Category: Whisky of the Week Page 30 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.

Shackleton Blended Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/26/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

During 2018 I attended the soft launch of the new Shackleton blended malt Scotch whisky in South Africa. The blended malt is a follow up to the Mackinlay’s The Enduring Spirit that came out a few years earlier. Where the Enduring Spirit was a limited edition firmly in the premium price class, the Shackleton blended malt is more readily available and way more affordable.

The launch evening was terrific. Master storyteller Rob Caskie narrated the history of Shackleton’s attempt to traverse Antarctica, via the South Pole. Without visual media, Rob sketched the history in fascinating detail.

He told us all about the problems experienced by the expedition, the conditions that the team had to endure, the different personalities of the team members and the interaction with each other.

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It is a story of courage, perseverance and endurance. It is the story that inspired Master Blender Richard Patterson to create a more accessible version of the first limited edition Mackinlay release. He wanted to capture the spirit of the original whisky commissioned by Shackleton.

Using the flavour profile of Shackleton’s favourite whisky, Patterson created a blended malt whisky comprising various Highland and Speyside single malts. It was launched as the Shackleton blended malt whisky.

The Shackleton blended malt Scotch whisky is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon American white oak barrels and Spanish Sherry butts. It is available at major retailers and sells for less than R500 in SA. It is part of the Whyte and Mackay stable.

Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Sweetness balanced with notes of fruit, spices, smoke, and menthol. Faint peat in the background. The nose reminds me a bit of the Dalmore 15 yo.

PALATE: Rich and bold. Honey sweetness, malt, orchard fruit with warming cinnamon and vanilla balanced with dry oak and aniseed. Adding water makes the sweetness more rounded and complex. Easy drinking and smooth.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of sweetness and orange blossom.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What an enjoyable dram. And at the price point – this is a stand out malt! This bottle will not last long and will be replaced every time. This bottle is going with on my next hiking adventure.

After spending the day hiking in the beautiful Drakensberg, next to the fire, adding a few drops of fresh mountain water; it will just be perfect.

It is a whisky that works particularly well over ice. So it is also perfect for the sweltering SA summer we have been experiencing. On what adventure are you taking your Shackleton whisky?

Also Read: Whyte and Mackay Blended Whisky

Bell’s Special Reserve Blended Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/22/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

Today I look at the Bell’s Special Reserve blended malt Scotch whisky. One of my favourite whiskies during my student days was Bell’s whisky. It was a bit more upmarket than the cheap nasty bottles with “whiskey” printed on it. Best of all, it was affordable and accessible. We spent many a night solving world problems around a bottle of Bell’s.

But after university, my taste (and budget) changed and I have not had a Bell’s whisky in many, many years. Because I associated it with cheap university days, it had very little appeal. But then I saw a blog post on the Bell’s Special Reserve blended malt whisky I was intrigued. So what better time to try a Bell’s again.

Related Article: Bennachie 10 yo Whisky

The Special Reserve has been available in South Africa since 2004. Until someone wrote about it, I never noticed it before. Bell’s Special Reserve blended malt is owned by Diageo. It is a malt whisky described as a mixture of Highlands, Speyside and a subtle hint of Islay. The Blair Atholl distillery is seen as the “home” of the Bell’s brand.

Other distilleries used in the blend is the Inchgower and Dufftown distilleries from Speyside, Glenkinchie and the Caol Ila from Islay. The Bell’s Special Reserve is a blend of single malt whiskies, each aged for at least 8 years.

Bell’s Special Reserve Whisky Review

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: The Special Reserve has a wonderfully rich golden amber colour that radiates warmth.

NOSE: Rich and complex with smoky sherry notes. There are brandy-soaked fruit and malt mixed with caramel and hints of spice. Adding a few drops of water releases more peaty characteristics on the nose.

PALATE: Without water, the palate is peppery and sweet with fresh fruit and honey. Fresh cut flowers and mint toffee come to mind. The palate is not as complex as the nose suggested. The Bell’s Special Reserve is a medium-bodied whisky. Adding water smooths the pepper notes and brings more sweetness and smoke.

FINISH: Medium length and end in sweetness, tobacco and a bit of woody orange.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It is certainly better than the Bell’s whisky that I had all those years ago. And at the price point of R270, not a bad buy. However, there are a few other blended malts that I would rather pick up. What did you think of this Bell’s Special Reserve?

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GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/08/2021

In Single Malt whisky

I found a whisky called after the collective noun for a group of rooks; a Parliament, the GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky. It can only have an unique story. Nestled in the valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills, a Parliament of Rooks guards a warehouse.

In this warehouse, ex-Sherry casks slowly take their time maturing the golden liquid within.A syndicate headed by James Allardes founded the GlenDronach distillery in 1826.

The distillery opened and closed various times and at one time or another, was owned by many of the well-known players in the market including Chivas, the Grant Family and Teachers and Sons.

In 2008, BenRiach’s owners purchased the distillery. April 2016 saw the Brown-Forman Corporation purchase GlenDronach. The deal included BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries.

GlenDronach is known for long maturation periods in sherry casks. The GlenDronach 21 yo is no exception as it was aged in a combination of Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso casks from Andalucía. The core collection includes a 12 year old, 15 year old, 18 year old, and even a peated expression.

Last year, the GlenDronach 18 yo whisky was one of the best drams I tried during the year. It will be interesting to see if how the additional time in the sherry casks matures the whisky.

Also Read: My Top 5 Whisky Food Pairings

GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 48%

COLOUR: Polished amber

NOSE: Red fruit sweetness, creamy oak with bits of dark roasted coffee, an underlying ginger note mixed with bits of vanilla and orange. Delicious and rich inviting you to savour slowly.

