Category: Whisky of the Week Page 38 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.

Three Ships 6 year old TBWC Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/11/2019

In Single Malt whisky

This past week was our wedding anniversary. I wanted to open a special bottle to celebrate this special occasion. What can be more memorable as a celebration than opening the first South African whisky bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company, the Three Ships 6 year old single malt whisky. The first independent Three Ships bottling.

Earlier in the year, at the Only Whisky Show, I was fortunate to meet Dave Worthington and attend one of his Master Classes. It was a fantastic night out, and it was great to meet up with old and new whisky friends. The Master Classed allowed for an opportunity to learn more about That Boutique-y Whisky Company (TBWC).

If you still don’t know, TBWC is an independent whisky bottler that bottle a huge variety of distilleries as limited-edition releases. They bottle single edition malts, grains and bourbons from all over the world.

Also Read: Bushmills 16 yo Whiskey

The label of each release is done in a graphic novel style that is fun and contains humorous references to the distillery, liquid in the bottle or the master distiller/blender behind the brand.

This 6 year old from Three Ships is batch one from the James Sedgwick distillery, matured in American oak and finished in PX. Only 1 150 bottles were produced. The artwork on the label depicts Master Distiller, Andy Watts, filling a Three Ships whisky cask with whisky. The barrel in question is branded with PX.

In one hand, Andy carries the filling nozzle, and in the other, he’s hammering the bung into the cask with a Derbyshire Club cricket bat (the team he used the play for).

Three Ships 6 year old TBWC Whisky Review

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 53.7%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Sherry sweetness with berry jam, red plums, raisins and oak. Hints of cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Rich and complex with multiple layers. Bits of old leather and polished wood mixed with sweetness and malt. Rich and opulent and just inviting and wonderful.

PALATE: The first sip brings chocolate-covered cherries, fruity sweetness and fresh wood shavings. The second sip brought more pepper and lemon with some alcohol heat. The red plumbs and fruity notes are mixed with hints of earthy moss and wet forests.

The Three Ships 6 year old needs to breathe a bit, and the alcohol heat needs a few drops of water to soften it. Water softens the spices and brings a new sweetness layer to the front.

FINISH: Wonderfully warming and long. Dry wood and spices that lingers with bits of fruity sweetness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

What an interesting whisky. The nose is impressive and elaborate. On the first sip, you taste the sweet fruitiness promised. But the second sip tasted like a different whisky. If I had this blindfolded, I would have thought you switched my glass around.

The second sip of That Boutique-y Whisky Company Three Ships 6 year old single malt brought the alcohol heat, and it needed to stand for a few minutes to soften. It requires a few drops of water to bring the complexity forward. Only then can you appreciate the multi-layers of flavour that it offers.

This release is a weighty whisky. John called it a cognac type whisky. Something fruity but heavy that you need to take your time over and sip slowly. It is for a more maturity palate that enjoys bolder tastes.

Also Read: Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye whiskey

Big Peat Cape Town Edition Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/04/2019

In Blended Malt Whisky

This weekend is the Rugby World Cup Final and what better way to prepare for South Africa’s part than to taste the Big Peat Cape Town Edition blended malt Scotch whisky. It feels like it was Remarkable Malts’ year on the blog.

I have tasted quite a few of their expressions during this last couple of months. I covered Rock Oyster and Timorous Beastie as well as Big Peat. I covered Big Peat quite a few times.

Even at the whisky shows, I ended up at the Remarkable Malts stand, tasting the various age statement releases available. The Timorous Beastie 18 yo whisky especially stands out. I have captured tasting notes for the Big Peat 10 yo whisky and the Big Peat 26 yo Platinum Edition (Divine) as well.

But what better way to celebrate SA winning the final of the Rugby World Cup than with the Big Peat Cape Town Edition blended malt whisky. In June I tasted this release at The Only Whisky Show and was blown away.

I took a bottle home, and it went with us on our holiday to Mapunbugwe National Park. There we nearly finished the bottle.

As the sun goes down, the elephants come down to the watering hole for a drink. Watching them with a visitor from Islay. #africansunset #remarkablemalts #bigpeat #bigpeatcapetown @HectorMcBeth @valotone @RemarkableMalts pic.twitter.com/5FA99Xg2Av

— WhiskyoftheWeek (@WhiskyoftheWeek) September 26, 2019

Big Peat Cape Town Edition is exclusive to South Africa and part of the Big Peat World Tour City Series. It is a blended malt using Islay whisky and peated to 44ppm.

