Category: Single Malt whisky Page 18 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.

Deanston 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/25/2019

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at another whisky with a strong SA connection; the Deanston 12 year old single malt Scotchwhisky. The Deanston distillery is situated on the banks of the River Teith in the Scottish Highlands and is part of the Distell Group.

During the 18^th century, a cotton mill was situated just outside the village of Doune in Perthshire. After 180 years, the cotton mill closed. However, all was not lost, and in 1966 it was transformed into a distillery. The first spirit was bottled in 1974. The distillery started using local skills and Scottish grown barley to create their spirit.

The classical architecture of the Mill was one of its best features, and many of the Mill buildings were reused and slightly modified for the distillery. The vaulted warehouse, which was previously the weaving shed, has been recognised as one of the most remarkable surviving Regency buildings in Scotland and is now used to mature the Deanston whisky.

Also Read: Teerenpeli Whisky

Deanston changed ownership a few times, but in 1990 was purchased by Burn Stewart Distillers (which is part of the Distell Group). Distell Group Limited also own Bunnahabhain Distillery as well as Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull.

A big part of the Deanston whisky is used in blends, including Scottish Leader blended whisky. The Master Blender is (was) Dr Kristie Mccallum. (During October 2019 Dr Mccallum moved to Glen Moray.) The Deanston 12 year old whisky is the entry-level of the core range, followed by the Deanston virgin Oak. There are also Distillery exclusives and a few independent releases.

The Deanston 12 year old single malt whisky is aged in ex-bourbon barrels, not chill-filtered and has no added colouring.

Deanston 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46.3%

COLOUR: Light honey gold

NOSE: Soft, sweet and delicate with notes of cereals, grassy green fields, flowers and orange sweetness. Hints of vanilla, oak and cinnamon. Freshly baked sugar cookies.

PALATE: More spice than what the nose suggests. Dry oak, pepper and nutmeg mixed with water biscuits, vanilla, toffee and orange. Vanilla cookies and orange peel. A few rough edges that soften with the addition of water.

Water also brings sweetness and wood forward. It becomes fruity and easy drinking with a few drops of water. The cereal notes from the nose are still there.

FINISH: Medium length ending in oak, pepper and orange peel.

RATING: VERY GOOD

A soft and sweet Highland 12 year old whisky. From here, it invites you to try more from this Scottish distillery. Not the boldest of drams, but very drinkable and indeed a great whisky to start exploring the Highlands with.

According to some research, the Deanston 12 year old whisky will pair well with cocoa dusted truffles. That sounds like a pairing I should try!

Also Read: Redbreast 12 yo Whiskey

Three Ships 6 year old TBWC Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/11/2019

In Single Malt whisky

This past week was our wedding anniversary. I wanted to open a special bottle to celebrate this special occasion. What can be more memorable as a celebration than opening the first South African whisky bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company, the Three Ships 6 year old single malt whisky. The first independent Three Ships bottling.

Earlier in the year, at the Only Whisky Show, I was fortunate to meet Dave Worthington and attend one of his Master Classes. It was a fantastic night out, and it was great to meet up with old and new whisky friends. The Master Classed allowed for an opportunity to learn more about That Boutique-y Whisky Company (TBWC).

If you still don’t know, TBWC is an independent whisky bottler that bottle a huge variety of distilleries as limited-edition releases. They bottle single edition malts, grains and bourbons from all over the world.

Also Read: Bushmills 16 yo Whiskey

The label of each release is done in a graphic novel style that is fun and contains humorous references to the distillery, liquid in the bottle or the master distiller/blender behind the brand.

This 6 year old from Three Ships is batch one from the James Sedgwick distillery, matured in American oak and finished in PX. Only 1 150 bottles were produced. The artwork on the label depicts Master Distiller, Andy Watts, filling a Three Ships whisky cask with whisky. The barrel in question is branded with PX.

In one hand, Andy carries the filling nozzle, and in the other, he’s hammering the bung into the cask with a Derbyshire Club cricket bat (the team he used the play for).

Three Ships 6 year old TBWC Whisky Review

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 53.7%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Sherry sweetness with berry jam, red plums, raisins and oak. Hints of cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Rich and complex with multiple layers. Bits of old leather and polished wood mixed with sweetness and malt. Rich and opulent and just inviting and wonderful.

PALATE: The first sip brings chocolate-covered cherries, fruity sweetness and fresh wood shavings. The second sip brought more pepper and lemon with some alcohol heat. The red plumbs and fruity notes are mixed with hints of earthy moss and wet forests.

The Three Ships 6 year old needs to breathe a bit, and the alcohol heat needs a few drops of water to soften it. Water softens the spices and brings a new sweetness layer to the front.

FINISH: Wonderfully warming and long. Dry wood and spices that lingers with bits of fruity sweetness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

What an interesting whisky. The nose is impressive and elaborate. On the first sip, you taste the sweet fruitiness promised. But the second sip tasted like a different whisky. If I had this blindfolded, I would have thought you switched my glass around.

The second sip of That Boutique-y Whisky Company Three Ships 6 year old single malt brought the alcohol heat, and it needed to stand for a few minutes to soften. It requires a few drops of water to bring the complexity forward. Only then can you appreciate the multi-layers of flavour that it offers.

This release is a weighty whisky. John called it a cognac type whisky. Something fruity but heavy that you need to take your time over and sip slowly. It is for a more maturity palate that enjoys bolder tastes.

