Category: Single Malt whisky Page 13 of 43

Single Malt whisky

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for Single Malt Whisky. A collection of all the interesting releases I have tried. Not only Scotch but from around the world.

Talisker Skye Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/01/2021

In Single Malt whisky

I love the Talisker 10 year old whisky. It is one of those drams that I will take to a desert island with me. It is smooth, smoky and comforting, and of course, very drinkable. However, I need to expand my tasting notes from this Scottish Island distillery, so today, I am trying the Talisker Skye single malt Scotch whisky.

The Talisker distillery is a whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. It is part of the Diageo stable. Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill founded the distillery in 1830. It was rebuilt and upgraded a few times over the years.

Talisker’s water comes from Cnoc nan Speireag (Hawk Hill) and flows over peat, which adds an extra dimension to the whisky. Talisker has an unusual feature—swan neck lye pipes.

Diageo introduced Talisker Skye whisky in early 2015. They named it after the rugged landscape and jagged peaks of the Cuillin Mountains and the island’s wild seas. The Talisker core range also includes the Talisker Storm and the Port Ruighe.

Also Read: Ledaig 10 yo Whisky

It was great to see this distillery in the TV adaptation of one of my favourite books. In Good Omens by Terry Pratchett, the demon Crowley (played by Scotsman David Tennant) drinks Talisker by the bottle as he awaits the coming apocalypse.

This expression aims to create a more well-rounded and sweet flavour profile combined with the traditional Talisker maritime notes. It’s matured in a combination of refill and toasted American oak casks, with a slightly higher proportion of toasted casks. It is peated to an estimated 20 ppm and is a NAS release.

Talisker Skye Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Island

ABV: 45.8%

COLOUR: Bright gold

NOSE: The nose is clean and fresh. There are bits of fresh fruit, a peaty earthiness mixed with underlying smoke. Hints of honey and salt.

PALATE: The Talisker Skye has a medium body. There are notes of dry oak, citrus fruit, fresh apples and peat. Bits of smoke and lemon pepper. Adding water bring forward more barley and softens the pepper. It is not the most complex dram and rather delicate.

FINISH: Drying oak and pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Talisker Skye whisky has a few unfinished edges and feels like it is not quite rounded off. It is not a bad whisky, but it is difficult not to compare this release to the Talisker 10 year old whisky. The 10 year old whisky is easier drinking, more complex and smoother than the Skye.

Although the taste difference between these two is quite pronounced, the price difference between these two releases is relatively small. At Master of Malt, the Skye retails for GBP 30.21 and the Talisker 10 year old single malt for GBP 30.38. I would rather grab the 10 year old release than the Skye.

Also Read: Arran Napoleon Cognac Finish Whisky

GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/08/2021

In Single Malt whisky

I found a whisky called after the collective noun for a group of rooks; a Parliament, the GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky. It can only have an unique story. Nestled in the valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills, a Parliament of Rooks guards a warehouse.

In this warehouse, ex-Sherry casks slowly take their time maturing the golden liquid within.A syndicate headed by James Allardes founded the GlenDronach distillery in 1826.

The distillery opened and closed various times and at one time or another, was owned by many of the well-known players in the market including Chivas, the Grant Family and Teachers and Sons.

In 2008, BenRiach’s owners purchased the distillery. April 2016 saw the Brown-Forman Corporation purchase GlenDronach. The deal included BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries.

GlenDronach is known for long maturation periods in sherry casks. The GlenDronach 21 yo is no exception as it was aged in a combination of Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso casks from Andalucía. The core collection includes a 12 year old, 15 year old, 18 year old, and even a peated expression.

Last year, the GlenDronach 18 yo whisky was one of the best drams I tried during the year. It will be interesting to see if how the additional time in the sherry casks matures the whisky.

Also Read: My Top 5 Whisky Food Pairings

GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 48%

COLOUR: Polished amber

NOSE: Red fruit sweetness, creamy oak with bits of dark roasted coffee, an underlying ginger note mixed with bits of vanilla and orange. Delicious and rich inviting you to savour slowly.

PALATE: Full-bodied and with a big mouthfeel, there are notes of bold sherry, dry oak, chocolate-covered cherries, red berries, cinnamon and pepper. In the background is the subdued sweetness of honey. A bit of alcohol heat. Quite spicy. A few drops of water softens the alcohol heat, but bring more pepper spice to the front. It is a thick and oily dram. It is complex with many layers.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of dry wood and lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is delicious, but not an easy-drinking whisky. Not for novices as it is bold and complicated. The GlenDronach Parliament 21 year old whisky demands the focus befitting of its age, and for me, it is a drink to enjoy on a special occasion. It is not just something to sip at the end of a hard day.

