Category: Whisky of the Week Page 50 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.

Checkers Private Barrel Co No 68 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/31/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Something different today, in honour of World Whisky Day I try the Checkers Private Barrel Co No 68 single malt Scotch whisky. Founded in 2012 and celebrated on the third Saturday in May, World Whisky Day is a global event to celebrate all that is whisky or whiskey.

An opportunity to bring people together and to share a glass of your favourite dram. This year Checkers invited a group of whisky lovers around the country to participate in a special Twitter tasting. An event to celebrate the friendship that whisky creates.

Anel Grobler, the editor of DrinksFeed, ran the Twitter tasting and we had the opportunity to taste four whiskies from the Checkers Private Barrel Co. I have written about the Private Barrel Co whisky before. The team behind Private Barrel company source unique limited single barrel whisky and bottle it under the Private Barrel Co label.

The aim is to offer the whisky lover something unique, different and above all, affordable. Private Barrel Co sources single casks from distillers that would not typically bottle a single cask or distilleries not well known in South Africa. The team look for finishes and releases that are out of the ordinary.

The Twitter Tasting

During the Twitter tasting we got to taste:

The Glenlossie 15 yo single malt with its palate of pineapple, subtle spice and honey;
The Glen Grant 17 yo that I have written about;
The latest addition to the Private Barrel Co. is a 10 yo Glen Scotia from the award-winning Campbeltown distillery of the year and matured in first-fill American oak casks. The Glen Scotia 10 yo has notes of pineapple and lemon zest along with hints of orange marmalade, sliced apple with honey and vanilla syrup on the palate.
The Private Barrel Co No 68 and it stood out. A 12 yo single malt Scotch whisky matured in American oak bourbon casks. I have written about the Private Barrel Co. No 41 single malt before and that release quickly made it into my Top 5 affordable Single Malts. After tasting this No 68 Scotch and seeing the price, I had to go out and get a bottle.

Also Read: Balvenie Triple Cask 16 yo Whisky

Checkers Private Barrel Co No 68 Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Polished copper with red hints

NOSE: Initially, the Private Barrel Co No 68 has the classic sweet vanilla notes of bourbon and toasted oak. This is followed by faint winter spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper balanced with fudge and toffee sweetness.

PALATE: Smooth and spicy. On second sip hints of oak appear with some brandied fruit sweetness and berries. Bits of Christmas pudding, wet wood and vanilla. This release is quite spicy, but it is a warming cinnamon, and nutmeg winter spice taste, more than a pepper spice.

The addition of water transforms this dram – removing some the spice and releasing the sweetness. The Private Barrel Co No 68 has a medium body. <

FINISH: Medium length ending in vanilla and hints of lemon.

RATING: EXCELLENT

For the price range, this Private Barrel Co No 68 is excellent quality! A great addition to the Private Barrel Co. Range This release is widely available and will make it onto my Top 5 affordable Single Malts for 2017.

I was not the only one who loved it. It also paired very well with an aged cheddar as well as an oxtail. It is drinkable and warming and perfect for winter.

The Private Barrel Co released a James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask during 2018, and you can read all about it too.

Also Read: Galloway Single Grain Whisky

Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/24/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at a bottle I opened for to celebrate a special event; the Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky. One of the best things for me about whisky is the opportunity to open it celebrate something special.

You create memories when you open a bottle to celebrate a special occasion. Months later, when you open up that bottle again, you are immediately reminded you of what you have achieved and celebrated.

I found this quote in Patrick Lindsay,’ book ‘It’s Never Too Late’. He says “Every new friend is a new adventure… …the start of more memories.” Such an apt quote. Especially for the adventure that is whisky and making memories.

And when you have an interesting bottle like the Balvenie Triple Cask 16 yo whisky to open and share, you know it will be a great adventure.

My child always says, “sharing is caring”. Mostly when I have some chocolate in my hand, but she is right. Sharing is caring, especially with whisky. After John’s trip to Dubai (the 3rd one this year), it was great to sit down and open this bottle of Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old whisky.

We have been saving it for a while and was looking forward to something special. It was the perfect bottle to open after a busy week.

I have covered the Balvenie history plenty in some of my other blog posts, starting with the Balvenie Doublewood. It is one of my favourite distilleries, and I love The Balvenie Roasted Malt and The Balvenie Peated Cask release. The Balvenie Triple Cask range include a 12 year old and a 25 year old whisky.