The label honours South Africa’s Mother City with a braai in front of the famous Devils Peak in Cape Town. As with all Remarkable Malt releases The Big Peat Cape Town Edition whisky is not chill-filtered and bottled at a rather decent ABV.

Big Peat Cape Town Edition Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 48%

COLOUR: Lightest gold

NOSE: Peat and ‘braai’ smoke with hints of blueberry sweetness. Bits of spice and earthy notes mixed with oak and red apples.

PALATE: Ash, peat and smoke. Like standing next to a ‘braaivleis vuur’ (BBQ fire). Fresh fruit sweetness with hints of salted caramel and dark chocolate. Bits of crispy bacon and pepper. Adding water brings forward the sweetness. It is big and bold but in a laid-back and unpretentious way. It is just delicious!

FINISH: Peat and smoke that goes on forever with hints of salt and pepper.

RATING: DIVINE

John is originally from Cape Town, and this Big Peat Cape Town Edition made him nostalgic. It brought back many good memories.

The notes I took while in Mapungubwe read: Sometimes you find a whisky that makes you want to sit down and have deep philosophical discussions with a loved one. But once in a while, you find a whisky that makes you forget about everything else and requires you to be present.

Not solve world problems, not deep philosophical discussions. But the quietness of nature, to look into the eyes of the elephant and just be.

I loved Big Peat the first time I tasted it, and I loved it on holiday. And I still loved it when I poured it for my Friday afternoon tasting session. The bottle will not see the end of this year. The next bottle of Big Peat is already ordered. Just don’t tell John. He is getting it for Christmas.

Also Read: Powers John’s Lane 12 yo Irish whiskey

Timorous Beastie Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/21/2019

In Blended Malt Whisky

Today I try a whisky named after a well known Scottish poem from the Scottish National Bard, Robert Burns. A part of the poem “To a Mouse” goes “Wee, sleekit, cowran, tim’rous beastie, O, what a panic’s in thy breastie! ” This release is part of the Remarkable Malt range and can stand tall next to Big Peat, Scallywag and Rock Oyster is Douglas Laing’s Timorous Beastie blended malt Scotch whisky.

Timorous Beastie is a blended malt made of Highland whiskies from distilleries such as Blair Athol, Dalmore, Glen Garioch, Glengoyne and more. A release from Douglas Laing to celebrate all that is the Scottish Highlands and part of their Remarkable Malts series.

The name is a nod to Scotland’s National bard Robert Burns and his poem. Scotland’s famous poet wrote this after disrupting a timid field mouse nest on his farm. The packaging has the sweetest little mouse drawing on.

The Beastie whisky range also includes a 12 year old as well as an 18 year old Beastie. There is even a limited edition 25 year old Beastie that was just released by Douglas Laing.

The non-age statement Timorous Beastie blended malt is bottled without colouring or chill-filtration. It is readily available and retail in South Africa for R 850. It is also available in the US for $ 56.

Timorous Beastie Whisky Review

ABV: 46.8%

COLOUR: Light golden yellow

NOSE: Notes of meadow honey, barley, fresh-cut green grass and flowers, grapes, apples, hints of oak, sherry and liquorice. Somewhere in the background, there is lemon and cinnamon with hints of ginger.

PALATE: Malt and oak, honey sweetness with crisp Granny Smith apples, fennel and freshly cut grass. Bits of malt, black pepper, cinnamon and smoke. Rich and creamy. It has a crisp green note. I was expecting a bit more of the sherry notes that the nose promised. Water softens and releases more sweetness. Medium body with some drying oak notes.

FINISH: Sweet and creamy with notes of oak, honey and malt with hints of lemon and chocolate.

RATING: VERY GOOD

This blended malt whisky is not a timid little mouse at all. The Timorous Beastie is drinkable and bold. It has a green freshness that makes it perfect for summer. Timorous Beastie is not the most complex whisky, but at the price point, it is value for money. A wonderful mix of the best that the Scottish Highlands have to offer.

Have you tried this release yet?

Also Read: Big Peat Cape Town Edition whisky

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/14/2019

In Single Malt whisky

It is not every day that I get the chance to taste a whisky that is older than me. A whisky distilled while John F Kennedy was still the President of the USA and in the heat of the Cuban missile crises. A whisky like that holds a bit of history.

In a ‘normal’ situation, there would be no way that I can afford to taste even a sip of whisky this old. Whiskies of this age class are sold in exquisite bottles at eye-watering prices, more expensive than what I can afford. However, this is all about to change.

The Craigellachie distillery decided to share their oldest whisky with fans around the globe. This whisky is the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

Craigellachie did not want it sold to the highest bidder and stored in a locked glass cabinet. They wanted to share it with ordinary whisky lovers. Best of all, they wanted to share it. FOR FREE. To allow whisky drinkers all over the word to enjoy it as well.