John loved the pepper bite in the end, I found the pepper and oak a bit overwhelming and far more pronounced than in the 18 yo release. I enjoyed the 18 year old release far more and found it softer and better balanced. In South Africa, the GlenDronach 21 year old Parliament single malt whisky retails for about R2 500.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Parliament release and the GlenDronach 18 year old whisky to see how they rate next to each other.

Also Read:Boplaas Single Grain Whisky

Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/25/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Let’s have a peaty start to tasting notes for 2021 with the Port Charlotte 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. After the dramatic year that was 2020, I want to start this year on a high note. Start as you mean to continue. Port Charlotte and the Bruichladdich distillery is no stranger on the blog.

The heavily peated Port Charlotte expressions, distilled at Bruichladdich, are a tribute to the old Lochindaal distillery. The Port Charlotte village and the nearby distillery were built at the same time around 1829 on the shores of Loch Indaal.

The distillery closed in 1929, precisely 100 years after it was built. Bruichladdich acquired most of the old distillery buildings and ground back in 2007.

The distillery, now owned by Remy Cointreau, also makes The Botanist Gin, Octomore and Bruichladdich.

Bruichladdich introduced The Port Charlotte 10 year old single malt whisky as the flagship Port Charlotte expression. It’s peated to 40ppm, and drawn from a combination of first-fill American whiskey casks, second-fill American whiskey casks and second-fill French wine casks.

Where Octomore is the Bruichladdich heavily peated expression, Port Charlotte is closer to the standard level of Islay peat. The Port Charlotte 10 year old whisky is non-chill-filtered and with natural colour.

Also Read: KWV 12 yo Brandy

Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Deep gold

NOSE: I was expecting a bolder nose, but it is delicate and elegant smoke and peat balanced with tropical fruit sweetness. Bits of oak and earth with fudge and sun-ripened oranges. Bits of seaweed and ash with vanilla and sea air.

PALATE: After the elegant nose, I was expecting a softer dram. But it is all bold Islay with peat and wood spices balanced with smoke and toasted nuts. Oak and honey with bits of salt and malt. Very drinkable.

Water softens the peat and brings more caramel sweetness to the front. It softens the wood spice but doesn’t diminish the peaty notes. The higher ABV is barely noticeable. I finished my first glass without adding water and had to pour a second glass.

FINISH: The finish is long and smoky with spicy pepper and fruity sweetness. Soft and delicious.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Just delicious. This Port Charlotte 10 year old Scotch might be peated and smoky, but it is drinkable and elegant. The balance between the peaty notes and the smoke, sweetness and malt is luxurious and inviting you to try more.

It is a complex dram with many layers; each building on the next layer. You barely need water, just a drop or 2. A fantastic dram to start my year with.

Also Read: Kilchoman Sanaig Whisky

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/11/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Amrut is a brand of Indian single malt whisky manufactured by the Amrut Distilleries in Bangalore. It is the first single malt whisky to be made in India. The brand became famous after whisky connoisseur Jim Murray declared Amrut Fusion single malt whisky as one of the world’s best whiskies in the 2010 edition of his annual Whisky Bible.

Amrut Distilleries Ltd was founded in Bangalore, Karnataka, in 1948 by JN Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale. The company initially manufactured Indian Made Foreign Liquor.

They built the distillery in 1987, and it is located on Mysore Road, roughly 20 km from Bangalore. Most distillers in India were manufacturing whisky by converting molasses to alcohol. In 1982, Jagdale decided to create a premium whisky from barley blended with malt.

Amrut Distilleries began procuring barley from farmers in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. The company had a surplus stock of their malt whisky by 1995, and Jagdale allowed some barrels to age longer to see how they would turn out. Amrut, according to the company, translates as “Elixir of Life”.

The Angel’s Share

The whiskies had been ageing for almost four to five years by the year 2000. Amrut discovered that the hot weather in India makes whisky mature faster than it does in Europe or the United States. The fraction lost to the angels’ share is also higher, at 11–12% per year.

In Scotland, the annual evaporation loss is about 2%. Surinder Kumar, the master blender at Amrut Distilleries, estimates that one year of barrel ageing in India is equal to three years of ageing in Scotland. Launched in 2009, Amrut Fusion is produced using 25% Scottish peated barley and 75% unpeated Indian barley.

The two barleys are matured separately in oak casks in Bangalore for around four years. Subsequently, the two matured malts are blended in measured proportions and married for three months in ex-bourbon casks.

Also Read: Paul John Bold Whisky

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky Review

COUNTRY: India

ABV:46%

COLOUR: A golden yellow. It is quite an oily whisky and makes long fingers on the sides of the glass.

NOSE: Quite subtle. There are notes of oak, cereals and barley. There is a hint of bourbon in the background and very mild peat. After the addition of a bit of water, fresh-cut flowers appear on the nose.

