Category: Grain Whisky Page 1 of 3

Grain whisky

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for single grain whisky. A collection of all the interesting grain whisky (whiskey) based releases I have tried. Single grain whisky from around the world.

Bains 15 yo Sonically Matured Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/11/2023

In Grain Whisky

Here I am, once again, closing out the year with a bottle of Bain’s whisky. I ended 2022 on the Bain’s 15 yo whisky, my all time favourite, and this year, the last bottle I am opening is the Bains 15 yo Sonically Matured single grain whisky.

If you’ve been following my whisky adventures, you might recall that I tasted the Bain’s Symphony whisky in 2021. This was a 7 year old gem that spent three months in a unique ” sonic cellar” at the distillery. The Bain’s brand team played South African artist Tellaman’s music into the barrels, which caused the maturing whisky inside to move and constantly interact with the wood.

I was so smitten with that release that I stocked up on several backup bottles. When the Bain’s 15 year old sonically mature whisky was unveiled, it was a no-brainer to add it to my collection.

This year, the occasion was particularly special. We had just moved into our new house in a different country, marking the start of a thrilling new adventure. What better way to commemorate this milestone than by uncorking a bottle of our favourite South African whisky brand?

The Bain’s 15 yo Sonically Matured edition is a limited release that embodies the pinnacle of artisanal expertise.

Four casks of standard Bain’s whisky were aged for 15 years, after which they spent five months in a bespoke sonic cellar. Only 1,200 bottles of this triple-matured whisky were released, making it a true collector’s item.

Over the years, the distillery has unveiled a captivating array of releases, each with the unique Bain’s character and flavour profile. Notable mentions include Bain’s 10 yo Shiraz Cask, an expression that marries the rich, fruity notes of Shiraz wine casks with the elegance of Bain’s whisky.

There is also the Bain’s Founders Collection 18 year old PX Finish whisky as well as the Bain’s 21 year old Double Cask whisky.

Also Read: Toor Whisky

Bains 15 yo Sonically Matured Whisky Review

I have bottle 0282 /1200

ABV: 45.9%

COLOUR:Golden amber

NOSE: Tropical banana and grain sweetness with a nutty creaminess. Wet wood and hints of leather with black pepper and vanilla.

PALATE: The first sip brings wood spices before the tropical sweetness. It needs to breathe a bit before the sweetness can come through. Hints of vanilla and grain with a taste that reminds me of grilled pineapple dusted with chilli salt. Water allowed the fruity sweetness to come forward but also increased the wood note.

FINISH: Drying oak with pepper and vanilla.

RATING: EXCELLENT

John loved it. He prefers a spicier dram. My palate prefers the sweeter notes in the standard Bains 15 year old. I found the first sip overwhelmingly spicy, and only after adding a generous dash of water did the spices cool down enough to enjoy.

I looked back at my Bains 15 yo tasting notes; the most significant difference is in the spices. The tropical fruity notes are all still there, together with the creamy vanilla. The Sonically Matured bottle just has the extra spice layer.

Don’t get me wrong, the spices did not stop us from finishing the bottle. It is still a smooth, delicious grain whisky and another of Andy’s masterpieces. Fortunately, I have another bottle squirrelled away for the future.

Also Read: Tweeddale Grain of Truth Peated Whisky

The Chita Single Grain Japanese Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/10/2023

In Grain Whisky

I am expanding my grain tasting notes a bit today with The Chita single grain Japanese whisky. A grain whisky from Japan which had fans of Japanese whisky very excited. There has been lots of hype around Japanese whisky these last couple of years.

The prices of Japanese whisky has skyrocketed, and brands like Hakushu, Yamazaki and Hibiki are sold at premium prices.

There has also been a new focus on grain whiskies with grain releases coming from Japan, Scotland and of course South Africa’s own Bain’s whisky.

I received this bottle of The Chita single grain Japanese whisky as a gift from a friend of John’s. He could not believe that that I did not have a bottle in my collection and immediately went out and bought me one.

The Chita grain whisky is the primary grain component of many of the Suntory blended whiskies. Founded in 1972, Chita distillery is a Japanese whisky distillery located in the Chita district of the Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Also Read: Milk & Honey Classic Whisky

The Chita distillery produces three types of grain whisky using corn through a continuous multiple column distillation process. The first two are blended whisky components that are used in blends.

