Category: Whisky of the Week Page 14 of 77

Whisky of the Week

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky, bourbon and whiskey from all around the world. Single malts, blends, blended malts, rye and grain whiskey tasted and reviewed.

Toor Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/15/2022

In Grain Whisky

I saw a colourful bottle of whisky on social media. The label was a vibrant turquoise blue with a captivating name; Toor whisky. In Afrikaans, my home language, the word means bewitch. I was fortunate to be sent a bottle by Redford Beverages, so today, let’s look at the story behind this bewitching brand.

Toor is a new entrant to the SA whisky market from the Doña distillery in Cape Town. Danielle Schoeman established Doña distillery in 2019 to bring new spirits to the local and international market. Doña means woman of rank.

The dynamic young female master distiller has won multiple awards for her Low/No-alcohol Drink, Best Ready to Drink, and numerous medals for her spirits at local and international competitions.

Her Mahala Botanical was awarded the prestigious Trophy for Best No/Low Alcohol Spirits at the Michelangelo International Awards.

Also Read: Sullivans Cove Bourbon Cask Whisky

Another venture under her care is the Toor Collective of whisky, with the first release of a 100% local grain whisky, matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks for 5 years before being finished in French oak casks.

Over time, the Toor Collective is about whisky exploring and experimenting, looking at the various barrel and non-traditional South African wood options, including pinotage, rum and other barrels. More releases will follow as more liquid matures over the coming years.

The distillery has started distilling and ageing its own grain whisky. However, for this first release, the team is sourcing, blending and ageing to deliver the taste profile they are aiming for.

Toor Whisky Review

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Vanilla sweetness with hints of tropical fruit. Subtle woody notes. Very oily whisky with long fingers on the glass.

PALATE: Sweet honey drizzled baked stone fruit with hints of nuts and dry oak. The dry woody notes reminds me a bit of the woody notes in the Uncle Nearest bourbon. Hints of vanilla and light white pepper. A slight alcohol heat. Water smoothes the alcohol heat and makes this dram very drinkable. The Toor whisky is well balanced and exciting.

FINISH: Medium length with sweet honey and drying oak.

RATING: VERY GOOD

A lovely grain whisky. My bottle of Toor whisky nearly done, and that says a lot! The sweet fruity notes make it perfect for spring and summer sipping. Grain whisky in South Africa is stepping up with delicious sweet drams.

Available at WhiskyBrother & Co as well as Takealot. Toor whisky retails for around R330. It is a great whisky to use in cocktails and my favourite cocktail to make is a Tropical Toor.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the Redford Beverages team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Also Read: Belgian Owl Evolution Whisky

Belgian Owl Evolution Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/01/2022

In Single Malt whisky

A couple of months ago, I was invited to try some Belgian whisky that will hopefully become available in South Africa over the next year or 2. I have tasted the Belgian Owl Identité whisky before. This 3 yo whisky has won various international prizes and is just lovely. Today I look at the Belgian Owl Evolution single malt whisky.

Whisky (or whiskey) is produced all over the world, and in my collection, I have whisky from about 21 countries. Alcohol bans and shipping shortages have slowed my world whisky collecting, so I will be thrilled when these Belgian drams eventually arrive in the country.

The Belgian Owl distillery was founded in 1997 in the town of Grâce Hollogne, near the city of Liège. Etienne Bouillon, founder and Master Distiller, brought two authentic Scottish stills to Belgium to keep close to the ancient whisky-making tradition. These stills were from the former legendary Caperdonich distillery in Speyside.

The whisky in the package included some new make spirit, the Belgian Owl Evolution, Passion and Belgian Owl Intense whisky.

The Belgian Owl Evolution single malt whisky is unpeated malt, aged in ex-bourbon barrels for at least 4 years. The Belgian Owl whisky is colouring free and non-chill-filtered.

Belgian Owl Evolution Whisky Review

COUNTRY: Belgium

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Bright copper

NOSE: Subtle fruit sweetness, dark chocolate, apples and grapes with cinnamon and oak. Bits of green herbs, vanilla, with dried pear.

PALATE: Fruity sweetness, summer spice with brown sugar, Dutch breakfast cake, wood and pepper bites. The Belgium Owl Evolutions has a medium body that doesn’t need a lot of water to open up. Hints of vanilla and green notes in the background.