I have done a side by side comparison between this release and the Private Barrel Co James Sedgwick 6 year old Fino Cask release. Here you can read about the differences between these two 6 year old whiskies.

Also Read: Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye whiskey

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/14/2019

In Single Malt whisky

It is not every day that I get the chance to taste a whisky that is older than me. A whisky distilled while John F Kennedy was still the President of the USA and in the heat of the Cuban missile crises. A whisky like that holds a bit of history.

In a ‘normal’ situation, there would be no way that I can afford to taste even a sip of whisky this old. Whiskies of this age class are sold in exquisite bottles at eye-watering prices, more expensive than what I can afford. However, this is all about to change.

The Craigellachie distillery decided to share their oldest whisky with fans around the globe. This whisky is the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

Craigellachie did not want it sold to the highest bidder and stored in a locked glass cabinet. They wanted to share it with ordinary whisky lovers. Best of all, they wanted to share it. FOR FREE. To allow whisky drinkers all over the word to enjoy it as well.

More about Craigellachie Distillery

Craigellachie Distillery is new to the blog. It is one of the single malt distilleries that form part of the Bacardi stable. Other single malts include Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Royal Brackla and The Deveron.

The Craigellachie distillery is situated in Aberlour in the Scottish Speyside region. In 1891 a group of blenders and merchants got together and decided to build a new distillery.

Ownership changed a few times over the years, and in 1998 it was sold to John Dewar & Sons. The majority of the distillery production is used for the Dewar’s blended whisky.

The Craigellachie standard range includes a 13 year old whisky, a 17 year old and 23 year old single malt whisky.

The Craigellachie 51 year old Scotch single malt was distilled during December 1962 and aged in ex-Bourbon hogsheads. It was taken out of the wood in 2014.

Me being the sceptic was wondering; are they giving this Craigellachie 51 year old away because it is not so good and more of a gimmick? I went to taste it and captured the tasting notes. Here you can see Georgie pouring this remarkable bit of history.

A bit about yesterday, when I got to taste the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky. Such a special experience. 🥰🥰#craigellachie51 #Craigellachie51SA pic.twitter.com/MtK9C5CtvW

— WhiskyoftheWeek (@WhiskyoftheWeek) October 12, 2019

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky Review

I had a pour from bottle 29 of 51.

ABV: 40.3%

COLOUR: Dark golden copper

NOSE: Fruity sweetness, faint hints of wood, bits of orange. Elegant and intriguing.

PALATE: Soft spiciness balanced with sun ripe fruit, hints of sweet oranges, vanilla and dry oak. Creamy notes with hints of meaty goodness.

FINISH: Drying and soft with fruity sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I was expecting a very woody dram, after spending that amount of time in the oak. However, there are only soft woody notes. The oak lends a drying finish to the dram. The Craigellachie has many layers. It is almost like an old manuscript wrapped in many layers of tissue paper. The manuscript is so old and fused that you can’t separate the different layers anymore.

All the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky elements have blended into one to make something new that is unique and delicious. It is moreish and a once in a lifetime experience.

The Craigellachie Bar 51 Experience

The best part is that a few more people in South Africa can also get to taste this unique whisky during November. Craigellachie is hosting a special pop up bar, Bar 51, where you can get to taste the Craigellachie 13 year old, the 17 year old and the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

At WhiskyBrother Bar on the 20th and 21 st of November and at the Athletic Club in Cape Town on the 25th and the 26th of November. All you have to do is enter your details HERE to go into the draw. What are you waiting for? Go quickly. Entries close on the 10th of November.

Sample disclosure: I received a sample of the Craigellachie 51 year old from Craigellachie as part of their promotional event. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Balblair 17 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/07/2019

In Single Malt whisky

The third in my series on the new Balblair age statement releases and this week I look at the Balblair 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Balblair 12 year old whisky set the foundation on which the rest of the series stands.

This is followed by the Balblair 15 year old, which is just delicious. The Balblair 17 year old whisky is a travel retail exclusive, so not quite part of the standard range, but something to look forward to when you travel.

Balblair is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. Founded in 1790 by John Ross, the distillery lies in Edderton in the Northern Highlands of Scotland. Balblair is owned by Inver House Distillers who also own the anCnoc whisky and Speyburn whisky brands.

Interestingly only an estimated 15% of Balblair’s capacity is bottled as a single malt. The rest are all used for blends, including Hankey Bannister.

The Balblair 17 year old single malt whisky is matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and then finished in first-fill Spanish oak butts. It is not chill-filtered with no added colour.

Balblair 17 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Dark chocolate, bits of sultanas and cherries with wood spice. Minced fruit, oak and pepper.

PALATE: Not as sweet as the 15 year old with more wood spice and fruit. Nutmeg, white pepper mixed with vanilla. Red apples, sweet figs and juicy oranges with oak and hints of honey. Bold and chewy with a medium body. Adding water makes the 17 year old a bit sweeter, but interestingly, it does not tone down on the spicy notes.

FINISH: Dark chocolate and pepper with a hint of dried orange peel in the background.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Balblair 15 year old release showcased the fruity sweeter part of the Balblair style. This Balblair 17 year old whisky focused on the more wood spice part of the profile. It is delicious and a perfect after-dinner whisky.

This whisky will work well with a cheese board filled with fresh fruit and mature cheddar cheese. Next time I look at the last of my samples, the Balblair 18 year old whisky.

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

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