Category: Whisky of the Week Page 52 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.

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/27/2017

In Single Malt whisky

This week I am tasting the Kavalan King Car Conductor single malt whisky from Taiwan. Back in 2009, when I started collecting whisky, it was only possible to find whiskies from the more traditional whisky-making countries like Ireland, USA and Canada.

But in 2011, on one of John’s regular international trips, he suddenly stumbled across a bottle of Finnish whisky and then a bottle of Taiwanese whisky. Suddenly the flood gates opened.

There was an explosion of world whisky. It might have been that the trip opened our eyes to something that has been there all along. Regardless of the reason, I started noticing world whiskies more frequently, and my collection changed to incorporate more world whisky.

To date, I have tasted whiskies from 23 different countries. But one of the first non-traditional countries I managed to get a bottle from, was Kavalan from Taiwan.

I got my hands on a Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Strength whisky, and it blew my minds. It is probably one our my and John’s favourite whiskies of all times.

Since then, I have tasted quite a few more Kavalans. It is always one of the first stands I visit at the Whisky Show. The whisky names from the King Car distillery are all inspired by the orchestra. There is the Kavalan Solist Range of different cask finishes, the Kavalan Podium, Kavalan Concertmaster and this King Car Conductor.

Situated in Yuanshan, at the cross-boundary of the Yi-Lan mountains, the King Car distillery has been creating Taiwanese whisky since 2008. The King Car company is not new to beverages. They have been producing food and beverage since 1979. However, the distillery was only started in 2005.

The whisky is made in the Scottish whisky tradition with two copper stills imported from Scotland. However, Taiwan is a very different climate from Scotland, and the whisky matures quicker in the cask.< The angel’s share is also considerably higher, at 10% compared to around 2% in Scotland.

The Conductor expression is the first to carry the name of the King Car Group instead of Kavalan. The King Car Conductor whisky was commissioned by Mr Lee to be the top offering in the permanent range.

Also Read: Macallan 10 yo Whisky

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky Review

King Car Conductor single malt whisky used eight additional cask types and a higher proportion of ex-Sherry casks compared to the standard single malt. The brief was to make the flavour the fullest and most rounded possible. The King Car Conductor whisky is non-chill filtered.

COUNTRY: Taiwan

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Vivid amber

NOSE: Rich and complex with notes of vanilla, ripe oranges, sweet apricots and lightly toasted oak. There are faint hints of marshmallow balanced with wood spice. After breathing a bit, there are hints of fruit jam and toffee.

PALATE: Warming and sweet with honey, vanilla, oak, fruity notes, and malt. It is complex and smooth. There is a slight alcohol bite. Hints of cinnamon and cloves warm you up from the inside, and after adding a bit of water, the alcohol softens, and more sweetness appears together with some citrus and coconut notes. Adding a bit of water opens up this dram and allow all the complexities to come out.

FINISH: This dram has the perfect finish and balances sweet honey and vanilla with the pepper spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

For a moment, I was concerned that a whisky using eight different casks is going to be a riot of unbalanced flavours. But the notes work in perfect harmony to create a beautiful symphony. This Kavalan release is a delicious dram. Not so complicated that it demands all your attention, but soothing like beautiful background music that allows you to relax.

Previously I paired the King Car Conductor whisky with some dark chocolate liqueur soaked cherries. The combination of dark chocolate and cherries made the coconut notes stand out much more, and it was a delicious pairing.

Also Read: Ardbeg Dark Cove whisky

BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/20/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am looking at something peaty from Speyside: The BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Whiskies from Speyside are among Scotland’s lightest, sweetest single malts.

Situated around the river Spey, Speyside is one of the most densely populated whisky areas in the world. Over 30 distilleries are located in the region.

The lack of peat or coastal air has allowed the Speyside region to create a broad style of whiskies that are lighter, honeyed and refined. Some have heavy sherries influences, but there is an undercurrent of rich malts with toffee and honeyed flavours, paired with nuts and fruity notes.

Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part to play in Speyside drams. Now and again, an expression comes along that veers off the designated path, like this BenRiach Curiositas 10 yo peated single malt whisky.

Also Read: Glenlivet 15 yo whisky

BenRiach distillery is a single malt distillery near Elgin in Speyside and as of June 2016 owned by Brown-Forman. BenRiach Distillery was established by John Duff in 1898.

There were various changes in ownership until in 2004 when the distillery along with several thousand casks was acquired by an independent consortium, the BenRiach Distillery Company Limited.

Other distilleries within this grouping include the Glendronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries.

The new owners wasted no time, and they resumed production and soon released a 12 year old, 16 year old and 20 year old expression.

They also redesigned the logo and the packaging of the bottles. Since these releases, there has been a steady stream of standard and exotic finishes released. Some of the casks that the BenRiach Company got as part of the 2004 sale included batches of more peated malt whisky. The BenRiach Curiositas contains some of this peated whisky.

BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old Whisky Review

Curiositas is a 10 year old, heavily peated release, peated to an estimated 55 ppm based on some research. More peated than the heavily peated Port Charlotte release from Bruichladdich that I tasted a few weeks ago.

