Whisky of the Week

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Category: Single Malt whisky Page 14 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.

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review

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On 12/17/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Glenfiddich 12 yo Single Malt Whisky header
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

Review and tasting notes The Glenfiddich 12 yo single malt whisky with glass
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



Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish 11 yo Whisky

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On 11/30/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish 11 yo single malt Whisky
During October 2019, the James Sedgwick Distillery invited a few loyal and enthusiastic Cape supporters to celebrate the Three Ships birthday at the distillery. What they did not know was that this not only was a celebration but a small consumer testing opportunity as well.

Andy Watts, the Master Distiller, wanted some end-user feedback in choosing his next Three Ships Master’s Collection release.

During the event, he gave the fans a few of his ‘work-in-progress’ drams to sample. Unbeknown to them, their feedback during the evening determined the 2020 Master’s Collection release.

A year later, they launched the new Three Ships Master’s Collection Edition. It is a limited edition Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish 11 year old single malt whisky.

During the launch, 400 bottles were available for purchase and similar to previous years, the bottles flew off the shelves. The 400 bottles sold out within 8 minutes.




The Shiraz Cask finish whisky was first matured for eight years in American oak barrels, before being finished in seasoned Shiraz oak casks for three years. The Shiraz casks were selected from across Distell’s wineries, and no specific winery was given preference.

This is the second red wine finish release from the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington. During 2016 they released the Pinotage Cask Finish 15 yo whisky, which was amazing,

Shiraz wine is typically a bold and full-bodied wine with notes of smoke, bacon, blackberry, blueberry and pepper spice.

James Sedgwick Distillery released only 2 994 bottles of the Shiraz Cask. The first 400 are sold, and the remaining bottles are available at leading retailers. The Three Ships Shiraz Cask retails for R 950.  The Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish whisky is non-chill-filtered.

Also Read: Bain’s 15 yo Sonically Matured whisky

Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish 11 yo Whisky Review

Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish 11 yo single malt Whisky with glass
I invited some friends to share this release with me on Twitter and have included their comments.

ABV: 51.4%

REGION: South Africa

COLOUR: Rose Gold

NOSE: Dry toasted oak, fruity sweetness with a hint of peat.  Red fruits, toasted nuts, honey and caramel in the background.  Bits of chocolate orange.

PALATE: Peat and spices. The fruity sweetness from the nose continues on the palate together with the caramel bits. Adding a few drops of water allows the complexity to come through. It enables the spices to become more defined, and now you can taste pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Dark chocolate and  liquorice. Despite the higher ABV, there is no alcohol heat, and I managed to finish my first glass without water. The peaty notes are a green Highland kind of peat.

FINISH: Complex with notes of drying oak, sweetness and peat.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Take time over this dram; it has so many layers to uncover. It is beautifully balanced between the spicy and fruity sweet notes.  For me, the shiraz shines through in the drying oak and red fruit notes. The shiraz finish softened the spicy notes.

You can pair this bold, spicy whisky with bold food choices, and I think the Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish whisky will work well with a big, juicy BBQ burger or grilled beef. Even a spicy sausage stew will match nicely. The James Sedgwick Distillery has also released a Bain’s Shiraz Cask Finish whisky which is rather delicious.

Also Read: The English Whisky Co Chapter 6 Whisky



Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 18 year old Whisky

By

On 10/12/2020

In Single Malt whisky

inchmurrin 18 yo single malt whisky
Trying the Inchmurrin 13 yo from Bottega whisky club made me interested in trying more from this distillery. It was bold and delicious, and when I got the opportunity to listen to the Master Distiller, Michael Henry, talk about the Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky and to taste it, I grabbed the chance.

It is the 3rd time that Loch Lomond feature on the blog this year. Exploring more from this versatile distillery has been lots of fun. Loch Lomond is in the Highland region in Scotland. You can read more about the Loch Lomond 12 year old whisky and the Loch Lomond history here.




Inchmurrin is one many single malt styles produced at the Loch Lomond distillery. The distillery is capable of producing at least eight styles of spirit.

Inchmurrin is the largest freshwater island in the British Isles, and it sits in Loch Lomond. They also produce Inchmoan, also named after an island on Loch Lomond. Inchmurrin’s character is typically fruity, floral and soft, while Inchmoan offers a peaty variation. The Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 18 year old single malt whisky is aged in ex-bourbon, refill and recharred casks.

Also Read: Loch Lomond Steam and Fire Whisky

 Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 18 year old Whisky Review


REGION: Highlands

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Golden Amber

NOSE: Fruity sweetness, banana and tropical fruits with oak and butterscotch. Hints of butterscotch, malt and vanilla. Some red berries and hard candy in the background. Rich and inviting.

PALATE: The fruity sweetness continues on the palate, but now there are green grass and herby notes added. Bits of black pepper with old leather and caramel. Toasted oak and vanilla, bits of tropical fruit and tobacco. It has a bit of alcohol heat, but it makes the Inchmurrin chewy and full-bodied. Water softens the pepper spices and alcohol heat and brings more fruit to the front. Very drinkable.

FINISH: Long, warming finish with spice and liquorice; drying oak and caramel.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Delicious. If you see a bottle, grab it. It is a lovely addition to any collection, and if you like 18 year old whisky, then this will be a unique and different addition. The Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 18 year old whisky is available in SA and retail for around R1500.

I have seen some at Whiskybrother online and Bottega’s Whiskey Club. The next on my list, I want to try the Inchmoan to make sure that I have tasted my way around this whole distillery.

