Category: Single Malt whisky Page 22 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.

Glen Scotia Victoriana Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/30/2018

In Single Malt whisky

A long story to get to my whisky this week; the Glen Scotia Victoriana single malt Scotch whisky. Winter is not my favourite time of the year. I love the summer. When it is warm, I can move, plan, function and do things.

During winter, all I want to do is hibernate until the temperature rises again. But being in hibernation does not lead to getting things done, so winter I try to use as a time to restructure, refocus and clean.

Preparing and cleaning, so that when Spring comes, I can shrug off the old and start something fresh and new. As part of the process, I started sorting and cleaning my ‘whisky room’; the room where I store my liquor bottles. Whisky, wine, gin, brandy and all the assorted liqueurs that we gathered over the years.

I updated my database with what I have and cleaned out old boxes and paperwork that seems to gather there. And lo and behold, I found a small box with some samples in that I have not officially tasted yet. The box was from a Loch Lomond function I attended a couple of years ago.

Also Read: Inchmurrin 11 yo Whisky

Two of the drams I have tasted and written about. But there was a few more that I have not covered yet. So, over the next couple of months, expect to see a few Glen Scotia releases popping up for tasting.

The first one I want to try is the Glen Scotia Victoriana whisky. I just love the name and the label. The label reminds me of that dying hobby of stamp collection. So it is making the first appearance.

The name and the label is a reminder of the Victorian era when Campbeltown was a booming whisky hub. The small Kintyre Peninsula boasted over 20 distilleries. Campbeltown was known as “The Whisky Capital of the World.” Then Prohibition hit and Speyside and the Highlands became more dominant and this caused the end of the of Campbeltown golden era.

I had written about the history of Campbeltown and Glen Scotia when I captured my tasting notes for the Glen Scotia Double Cask, the Loch Lomond Original release as well as the Loch Lomond Single Grain whisky.

The Glen Scotia Victoriana single malt aims to re-create a modern interpretation of classic Victorian Campbeltown malt. The Victoriana is a NAS release and has been finished in deeply charred oak casks and bottled at cask strength without filtration.

Glen Scotia Victoriana Whisky Review

REGION: Campbeltown

ABV: 51.5%

COLOUR: Golden wheat with hints of green

NOSE: A very delicate nose. It’s got light cereals with hints of floral character in it. Toasted oak and smoke, bits of overripe summer berries, vanilla, toffee apple sweetness mixed with winter spices.

PALATE: On the palate, it’s different from other expressions. It starts quite spicy then quickly settled down. The first sip has lots of oak dryness, dried citrus peel, cinnamon, pepper and vanilla.

The second sip brings fruit jam with malted biscuits and salted toffee with faint hints of smoke. The Victoriana has a medium body, and a bit of an alcohol bite and water brings down the heat. Water also releases more fruit and vanilla spiciness but tempers the salt and smokiness.

FINISH: The finish is remarkable and the highlight of the Victoriana. It builds quickly and warms your insides before slowly retreating to leave you satisfied long after you have swallowed. The addition of water tames the finish a bit. It ends in hints of chocolate and smoke with lemon peel and oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The oaky spiciness of the Victoriana whisky can be a bit overwhelming. But you just need to take a second sip for the ripe summer berries, vanilla and smoky notes to come through. It is an exciting release that is certainly worth trying. From all the Campbeltown releases I have tried, this is my favourite.

In a few weeks, I will feature the Glen Scotia 15 yo, and perhaps that will also impress. We will have to wait and see. For now, I need to get my hands on a full-size Victoriana as this little sample was not enough.

Also Read: The Arran Malt Sherry Cask Whisky

Laphroaig 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/16/2018

In Single Malt whisky

From Islay comes the Laphroaig 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Mention the name Islay and visions of a windswept lonely island in the Atlantic ocean comes to mind. The ocean played an integral part in Islay’s history as it brought explorers, wanderers and conquerors.

Ancient people erected Neolithic standing stones on the granite hills. It gives the island it’s maritime climate. It is a name that evokes many positive emotions for peat lovers and a visit to Islay for some, is seen as a pilgrimage.

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland; known as “The Queen of the Hebrides”. It lies just south-west of Jura and around 40 kilometres north of the Irish coast.

At one time in the Islay whisky history, there were up to 23 distilleries in operation. This dwindled to just seven during the 1900s. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg, have a smoky character with lots of peat, characteristic of the Islay malts.

Caol Ila, on the northern side of the island, also produces a strongly peated whisky. Bowmore distillery has a medium peat level, and Bunnahabhain makes lighter drams and Bruichladdich is unpeated.

The last ten years have seen a growth in new distilleries again. The Kilchoman distillery started production in late 2005. The Gartbreck Distillery is expected to start distilling spirit in summer of 2017 and is situated just south of Bowmore.

