Category: Whisky of the Week Page 27 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.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/21/2021

In Bourbon whiskey

Today I look at a bourbon that is readily available in SA, the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey. It is also quite affordable, which also helps. Records show that some form of distilling took place on the site in 1775 already.

Today it is known as the Buffalo Trace distillery. The first official distillery was constructed in 1812 by Harrison Blanton.

The Buffalo Trace distillery is in Frankfort, Kentucky. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, was introduced in August 1999.

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The whiskey was named in tribute to the mighty buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness in the trek to the Great Planes and the rugged, independent spirit of the pioneers who followed them.

The distillery was fortunate; during Prohibition, the distillery stayed working. They made whiskey for “medicinal purposes”. The Buffalo Trace distillery also produces other spirits such as Sazerac rye whiskey and vodka.
The Buffalo Trace straight bourbon whiskey mash bill is not disclosed. However, based on research, it combines corn, rye and malted barley. The rye ratio is less than 10%. The Buffalo Trace mash bill is apparently similar to the George T Stagg and the Eagle Rare bourbon mash bill.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 45%.

COLOUR: A reddish copper. Quite a dark colour.

NOSE: Sherry sweetness and is rich and complex. There are hints of candied fruit, caramel, vanilla, brandy pudding and oak. Little bits of spice float in the background.

PALATE: Without water, the palate has quite a big mouthful. There are notes of fruit, orange marmalade and oak. Bits of cinnamon with toasted oak floating about. When you add some water, the palate changes, the bourbon becomes almost watery and more fruity.

The sweetness and the spice disappears, and the complexity reduces. I always add a little water, and this was the first whiskey where the water nearly ruined the taste.

FINISH: The finish before adding water was long and ended in notes of spicy sweetness. After adding water to the Buffalo Trace, the finish shortened, and it was quite flat.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Buffalo Trace is a great straight bourbon, however, drink it neat. When you look at bourbon and cheese pairings, the Buffalo Trace works very well with some aged cheddar. It is perfect for cocktails as a base because it is robust enough. Especially in an Old Fashioned or a Moscow Mule, it works very well.

Another excellent pairing for the Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey is a snickers bar. Bourbon and this caramel and peanuts covered in milk chocolate bar is a match made in heaven.

I have done a side by side comparison between this bourbon and the Maker’s Mark to see how they compare. For my last side by side comparison in 2021, I put this Buffalo Trace next to the Bulleit bourbon to see which one is better. There is even a side by side comparison between this bourbon and the Woodford Reserve.

Also Read: 1792 Bourbon

Balblair 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/11/2021

In Single Malt whisky

I have slowly been working through my collection of Balblair Vintage mini’s this past year. Just as I finished my last review on the 1990 Vintage, Balblair surprised me with something new. They moved away from their well-known vintage releases in favour of aged statement releases.

Staying with their house style of apricots, oranges, spices, floral notes, and green apple notes, Balblair released a 12 year old, the Balblair 15 year old, 18 year old whisky and a 25 year old single malt whisky.

There is also a Balblair 17 year old whisky that is a travel retail release. Still aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, the goal was to revive interest in their creaminess and fruit-forward flavour profile.

There has been quite a bit of comment, both positive and negative, in the whisky halls regarding the change. Many people wanted to stock up on their favourite Balblair Vintages before they disappear.

However, I think change is good ,and this allows me a new look at Balblair, starting with the Balblair 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. It also makes understanding their core range easier, and according to some information, Balblair distillery will continue to release Vintage bottles regularly.

I was invited to take part in the Balblair Twitter tasting during May, where they introduced their new releases to some whisky bloggers. However, South African Customs had other ideas (as usual).

The samples only arrived two weeks after the Twitter tasting. But now I have a leisurely time to look at each release and evaluate it without any interruption.

Balblair is a Highland Distillery surrounded by beautiful by rugged mountains and uses the Allt Dearg springs as their water source. It is owned by Inver House Distillers, who also own Catto’s, Hankey Bannister and Speyburn whisky.

The range comes in new packaging but retains the Balblair’s signature bottle shape. The new logo is beautiful and inspired by the nearby Struie Hill. The Balblair 12 year old Scotch was matured in ex-bourbon and double fired American oak casks and is non-chill filtered and has no added colour.

Also Read: The Arran Malt Sherry Whisky

Balblair 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Polished gold

NOSE: Wood, wispy sweetness, green notes fruit, grass, and spices. The nose is soft and delicate.

PALATE: Barley and oak mixed with wood, ripe red berries and hints of honey. Bits of pepper heat, vanilla, and orange peel. Not as sweet as the nose promised. I was expecting more sweetness on the palate. Water softens the pepper spice heat and brings more orange blossoms to the front.

FINISH: Long and lingering and the best bit of dram. It ends in pepper and orange notes and is beautifully warming.

RATING: VERY GOOD

What an exciting start to the age statement releases from Balblair. For me, the Balblair 12 year old captures the essence of their house style and is the foundation from which all the other age statements follow.

I found the spiciness of this release a bit too much for my specific liking, I have a sweet palate and prefer a bit sweeter whisky. But that is my personal palate preference. The hubby loved the spicy notes (it suits his palate).

