Category: Whisky of the Week Page 34 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.

The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/20/2020

In Blended whisky

The Famous Grouse whisky is a blended Scotch whisky brand, first produced by Matthew Gloag & Son. Owned and produced by The Edrington Group, this famous blend is made up of various well-known distilleries. Most notably whisky from The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Highland Park.

Furthermore, 65% of the spirit content is grain whisky. I have tried the Black Grouse, their peaty expression, and loved it. I found that the Black Grouse also pairs well with Indian food. It is also the perfect smoky addition to marinade for lamb to give lamb that extra earthy flavour.

Matthew Gloag purchased whiskies from various distilleries around Scotland. According to legend, his focus was always firmly fixed on creating the best quality whisky, not on profit. It was 1860 when his son, William Gloag assumed control of the company and started blending whisky.

In 1896, Matthew’s grandson, also named Matthew, created The Grouse Brand blend, which due to its popularity, was renamed “The Famous Grouse” in 1905. The brand’s emblem is the Red Grouse, Scotland’s national game bird.

The company sold to Highland Distillers in 1979, and the marketing and distributive power of the new company saw Famous Grouse become the highest selling Scotch in Scotland. The company founded The Famous Grouse Experience at the Glenturret distillery. The experience is as much a museum for whisky distillation as it is about the Grouse brand.

Related Article: Milk & Honey Elements Sherry whisky

The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR The whisky has a beautiful vibrant golden glow. It is quite an oily whisky, both in the glass and on the palate.

NOSE: On the nose, there are hints of sweetness with faint notes of dark chocolate, cherries, and candied fruit. Sherry notes grace the bouquet, and the addition of water accentuates the oak and introduces more floral elements.

PALATE: Without water, the Famous Grouse Scotch whisky palate has some honey, oak and some gentle spice. When you add water, there are bits of sweet butter shortbread and rich malt mixed with spices and floral notes. It is a medium-bodied whisky. It is very smooth and easy-drinking, and I can understand why this is so “Famous”.

FINISH: The finish is of medium length, concluding with subtle notes of oak and sweetness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Famous Grouse whisky boasts consistency, smoothness, and sweetness, making it a classic choice. Moreover, it’s an excellent addition to cocktails and appeals to a wide range of palates, ensuring it won’t disappoint anyone.

However, it’s worth noting that the Famous Grouse lacks that standout “WOW” factor that some enthusiasts seek. After experiencing the Black Grouse, known for its character and charm, one might expect a bit more personality from this renowned blend.

Nevertheless, the Famous Grouse Scotch whisky is affordable, with a retail price of around R 250 in South Africa.

In addition to the Black Grouse, there is also the Naked Grouse, which offers yet another dimension to the Famous Grouse lineup.

In 2015, Edrington revamped the Black Grouse and reintroduced it as the Famous Grouse Smoky Black, further expanding the portfolio and ensuring a Grouse expression for every whisky aficionado.

I have also managed to taste the Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask blended whisky and captured my tasting notes for this affordable release as well. To better understand the nuances of this blend, I have done a side by side comparison between the Famous Grouse and the Dewar’s White Label whisky.

Related Article: Grant’s Sherry Cask whisky

Glen Grant 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/17/2020

In Single Malt whisky

The whisky fabric is a fantastic place. It is full of vibrant people and amazing conversations. Friendships start over a glass of whisky and last for many years. It creates friendships that transcend whisky. The opportunity to all meetup happens only a few times a year

One of the most significant events of the year is the annual Whisky and Spirits Live Festival in Sandton at the beginning of November, and it is an event everyone looks forward to. It is a chance for friends from all over South Africa to catch up over a glass (or 2) of whisky.

It is a chance for my friend Bernard to fly up and come and present Sandton with some great whisky. A few years ago, Bernard introduced me to the Glen Grant Major’s Reserve whisky. And at the 2016 Whisky Live, he introduced me to the Glen Grant 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. I spent most of my evening wandering past his stand and used up most of my tokens, tasting the 12 year old again and again.

Glen Grant 12 yo Bernard Gutman

Unfortunately getting my hands on a bottle was a bit of a battle, but eventually stock arrived at my local Norman Goodfellows, and I could expand my collection with this Speyside dram. From the town of Rothes in Speyside, Glen Grant Distillery has a long history stretching back to 1840.

The Glen Grant 12 year old whisky was launched in 2016 together with an 18 year old. This release joins the Major’s Reserve and the Glen Grant 10 yo already part of the stable. Gruppo Campari owns Glen Grant together with Wild Turkey bourbon and Forty Creek whiskey.

Glen Grant 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Bright sunny gold

NOSE: Summer fruits and freshly baked sugar cookies. Green apples, malt with hints of cinnamon, vanilla. In the background, there is something nutty; almond or hazelnut.