This will be followed by the Ardnahoe Distillery, located between Port Askaig and Bunnahabhain, which is expected to start distilling in 2018.

But the distillery that for me, is quintessential Islay, is Laphroaig. Named after Loch Laphroaig on the south coast of Islay. Started by the Johnson brothers, the Laphroaig distillery changed hand a few times and is currently owned by Beam Suntory.

Also Read: Sullivans Cove Bourbon Cask Whisky

Laphroaig 10 year old Whisky Review

Laphroaig’s distinctive flavour comes from its closeness to the ocean and the high moss content of its peat. The Laphroaig 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky is the original cask strength version. It is aged in ex bourbon barrels.

REGION: Islay

ABV: 55.7%

COLOUR: Dark sparking gold

NOSE: Big and bold with notes of moist ocean air, seed weed, smoke, peat, iodine and ash but with hints of fruity sweetness, bits of salted caramel.

PALATE: The peatiness and the sweetness is nicely balanced with not one element overpowering the other. There are notes of smoke, earth and malt softened by the sweeter ripe fruit notes with caramel. Make no mistake, this is no shrinking violet! The Laphroaig 10 year old whisky is bold and in your face, but it does it with class and finesse.

FINISH: Long and lingering with reminders of driftwood and peat.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Water softens this Laphroaig 10 year old Cask Strength whisky a bit to open up more salted fudge notes. Warming and delicious, this is just the dram I want to have when the weather is cold and rainy outside, and I am toasty warm inside next to the fireplace. I will replace this bottle rather quickly again; it is just marvellous.

I have done a side by side comparison between the 10 year old and the Laphroaig Quarter cask whisky to see how they differ.

Also Read: Port Charlotte 10 yo Whisky

Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/18/2018

In Single Malt whisky

A couple of weeks ago, The House of Fine Whisky at Checkers unveiled its latest addition. Something exceptional. A Proudly South African release. The Checkers Private Barrel Co. frequently makes an appearance here on my blog.

The Private Barrel Co No. 41 and Private Barrel Co no 68 is a firm favourite in my house, and their Distillery releases always promise something unusual. They have even released a Private Barrel Co no 108 – a 3 yo Irish whiskey.

This is the first South African whisky to join the exclusive Private Barrel Co. collection of whiskies. And it is a single malt from the award-winning James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington.

The James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky a slightly peated single malt that spent its first 3 years in older American oak, followed by 3 years in a seasoned Fino cask. During the beginning of 2017, the Checkers team got the approval to go ahead with the project.

On the 23rd of August 2017, they made the selection, and it has been released into the trade during June 2018. I have a suspicion that by the end of August 2018, this release will have sold out.

Only 677 bottles of the Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask is available, so this whisky is set to become a collector’s item. Fortunately, I managed to get my hand on two bottles, 1 to taste now and 1 to keep for a special occasion.

All the bottles carry the signature of master distiller Andy Watts who was recently awarded the 2018 Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky World Master Distiller / Master Blender of the Year award.

Another thing worth noting: This is the highest ABV to ever come out of the James Sedgwick Distillery. Both the Three Ships PX Cask and the Three Ships Pinotage Cask was bottled at 46.2% and the Three Ships 10 yo is bottled at 44.6%. So this 54.6% ABV is rather respectable.

James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask Whisky Review

This is bottle 112 / 677

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 54.6%

COLOUR: Deep mahogany, a similar colour than the Aberlour A’Bunadh whisky.

NOSE: A basket of mixed fruit berries (berries of the forest or in Dutch, bosbessen). Blackberries, juicy cherries and blueberries. Brandy soaked raisins. Sweetness floating in the background. Hints of creme brûlée with the faintest hint of cinnamon.

PALATE: The palate is spicier than the nose suggested. Rich chocolate cherry flavours with cinnamon and bit of vanilla. It’s chewy and delicious. The spice is not overwhelming, but warming and beautiful. The mouthfeel is creamy, and there is this suggestion of lightly toasted macadamia nuts.

The addition of water transforms this and releases more of the sherry sweetness. It’s chewy, delicious and fun drinking. Easy on the palette and super smooth.

FINISH: The finish is a little short, but that could be me just being super greedy on not wanting this pleasant taste to end. There are notes of light pepper and fruity berries with a nutty flavour.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a beautiful whisky. Perfectly balanced, rich and satisfying with a very decent ABV. This release shows why Andy is one of the top Master Distillers in the world. And I know that there are more where this comes from. This is a limited release that is probably flying off the shop floor. If you have not got your hands on this, go quickly.

I have done a side by side comparison between this release and the That Boutique-y Whisky Company Three Ships 6 yo release. Here you can read about the differences between these two 6 yo whiskies. Pick n Pay also jumped on the single cask band wagon and released a Three Ships Virgin Oak bottling.

