Category: Single Malt whisky Page 2 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.

Ardbeg An Oa Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/01/2024

In Single Malt whisky

It was with great fanfare that Ardbeg launched an extension to their core range – Ardbeg An Oa Islay single malt Scotch whisky. The first permanent expression to join the Ardbeg core range since Corryvreckan in 2009.

The rest of the core range include Ardbeg 10 yo and Ardbeg Uigeadail whisky. Ardbeg and Glenmorangie is part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) company, and they are a great marketing company.

I was somewhat sceptical about this new release. I have been less impressed lately by the Ardbeg Day releases. Was this another premium-priced release that does not live up to the hype? In the run-up to the release of the An Oa, a rather corny video was released called ” Whisky Whispers”, about a new release coming.

Also Read: Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1994 whisky

The distillery named this release after the Mull of Oa in the south-west of Islay. The Mull offers the Kildaton some protection from the worst the Atlantic storms, and it forms the most southerly point of Islay. Maturation of Ardbeg An Oa whisky takes place in a combination of casks including PX, spicy charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon.

Then this is all married together in Dr. Bill Lumsden’s new French oak ‘gathering vat’. Ardbeg An Oa is non-chill filtered. However, the important question is, what does it taste like?

Ardbeg An Oa Islay Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 46.6%

COLOUR: Light Gold

NOSE: Peat, creamy honey, salted liquorice with hints of cough syrup. In the middle sweet vanilla floats about mingling with bits of toasted nuts and pine needles. It’s a fascinating and glorious mix of aromas. It’s complicated, subtle and different all at once. Faint smoke lurks around.

PALATE: Ash, peat, soft honey, sweet vanilla and cinnamon sugar, hints of chocolate and toasted oak. Faint traces of lemon pepper. The An Oa has a big mouthfeel, and it’s smooth and velvety on the palate. Water softens the few rough edges and adds more sweetness. But I finished my first glass without water; it was so good. I had to pour a second glass just to test.

FINISH: Smoothly with a long and lingering finish that hug and comfort you like a favourite jersey. Filled with sweetness and bits of nut.

RATING: DIVINE

The Ardbeg An Oa whisky is not the salty, TCP and strong tar pole notes of an Ardbeg Uigeadail, but a softer, more classic version of it. To me, the Uigeadail is the sea hardened old fisherman with salt in his bones. The An Oa is his daughter that just turned 21.

Sea weathered from living next to the sea, but more feminine and softer and filled with hopes and dreams of things that do not include the ocean and fish. But she will always come back to the fisherman’s cottage, as deep down the sea is still calling.

It is seldom that we finish a bottle. Even bottles that are easily replaceable like the Ardbeg 10 yo take a while for us to finish. This bottle of Ardbeg An Oa whisky is DONE – within four months of buying the bottle. If that does not translate into DIVINE, I don’t know what does!

I asked the question on Instagram Stories – Is this worth the hype, and it seems like most people agree. The Ardbeg An Oa single malt whisky is undoubtedly worth it!

This whisky made it into my Whisky of the Year . See what happened when we blind tested all the Divine rated drams for 2018. I have also done a side by side comparison between the An Oa and the Ardbeg Uigeadail. See which one was my favourite.

During 2020 Ardbeg released a new addition to the core range, the Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old whisky.

Also Read : Highland Park 1997 Vintage whisky

GlenDronach 15 year old Revival Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/22/2024

In Single Malt whisky

I looked through my social media for last year and noticed that quite a few of the bottles I tried during 2023 had green labelling. The colour unintentionally caught my eye, probably due to our move to the green island of Mauritius. Whatever the reason, it was a great excuse to start 2024 on a green note with the GlenDronach 15 yo Revival single malt Scotch whisky.

The story of GlenDronach began in 1826 when it was founded by a group led by James Allardes. The distillery was among the first to legally produce whisky under the Excise Act of 1823. The fifth Duke of Gordon played a significant role in encouraging the construction of GlenDronach, leading to its establishment.

GlenDronach, officially classified as a Highland malt, lies on the edge of the Speyside boundary. Over the years, the distillery changed hands multiple times. The owners included Walter Scott of Teaninich, Charles Grant, son of Glenfiddich’s founder, William Teacher and Sons, Allied Distillers, and Chivas Brothers.

Also Read: Glenbrynth Bourbon Cask Whisky

In 2008, BenRiach’s owners took over GlenDronach, investing £7 million in the distillery. New expressions, including a GlenDronach Peated, were introduced in 2015, showcasing the distillery’s innovative spirit.

However, in 2016, GlenDronach found a new home when the company was purchased by the renowned Jack Daniel’s producer, Brown-Forman, along with the rest of the BenRiach Distillery Company. This marked a significant chapter in GlenDronach’s history.

The GlenDronach 15 year old single malt was discontinued in 2015 due to stock shortages. However, much to the joy of whisky connoisseurs everywhere, it was re-released only 3 years later. The new edition was called Revival to celebrate the return of the release. The Revival Edition is matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. It has a natural colour.

