Category: Whisky of the Week Page 39 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.

Tamdhu Batch Strength Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/09/2019

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am trying a dram with a BIG ABV – 58.8%; the Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 single malt Scotch whisky. One of the higher alcohol by volume releases in my collection. However, I bought this bottle pretty much just for the shape, not the ABV.

The bottle stands out in between the ~~dull~~ standard whisky bottle shapes in my collection. It is lovely and will be repurposed when empty. However, from where is Tamdhu?

It was in 1863 that the Strathspey railway first graced Speyside’s countryside. The railway created a dependable means of travel and several distilleries were built. Tamdhu distillery was founded in 1896 in Speyside by a group of investors. During 1897 it was bought by Highland Distillers.

In 2009, the Tamdhu Distillery was mothballed. It was then sold to Ian MacLeod Distillers in June 2011. The new owners fired up the stills soon afterwards and started producing single malt again.

Tamdhu lies on the banks of the mighty River Spey, not far from Knockando. The Knockando distillery’s old railway station has since been converted into the Tamdhu visitor centre.

The new owners released their first Tamdhu single malt in 2013 – the delicious Tamdhu 10 yo. Tamdhu Batch Strength was introduced in early 2015, and it is aged exclusively in first-fill Sherry casks.

It has been followed up by Batch 002 and 003 since then, and the current release is Batch 004. Tamdhu also has a Distillery Managers Edition as well as a Dalbeallie II release.

The Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 is a single malt that was matured exclusively in American and European oak Sherry casks. It is bottled without chill-filtration or additional colours.

Also Read: Amrut Two Continents Whisky

Tamdhu Batch Strength Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 58.5%

COLOUR: Amber

NOSE: Sherry hints with dark chocolate covered cherries. Some alcohol on the nose. It needs to breathe a bit. Then there are notes of sweetness and wood. Bits of vanilla and toffee sweetness with red berries and sultanas.

PALATE: Quite an alcohol bite. Fruity sweetness mixed with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. Brandied cherries, red grapes with bits of pepper and toffee sweetness. Sherry mixed with cognac notes. Water tones down the alcohol bite, but add it carefully. You only need to add a few drops of water.

FINISH: Red berries mixed with spicy pepper. A long finish that lingers around for a while still.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A big, bold sherry mouthful! A delicious sherry bomb. This Batch Strength single malt Scotch is not an easy-drinking, finish the bottle tonight type of whisky. The Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 is the type of whisky where you have one glass a week.

At the end of the meal, when you want to sit and debate the meaning of life while slowly sipping something special. When you have time to sit back and appreciate the boldness.

Also Read: Jura 10 yo Origin whisky

Big Peat 26 year old Platinum Edition Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/19/2019

In Blended Malt Whisky

Today I look at the second of the Big Peat samples that I got from Remarkable Malts to celebrate the 10^th-anniversary release of the smoky fisherman. But I decided to jump right to the end and try the Big Peat 26 year old Platinum Edition blended malt Scotch whisky.

I know, logically I should have gone for the Big Peat Original first and then the special Feis Ile release before opening the old man, but patience has never been my biggest virtue.

After tasting the Big Peat 10 yo blended malt whisky, I was curious to see what an additional 16 years would do to the peaty and smoky gentleman. Big Peat 26 year old is a blended malt comprising whisky from Islay’s most sought after malt whiskies.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Green Label Whisky

It is the oldest Remarkable Malts Big Peat ever released. It is the second release in a three-part Vintage series. The first was the Big Peat 25 year old Gold Edition released in 2018. The goal of the Vintage series is to show the salty sailors’ more mature side.

The Big Peat 26 year old Scotch whisky is bottled at cask strength and was not chill-filtered and has a natural colour. Distillation Date: 1992.

Big Peat 26 yo Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 51.5%

COLOUR: Golden

NOSE: Very unique. It has notes of peat, smoky BBQ, burnt wood, salt and seaweed with a fruity sweetness. Big and bold.

PALATE: Peat, ash and smoke balanced with honey sweetness and salted caramel. Hints of coastal notes, lemon meringue tart and salty wind. When you add a bit of water, the more medicinal and earthy notes come forward. It reminded me of a fish braai (BBQ) on the beach. It is big and bold but wonderfully satisfying.

FINISH: Long and lingering. Hints of sea air and peat just warming you up from the inside.

RATING: DIVINE

Oh my word. I have fallen head of over heels in love with the salty gentleman this year. I have tasted quite a few of his releases during this year, and it is delicious. This is not the most complex release. However, it is perfectly balanced, there is no alcohol heat, and it just warms your soul up.

The BBQ notes make it unique and delicious. Even without water, it is easy drinking and just totally rewarding. I can easily sit next to the braai and slowly finish a bottle. That is for me always the best way to properly rate a whisky. Do I want another glass of this or not?

The Big Peat 26 year old Platinum edition is a limited release of only 3 000 bottles. A minimal number of this edition will be making their way to SA. So if you see it, grab it! It is worth it.

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

Also Read: Amrut Kadhambam Whisky

Black Bottle Old Release Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/29/2019

In Blended whisky

The first Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky I tasted was the new version that was launched in 2013. Burn Stewart went back to the original roots of the blend and updated the inside and the outside. That got me thinking about the Black Bottle old release whisky, that if you are lucky enough, you sometimes still find in the shops.

While researching the new Black Bottle, I read a lot about the Islay character of the old Black Bottle whisky, and when I spotted a few of the pre-2013 versions in the shop, I grabbed it.

For many years, Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky was known for its Islay peatiness. The bottle changed from the original Black glass that was sourced from a supplier in Germany to green glass during the early part of the 1900s.