Also Read: Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s whisky



Craigellachie 13 year old Whisky

By

On 10/05/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Craigellachie 13 yo single malt whisky
One of the most exciting and indeed the oldest dram I tasted during 2019 was the Craigellachie 51 yo single malt whisky. Georgie Bell, the Global Malts Ambassador for Bacardi, brought a few bottles of this very very limited release to South Africa and I was fortunate to try it.

It was my first foray into whisky from the Craigellachie distillery. So let’s look at the entry-level single malt from this distillery, the Craigellachie 13 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

The Craigellachie distillery was built in 1891 by Craigellachie Distillery Co. Limited, a group of blenders and merchants led by Alexander Edward. It is a Speyside distillery in Banffshire that overlooks the little town of Craigellachie. The Gaelic name means “Rocky Hill” and is pronounced Krai-GELLacky.

Also Read: Milk & Honey Elements Peated Whisky

The brand is part of the John Dewar & Sons stable. For many years, it was only used in blends like White Horse and various Dewar’s blends.  It is only in 2014 that distillery releases become available. The distillery is known for its meaty, sulphurous nature.

The Craigellachie single malt range includes a 17 year old as well as a 23 year old whisky. There used to be a 19 year old release, but this has been discontinued. There are also various independent bottling available. It is part of the Bacardi stable of brands.




Craigellachie 13 year old Whisky

Cragellachie 13 yo whisky with glass
REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Pale gold

NOSE: Apricots and dried cherries with toffee sweetness. A fruity sweet nose. The nose is like a colourful fruit salad with bits of malt and toasted nuts in the background.

PALATE: Medium body with the sweet fruit salad from the nose continuing on the palate. White pepper, oak, hints and malt with bits of smoky bacon and toasted nuts behind it all. I was hoping for a  bolder meaty note on the palate. There was also a bit of alcohol heat. Water softened the alcohol heat and brought more sweetness to the front.

FINISH: Medium long, with some oak, pepper and fruity sweetness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It is a good introduction to the Craigellachie stable and taste profile. John enjoyed the Craigellachie without the water, and I preferred it with the water. The water toned down the spices and the alcohol heat and created a smooth drinkable dram.

I want to explore more of the meaty notes from this distillery and need to find the 17 year old release somewhere. I do have a bottle of the discontinued 19 year old whisky in my collection, and perhaps I need to go and open that bottle.

Also Read: The Singleton 15 yo Whisky



Milk & Honey Classic Single Malt Whisky

By

On 09/21/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Milk & Honey Classic single malt whisky
Today I have the opportunity to try the Milk & Honey Classic single malt whisky. What an exciting opportunity, the chance to try whisky from a new country; Israel. This country is certainly not known for whisky distilling.

Plans for a whisky distillery began in 2012 after a group of entrepreneurs decided to establish the first whisky distillery in Tel Aviv.

The Milk & Honey distillery was Israel’s first urban single malt whisky distillery and began operating in 2014 in the south of Tel Aviv. The distillery’s first products reached the shelves during the first quarter of 2016.

The climate in Israel is certainly as far removed from cold and wet Scotland as possible. Similar to India or indeed South Africa, the hot, humid climate speeds up maturation.

Also Read: Signature whisky

The entrepreneurs hired the late Dr Jim Swan, one of the world’s most accomplished master distillers and an expert in hot climate distillation and maturation, as an advisor. Dr Swan assisted with the recipe and all kinds of specifications to make sure the production was optimal for warm weather.

Other releases from this Israel based distillery include the Elements Red Wine Cask, Elements Peated and the Elements Sherry Cask. They also produce gin, namely the Levantine gin and oak-aged gin and even a young malt aged in pomegranate wine casks.

It is matured in ex-bourbon and red-wine STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) casks. The Milk & Honey Classic is unpeated, non-chill-filtered with natural colour. It is now available in SA and retails for around R 790. I see that Whisky Brother and Bottega Whiskey club has some bottles available. Milk & Honey Classic single malt is certified kosher.




Milk & Honey Classic Single Malt Whisky

Milk & Honey Classic Single Malt Whisky with glass
COUNTRY:Israel

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Rich gold

NOSE: Caramel sweetness, dry oak with hints of vanilla and toffee. An amazingly bold nose for such a young release. I love the creamy caramel sweetness. The Classic has a unique nose.

PALATE: Dry wood with vanilla and pepper and faint hints of green grass. After the sweet nose, I was expecting a sweeter taste, but the sweetness only comes through after adding a bit of water. Medium body and quite oily. Bit of alcohol heat.

FINISH: Medium body with oak and soft black pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Not the most complex release, but easy drinking and distinctive. The best feature is the nose. It is warming with creamy caramel; I could smell my glass the whole evening.

This Classic edition is one of those releases that leaves a clear picture in my head; eating cream caramel toffees while hiking through an old forest. I enjoyed it, and I am happy that I have a big bottle in my collection to enjoy this again.

I tried the Classic and a few of the Element releases as part of an online tasting event hosted by WhiskyBrother and Universal Beverages, the importer of Milk & Honey to South Africa. We had the opportunity to listen to the team at the Tel Aviv distillery.

We even had a virtual walkabout in the Tel Aviv distillery. The attention to detail and quality from this distillery shines through in the whisky, and I will extend my collection with more when they become available in South Africa.

Also Read: Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s whisky


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