Category: Whisky of the Week Page 15 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.

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey Review

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/11/2022

In Irish Whiskey

Today I look at something from Ireland, the Teeling Small Batch Irish whiskey. In 1782 Walter Teeling set up a craft distillery on Marrowbone Lane in the Liberties area of Dublin.

Little did he know that this was the start of a Teeling whiskey distilling tradition that will span more than 230 years. Dublin was traditionally the heart of the Irish whiskey industry.

But unfortunately, as the economy turned, Irish whiskey fell on hard times, and so did distilling in Dublin, and the last still ran dry in 1976. In 1987 John Teeling converted an older potato alcohol plant to a distillery.

Situated on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, the Cooley Distillery company crafted Irish whiskey under a Teeling’s control. In 2012 Beam bought the Cooley Company, and again it looked like the end of the distilling tradition for the Teeling family.

But the distilling tradition is hard to get out of your blood and bones, and in 2012, the Teeling Whiskey Company started in Dublin.

It is only a stone’s throw from Walter Teelings’ old distillery. The latest generation of Teeling, namely Jack and Stephen, are carrying on the family’s tradition. It is also the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years. A distillery right in the heart of Dublin.

The opening of the Teeling Distillery brings the craft of distilling back into the very heart of Dublin city centre. The Teeling Whiskey Company aims to be Ireland’s leading independent Irish whiskey producer through a selection of unique handcrafted small batch Irish whiskeys.

In addition to the Teeling Small Batch Irish whiskey, there is also a single grain Irish whiskey and a single malt whiskey in their portfolio.

Related Article: Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Whiskey

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey Review

I bought the bottle of Teeling Small Batch Irish whiskey from my favourite whisky shop, WhiskyBrother in Hydepark. The Teeling Small Batch whiskey was finished for 6 months in Rum casks. It is not chill-filtered and bottled during May 2014.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Quite a light colour. Golden wheat.

NOSE: Sweet with barley and grains. Grassy floral notes and fresh fruit salad are drifting around. Adding some water enhances the floral character of the Teeling Small Batch whiskey.

PALATE: Boiled sweets, condensed milk and apricots. There are hints of winter spice, like nutmeg and cinnamon, intermingling with some woody notes. The Small Batch is creamy and rich on the palate.

FINISH: Medium length and then comes back with notes of spice and creamy oak. Easy drinking and smooth.

RATING: EXCELLENT

This Teeling whiskey is one of the few drams that I would prefer without water. Nice and sweet with just the right balance of spiciness. It makes for a great addition to the collection, and I will look for more from this Dublin distillery. In South Africa, this Irish whiskey retails for around R490 and is readily available.

Now I need to go and find a nice creamy Irish cheese to pair it with. I tried it with a bit of vanilla ice cream, and it paired wonderfully.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Teeling Single Malt and Single Grain whiskey to understand the differences between them.

Also Read: Scottish Leader Signature Whisky

Benriach The Twelve Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/04/2022

In Single Malt whisky

A beautiful box arrived a week or three ago. It was an invitation to join Rowan Gibb, the Super Premium Whisky Ambassador, to taste some Benriach whisky now available in SA. The tasting pack included the Benriach The Twelve Speyside single Malt Scotch whisky as well as the Benriach Smoky Twelve whisky.

The Benriach distillery has many links with South Africa. John Duff, the original owner, travelled through South Africa with his family during the 1800 and visited Johannesburg during the gold rush. He wanted to start a distillery here, but that did not work out as planned.

He went back to Scotland and, in 1898, built two distilleries next to each other in the Elgin region of Speyside. The other distillery was the Longmorn distillery. The Benriach distillery shut down during the Pattison crash, and only the malting floor remained active.

In 1965 the distillery was reopened by Glenlivet Distillers and, over the years, changed hands various times. In 2004 the Benriach distillery was bought by a consortium formed by two South Africans and Scottish whisky expert Billy Walker.

Also Read: Teerenpeli Whisky

The consortium expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of the Glendronach distillery in 2008 and the Glenglassaugh distillery in 2013. In 2016 the consortium sold all three of these distilleries to Brown-Forman.

Brown Forman appointed Dr Rachel Barry as the Master Distiller, and she has been refreshing the core range’s branding and structure. The look of the bottles and branding is reminiscent of the more classic branding from the early years.

