I opened this bottle a few months ago but have been too busy to accurately capture the deliciousness of the Loch Lomond Buitenverwachting single malt 6 year old whisky. Let me say this upfront: It was the best whisky I have tasted in many, many months.
Category: Whisky of the Week Page 2 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.
It’s been a while since my last encounter with Macallan whisky. The last time I tasted this whisky was in December 2019, when I compared the Macallan 15 year old single malt with the Glenfiddich 15 year old single malt. That tasting emptied my bottle, and I hadn’t revisited Macallan until recently when John brought home a bottle of The Macallan Quest single malt Scotch whisky.
Macallan, one of the original farm distilleries, became legally licensed in 1824 when Alexander Reid obtained a license following the 1823 Excise Act. Over the years, it has undergone several name and ownership changes and is now owned by Edrington. This distillery is classified as a Highland distillery.
The Macallan Quest was initially released for the Travel Retail market in 2018, replacing the 1824 Collection. It belongs to a four-bottle series that includes the Macallan Lumina, Macallan Terra, and Macallan Enigma Scotch whisky.
These are all single malt whisky limited edition releases. The Macallan Quest honours the journey of sourcing the finest oak. Macallan Quest is aged in four different types of casks.
These casks include bourbon, sherry-seasoned European oak, sherry-seasoned American oak, and hogsheads. Notably, it has no age statement.
The Macallan Quest Whisky Review
ABV: 40%
REGION: Highlands
COLOUR: Pale gold
NOSE: Soft and gentle with ripe mandarin and apricot notes sprinkled with vanilla sugar, toasted oak, and hints of a light spicy bite in the background.
PALATE: The fruitiness continues with ripe mandarin and dried fruit. There’s a spicy bite with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg notes mixed with caramel sweetness. Faint vanilla and woody oak appear as well.
While the individual notes are pleasant, they feel disjointed, as if they needed more time to blend. It has a light body and tastes very young. Adding water drowns out any sweetness and leaves it watery.
FINISH: Short and sweet, with spicy cinnamon and ginger mixed with oak and dried fruit.
RATING: GOOD
Overall, the Macallan Quest single malt is a bit bland and boring. It’s not the most complex whisky and feels very young. I barely finished my glass—not because it was terrible, but because it was unmemorable.
The Quest was the most affordable bottle in the series, priced around £ 55. In comparison, the Lumina retailed for around GBP 119, the Enigma for £ 260, and the Terra for £ 133 on Master of Malt. The entire series was a NAS (no age statement) release, and it is currently sold out.
When browsing Macallan whisky prices on Master of Malt, I noticed that of the 211 Macallan whisky bottles listed, only 3% fall in the £ 0-100 category, 5% in the £ 100-200 range, 19% in the £ 200-400 range, and a staggering 73% are priced above £400.
This means that most The Macallan releases are priced above £400. Are they really that drinkable and delicious, or is it just savvy marketing?
If I had £ 55 to spend on whisky, I’d instead buy a Glengoyle or a Glendronach, knowing I’d get something drinkable and delicious.
Also Read: Bains 15 yo Sonically Matured Whisky
It feels like a peat focused year and this week is no exception. The spotlight this week is shining on the Laphroaig Four Oak Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Peated whiskies always seem to beckon me from the shelves when it comes time to choose, and this particular expression has certainly piqued my interest.
It’s a testament to the evolution of my palate as I explore the whisky landscape, or it’s simply John’s penchant for picking up peated gems on his travels.
Regardless, let’s dive into the realm of the Laphroaig Four Oak whisky release. Many whisky aficionados see Laphroaig as the essential Islay.
Nestled just outside Port Ellen, this distillery, founded in 1815 by Alexander and Donald Johnston, has etched its name in the annals of whisky history. Under the wing of the Beam Suntory Group since 2014, Laphroaig draws its water from Loch Laphroaig on the island’s southern coast.
The distinctive character of Laphroaig comes from its proximity to the ocean and the abundant moss-laden peat of its surroundings.
Laphroaig holds a prominent place in my collection, with the Laphroaig PX Cask reigning as one of my favourites.
The Laphroaig Four Oak was released for the travel retail market in 2016. The Four Oak is a combination of whisky matured in four different oak types, namely ex-bourbon barrels, 19th Century-style quarter casks, virgin American oak barrels and European oak hogsheads. It is a non-age statement release.