PALATE: Full-bodied and with a big mouthfeel, there are notes of bold sherry, dry oak, chocolate-covered cherries, red berries, cinnamon and pepper. In the background is the subdued sweetness of honey. A bit of alcohol heat. Quite spicy. A few drops of water softens the alcohol heat, but bring more pepper spice to the front. It is a thick and oily dram. It is complex with many layers.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of dry wood and lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is delicious, but not an easy-drinking whisky. Not for novices as it is bold and complicated. The GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old whisky demands the focus befitting of its age, and for me, it is a drink to enjoy on a special occasion. It is not just something to sip at the end of a hard day.

John loved the pepper bite in the end, I found the pepper and oak a bit overwhelming and far more pronounced than in the 18 yo release. I enjoyed the 18 year old release far more and found it softer and better balanced. In South Africa, the GlenDronach 21 year old Parliament single malt whisky retails for about R2 500.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Parliament release and the GlenDronach 18 year old whisky to see how they rate next to each other.

Also Read:Boplaas Single Grain Whisky

Chivas Regal XV Blended Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/01/2021

In Blended whisky

Today I look at something relatively new. Not a new brand, Chivas Regal has been one of the best selling whiskies globally, but a new release. Launched in 2018, Chivas Regal XV whisky is a 15 year old blended Scotch whisky that has been finished in casks that previously held Grande Champagne Cognac.

I have written extensively about the history of Chivas Regal. You can find more in my blog post on the Chivas Regal 12 yo whisky and Chivas Extra. These two releases, especially the Chivas Regal Extra is recognizable for the sherry influence. It will be interesting to see what some finishing in Cognac will do to this fruity house style.

Chivas Regal XV is a blend of grain and single malt whiskies with Strathisla spirits being a significant component. This distillery is known as the spiritual home of Chivas. Strathisla distillery is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands. I was curious to find out what Grande Champagne Cognac is and if it had anything to do with bubbly.

Cognac Grande Champagne is a cognac brandy made from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne region, distilled in the Grande Champagne region, and matured in the Grande Champagne region. The area is located just south of Cognac town, sandwiched between the Charente river and its tributary, the Né.

Also Read: Bisquit & Dubouché VS Cognac

Chivas Regal XV Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Warm amber

NOSE: Fruity sweetness and toasted oats. Bits of creamy oak, oranges, cinnamon and brown sugar, brandy-soaked sultanas. A green floral note in the background. Clean, elegant and inviting.

PALATE: Oak, pepper and dried fruit. Not quite as sweet as the nose suggests. Hints of grain and apples with cinnamon. Adding water brings the fruity sweetness to the front with buttery caramel and sultanas. There is a luxurious mouthfeel to this dram. It is silky smooth and very drinkable. Only the slightest hints of the cognac cask but enough to make it noticeable. Not the most complex dram, but approachable.

FINISH: Cinnamon, toasted oak and soft fruity notes. Medium length but warming and delicious.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A delicious blend. I opened this bottle towards the end of December, and I don’t think it will see the middle of February. The only bottle we finished faster was the Ardbeg An Oa. It is delicious and drinkable.

I missed the sherry notes from the Chivas Extra a bit, but the creamy mouth made up for the loss. This bottle will make a perfect gift for a whisky lover.

The cognac finish makes it luxurious; however, it remains easy drinking. The Chivas Regal XV is not overly complicated or intimidating, but approachable and delicious. The XV whisky cost about R520 in SA, which I don’t think is too expensive for a 15 year old dram. On Amazon you can pick it up for around £40.

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Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/25/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Let’s have a peaty start to tasting notes for 2021 with the Port Charlotte 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. After the dramatic year that was 2020, I want to start this year on a high note. Start as you mean to continue. Port Charlotte and the Bruichladdich distillery is no stranger on the blog.

The heavily peated Port Charlotte expressions, distilled at Bruichladdich, are a tribute to the old Lochindaal distillery. The Port Charlotte village and the nearby distillery were built at the same time around 1829 on the shores of Loch Indaal.

The distillery closed in 1929, precisely 100 years after it was built. Bruichladdich acquired most of the old distillery buildings and ground back in 2007.

The distillery, now owned by Remy Cointreau, also makes The Botanist Gin, Octomore and Bruichladdich.

Bruichladdich introduced The Port Charlotte 10 year old single malt whisky as the flagship Port Charlotte expression. It’s peated to 40ppm, and drawn from a combination of first-fill American whiskey casks, second-fill American whiskey casks and second-fill French wine casks.

Where Octomore is the Bruichladdich heavily peated expression, Port Charlotte is closer to the standard level of Islay peat. The Port Charlotte 10 year old whisky is non-chill-filtered and with natural colour.

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Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Deep gold

NOSE: I was expecting a bolder nose, but it is delicate and elegant smoke and peat balanced with tropical fruit sweetness. Bits of oak and earth with fudge and sun-ripened oranges. Bits of seaweed and ash with vanilla and sea air.

PALATE: After the elegant nose, I was expecting a softer dram. But it is all bold Islay with peat and wood spices balanced with smoke and toasted nuts. Oak and honey with bits of salt and malt. Very drinkable.

Water softens the peat and brings more caramel sweetness to the front. It softens the wood spice but doesn’t diminish the peaty notes. The higher ABV is barely noticeable. I finished my first glass without adding water and had to pour a second glass.

FINISH: The finish is long and smoky with spicy pepper and fruity sweetness. Soft and delicious.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Just delicious. This Port Charlotte 10 year old Scotch might be peated and smoky, but it is drinkable and elegant. The balance between the peaty notes and the smoke, sweetness and malt is luxurious and inviting you to try more.

It is a complex dram with many layers; each building on the next layer. You barely need water, just a drop or 2. A fantastic dram to start my year with.

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