Today let’s look at the Benriach The Twelve single malt whisky. In a week or two, I will also publish my tasting notes for the Benriach The Smoky Twelve whisky.

The Benriach The Twelve whisky was launched in 2020 as part of BenRiach’s new core range of single malts. It combines whisky matured in sherry casks, bourbon barrels and port casks for at least 12 years. Dr Barry then married the whisky from each cask together to create a sherry-rich single malt.

Benriach The Twelve Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Golden bronze

NOSE: Rich and sweet with notes of red fruits, sherry and cherries. Something fresh in the background reminds me of fresh summer meadow flowers and green apples. There are hints of cocoa and honey in the background.

PALATE: Sweet with toffee apples, summer fruit salad and fresh cream, chocolate-coated cherries and pepper. Bits of wood and tropical fruit floating around. Warming chilli spiciness balances out the sweetness. Water softens the fruity notes and takes away a bit of the complexity.

FINISH: Long and lingering with fruity sweetness and soft pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A rich sherry forward dram perfect for summer. Perfect as a pre-dinner sipping drink. The Benriach The Twelve is bold and memorable.

The Benriach The Twelve Scotch whisky is an excellent addition to any whisky drinker’s cupboard. The new branding is clean and classic and does credit to the spirit in the bottle.

It is available in South Africa and rentals for around R500. That is an excellent price for a 12 yo single malt from this innovative distillery.

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

Also Read: Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Whisky

Label 5 Blended Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/27/2022

In Blended whisky

Time for an affordable blended whisky again, the Label 5 blended Scotch whisky. My track record with affordable blended whisky this year has not been too good. Since the start of the year, I have tasted five different affordable blends, and I liked only one of them.

The Scottish Leader 12 yo blended whisky is a well-loved staple in my house. The other blends I tasted was less satisfying. Hopefully, this Label 5 blended whisky will add a bit of quality to my affordable whisky list.

The Label 5 Classic Black blended Scotch whisky is produced in the heart of the Scottish Speyside region, between Glasgow and Edinburgh, at the Starlaw Grain Distillery. Label 5 consists of grain blended with some Speyside malts, including Glen Moray.

The Label 5 brand is owned by French company La Martiniquaise and has been one of the biggest selling whiskies in France. It has also picked up several awards at the various prestigious whisky competitions. My bottle had quite a few round gold labels stuck to it.

Frenchman Jean Cayard established La Martiniquaise in 1934 as a rum importer and domestic distribution company, and in 1969, Cayard began dabbling in Scotch whisky with the launch of the Label 5 blend. The Master Blender behind Label 5 is the passionate Graham Coull from Glen Moray.

Also Read: Black & White Whisky

Label 5 Blended Scotch Whisky Review

It is available in over 100 countries. The Label 5 range also includes a 12 year old, the Extra Rare 18 year old, and Label 5 Gold Heritage Scotch whisky.

ABV: 43%

COLOUR:Vibrant gold

NOSE: Sweet with notes of vanilla, malt and faint hints of green fruits. Not the most complex nose but delightful and inviting.

PALATE: Malt, hints of oak, spicy with cinnamon and ginger with hints of honey, fruit. A bit of a hard edge to the palate that softens when you add water. Not as sweet as I expected. Medium body and easy drinking.

FINISH: Ginger and lemon zest with hints of toffee. Medium length.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Label 5 whisky was not as sweet as I expected. I was probably hoping for more of the Glen Moray to come through. Not a bad drink, though. Smooth and easy drinking and at the price point, a great dram. It is an affordable whisky at about £29 on Amazon.

I love the Glen Moray single malts. The Glen Moray Elgin Classic is a favourite when I want to relax.

I get envious every time I see whisky friends open another interesting expression on Twitter. Like Mark’s review of the Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask. I wish we could get a wider variety of Glen Moray in SA.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Premier Whisky

Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Finish Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/20/2022

In Single Malt whisky

I was in the mood to try a whisky finished in red wine casks again, so my choice this week is the Tullibardine 228 Burgundy finish single malt Scotch whisky. It has been so long since I tried a red wine cask (Three Ships Shiraz Cask) and even longer since I had a Tullibardine.

Tullibardine distillery is a Highland distillery located in Blackford, Perth and Kinross. Some level of brewing and distilling has taken place on the site since the 1800s, but the distillery in its current format opened in 1949.