It is a way to start a new set of releases, and I am very excited to taste the rest of the range. According to Balblair, this 12 year old whisky will go very nicely with some hot-smoked salmon niçoise salad.

Also Read: The Belgian Owl Whisky

Sample disclosure: I received this sample directly from Balblair. Though received as part of a promotional event, the review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts on the whisky.

Famous Grouse Smoky Black Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/31/2021

In Blended whisky

Today I look at a smoky budget blend; the Famous Grouse Smoky Black blended Scotch whisky. I have tasted my way through some of the top-selling budget blends this year. The Bell’s whisky was not too bad and brought back lots of childhood memories.

However, the Black and White whisky was too sweet. A characteristic of these budget blends is the very high grain percentage that leaves the dram (quite frequently) overly sweet and overwhelms many (if any) of the more peaty notes.

I was looking for a budget blend with a more peaty profile and then realized that I have not tasted or captures my tasting notes for the Famous Grouse Smoky Black whisky yet.

Famous Grouse launched The Smoky Black towards the end of 2015 to replace the Black Grouse whisky. According to some Internet research, the recipe of the Smoky Black is the same as Black Grouse whisky. It is described as a “smoky yet sweet whisky.”

The Famous Grouse blend is one of the top-selling brands globally, and as with many blends, it was conceived by a grocer and drinks merchant named Matthew Gloag. The Famous Grouse blend comprises whisky from various distilleries, including Macallan, Glenrothes and Highland Park.

Other releases in the Famous Grouse portfolio include the Naked Grouse and Famous Grouse Bourbon cask whisky. The Smoky Black is a NAS release and retails for around R 290 in South Africa and about £21 on Amazon in the UK. It is readily available world wide.

I loved the Black Grouse blended Scotch whisky and found it the perfect bottle to pair with Indian food and use in marinade for lamb. Will I love the Smoky Black Scotch just as much?

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The Famous Grouse Smoky Black Whisky Review

ABV:43%

COLOUR: A dark golden amber

NOSE: Hints of alcohol that first needs to evaporate. Sweetness with bits of smoke, cherries and lots of vanilla. Fresh pine needles and dry wood. Light peat and spices.

PALATE: Medium body with drying oak, peat and dried fruit. Pepper and cloves with smoke and grainy sweetness. Quite a bit of alcohol heat that needs a few drops of water to soften. It has the green Highland type of peat notes and not the fishy Islay kind of peat. Water tones down the heat but also washes out the peat. It becomes fairly sweet with water.

FINISH: Short with notes of bitter pectin, caramel and drying oak.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I love the new branding/packaging on this release. The bottle looks more premium when compared to the Black Grouse. However, looking at the liquid in the glass, it needs to breathe a bit for the alcohol to waft off.

Comparing it to my tasting notes for the Black Grouse, I am not convinced that the recipe stayed the same. Take into account, my last bottle of Black Grouse is long gone, and I am just comparing by memory, but I can’t remember the Black Grouse having so much alcohol heat with the grainy sweetness and very light peat.

My notes for the Black Grouse included peat and smoke followed by ginger and pepper notes, a woodiness in the palate with notes of oak and rich chocolate sweetness. I found none of that decadent chocolate sweetness with the Smoky Grouse, more of a caramel and cherry type sweetness.

The Smoky Grouse is not a bad whisky and will work nicely in a cocktail, but I am not sure that I will repurchase this bottle. I have also managed to get hold of a Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask release and really enjoyed it.

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Chivas Regal 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/28/2021

In Blended whisky

When you hear the name Chivas Regal, it’s like stepping back in time to a bygone era of whisky, where it was served in dimly lit, dark wood and leather-clad libraries. For me, it evokes memories of my father, reclining with a “scotch” in hand, especially the Chivas Regal 12 year old blended Scotch whisky, his all-time favourite, some four decades ago.

This dram has stood the test of time and maintained a stellar reputation that continues to captivate whisky enthusiasts.

Paul Pacult, in the year 2000, aptly described it as “the blend for grown-ups, for people who have made their rites of passage and are ready to enjoy their success. Sweet, but not cloying. Buxom, but not overblown.”

Chivas Brothers, with roots tracing back to 1801, initially opened a grocery store in Aberdeen, catering to an affluent clientele by offering luxury products like coffee, exotic spices, and imported French brandies. This establishment had a cellar, where the brothers initiated the tradition of ageing whiskies.

As times evolved, their discerning patrons sought a smoother, more opulent whisky experience. In response, the brothers began blending these aged whiskies. They crafted a proprietary blend, Royal Glen Dee, followed by another, Royal Strathythan.

In the early 1900s, with the U.S. economy booming and a surge in demand for luxury goods, Chivas Brothers introduced a new blend for export, christening it Chivas Regal.

However, Prohibition and World War 2 intervened, causing a temporary halt in production. But once the dust settled, Chivas Regal re-emerged as the beloved Chivas Regal 12 year old whisky.