PALATE: Without the addition of water, the palate brings oak and is very spicy. Adding some water allows the Amrut Fusion to open up, and it delivers a nice mouthful that hits you with lots of spice, very mild peat and sweetness.

There are notes of oak and bourbon with hints of toffee. This full-bodied Amrut Fusion has a wonderfully complex palate. It is a warming whisky with amazing character.

FINISH: The Amrut Fusion single malt has a stunning finish. It builds to a crescendo transitioning from spicy to sweetness at the end. Most whiskies finish the other way around. The fantastic thing about the Amrut Fusion whisky is that it ends on a deliciously sweet note after starting quite spicy. There are notes of condensed milk with soft spices at the end. A thoroughly brilliant whisky for a cold evening.

RATING: DIVINE

This is a delicious single malt whisky from an amazing country. I could not find Amrut in Bangalore on our last trip in 2011 as Amrut only launched in India this past year. I will hopefully be going back to India in 2015 to spend some time with our friend Professor Sundar in Bangalore and then hope to visit this amazing distillery.

The Amrut Fusion retail for around £50 in the UK and ₹ 3,286 in India.

Other Amrut Expressions I have tried include the Amrut Kadhambam as well as the Amrut Intermediate Sherry whisky.

Also Read: Reisetbauer 12 yo Whisky

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/17/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Today, I look at the Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. With its iconic triangular bottle, the Glenfiddich distillery has carved its name into the annals of whisky history as a stalwart producer of exceptional single malts.

This distinctive form, which graced Glenfiddich bottles from 1957 to today, has become synonymous with quality and character. As I delve into the realm of whisky wonders, I am particularly captivated by the Glenfiddich 12 year old expression. It has a matching green cover tin that befits its reputation.

Trailblazers in packaging innovation, Glenfiddich was among the first to encase their bottles in stylish tubes and gift tins. They were also among the first to embrace the significance of the duty-free market, cementing their status as pioneers in the industry.

These visionary strides have enabled Glenfiddich to remain a cherished gem of family ownership amid a landscape dominated by conglomerates.

The Glenfiddich distillery was founded in Dufftown, Scotland, in 1886, close to the Glen of the River Fiddich. This storied birthplace imparts the distinct Speyside character to its whisky, weaving tradition and terroir into every sip.

The Glenfiddich 12 year old Scotch whisky is crafted through maturation in a harmonious marriage of Oloroso sherry and bourbon whisky casks.

In my ever-growing whisky collection, I’ve reserved a special place for the Glenfiddich range, a testament to my admiration for their artistry.

A medley of Glenfiddich tasting notes line my archive, with a few standouts etching themselves into my memory:

As the gateway to the distillery’s offerings, the Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky beckons with an alluring promise of discovery.

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Bright amber. It’s quite a light colour. The whisky itself is quite oily and leave distinctive fingers on the inside of the glass.

NOSE: First brings fresh fruit, pear, oak & honey. Hints of yellow apple, honey sweetness and vanilla. The addition of water releases more florals and faint spice in the nose.

PALATE: On the palate, the first impression is smoothness. It is wonderfully rounded with creamy wood notes, toffee and dried fruit. A subtle hint of pear mixed with spicy cinnamon and nutmeg. It is a very smooth, medium-bodied whisky that is not very complex. In my opinion, this is one of those examples of a whisky that most people will enjoy.

FINISH: Medium length. It ends with notes of oak and spice. There is a lovely oily mouth feel at the end.

RATING: EXCELLENT.

It is the perfect starter whisky for a novice in single malt whiskies. The Glenfiddich 12 year old is unpretentious, harmonious, and smooth.

Within the cultural tapestry of Afrikaans, there is a word: “staatmaker.” It evokes the essence of dependability, a quality that resonates beautifully with the Glenfiddich 12 yo whisky.

Another great feature is the affordable price. The retail price is around R 500 in South Africa and in India the price is ₹ 5,860.

As my journey of whisky comparison evolves, I’ve compared the Glenfiddich 12 year old with its counterparts – the Glenlivet 12 year old single malt whisky and the Singleton 12 year old single malt whisky – to gauge their distinct personalities when savoured side by side.

I have also experimented with the Chivas 12 year old and the Glenfiddich 12 year old to see how the blend match up to the single malt. Follow the link to see my views on this comparison.

Pairing Glenfiddich and Food

Looking around at food pairings that elevate the Glenfiddich’s charm:

A pear and ginger crumble marries splendidly with the whisky’s pear undertones, crafting a dessert of heartwarming proportions.
The savoury allure of a charcuterie platter, laden with salty meats and creamy cheeses, works in harmony with the Glenfiddich’s notes.

In single malt terms, the Glenfiddich 12 year old Scotch is a must have in your cupboard – a testament to a legacy that encapsulates innovation, tradition, and accessibility.

Related Article: Tomatin 12 yo Whisky