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Light straw nearly a light golden yellow with hints of green.

NOSE: Earthy peat, heady smoke, plump fruit, honey sweetness, caramelized toffee mixed with vanilla. Faint hints of oak and malt.

PALATE: Peat, ash, honey sweetness mixed with vanilla, peppery spice and oak. The Curiositas is big and bold. Rich and satisfying, the peat does not have the same medicinal, seaside notes that some of the Islay drams have.

It is earthy and rich, nicely balanced with honey and fruity sweetness. Water brings more of the well known Speyside character and softens the peat. More fruity sweetness appears.

FINISH: Long with notes of pepper, nutmeg, oak and sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What an unexpectedly intriguing dram! All that earthy peat balanced very nicely with the fruity sweetness. I preferred it without water, to preserve the more peaty side of the dram. The Benriach Curiositas is not the most complex whisky but delicious and warming.

Heavy peat from Speyside? I was wondering if I should compare to similar-aged Islay drams? The Ardbeg 10 year old perhaps full of maritime flavours? Then I realized, no, I should judge it all on its own merits, just for what it is – a peaty Speyside whisky.

The fundamental question should always remain: Do I want another glass? Yes, please!

Also Read: Balvenie Doublewood 17 yo whisky

Ardbeg Dark Cove Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/13/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Another Ardbeg Day release, the Ardbeg Cark Cove Islay single malt Scotch whisky. I always look forward to last weekend in May. It is when the world celebrates Ardbeg Day. Ardbeg day started in 2012, and this annual event has been filled with fun and whisky every year since.

With loud fanfare, a new limited Ardbeg release is launched and the day is spent tasting and appreciating Ardbeg around the world.

From New Zealand and Australia, South Africa, Europe and the USA, special Ardbeg themed events turn the day into a worldwide party. We try and make our annual pilgrimage to Dullstroom for this event. It is such a beautiful venue with such a fantastic team and a special place to celebrate.

Since the launch, there have been quite a few extra special moments. One of my favourite Ardbeg releases was from Ardbeg Day 2014 when they released the Auriverdes. This creamy, smooth, peaty dram was created in celebration of the World Cup soccer in Brazil.

And 2016 was no different. We spent the weekend in the beautiful Dullstroom. We rented a cottage next to a trout dam; relaxing while sipping whisky and we celebrated the new Ardbeg Dark Cove whisky release with good friends at Wild About Whisky. Dark Cove was inspired by turbulent times and pays homage to the shadowy past of Ardbeg’s coastline.

Dark Cove is a secret fusion of Ardbeg whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks as well as in dark sherry casks. According to the lore, it is the darkest Ardbeg ever. It is a limited edition NAS release.

The Ardbeg distillery is located on the Kildalton shore of Islay, not too far from Lagavulin and Laphroaig. It is owned by Glenmorangie Plc., which in turn is owned by the French company, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy).

Also Read: Tamdhu 10 yo Whisky

Ardbeg Dark Cove Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 46.5%

COLOUR: Golden Wheat

NOSE: Islay peat, smoke, salt and seaweed drying on the shore with notes of vanilla sweetness. The peat and smoke disappear after a bit and only leaves the sweetness on the nose.

PALATE: Ash, mild peat and heavy smoke, sherry sweetness with a pepper bite. Hints of liquorice and nori seaweed. Bits of lemon with salty notes. Not very complex and a few rough edges. Water softens the palate, making it smoother and softer, balancing the peat and the sweetness better.

FINISH: Long and end on dry sherry and ashy tobacco.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Is it worth it?

As much fun as Ardbeg Day is every year, the Limited releases do not come cheap. The Ardbeg Dark Cove retailed for around R1 175 per bottle. For a NAS release. Is this really the darkest Ardbeg yet? I am not so sure.

I feel like the notes don’t mix quite right. It tastes like something that wants to be Auriverdes but did not quite get there. A younger, less complex version of Auriverdes.

John described this as starter peat. A peaty dram that you would give to someone one who wants to try peat for the first time. Peaty enough to get the point across, but not overwhelmingly so. Nothing that will offend too severely.

For Ardbeg Day, I expect (rightly or wrongly) something that is big, bold, loud and makes a MASSIVE entrance. At a premium price, for a day that comes with this much fanfare, I expect something that will blow people away – something different, something that will polarize people. Something that will get people talking. For me, this was not it – sadly. What did you think of the Ardbeg Dark Cove?

Also Read: Laphroaig An Cuan Mor whisky

Jim Beam Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/06/2017

In Bourbon whiskey

Today, we’re delving into Jim Beam Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey’s rich history and flavours. This brand has left an indelible mark on whiskey. While 1795 saw a whirlwind of historical events like wars, treaties, and remarkable achievements, it also marked the birth of something truly iconic: Jim Beam.

In this pivotal year, a group of German farming immigrants led by Jacob Beam recognized the bountiful potential of Kentucky’s fertile soil for cereal farming. Jacob began cultivating corn and grains, which would later become essential ingredients in his whiskey.