PALATE: Fruit salad with apples, pears and honey dusted with cinnamon and vanilla. Malt cookies with hints of caramel, ginger and apricots. Smooth and easy drinking. Water opens up more of the spices and makes the finish even longer.

FINISH: Perfectly balanced fruits and spice.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Just a glass full of deliciousness. It is the perfect dram for someone who has tried whisky a few times and wants to explore more single malts. It is soft and luxurious. The 12 year old is a fantastic dram that displays the best characteristics of Glen Grant and Speyside.

The fruity notes with a delicate hint of spice are so traditional to the well known Scottish region. Best of all, it is now widely available in South Africa and retail for around R500. Real value for money.

There is also a Glen Grant 12 yo non-chill-filtered whisky version available in Travel retail and it is incredible. The difference between these two releases is remarkable.

Also Read: Glenfiddich IPA Cask whisky

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/13/2020

In Single Malt whisky

When it comes to distilleries, Balvenie holds a special place in my heart, landing a spot in my top five favourite distilleries. It’s a sentiment shared by John, and our recent adventure into the world of whiskies led us to the Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. A name that resonates with connoisseurs, Balvenie also boasts a 17 year old counterpart.

Nestled in the picturesque region of Speyside, Scotland, the Balvenie distillery has been crafting exceptional spirits since 1892. Founded by the skilled William Grant, who honed his craft at the renowned Mortlach distillery, Balvenie has an illustrious heritage. The man behind the magic today is none other than the esteemed Malt Master, David Stewart.

I’ve delved deep into the rich history and various releases from Balvenie, and one of my all-time favourites has to be the Balvenie Caribbean Cask. It’s the kind of dram that pairs perfectly with cheese or chocolate, offering a symphony of flavours.

Back to the Doublewood 12 year old Scotch, this whisky is initially matured in refill American oak casks before moving into first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts for an additional nine months.

After this, the whisky is transferred to large oak vessels for 3-4 months, allowing the flavours from different casks to beautifully “marry.” This expression was unveiled by Balvenie in 1993.

You can easily recognise Balvenie whisky on the shelf. They are bottled in the classic Balvenie bottle that exudes timeless charm. The bottle’s shape harks back to a bygone era, and the traditional dark cream colours and fonts evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Now, let’s talk about what really matters – the tasting experience.

Related Article: Glenfiddich 12 yo Whisky

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: The Balvenie 12 year old Doublewood is a dark, almost polished amber and burnt copper colour.

NOSE: On the nose, the Balvenie 12 year old greets you with a blend of oak and sherry notes. Hints of fresh grapes, red berries, and an array of spices dance around, with vanilla gently lingering in the background. It’s a rich and inviting start that promises a memorable journey.

PALATE: The palate takes a slightly unexpected turn. The dominant note is unmistakably oak, with the sherry influence remaining more subtle than anticipated. Those delightful hints of fresh grapes, red berries, and spices promised by the nose remain present but are somewhat subdued.

There are bits of vanilla trailing along. However, it’s not as complex as one might expect from a whisky aged in two distinct types of wood. The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old whisky feels a tad flat, leaving me underwhelmed.

FINISH: The finish drops off rather swiftly, which is a tad disappointing.

RATING: GOOD

Now, as someone with a collection boasting at least six bottles of Balvenie, I was possibly expecting more from this one. I distinctly remember a previous encounter with the 12 year old single malt that I enjoyed. Perhaps I encountered a dud bottle this time.

The nose is lovely, warming and inviting, promising a unique experience, but on the palate, it falls flat. The finish is also short and unmemorable.

Balvenie Distillery has a well-earned reputation for crafting excellent whiskies. I’m eager to revisit this release, possibly from a different bottle. It’s worth noting that the success of the 12 year old Doublewood led to the creation of a 17 year old Doublewood edition.

For those seeking a more in-depth exploration, I’ve compared this release with the Balvenie Caribbean Cask whisky side-by-side, highlighting the nuances in a dedicated blog post. Explore the intricate world of Balvenie with me.

Also Read: Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Whiskey

Big Peat Blended Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/06/2020

In Blended Malt Whisky

I love the Big Peat releases. They are fun, original and most importantly, delicious. This week I am looking at the Big Peat that started it all. The Big Peat blended malt Scotch whisky, the original Ileac fisherman.

Last time I looked at the Big Peat 26 year old Platinum Edition and also at the Big Peat 10 yo whisky, but this release today was the start of it all.

This blended malt release from Douglas Laing was the first in their Remarkable Regional Malts series. Big Peat is a mix of whisky from Ardbeg (medicinal notes), Caol Ila (sweetness), Bowmore (balance) and Port Ellen (elegance).

Douglas Laing released Big Peat for the first time in 2009. The frowning fisherman in his signature yellow jersey has been featured on a variety of special releases in the past 10 years. His best known is the yearly Christmas Edition Limited bottling.