GlenDronach has become a favourite among Sherried malt enthusiasts and has garnered a considerable following in countries like Taiwan. I loved the GlenDronach 18 year old Scotch and have also tasted the 21 year old Parlement whisky.

GlenDronach 15 year old Revival Whisky Review

COUNTRY: Scotland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Polished bronze

NOSE: You can’t mistake the sherry cask maturation on the nose. Ripe plums and sultanas mixed with fig jam. Dark roasted coffee and red cherries with bits of cocoa. Toasted nuts in the background with light malt and oranges.

PALATE: Buttery pastry wrapped around figs and roasted apricots. There is a sherry sweetness with hints of wood and nuts mixed with bits of cloves and nutmeg. The roasted coffee nose from the nose is still here. Honey sweetness comes forward after adding a few drops of honey and brings vanilla notes to the front.

FINISH: A long and lingering finish that ends in notes of ripe plums, cinnamon and dried fruit.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a lovely dram. This edition is a huge step up from the GlenDronach 12 year old whisky and probably my favourite after the 18 year old release. I personally think that it is better than the 21 year old edition. I have not tasted the older GlenDronach’s, so I can’t say if it is better, but I love what this distillery does with sherry casks.

When available, this release retails for around R1600 or around GBP 65. Worth adding to your collection.

Also Read: Macallan Quest Whisky

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/27/2023

In Single Malt whisky

There is a new Beastie in town! Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Islay single malt Scotchwhisky is the latest expression to join the Ardbeg distillery’s permanent range. Barely three years after the launch of the Ardbeg An Oa whisky, the Wee beastie is the youngest Ardbeg in the permanent range.

In Scotland, a ‘wee beastie’ is any small and irritating insect. It references the Robert Burns poem about a timid little field mouse.

Also Read: Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky

The Ardbeg Wee Beastie whisky has been matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. Comparatively, the Ardbeg 10 yo was mainly aged in ex-Bourbon casks.

The Wee Beastie whisky, at 5 years old, is half the age of the standard Ardbeg 10 year old release. Beasite retails for around £34 on Amazon . The Ardbeg 10 yo retails for £46 on Amazon. I wonder if the small price difference with the 10 yo whisky does not make the Wee Beastie a bit expensive. For an extra £12, you can get a delicious dram that is 10 years old. Is the Wee Beastie worth the price?

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 47.3%

COLOUR: Bright Gold

NOSE: Big and bold recognizable Ardbeg with seaweed, green herbal notes, bits of peat and medicinal notes mixed with coffee, smoky bacon and a soft fruity sweetness. Ripe baked apples, vanilla sugar with bits of burnt toast. Not the most complex nose, but intriguing enough to want to explore more.

PALATE: Peat and smoke with dark chocolate. Bits of fruity antiseptic lozenges with ash and salt. Green grass, bits of citrus and fruit sweetness with damp earth and oaky bits. Big and bold but with the sharp edges of a young whisky. There are none of the marine notes you find in the Corryvreckan or Uigeadail; the Beastie also has a softer iodine profile.

Water softens the sharp edges a bit. I finished my first glass without water. So I had to have a second glass to check. Carefully add water, despite the young profile and higher ABV, water dampens down the peat smoke if you add too much.

FINISH: Short compared to the Ardbeg 10 year old and not as complex. Hints of smoke and salt, bits of lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It might be a Wee Beastie; however, it is a small version of a big animal. The whisky shows all the big, bold promise of Ardbeg, but in a rawer format. It would be an excellent introduction to Islay peat for a whisky lover.

I do think it is a bit expensive when compared to the 10 year old release. However, it is a fun expression to have that shows the impact of time and wood on the Ardbeg spirit.

It makes for a fun side by side with the older brother and even with the Ardbeg An Oa. Go and give it a try and let me know what you think.

Also Read: Kilchoman Machir Bay Whisky

Kilchoman Machir Bay Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/23/2023

In Single Malt whisky

My 4th peated dram for this year; the Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay single malt Scotch whisky. The pretty blue of the label matches the blue Indian ocean here on the island of Mauritius.

Kilchoman is Scotland’s most westerly distillery and gets its water from a spring on Cnoc Dubh, just above the farm. Kilchoman was the first new distillery built on Islay in over 124 years. Anthony Wills, a former wine industry professional, founded the Kilchoman Distillery in 2005 at the Rochside farm.

Anthony’s idea was to establish a small-scale, traditional distillery with a farm-to-bottle focus. The barley is grown and malted at the distillery, and maturations and bottling occur onsite.

Most of the spirit is matured in ex-bourbon casks from Buffalo Trace in Kentucky, and the remaining spirit is matured in Oloroso sherry butts.

Kilchoman launched the Machir Bay single malt release in 2012 as the Kilchoman signature plated single malt, and it is named after the spectacular 2 km long beach on the west coast of Islay. Other releases in the core range include the Sanaig, Loch Gorm and the 100% Islay Edition.