Both in Suntory’s domestic market Kakubin and Suntory Old as well as high-end Hibiki respectively. The third type is the distillery’s flagship single grain release called “The Chita”.

Launched in 2015, the Chita is matured in three different kinds of casks: American ex-bourbon barrels, Spanish oak barrels and European oak wine barrels. It has no age statement.

The Chita Single Grain Japanese Whisky Review

COUNTRY: Japan

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light autumn golden

NOSE: Honey sweetness, cereal, pineapple, mango and melon. Hints of soft spices and vanilla. Delicate and sweet with hints of tropical fruit.

PALATE: Vanilla sponge cake sweetness and oak with honey and tropical fruit. Hints of floral notes with toasted grains. Honey drizzled mango and pineapple. Medium body but not very complicated. Faint traces of cinnamon and cardamom. A few rough edges. Water smoothes out the sharp bits and brings even more fruity sweetness forward. Easy drinking.

FINISH: Medium length, with notes of lemon drops, vanilla and wood.

RATING: GOOD

Not the most complex whisky. Also, one of the sweetest drams I have had in a while. A bit too sweet perhaps. Take into account that I have a sweet tooth and love sweet things; it was a bit much even for me. I found it bland and uninspiring.

I might be biased, but this is not in the same class as my beloved Bain’s grain whisky. The Bain’s whisky is bolder and make you sit up and take notice. It has sweetness and tropical notes, but they are better balanced.

Compared to this Japanese release, the Bain’s is way more memorable. The Chita retail price in South Africa is around R1 300, which is rather steep. In the UK, I have seen this on Amazon for £60. The Bain’s whisky sells for only R300 (before Covid).

Suntory launched The Chita, especially for use in the Japanese highball cocktail market. It will undoubtedly make a good base for a cocktail.

What did you think of this Japanese grain release? Overhyped or best thing ever?

Also Read: Boplaas Single Grain Whisky

Bain’s 15 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/12/2022

In Grain Whisky

The first time I tasted the Bain’s 15 year old whisky was about five years ago at The Only Whisky Show when Andy Watts had some in a beautiful decanter hidden underneath the table at his Three Ships stand.

It was love at first taste. I knew that this was what, for me, perfect whisky tasted like. Unfortunately, it took a year or so before it was released as a distillery bottling.

The Bain’s 15 year old whisky is the first in the Founder’s Collection series and pays tribute to Andrew Geddes Bain, who built the Bain’s Kloof Pass. More editions in the Founders collection include the Bain’s 18 year old PX Cask, Oloroso Cask, and Fino casks. The Bain’s range has also expanded with a 10 yo Shiraz cask and even a 21 year old Double Cask.

Also Read: Scottish Leader Original Whisky

Initially, only 2 000 bottles of the Bain’s 15 yo whisky was released in June 2018 for the Mandela Centenary celebrations and the special guests attending the Barack Obama speech and gala dinner.

Fortunately, the distillery released more bottles in travel retail and the James Sedgwick distillery shop. It retails for about R1000. I have also seen this bottle in duty free in Mauritius.

Bain’s is a 100% South African yellow corn single grain whisky. The Bain’s 15 yo started life similar to the standard Bain’s whisky with an initial maturation of 3 years in first fill bourbon casks before being re-casked for a further 2-3 years in a second set of first fill bourbon casks. Then for an additional 10 years of maturing in both 3rd and 4th fill bourbon cask before bottling.

Bain’s 15 year old Whisky Review

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 52.5%

COLOUR: Golden amber

NOSE: Rich vanilla and tropical fruit. Banana and sweet pineapple with hints of toasted nuts, muscovado sugar and wood. A floral hints in the background with soft black pepper. Rich, inviting, and just perfect.

PALATE: Heaven in a glass. Tropical fruit salad sprinkled with vanilla sugar and freshly baked French palmiers. Creamy and sweet with hints of cinnamon, pepper and caramelised banana. Bits of toasted wood, dried fruit and marmalade in the background.