The Balvenie Triple Cask 16 yo whisky is created by combining Balvenie whisky that has matured in the three most traditional types of cask – first-fill bourbon, refill bourbon and sherry – in a large wooden marrying tun before bottling.

Also Read: Aberlour A’bunadh whisky

The Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old Whisky

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Light golden amber.

NOSE: Lots of toasted oak spices, chocolate covered dried pineapple, fresh banana and vanilla sweetness. All beautifully blended together to make a rich and complex nose. In the background, hints of dried grass, fruity sweetness and nuts.

PALATE: The first sip brings cinnamon and pepper spice. More than what I expected based on the nose. The second sip brings sun-dried pears, oak woodiness but very little of the sweetness that I expected based on the nose.

Faint hints of malt, honey and vanilla. The Balvenie Triple Cask 16 is oily with a medium body. The addition of water smoothes out the dram but increases the pepper bite. Not what I was expecting after the rich, complex nose.

FINISH: Medium length finish with notes of pepper, bits of citrus peel and tobacco.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I had hight hopes for this 16 year old single malt whisky. It is one of my favourite distilleries, and I have quite a few Balvenie’s in my collection. The best part of this Balvenie Triple Cask whisky is the nose. It is rich and complex and promises much pleasure.

However, the palate does not live up to the expectations and for a 16 year old disappointed me a little. Perhaps this release will grow on me if I try it again in a couple of months. It does keep on reminding me of an amazing achievement, the reason why I opened this bottle in the first place.

Also Read: Mackinlay’s The Enduring Spirit Whisky

Catto’s Blended Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/19/2017

In Blended whisky

The next edition in my affordable blended whisky series; this week, I look at the Catto’s blended Scotch whisky. It retails for around R 300 in South Africa. It is affordable and in a similar price range as the Johnnie Walker Black Label blended whisky. James Catto began his retail business in 1861 in Aberdeen and wanted to blend high-quality Highland malt with some accessible (probably also more affordable) Lowland grain whisky.

Grain whisky distilling has been around since around 1810 and was (still is) considerably cheaper and easier to make than malt whisky.

Interesting how many whiskies started their life story in a grocery store. Brands like Johnnie Walker, Teacher’s, Chivas and Famous Grouse all have a link to a grocery store.

James locked himself away in his basement and experimented until he created a blended whisky that he liked.

He sold whisky in his shop, and as a result of his connection to the founders of P&O and White Star shipping, his whiskies were soon exported all over the world.

Today Catto’s is created by Master Blender Stuart Harvey. The heart of Catto’s whisky is formed by unpeated single malts from among others Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu, Pulteney and Speyburn.

Interesting to note, Jim Murray, rates this Catto’s Rare whisky at 92 points and mentions that he likes to drink this at home. (Whisky Bible 2015 Edition).

Also Read: Bell’s Whisky

Catto’s Blended Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light golden wheat

NOSE: Hints of raw alcohol surprisingly similar to the Speyburn I had a few weeks ago. Notes of honey, vanilla, fresh fruits and caramel.

PALATE: Medium body with some alcohol bite. There are lots of caramel sweetness balanced by a bit of cinnamon spice, malt, fresh-cut grass. Not very complex. Water softens the alcohol and releases more sweetness.

FINISH: Medium length ending on some cinnamon sweetness and pepper.

RATING: GOOD

Well, it is better than the Speyburn Bradan Orach whisky. I am not sure why Jim Murray would drink this at home if he has the whole of Scottish whiskies to choose from. Sadly, I found the Catto’s whisky a bit bland. The caramel sweetness is nearly overwhelming.

In South Africa this retails for around R300 and at the price range, there are many more decent blends from which to choose. This blend will probably be in my cupboard for quite a while…

Also Read: Label 5 whisky

Amrut Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/12/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at a whisky from India, the Amrut Indian single malt whisky. Thirty-five years ago, most whiskies came from Scotland. The sacred place where whisky is distilled and aged as part of a nearly religious experience.

Chivas and Dimple were premium blends that epitomized everything Scottish and masculine. It was a man’s drink in a man’s world. Ronald Reagan was president, and the Cold War was a reality.

It was the time of the Falkland War, the launch of MTV and Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spenser. Chernobyl exploded, and the Simpsons were created.