FINISH: Medium length with pear sweetness, oak and black pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

You can easily pick out the distinctive Belgian Owl fruity notes balanced with lovely spices and hints of vanilla. Of all 5 Belgian Owl drams we tasted, John enjoyed the Evolution the most. My favourite was the Passion, and I will capture its tasting notes soon. A lovely single malt. Worth adding to your whisky collection.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the SA Belgian Owl team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Also Read: Penderyn Whisky

The GlenDronach 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/25/2022

In Single Malt whisky

One of my favourite, affordable sherry bombs and I have never written about it; the GlenDronach 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Today I rectify this oversight. It is one of those classic drams that can so easily be overlooked.

The GlenDronach is a Highlands distillery. Whisky from this distillery has been used in various blends including Teacher’s and Ballantine’s whisky.

The Glendronach Core range consists of an Allardice 18 year old and the Parliament 21 year old whisky release. There is even a Glendronach Peated whisky release. GlenDronach distillery also has various limited edition releases as well as single cask releases.

However, today I it is the turn of the GlenDronach 12 year old whisky. Re-launched in 2009, it is entirely aged in PX and Oloroso casks. The 12 year old is not chill-filtered with no added colouring. There is also a 15 year old release as part of the core collection.

Since I last wrote about GlenDronach, various things happened. I wrote about the GlenDronach 16 year old and covered the history of this distillery. I have also tasted the GlenDronach 13 year old single cask release bottled especially for Whisky Brother. When I wrote both these to posts, the distillery was still part of the BenRiach Group.

During April 2016 GlenDronach Distillery was purchased by the Brown-Forman Corporation. The deal included the BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries as well.

Also Read: The Glenrothes Robur Reserve whisky

The GlenDronach 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich golden amber

NOSE: Rich notes of sherry, toasted nuts, ripe red berries and fruit including raisins and ripe plums, toffee with creamy vanilla.

PALATE: Ripe cherries and berries, raisins balanced with butterscotch, wood spices and ginger with hints of malt. It is rich and full-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel. It is perfectly smooth and easy drinking with just a little bit of a peppery bite. Add water carefully; it only needs a few drops to release additional smoothness.

FINISH: Woody notes with a dry full cream sherry finish and hints of nuts.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is a fantastic, underrated whisky. It retails for under R700 in South Africa and is readily available. So easy drinking and delicious. The GlenDronach 12 year old whisky is a fruity sweet dram with just the slightest hints of spice and pepper. The sweetness is not overwhelming; it is creamy, soft and inviting.

This 12 year old Scotch is the perfect dram for autumn; sitting on the patio, on a late autumn afternoon, just before sunset. When the colour of the trees around me has turned all the shades of red, orange and golden yellow, this golden amber GlenDronach is the perfect end to a busy day. In South Africa, the Glendronach 12 year old retails for around R 900.

Also Read: Kornog Whisky

Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/22/2022

In Bourbon whiskey

Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey header
I got this bottle of Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee whiskey as a gift about a year ago, and it is certainly time that I open and try it. I had tasted the Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 before and gave it a Very Good rating. Certainly not my favourite dram, but it will do in a pinch (perhaps a very tight pinch, but it will do).

Will this premium version of Tennessee whiskey impress me more? I wrote about the history of the Jack Daniel’s company in my Jack Daniels post. Introduced during 1988 as an upscale offering to appeal to consumers who wanted to move to a more premium brand, Gentleman Jack is called a Rare Tennessee whiskey.

Gentleman Jack is twice filtered through sugar maple charcoal. First, it is charcoal mellowed before going into the barrel. Then it is sugar maple charcoal mellowed again after reaching maturity, before being bottled. The regular Old No 7 is only charcoal filtered once.

Also read: Evan Williams Bourbon 2006 Vintage

According to some sources, Gentleman Jack is aged longer than the standard Jack Daniels. But as Jack Daniel’s is aged until the distillers are happy with it, it is difficult to define the age.

In South Africa, Gentleman Jack whiskey is about R60 more expensive than the regular Old No 7. In the UK it retail for around £32 on Amazon.

It is one of those polarizing brands. Some people love it, some people not so much.

On to the important part – the taste. Is all the extra mellowing and drama going to make a Gentleman from this ordinary Jack?

Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey Review

Review and tasting notes Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack with glass
ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: Very similar to the regular Jack Daniel’s. It is a rich golden dark copper liquid.