The initial incarnation of this liquid gold was known as “Old Jake Beam.” In 1820, his son David took the reins of the distillery at a tender 18 years old, setting the stage for an incredible legacy.

From these humble beginnings, the Beam family transitioned from immigrant farmers to key players in a global company. In 2014, Suntory Holdings acquired Jim Beam, resulting in the creation of Beam Suntory.

This conglomerate includes renowned brands such as Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbon. The Jim Beam portfolio offers releases like Jim Beam Devil’s Cut and the much-celebrated Jim Beam Black.

Beyond bourbon, Beam Suntory boasts a diverse whisky portfolio featuring brands like Yamazaki, DYC, Laphroaig, Bowmore, and Auchentoshan whisky.

Jim Beam, a name synonymous with bourbon, has garnered a worldwide following. Among its most recognizable expressions is the Jim Beam White Label bourbon whiskey. Crafted through distillation at lower temperatures and aged for four years in oak barrels, this bourbon stands out with its relatively high percentage of rye in the mash bill.

It’s a wallet-friendly choice that offers accessibility without compromising on quality. While Jim Beam White Label may not aim to rival its older sibling, Jim Beam Black Label, it is a budget-friendly bourbon, typically retailing around $20. Let’s dive into its tasting profile:

Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden mahogany

NOSE: Aromas of subtle vanilla, spice, pine forests, toasted oak, and hints of lemon zest greet your senses, complemented by underlying notes of toffee, sweet sticky pudding, and caramelized fruit. It’s a toasty and inviting bouquet.

PALATE: On the palate, you’ll experience an interplay of spiciness and toasted oak and a minty freshness. Hints of dry paper and pepper make their presence felt, with a faint background note of vanilla. Adding water reveals more citrus and pepper, removing the last vestiges of sweetness. It maintains a light body and an uncomplicated profile.

FINISH: Long and dry with citrus and pepper

RATING: VERY GOOD

While it may not steal the spotlight with complexity, it surpasses many budget bourbons, such as Evan Williams and Heaven Hill. It serves its purpose well, especially in cocktails, making it a practical choice for many occasions.

If you’re curious about how Jim Beam Straight bourbon whiskey compares to other iconic brands like Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, I’ve conducted a side-by-side comparison in a separate blog post. Additionally, I’ve explored the Jim Beam Double Oak bourbon and pitted Evan Williams against Jim Beam bourbon whiskey in another intriguing face-off.

For more insights, check out the respective links. So, whether you’re a seasoned bourbon enthusiast or just beginning your whiskey journey, Jim Beam remains a name worth exploring.

Also Read: Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon

Bushmills 16 year old Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/20/2017

In Irish Whiskey

The Bushmills 16 year old single malt Irish whiskey is probably one of the dustiest bottles in my collection. I have had this bottle for more than eight years, and although we have tried it a few times, I have never written about it.

With all the new whisky arrivals, it got moved right to the back of my whisky cupboard. In December, while sorting and organizing, I stumbled across it again. So it made it to my tasting list early in 2017.

Bushmills is a distillery in Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The Bushmills Old Distillery Company itself established in 1784 by Hugh Anderson. However, there is limited information available on any whiskey distilled during that early time.

After various periods of closure in its subsequent history, the distillery has been in continuous operation since it was rebuilt after a fire in 1885. In 1890, a steamship named SS Bushmills, travelled across the Atlantic to deliver Bushmills whiskey to America.

Also Read: Jameson Select Reserve whiskey

In the early 20th century, America was a significant market for Bushmills. Then came the American Prohibition in 1920. It harmed Bushmills and the Irish whiskey industry. But Bushmills managed to survive and when Prohibition ended, had ample stores of whiskey ready to export.

The Bushmills Distillery changed hands a few times, and in 2005, it became part of the Diageo stable. In November 2014, Diageo announced that the Bushmills brand was being traded with Jose Cuervo in exchange for the 50% of the Don Julio brand of tequila that Diageo did not already own.

Bushmills 16 year old Irish Whiskey Review

The core range of single malts consists of a 10 year old, the 16 year old and a 21 year old finished in Madeira casks for two years. Bushmills single malt whiskey 16 year old is aged in a combination of Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon-seasoned casks, then matured for several months in port pipes.

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark Copper mahogany

NOSE: Sherry sweetness, vanilla and roasted apples, stewed fruit. Rich and creamy with hints of honey and cinnamon.

PALATE: Smooth with notes of Christmas spices and summer fruit, oak, vanilla, honey and citrus. The Bushmills 16 year old single malt is not very complex, and although it is smooth, it is not as easy-drinking as I expected. Water brings out a bit more vanilla sweetness and tones down the citrus but also flattens the dram.

FINISH: Arid woody finish with notes citrus, pepper and oak. Hints of wet leather.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It is as if you have three beautiful puzzle pieces in your hand, but they are from 3 different puzzles. The pieces don’t fit together quite so well. They are all a bit disjointed. I was expecting a bit more from the Bushmills 16 year old whiskey. I need to explore from this Irish distillery to see if I can find something nicer. What release should I try?

Also Read:Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Whiskey