagavulin or Laphroaig, but a bit more salt, oak, and fruity sweetness. Dried cherries and honey with hints of smoke and delicious creamy bits.

PALATE: Soft peat and fruit. Bits of pepper, vanilla and salted nuts mixed with dried cherries, honey, and condensed milk creaminess. Bits of smoke and dry oak. Not an overwhelming peat monster, but a wonderfully balanced drinkable whisky.

Certainly no shrinking violet. I finished my first glass without adding some water and had to have another glass to see what water does to it. Interestingly, water releases a malty cookie dough note.

FINISH: Long and warming and perfect for winter with peat and hints of lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious dram. Peaty enough for a peat lover, but balanced with enough sweetness to convert someone who wants to experiment with more peat. It has some rough edges, but it is all part of the prominent character.

The new Black Bottle release (in the black bottle) is a lovely dram, and it works well in cocktails. However, this release is bold and delicious. If you like peated whisky and you see the last lonely one in a bottle shop somewhere, grab it. You will be delighted that you did.

Also Read: Ledaig 10 yo Whisky

Signature Rare Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/08/2019

In Blended whisky

My hubby travels a lot. He goes all over the world, but quite frequently into Africa. About two years ago, he was flying back from Mozambique and dropped me a message from Maputo Airport.It was a photo of a Signature Rare Aged whisky.

I have never seen or heard about this brand in South Africa, so the bottle was relegated to the back of the cupboard. But I kept on noticing it. It has a unique shape, and this week I decided, we can just as well taste it.

Also Read: Royal Challenge Whisky

I started doing some research on the Signature Rare Aged whisky. I found that it was a blend of Islay, Highland and Indian whisky. Master Blender Caroline Martin put this blend together. It is part of United Spirits Ltd in India and is owned by Diageo.

Launched in 1994 and is known for its iconic octagonal green-coloured bottles. The Signature Premier grain whisky is also available.

I am not sure how this bottle landed in Maputo Airport, and I have not seen it again. But it is part of Diageo, so it might not be all bad…

Signature Rare Aged Whisky Review

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 42.8%

COLOUR: Golden

NOSE: Very subtle with notes of sweetness, fruit, oak, and caramel. Green notes, menthol with a faint acid bitterness.

PALATE: The Signature whisky has a few alcohol notes when tasting it for the first time. There are notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, and molasses sweetness. I am battling to get the Highland and Islay notes in this release. Hints of green grass and juniper. Water softens the alcohol notes but also tones down all the other notes.

FINISH: Short ending in sweet caramel

RATING: GOOD

Not the most complex dram. It is a bit one dimensional and inoffensive. Indeed not the worst whisky I have tried, but rather subtle and a bit unsophisticated.

Looking back at drams I did not enjoy at all; the Signature is slightly better than the Galloway Single Grain and the Schoonspruit 2010 Single Barrel whiskey.

I think it will work nicely in tall drink cocktails as an alcohol base from which to build on. I have seen this release here in Mauritius as well. Have you tried this release? Your thoughts?

Also Read: Paul John Nirvana Whisky