Also Read: Reisetbauer 12 yo Whisky

The Christmas Edition is usually bottled at cask strength to warm the coldest heart over the dark snowy Scottish winter with festive flair and zest. There is also a limited edition Big Peat 26 year old whisky that is just divine!

However, today I look at the start of the range; the bottle that started it all. Douglas Laing bottled Big Peat without added colour or chill-filtration. It is readily available and retails for around R650.

I chatted to Hector Mcbeth about this release over on Instagram, and he said that every bottle of Big Peat has a bit of older Port Ellen in. It is a NAS release with no added colour and non-chill-filtered. It is peated to about 40ppm.

Big Peat Blended Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Very pale gold

NOSE: Sweetness balanced with peat, barley and vanilla. Fruity sweetness with hints of chocolate and nuts. Soft smoke and little bits of salty ocean air. The nose makes me think of eating grilled peaches on the beach. Fruity with just hints of salt and peat.

PALATE: Ash, tar and peat. The sea breeze is blowing the BBQ smoke all around. Easy drinking and delicious. The sweetness from the nose is replaced with Islay notes. The sweetness comes through later with creamy chocolate, vanilla and bits of roasted nuts.

Even though it is a 46% ABV, you don’t need to add water. It goes down very smoothly with no alcohol heat. Water brings more grilled fruit sweetness to the front. Big and bold.

FINISH: A medium finish with bonfire ashes, peat and hints of white pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I am a big favourite of the frowning fisherman. According to Hector, Big Peat is very popular in Belgium as well. I can understand why. He is easy-drinking, exciting and fun. The packaging is innovative, and the liquid is consistently delicious. I have yet to taste a Big Peat that I don’t like.

Looking at what food to pair this Big Peat whisky with, options include strong cheese such as blue cheese; I can see why that would work. The robust fisherman needs a strong taste to stand up next to.

The creamy nature of the blue cheese will work deliciously with the peat and ash from the whisky. Smoked BBQ ribs would also work wonderfully, and Hector suggests a tomato-based stew to match the acidity.

This dram also made it onto my favourite peated whisky list. You can read this article all the other peated drams that also made it onto the list.

Also Read: Great whisky gifts under R1000

Ledaig 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/29/2020

In Single Malt whisky

During 2019, at one of the whisky festivals, I tasted a Ledaig whisky for the first time. At the beginning of 2020, I tasted another Ledaig release and again loved it. I thought that both these special bottlings from Ledaig were impressive.

A friend brought me a mini of the Ledaig 10 year old single malt Scotchwhisky from London. So I am very excited to see what this distillery is all about. The Tobermory distillery, a whisky distillery situated on the Hebridean island of Mull, produces Ledaig whisky. It is the only distillery on Mull Island.

The distillery was first known as Ledaig and was founded in 1798 by John Sinclair. It is located at the foot of a steep hill, at the head of the bay. The water for the distillery comes from the Mishnish lochs.

Ledaig distillery had periods of significant expansion followed by periods of closure with various changes in ownership and name changes. Ledaig translates to a safe haven in Celtic and pronounced “lea-chick”.

Burn Stewart Distillers, a subsidiary of the Distell Group Limited currently own the distillery and brand. The main product, Tobermory single malt, is used in the Scottish Leader blended whisky as well as in Black Bottle whisky. The distillery also produces a smaller amount of heavily peated whisky, which is known under the former name, Ledaig.

The Ledaig portfolio consists of just two permanent expressions, the Ledaig 10 year old and an 18 year old. Various single cask releases are also available. I have tasted the Single And Single Ledaig 13 year old and That Boutiquey Whisky Company Ledaig 18 year old.

The Ledaig 10 year old single malt is aged in ex-bourbon casks and has a peat level of 35 ppm. It is non-chill filtered with natural colour.

Also Read: Glenfarclas 17 year old Whisky

Ledaig 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Scottish Islands

ABV: 46.3%

COLOUR: Bright gold

NOSE: Gentle peat with soft fruity sweetness. Hints of barley and malt with briny moss. Quite light and well-balanced.

PALATE: Light peat, ash and wet green moss. Earthy notes with spices. Something in the background that reminds me of cough lozenges. Without water, the pepper and chilli overwhelm the peat a bit. Some alcohol heat. The sweetness promised by the nose only comes out when you add a few drops of water. Medium-bodied. Water softened the ash and promoted the peat.

FINISH: Medium length with sweet peat and pepper.

RATING:VERY GOOD

I loved the other releases that I tasted from this island distillery. This release is the start of the core range and gives a fascinating insight into the distillery style. The peat is soft and mild with more island brine notes and less Islay medicinal notes.

A great dram to introduce someone to peat. The Ledaig 10 year old whisky is not the most complex of drams but with a few drops of water it is easy drinking. Sadly I don’t think this release is currently available in South Africa. I see that at Master of Malt it retails for around R700.

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