A busy time in history. On a side note: I read about the 80’s history, and it reminds me of the uncertainty that we are currently facing. Bombings, terrorist attack and political instability characterized most of the 1980s.

Fast forward to today. The Cold War is over, MTV is still around, Chernobyl is still radioactive, and the Simpsons are on season 28. Bart has not aged much. Chivas and Dimple have stood the test of time. But there was a significant change – whisky is not only from Scotland any more.

Now great quality whisky is made all over the world from my local favourite Three Ships whisky in Wellington South Africa to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Taiwan.

Most of Europe has whisky distilleries that release quite decent bottlings regularly. Some whisky releases from Japan cost an arm, and a leg and India has surprised everyone with some award-winning releases from their Amrut distillery.

India is one of my favourite counties to travel in. The mix of colours and spices, the rich history and vast nature is a combination that you don’t get anywhere in the world. I loved the Amrut Fusion and the Amrut Two Continents. I have written about the Bangalore based distillery history extensively in these posts.

Also Read: Signature whisky

Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky Review

I have a bottle from Batch No 23, October 2010.

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Golden Yellow

NOSE: Spices, bits of wood with fruity notes.There are notes of sweet candy floss, malt and ripened plum with vanilla. It’s a dram that needs to breathe a bit to let some of the alcohol blow off.

PALATE: Loads of wood and spice. Faints hints of dried citrus peel and dried cranberries. It has a spicy black pepper bite with cloves and a bit of fruity dried apricot sweetness. It is quite oily and has an alcohol burn if you don’t add a bit of water to smooth the Amrut single malt out.

FINISH: Spicy with a dried citrus peel.

RATING: VERY GOOD

An enjoyable dram, but not my favourite from the Amrut range. It does not have the same complexity and richness that a Fusion or a Two Continents have. Karen paired the Amrut single malt with some coffee and cardamom flavoured chocolate. Thank you for joining me on this cold Friday afternoon, Karen. It was lots of fun to share this exciting world whisky with you.

Lately, it seems like when I try an Amrut, I end up sharing it with a friend. I had my good friend Zee visiting when I tried the Amrut Intermediate Sherry and this Amrut single malt whisky I shared with Karen. Whisky is really made for sharing.

Also Read: Tamdhu 10 yo whisky

Tamdhu 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/05/2017

In Single Malt whisky

The first thing that drew me to the Tamdhu 10 year old was the bottle shape. In between all the similar shaped whisky bottles, the beautiful Tamdhu bottles stood out. The old fashioned bevelled bottle reflects the light like a crystal.

Regardless of the taste, I wanted the bottle for the shape. Then I went to read up about this Speyside distillery, and I just had to taste the Tamdhu 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

In 1896, a group of investors founded the Tamdhu Distillery and a year later it was bought by Highland Distillers. Highland Distillers today is a subsidiary of Edrington Group who own Highland Park, the Macallan and Famous Grouse whisky.

Located in the Scottish Speyside town of Knockando in Banffshire, Scotland, Tamdhu means “little dark hill” in Gaelic.

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

Today Tamdhu uses sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. The casks are shipped whole to Speyside to ensure none of the flavours is lost. The newly filled casks are matured on the banks of the River Spey.

The Tamdhu 10 year old whisky is the signature malt and the first release by the new owners. The whisky is matured exclusively in sherry casks.

Also Read: Glengoyne 17 year old whisky

Tamdhu 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Polished copper, both in the bottle and in the glass. There is a lovely warm reddish glow to the spirit.

NOSE: Sweetness of ripe berries fruits, mixed with some butterscotch and vanilla. Hints of raisins and spicy oak.

PALATE: Sweet fruitiness balanced with notes of cinnamon, black pepper and cardamom with hints of dried citrus peel. The addition of water adds more smoothness to the Tamdhu 10 year old and bring the flavours together in a more luxurious and a more sophisticated way.

FINISH: A bit short. It ends in notes of citrus en pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is probably one of the more citrusy whiskies I have tasted. The citrus is nicely balance with spices and a fruity sweetness. An elegant and luxurious dram.

At the end of 2016, I paired this Tamdhu 10 year old Scotch with some a Tamdhu 10 yo whisky finish to make it MILES long. I have also tried the Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001, and it is a huge mouth full.

Also Read: Benromach 10 yo whisky