Machir Bay is peated to 50 ppm which is similar to Ardbeg or even Ballechin whisky. It is not chill-filtrated and has no added colour. It has no age statement.

Also Read: Michel Couvreur Peaty Whisky

Kilchoman Machir Bay Whisky Review

ABV: 46%

REGION: Islay

COLOUR: Golden hay

NOSE: Soft peat with hints of ash, citrus notes and freshly baked vanilla sugar cookies. Something fruity and floral in the background with a lovely sugar sweetness. The sweetness reminds me of a madeleine dusted with icing sugar, warm from the oven.

PALATE: Ash and Islay peat with a burst of fruit and creamy vanilla. Bits of peach and pear with malt and cloves. Salted caramel and chocolate biscuits with a floral note. A few drops of water are perfect for toning down the slight alcohol burn and bring a chocolatey sweetness to the front. Hints of heather and honey. Elegant and well-balanced.

FINISH: Medium length with drying ash, peat, lemon pepper and fruit.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Machir Bay is a lovely dram, subtle and well-balanced. The perfect peated whisky for here on the island. I prefer peated whisky in winter, but this release with the malt and vanilla notes worked wonderfully for our afternoon on the patio.

Peated enough to ensure the peat heads were happy but light enough to enjoy in our warm and humid climate. I need to pick up more from this distillery when we travel. In South Africa, Kilchoman Machir Bay whisky retails for around R940, and WhiskyShop has a few left.

Also Read: Scottish Cousin Whisky

Aultmore 18 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/02/2023

In Single Malt whisky

Today, I’m diving into the Aultmore 18 year old Foggie Moss single malt Scotch whisky. What immediately captures my attention is the enchanting name of their single malt collection: Foggy Moss. Just mentioning it conjures a vivid image – a hauntingly beautiful scene of fog weaving through the corridors of a moss-draped, long-forgotten castle nestled on the misty moors.

As it turns out, my imagination is pretty close to the mark. Aultmore Distillery is nestled in the heart of the Scottish Speyside region, specifically in Banffshire. This location often finds itself veiled in a dense, mysterious fog, which only adds to the allure of this remarkable distillery.

Aultmore’s story dates back to 1895, when Alexander Edward founded it. At just 25 years old, he joined forces with Peter Mackie to acquire his father’s land. There he establish the renowned Craigellachie distillery.

A few years later, upon his return from an extensive international sojourn, Alexander Edward commissioned the construction of Aultmore Distillery.

The word “Aultmore” originates in the Gaelic term “A t-Allt Mor,” roughly translating to ‘big burn.’ Here, the ‘burn’ refers to the Burn of Auchinderran, the pristine water source for the distillery.

Over the years, Aultmore changed hands, transitioning from John Dewars to Distiller Company and eventually to Scottish Malt Distillers. In 1998, the distillery found its way back to Dewars, a subsidiary of Bacardi.

Interestingly, the bulk of Aultmore’s spirit has traditionally been utilized in blends. The Aultmore 12 year old whisky was released in 2014, followed by the Aultmore 18 year old single malt whisky in 2015.

Notably, a range of independent bottlings of Aultmore exists for enthusiasts seeking distinct expressions of this fine Speyside whisky. The Aultmore 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky undergoes maturation in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and refill sherry casks.

Also Read: Craigellachie 13 yo Whisky

Aultmore 18 year old Whisky Review

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Old gold

NOSE: Delightful scents of fresh orchard fruit kissed by the morning sun, interwoven with nuances reminiscent of freshly baked Pasteis de Nata and the subtle embrace of sherry. Hints of lemon blossom, meadows swaying with tall grasses, and a gentle oak note greet the senses. In the background, there’s a whisper of light spice and a touch of cherries, all elegantly balanced.

PALATE: The first sip is akin to biting into a succulent, fresh peach dusted with vanilla sugar. This is accompanied by playful notes of lemon drops and a touch of greenery. As the journey continues, subtle sherry undertones merge seamlessly with the warm embrace of freshly baked biscuits and a gentle hint of oak.

A subtle nutty maltiness and a dash of pepper on the palate. Adding a few drops of water softens the slight alcohol heat. It brings forth the green notes, creating a complex and utterly delightful experience.

FINISH: The finish lingers for a medium duration, leaving notes of malt, oak, and a gentle kiss of lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delectable Speyside dram! Its oily mouthfeel gracefully carries a symphony of flavours. While it boasts complexity, it remains wonderfully approachable. Personally, I prefer it without water, savouring its natural essence.

After this enchanting encounter with the Aultmore 18 year old Scotch, I’m eager to embark on a quest to explore more from this Speyside distillery. It promises to be a journey filled with rich, flavours and stories from this historic distillery shrouded in the mystique of Foggy Moss.

Also Read: Inchmurrin 18 yo Whisky