It needs no water and is perfectly drinkable, just like it is. More creamy vanilla and pepper come to the front if you want to add a few drops of water. Medium body and perfect for summer.

FINISH: Long and lingering with tropical sweetness, cinnamon and white pepper.

RATING: DIVINE

If I can take only one whisky with me to a desert island, it will be the Bains 15 year old whisky. It perfectly balances sweetness and spices but is light and ideal for island sunshine. The Bain’s have the perfect level of spicy vanilla sweetness balanced with wood and tropical fruit to keep me happy for a long, long time. A true masterpiece!

I have also tasted the Bain’s 15 year old Sonically Matured whisky and have captured my tasting notes for this release as well.

Bain’s Shiraz Cask 10 yo Single Grain Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/19/2022

In 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

Bain’s Cape Mountain Single Grain Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/12/2022

In Grain Whisky

We managed to get away for a few days to the beautiful Kruger National Park. The whisky I packed from this trip is the Proudly South African Bain’s Cape Mountain single grain whisky. An award-winning singe grain whisky from the James Sedgwick distillery in Wellington, South Africa.

There is very little as beautiful as an African sunset over the Kruger National Park. And with a bit of the Bains single grain whisky in my glass, what is better?

Bain’s Cape Mountain whisky is a single grain produced in column stills and double-matured. The whisky spends 3 years in ex-Bourbon casks and is then re-vatted for a further two years in a fresh set of casks. This whisky is inspired by the Bain’s Kloof Pass and its natural beauty.

The whisky from the distillery pays tribute to Andrew Geddes Bain. He was the pioneering pass builder who planned and built Bain’s Kloof Pass. The Pass connected Wellington to the inland Cape areas and is one of the most scenic routes in the Cape.

It flows past pine forests and areas rich in fynbos and Protea species. Bainskloof, situated in the Cape’s Floral Kingdom, is unique in that it has the highest ratio of plant species per land area in the world – a total of 8 600 species, of which 5 800 is endemic to the area.

The Bains Kloof’s fauna includes a selection of 182 bird species as well as jackals, leopards, honey badgers, endangered frogs and some unique fish swimming in the streams. Bain’s Cape Mountain whisky, has been announced as the World’s Best Grain Whisky at the 2013 Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards.

Related Article: Toor Whisky

Bain’s Cape Mountain Single Grain Whisky Review

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: Golden-yellow wheat, and here in the Kruger National Park, it is the colour of the setting sun.

NOSE: Sweet and rich with hints of toffee, banana and vanilla. There are faint hints of florals in the background.

PALATE: Spicy with bits of oak intermingling with the sweetness and treacle notes. After adding water, more winter spices come through. There are cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg on the palate. The oak is also more pronounced. It is not a ‘big mouthful’ whisky but is smooth and easy drinking.

FINISH: The finish is relatively short, but that might be because it is a grain whisky. The Bain’s ends in notes of warming spice and bitter citrus. It remains one of our favourite easy-drinking whiskies.

RATING: EXCELLENT

This is a whisky with character and one of our preferred gifts for overseas visitors. And it is affordable. In South Africa, Bain’s Cape Mountain single grain whisky retails for around R 250.

I have also blogged about the Three Ships Bourbon Cask and the Three Ships single malt from the James Sedgwick Distillery. If you live in the UK, you can also try this great release. I see that Master of Malt also stock it.

It is the perfect dram to cook with. I used Bain’s whisky to make a boozy apple pie. Infusing the apples with Bain’s for a few days gave the pie a grown-up kick. I made a marinade for Chicken using Bain’s whisky and it came delicious.

I was fortunate to taste the Chita Suntory single grain whisky and it was good to compare it to Bain’s single grain whisky. You can see what I thought of the Chita and if it lives up to the hype around Japanese whisky in my Chita blogpost.

Other Bain’s whisky releases

During 2021, Distell released a Bain’s Symphony 7 yo grain whisky. Only 6 000 bottles were released and it was easily the best dram I tasted during 2021.

The James Sedgwick distillery also released a Bain’s Shiraz Cask Finish whisky in 2021 and I have captured my tasting notes for the Bain’s 15 yo whisky.