The change was due to the outbreak of World War 1. The Islay character change is probably also from that time when Islay whiskies were more readily available and affordable.

Old Black Bottle is (according to some) a blend of at least 7 different Islay distilleries as well as some grain whisky from the mainland. The older release and the newer release can’t be more different. But what exactly does the old Black bottle taste like?

Also Read: William Lawson’s whisky

Black Bottle Old Release Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Classic peaty Islay notes with hints of wet seaweed and honey sweetness. It does not have that heavy medicinal notes from a Lagavulin or Laphroaig, but a bit more salt, oak, and fruity sweetness. Dried cherries and honey with hints of smoke and delicious creamy bits.

PALATE: Soft peat and fruit. Bits of pepper, vanilla and salted nuts mixed with dried cherries, honey, and condensed milk creaminess. Bits of smoke and dry oak. Not an overwhelming peat monster, but a wonderfully balanced drinkable whisky.

Certainly no shrinking violet. I finished my first glass without adding some water and had to have another glass to see what water does to it. Interestingly, water releases a malty cookie dough note.

FINISH: Long and warming and perfect for winter with peat and hints of lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious dram. Peaty enough for a peat lover, but balanced with enough sweetness to convert someone who wants to experiment with more peat. It has some rough edges, but it is all part of the prominent character.

The new Black Bottle release (in the black bottle) is a lovely dram, and it works well in cocktails. However, this release is bold and delicious. If you like peated whisky and you see the last lonely one in a bottle shop somewhere, grab it. You will be delighted that you did.

Also Read: Ledaig 10 yo Whisky

Loch Lomond Original Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/22/2019

In Single Malt whisky

I have tried many of the releases from Loch Lomond, but have not written about the entry-level release; the Loch Lomond Original single malt Scotch whisky. So today I write about the last Loch Lomond mini from my stash that I have tasted but not yet captured.

The Loch Lomond story is captured in my post on Loch Lomond Signature as well as on Loch Lomond Single Grain. It is a very versatile distillery; producing both malt and grain whisky and they have a big brand portfolio including Inchmurrin and Inchmoan.

Also Read: Loch Lomond Buitenverwachten 6 year old Whisky

From their range, I prefer the Glen Scotia releases. In the future, I hope to try some of the other brands within their portfolio.

The Loch Lomond Original whisky is a peated single malt aged in American oak and has no age statement. It retails for around R850 in SA.

Loch Lomond Original Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43 %

COLOUR: Golden with green hints.

NOSE: Caramel, tropical fruit and toasted oak. There is a fresh green note to the nose like fresh-cut hay and green grass. Soft peaty hints with bits of roasted nuts and cereal.

PALATE: Green notes mixed with honey sweetness and vanilla. Green grass and fresh herbs mixed with fruity notes. Cereal and hints of bitter chocolate mixed with pepper and ginger and in the background delicate peat and smoke.

A bit of an alcohol burn. It needs some water to soften the heat and water brings more nuttiness, and lemon pepper balanced with caramel sweetness. However, the water softens the peat and smoke. Not very complex.

FINISH: Short finish ending in pepper and lemon peel.

RATING: GOOD

A bit young, with some raw sharp edges. Not very complex, and not the cheapest of single malts. The nose is the better part of the dram, but the vibrancy of the nose does not carry to the palate.

This is not my favourite of the Loch Lomond range. However, the subsequent releases does get better and more interesting and complex. Looking back at some of the releases I have tried, my favourite is still the Glen Scotia Victoriana whisky.

Also Read: Paul John Mars Orbiter Whisky

Signature Rare Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/08/2019

In Blended whisky

My hubby travels a lot. He goes all over the world, but quite frequently into Africa. About two years ago, he was flying back from Mozambique and dropped me a message from Maputo Airport.It was a photo of a Signature Rare Aged whisky.

I have never seen or heard about this brand in South Africa, so the bottle was relegated to the back of the cupboard. But I kept on noticing it. It has a unique shape, and this week I decided, we can just as well taste it.

Also Read: Royal Challenge Whisky

I started doing some research on the Signature Rare Aged whisky. I found that it was a blend of Islay, Highland and Indian whisky. Master Blender Caroline Martin put this blend together. It is part of United Spirits Ltd in India and is owned by Diageo.

Launched in 1994 and is known for its iconic octagonal green-coloured bottles. The Signature Premier grain whisky is also available.

I am not sure how this bottle landed in Maputo Airport, and I have not seen it again. But it is part of Diageo, so it might not be all bad…

Signature Rare Aged Whisky Review

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 42.8%

COLOUR: Golden

NOSE: Very subtle with notes of sweetness, fruit, oak, and caramel. Green notes, menthol with a faint acid bitterness.

PALATE: The Signature whisky has a few alcohol notes when tasting it for the first time. There are notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, and molasses sweetness. I am battling to get the Highland and Islay notes in this release. Hints of green grass and juniper. Water softens the alcohol notes but also tones down all the other notes.

FINISH: Short ending in sweet caramel

RATING: GOOD

Not the most complex dram. It is a bit one dimensional and inoffensive. Indeed not the worst whisky I have tried, but rather subtle and a bit unsophisticated.

Looking back at drams I did not enjoy at all; the Signature is slightly better than the Galloway Single Grain and the Schoonspruit 2010 Single Barrel whiskey.

I think it will work nicely in tall drink cocktails as an alcohol base from which to build on. I have seen this release here in Mauritius as well. Have you tried this release? Your thoughts?

Also Read: Paul John Nirvana Whisky