More about Craigellachie Distillery

Craigellachie Distillery is new to the blog. It is one of the single malt distilleries that form part of the Bacardi stable. Other single malts include Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Royal Brackla and The Deveron.

The Craigellachie distillery is situated in Aberlour in the Scottish Speyside region. In 1891 a group of blenders and merchants got together and decided to build a new distillery.

Ownership changed a few times over the years, and in 1998 it was sold to John Dewar & Sons. The majority of the distillery production is used for the Dewar’s blended whisky.

The Craigellachie standard range includes a 13 year old whisky, a 17 year old and 23 year old single malt whisky.

The Craigellachie 51 year old Scotch single malt was distilled during December 1962 and aged in ex-Bourbon hogsheads. It was taken out of the wood in 2014.

Me being the sceptic was wondering; are they giving this Craigellachie 51 year old away because it is not so good and more of a gimmick? I went to taste it and captured the tasting notes. Here you can see Georgie pouring this remarkable bit of history.

A bit about yesterday, when I got to taste the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky. Such a special experience. 🥰🥰#craigellachie51 #Craigellachie51SA pic.twitter.com/MtK9C5CtvW

— WhiskyoftheWeek (@WhiskyoftheWeek) October 12, 2019

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky Review

I had a pour from bottle 29 of 51.

ABV: 40.3%

COLOUR: Dark golden copper

NOSE: Fruity sweetness, faint hints of wood, bits of orange. Elegant and intriguing.

PALATE: Soft spiciness balanced with sun ripe fruit, hints of sweet oranges, vanilla and dry oak. Creamy notes with hints of meaty goodness.

FINISH: Drying and soft with fruity sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I was expecting a very woody dram, after spending that amount of time in the oak. However, there are only soft woody notes. The oak lends a drying finish to the dram. The Craigellachie has many layers. It is almost like an old manuscript wrapped in many layers of tissue paper. The manuscript is so old and fused that you can’t separate the different layers anymore.

All the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky elements have blended into one to make something new that is unique and delicious. It is moreish and a once in a lifetime experience.

The Craigellachie Bar 51 Experience

The best part is that a few more people in South Africa can also get to taste this unique whisky during November. Craigellachie is hosting a special pop up bar, Bar 51, where you can get to taste the Craigellachie 13 year old, the 17 year old and the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

At WhiskyBrother Bar on the 20th and 21 st of November and at the Athletic Club in Cape Town on the 25th and the 26th of November. All you have to do is enter your details HERE to go into the draw. What are you waiting for? Go quickly. Entries close on the 10th of November.

Sample disclosure: I received a sample of the Craigellachie 51 year old from Craigellachie as part of their promotional event. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Balblair 17 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/07/2019

In Single Malt whisky

The third in my series on the new Balblair age statement releases and this week I look at the Balblair 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Balblair 12 year old whisky set the foundation on which the rest of the series stands.

This is followed by the Balblair 15 year old, which is just delicious. The Balblair 17 year old whisky is a travel retail exclusive, so not quite part of the standard range, but something to look forward to when you travel.

Balblair is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. Founded in 1790 by John Ross, the distillery lies in Edderton in the Northern Highlands of Scotland. Balblair is owned by Inver House Distillers who also own the anCnoc whisky and Speyburn whisky brands.

Interestingly only an estimated 15% of Balblair’s capacity is bottled as a single malt. The rest are all used for blends, including Hankey Bannister.

The Balblair 17 year old single malt whisky is matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and then finished in first-fill Spanish oak butts. It is not chill-filtered with no added colour.

Balblair 17 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Dark chocolate, bits of sultanas and cherries with wood spice. Minced fruit, oak and pepper.

PALATE: Not as sweet as the 15 year old with more wood spice and fruit. Nutmeg, white pepper mixed with vanilla. Red apples, sweet figs and juicy oranges with oak and hints of honey. Bold and chewy with a medium body. Adding water makes the 17 year old a bit sweeter, but interestingly, it does not tone down on the spicy notes.

FINISH: Dark chocolate and pepper with a hint of dried orange peel in the background.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Balblair 15 year old release showcased the fruity sweeter part of the Balblair style. This Balblair 17 year old whisky focused on the more wood spice part of the profile. It is delicious and a perfect after-dinner whisky.

This whisky will work well with a cheese board filled with fresh fruit and mature cheddar cheese. Next time I look at the last of my samples, the Balblair 18 year old whisky.

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