Laphroaig Four Oak Whisky Review
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Bright gold
REGION: Islay in Scotland
NOSE: Not as bold as I have come to expect from Laphroaig. There are notes of smoke and medicinal peat mixed with iodine, damp wood, caramel sweetness, hints of red berries and roasted nuts. There is a faint spiciness in the background combined with vanilla, dark roasted coffee beans and malt.
PALATE: The Laphroaig Four Oaks has notes of peat and ash with bits of tar and salty dry seaweed. Oak and a dried fish note mingle with a caramel sweetness, pepper, vanilla and sultanas: soft medicinal TCP and iodine.
Subdued vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg stand next to almonds, burnt coffee beans and salty Dutch drop (liquorice). It feels a bit unfinished, and adding water thins the Laphroaig out. It has a light mouthfeel with a slight alcohol heat. Nothing like the refined Laphroaig Quarter Cask or the bold and complex 10 year old release.
FINISH: The Laphroaig Four Oaks finish is drying burnt wood and pepper. Medium length with hints of iodine, peat and salted caramel. Bits of vanilla and hints of salty liquorice.
RATING: GOOD
This is probably my least favourite Laphroaig, with the exception of the Laphroaig Brodir. I might even call it boring. It lacks the bold medicinal peat, ash, and smoke that I came to expect from Laphroaig.
Water tones down the alcohol heat but also tones down any interesting notes. Don’t add water. It feels like a very young single malt whisky. A redeeming feature is the salty liquorice notes. It reminds me a bit of Dutch drop, which I love.
The Four Oak retail for around $72 in the USA or £ 61 in the UK. I am not sure it is worth it for a non-age-statement single malt Scotch that feels very young. For GBP 60, I would rather buy some Talisker or Caol Ila whisky.
I have done a side by side comparison between the Laphroaig 10 year old and the Quarter Cask whisky release to see how they differ.
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.
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Welcome to World Whisky time again, where we’re diving into the world of Pike Creek 10 year old whisky. Crafted by Corby Spirit and Wine Limited, this Canadian dram boasts an exciting twist—it’s finished in rum barrels, adding a distinctive flair to its character.
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited traces its roots back to 1859 in Corbyville, Ontario. The company has undergone numerous transformations over the years. Now listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange, the company is partly owned by Pernod Ricard, holding a 46% stake.
Its spirit portfolio includes renowned labels like J.P. Wiser’s whisky, Lot 40 Canadian Whisky, and Hiram Walker’s Special Old Whisky.
Initially introduced in 1998 with a finish in Port casks, Pike Creek whisky transformed in 2016 when the distillery changed to rum barrel finishing. The mash bill, a blend of rye and corn, remains undisclosed.
Ageing occurs in the non-climate-controlled warehouses just outside Windsor, Ontario. This subjects the barrels to extreme temperature shifts, ranging from bone-chilling -35°C in the winter to a sweltering 35°C in the summer.
Also Read: Scottish Cousin Whisky
Pike Creek 10 year old Whisky Review
REGION: Canada
ABV: 42%
COLOUR: Dark gold
NOSE: On the nose, there are sweet honey notes intertwined with the subtle allure of rum sweetness, complemented by a touch of rye spice and a note reminiscent of Dutch speculaas spice. Hints of raisins, prunes, and oak in the background.
PALATE: On the palate, the sweetness prevails, reminiscent of caramel toffee apples, accompanied by a gentle heat of pepper, cardamom, and rye spices. Vanilla and cinnamon intertwine with delicate hints of dried fruit, citrus, and oak. It has a medium body. A drop of water brings a bitter citrus note forward.
FINISH: The finish is short and soft, leaving lingering caramel, nutmeg, and cinnamon notes. The initial sweetness gives way to a delightful spiciness.
RATING: VERY GOOD
The Pike Creek 10 year old emerges as a commendable entry-level Canadian rye whisky similar to the Crown Royal whisky. It offers affordability without compromising quality. Priced around GBP 28 in the U.K. and $40 in Canada, it’s a steal for enthusiasts seeking a flavourful yet approachable dram.
While the rum barrel influence is more pronounced on the nose than on the palate, the warming embrace of rye spices ensures a memorable sipping experience.
Other Pike Creek whiskey releases includes a 15 year old Cabernet Sauvignon Finish as well as a 21 year old whisky aged in Speyside single malt casks. Both are limited edition offerings.
Also Read: Bennachie 10 yo Whisky