The distillery changed hands a few times, and then in 1995, the distillery was mothballed by then-owner Whyte & Mackay. In 2003, it was sold to Tullibardine Distillery Ltd, who resumed production and then, in 2011, it was sold to the French firm Picard Vins & Spiritueux. The French wine and spirit group also owns the Highland Queen and Muirhead brands.

Also Read: Michel Couvreur Peaty Whisky

The Tullibardine range whisky was released in 2013. The Tullibardine 228 whisky was finished for 12 months in a 228 litre Burgundy barrique from Chateau de Chassagne Montrachet.

Red Burgundy wine is recognised for its raspberry, blackberry and cherry notes. Burgundy is not a finish seen often with whiskies. The only other whisky I could see with this finish is the Edradour Burgundy Finish.

The Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Finish single malt is a NAS release. Other releases from the Tullibardine distillery include a the Tullibardine 225 Sauterness Finish, the Tullibardine 500 Sherry Finish and Tullibardine 15 yo whisky.

Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Finish Whisky Review

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Ruby gold

NOSE: Malt and red fruits mixed with toasted oak and honey. A few raw alcohol notes. Not the most complex nose. Faint hints of cherries and vanilla.

PALATE: Red fruits of the forest, creamy malt, hints of toasted nuts with vanilla sugar. After the glass stood a bit, berry notes and apple came through, and some alcohol heat dissipated. Bits of oak with black pepper. Medium body and with a slight drying mouthfeel. Water brings more honey sweetness to the front and tempers the heat. A bit young with a few raw notes.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of red fruit, oak and sugar sweetness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

You can pick up the distinct red berry notes from the burgundy casks in this Tullibardine. A pleasant enough red wine finish, and I will not struggle to finish this bottle. However, I think if this spent a year or two more in the barrels, the rough edges would soften, making it spectacular.

I suspect that this is a dram that will work magically with some cheese, a theory I need to investigate. The Tullibardine 228 whisky is unavailable in SA at present. When it was available, it retailed for around R 550.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/06/2022

In Rye Whiskey

Rye whiskey has become more commonplace in SA, and over the last couple of years, more and more rye releases have made it to our shores. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey is the latest brand to bring its rye release here.

In 2021, the Jack Daniel’s Rye reached our shores, and from May 2022, the variety is even more varied. Woodford Reserve is well known for its delicious Distiller’s Select and Double Oaked bourbon releases that have regular features on my social media feed.

The distillery is situated in Woodford County, Kentucky. With a rich history dating back to 1812, Elijah Pepper was the first to begin distillation on the site. The site and distillery changed hands various times during the following years until it was sold to the Brown Forman Corporation.

Also Read: Pikesville Rye Whiskey

The Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey was launched in 2015 as the third permanent addition to the brand’s core range. Woodford Reserve Rye uses a pre-prohibition style rye ratio to pay homage to history’s original rye whiskeys.

The legal requirement for a straight rye is 51%, so the rye content is slightly higher. The Woodford Reserve Rye mash bill is 53% rye, 33% corn, and 14% malt. It has quite a high corn ration compared to the Jack Daniel’s Rye which has a mash bill of 70% rye,18% corn and 12% malted barley. It is a NAS release.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 45.2%

COLOUR: Polished copper

NOSE: Caramel sweetness, fresh green orchid fruit, cereal and toasted wood. The traditional rye spice notes with hints of black pepper. Elegant and soft.

PALATE: Rye spices mixed with fresh fruit, green grass and black pepper. Bits of honey and bourbon vanilla with a butterscotch note. Toasted oak, green herbs with bits of orange. Medium body that is soft and oily.

Water softens the rye spice notes, and it is delicious without water. Not the boldest rye, but an outstanding balance between the rye spice and sweet fruity notes.

FINISH: Medium length with oaky notes, pepper and caramel sweetness. Something green in the background.

RATING: EXCELLENT

However, it is not the most complex or bold dram; it is still a tremendously drinkable rye whiskey. Mellower and more approachable than the Sazerac or the Mitchters Rye whiskey.

It is delicious, and I think it will perfectly suit the sweeter South African palate. It has an outstanding balance between the rye notes and the sweet fruity elements.

The Woodford Rye whiskey is great rye to use for cocktails. It is available now at selected stores and retail for around R450.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Woodford Rye and the Bulleit Rye to see how they stack up against each other. Playing around, I have also done a side by side comparison with the Jack Daniel’s Rye to see which one would be my favourite.

Also Read: Pike Creek 10 year old Whisky

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