NOSE: Gentleman Jack has spicy oak, caramel and vanilla sweetness and faint hints of smoke. It has that traditional Jack Daniel’s nose, but with a more sophisticated edge to it.

PALATE: Smoky oak and hints of charcoal. It reminded me of the smell that moment just before you light a BBQ. Herbal notes are coming through mixed with chocolate, rich dark roast coffee, hints of pepper and cinnamon intertwined with cherry sweetness and vanilla. The palate is bold and quite a big mouthful. Water smooths out the notes and adds sweetness.

FINISH: Medium length with dark Indian spices and faint bits of charcoal and vanilla.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is a whiskey that has a distinctive personality. It’s smooth, complex, but it is easy drinking and more upmarket than the regular Jack Daniel’s whiskey. To me, this Jack is a gentleman from the rougher side of town that made the big time through hard work and perseverance. He is confident, well dressed and sure of who he is but comfortable about where he has come from.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Old No 7 and the Gentleman Jack to see how big the differences between the two are. I have also done a side by side comparison between the Gentleman Jack and the Woodford Reserve. Putting them next to each other in a tasting shows the differences and strengths very well.

Also Read: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel whiskey

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/15/2022

In Bourbon whiskey

I was captivated when I saw the bottle with its elegant floral adornments. There’s something enchanting about a distinctive bottle shape, especially when you can envision repurposing it once the contents are gone. The Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon whiskey takes bottle aesthetics to a new level.

Its unique, eye-catching design features a distinct shape and exquisite raised roses embedded in the glass.

The origin of the Four Roses brand has a touch of mystery surrounding it. Some sources suggest that Rufus Mathewson Rose was the brand’s founder and that it was likely named as a tribute to the Rose Family.

However, the version I find more enchanting is the romantic tale of Paul L Jones Jr falling head over heels for a charming Southern belle. Instead of proposing in person, he opted for a heartfelt letter.

Her response was equally poetic – she promised to wear a red rose to the local ball to signal her favourable response. To his delight, she wore not one but four red roses.

Also Read: Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Sadly, the fact that Paul L Jones Jr never tied the knot hints at an untold twist in this love story. But let’s shift our focus to the liquid gold inside the bottle.

Four Roses employs a unique approach by using two different mash bills and five distinct yeast strains to craft ten distinctive bourbon recipes. The Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon whiskey boasts a mash bill consisting of 60% corn, 35% malted rye, and 5% malted barley, complemented by yeast blends that impart fruity, vanilla, and caramel notes.

Today, the Four Roses brand is owned by the Kirin Brewery Company. In addition to the Single Barrel, their portfolio features the classic Four Roses Bourbon and the Four Roses Small Batch bourbon.

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Dark reddish copper

NOSE: Fruity sweetness with some cinnamon, toffee, maple syrup, vanilla spice, hints of dark chocolate.Prepare to be greeted by a symphony of fruity sweetness intertwined with hints of cinnamon, toffee, maple syrup, vanilla spice, and subtle undertones of dark chocolate.

PALATE: Buckle up for a bold and spicy journey. While the fruity sweetness from the nose takes a step back, you’ll be hit with a robust burst of rye spices – think nutmeg, allspice, and cloves – with intriguing hints of dried fruit. Amidst it all, notes of bitter chocolate dance around toasted oak.

There’s no need to dilute this bourbon, as there’s no harsh alcohol burn, even at its high ABV. However, a drop of water works magic, coaxing forth more sweetness. The spices mellow, and the fruity sweetness takes centre stage, transforming the dark chocolate into luscious, chocolate-covered cherries.

FINISH: The finish is spicy with lingering oaky nuances.

RATING: EXCELLENT

This Single Barrel bourbon whiskey is delicious. Creamy and indulgent, it boasts a substantial body that leaves a lasting impression. There may be more budget-friendly options, retailing at around R700 at Whisky Brother.

Furthermore, its availability might be limited in South Africa. However, the experience it offers is well worth the investment. If you chance upon it, seize the opportunity to savour this gem.

Pairing this bold and spicy Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon whiskey with a perfectly aged steak is a culinary match made in heaven. Have you had the pleasure of enjoying this exquisite bourbon? Share your thoughts; we’d love your take on the Four Roses Single Barrel.

Also Read: Eagle Rare 10 yo Bourbon