To meet the ever-growing demand, Chivas Brothers acquired the Strathisla distillery, which plays a pivotal role in producing one of the primary components of the blend. The heart and soul of Chivas Regal is still the Strathisla distillery, nestled in Moray in Speyside, Scotland. Notably, Strathisla distillery holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating distillery in Scotland.

The Chivas range extends beyond the Chivas Regal 12 year old blended Scotch whisky. It includes other delightful offerings like Chivas Extra, the exquisite Chivas XV, and the sophisticated Chivas 18 year old whisky. The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard.

Now, let’s delve into the Chivas Regal 12 year old whisky itself:

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Chivas Regal 12 year old Blended Whisky Review

The Chivas Regal 12 year old whisky is a blend of many different malt and grain whiskies, matured for at least 12 years.
ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden wheat with hints of mahogany

NOSE: Sweet aromas with hints of fresh cherries, caramel toffee, freshly cut flowers, and a subtle woodiness. There’s a refreshing green note on the nose, complemented by traces of cinnamon and vanilla.

PALATE: Neat, the Chivas offers a peppery spice kick. Notes of toasted oak, malt, and a touch of fruity sweetness make it a smooth, medium-bodied dram. Adding a few drops of water transforms the experience, softening the peppery notes and accentuating the creamy toffee and malt.

FINISH: A medium-length finish with lingering notes of peppery spice and zesty lemon rind.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It’s a drink that holds a special place in my heart and my hubby, who once considered it an aspirational choice. It was my father’s preferred pour and John’s dream drink when he grew up. However, as John and I revisit it after many years, we can’t help but wonder what all the fuss was about.

While it remains a smooth, easy-drinking option that won’t break the bank, it tends to blend into the background. It’s nicely balanced and well-crafted, but nothing truly stands out.

In South Africa the Chivas 12 year old retail for around R420 and in India it costs around ₹ 3,280.

Perhaps our palates have evolved towards whiskies with bolder flavour profiles over the years. Nevertheless, it’s still a pleasant choice, especially with a few drops of water to enhance the experience.

For those curious about how Chivas Regal 12 year old stacks up against Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky or even intrigued by a side-by-side comparison with Chivas Extra, stay tuned for our rainy afternoon experiments in exploring the nuances of these blended drams.

I have also experimented with the Chivas 12 year old and the Glenfiddich 12 year old to see how the blend match up to the single malt. Follow the link to see my views on this comparison.

Also Read: Dewar’s 12 yo Whisky

Redbreast 12 year old Irish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/24/2021

In Irish Whiskey

I tasted the Redbreast 12 year old single pot still Irish at a whisky show a year before Covid and bought a bottle on the spot. I am not the biggest Irish whiskey fan, but the 12 year old convinced me to explore more. So it got added to my collection, and it is time for me to explore it a bit further.

Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey produced by Irish Distillers at the Midleton distillery in Cork. Single pot still Irish whiskey is made from a mash using both malted and unmalted barley. It is then triple distilled in copper pot stills. Scottish whisky only uses malted barley. This style of whiskey is unique to Ireland.

Redbreast was originally produced by Gilbey’s, a Dublin spirits merchant using distillate sourced from Jameson’s Bow Street Distillery. In the 1980s, the brand was purchased by Irish Distillers, the producer of Jameson.

Other Redbreast releases available include Redbreast 12 year old Cask Strength, Redbreast 15 year old, Redbreast 21 year old, Redbreast Lustau Edition (matured for its final year in Bodegas Lustau sherry casks) and Redbreast 27 year old whiskey.

The first official mention of “Redbreast” only dates back to 1912, when Gilbey’s referred to the sale of “Redbreast” J.J. Liqueur Whiskey 12 year old. “Redbreast” was a nickname given to one of the whiskeys by Gilbey’s chairman at the time, who was an avid birdwatcher, in reference to Robin Redbreast.

Irish Distillers relaunched the brand in 1991. Midleton distillery also produces Jameson and Tullamore Dew whiskey. The Redbreast 12 year old whiskey is aged in first-fill Olorosso sherry casks and ex-bourbon barrels.

Also Read: Dunville’s Three Crowns Peated Whiskey

Redbreast 12 year old Irish Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Yellow gold

NOSE: Sweet ripe red fruits sprinkled with toasted nuts, banana and pears. Vibrant and fresh. Hints of vanilla, spice, and freshly baked sugar cookies.

PALATE: Fruity sweetness and toasted oak. The Redbreast is luxurious and creamy with hints of marzipan, lots of fruit salad sweetness and roasted nuts. A balance of wood and red berry sweetness mixed with bits of pepper and ginger.

Add water carefully. Only a drop or two is needed. The water can quickly tone down the fruity sweetness too much.

FINISH: Long and creamy sweetness, lemon rind and pepper spice.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is a lovely late summer afternoon sipping whisky. Not the most complex dram, but memorable and fruity. The sherry casks shine through on this release, and from here on, it just gets better.

The Redbreast 12 year old whiskey is an excellent start to the range, and I have tasted both the Lustau and the 15 year old whiskey, and the delicious taste expansion continues in the older releases.

Also Read: Bushmills 16 yo Whiskey