Comparing the Three Ships 10 yo PX Cask and the James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask Whisky

My ‘official’ Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask tasting happened on Friday, as usual. However, Saturday afternoon, while sitting next to the braai keeping an eye on the World Cup Soccer Iceland vs Argentina game, we decided to try a side by side comparison.

We did a blind tasting in my green Ardbeg glasses. The 6 yo Fino is so much darker than the PX Cask, and these were the only glasses I have that could hide the colour difference.

Even on a blind tasting, these two whiskies are so different – its unbelievable. Both from the same distillery, both finished in sherry, but two very different drams. A Pedro Ximénez sherry versus a Fino sherry.

The Three Ships PX cask has more spice, peat and smoke with light fruit cake notes. The James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask is sweeter with soaked Christmas pudding notes and a more woody finish. Both delicious and very difficult to choose a favourite.

These beautiful drams are a great testament to the craftsmanship of a world-class Master Distiller. A skill that needs to be celebrated. How special would it be if Distell could celebrate the 5th consecutive Gold medal in the New York International Spirits Competition for Bain’s whisky and release some of the older casks (such as the 15 yo Bain’s release) as a limited release?

Or celebrate their Master Distiller winning the Top Icon of Whisky Master Distillers Award by releasing a few more of his extraordinary creations as limited editions. We can but hope!

Also Read: Mackinlay’s Whisky

Glenfiddich Project XX Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/11/2018

In Single Malt whisky

During the beginning of 2018, I tasted the Glenfiddich IPA Cask whisky and wrote my own tasting notes about it. This release was the first in Glenfiddich’s Experimental Series and I loved it. The second release in this series is the Glenfiddich Project XX single malt Scotch whisky and many people had opinions about this release.

Glenfiddich XX started as a project shrouded in secrecy. Malt Master Brian Kinsman invited 20 Glenfiddich brand ambassadors from 16 countries around the world to the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. No one knew what they were about to do. Each person was given free rein to explore the warehouse and select any cask that intrigued them.

The 20 chosen casks were then married together by Brian Kinsman, the Glenfiddich Malt Master. The final 20 selected malts, matured in everything from aged malts matured in port pipes to old sherry butts and virgin oak bourbon casks.

I got a lot of feedback on the blog post and the tweets, so I ran a poll in Instagram asking people which of these two releases are their favourite.

It was clear that the Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX whisky was considerably more popular, so I had to add this to my tasting list and capture the tasting notes.

Also Read: The Balvenie Single Barrel whisky

The XX stands for 20, representing the 20 ambassadors that took part and the thumbprint on the bottle is an amalgamation of the twenty ambassadors’ thumbprints.

Interestingly, both Glenfiddich Experimental series IPA and Glenfiddich Project XX single malt will be permanent additions to the Glenfiddich range; they are not limited editions. Both the IPA and XX is non-chill-filtered and bottled at an unusual 47% ABV.

Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX Whisky Review

ABV: 47%

COLOUR: Amber

NOSE: Ripe Golden Delicious apples, dark stone fruits and spice with hints of fresh flowers. Some vanilla and oak are floating about. Not the most complex nose.

PALATE: Fruity sweetness and spice. Hints of dried citrus, dry grass and wood dust. Bits of cinnamon and vanilla. Adding water softens the citrus and the spice somewhat.

FINISH: Oak and dry lemon peel.

RATING: GOOD

I find this a confusion dram. It is as if it is trying to be too many things. It is an unusual concept and makes for great publicity and an interesting story. The bottle is beautiful and classic. However, the spirit in the bottle is trying to be too many things all at once.

For me, it is a riot of unbalanced flavours. I found it stuffy and dusty with very few of the beautiful sweet fruit notes that Glenfiddich is known for.

Probably not the most popular opinion, but I prefer the Glenfiddich IPA cask miles above this Glenfiddich Project XX release. I bought the two bottles at the same time, and my IPA bottle is nearly empty. This one might take a few years.

Also Read: Glenfiddich 18 yo whisky

Cardhu 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/14/2018

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am trying something from a distillery I have never tried before. I am trying the Cardhu 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Cardhu distillery is a Speyside distillery located in Moray. It is part of the Diageo stable and has a long history of female whisky involvement.

The Cardhu distillery has an interesting story. Helen and her husband John Cumming had a farm at Cardow in the late 18^th century. Helen was well known for distilling whisky that she sold from her kitchen window.

She used to keep an eye out for any approaching excise officers and warn farmers in the neighbourhood by hoisting a red flag. When the Excise Act of 1823 changed, the Cummings could afford to buy a distilling license and founded the Cardow distillery.

In 1872 the family business expanded and they built a new Cardhu distillery on an adjoining piece of land. It was run by Elizabeth Cumming, Helen’s daughter-in-law. This new distillery had a more significant output and the whisky from Cardhu became an essential part of the Johnnie Walker whisky blends.

In 1893 when Elizabeth Cumming sold the distillery to Johnnie Walker, it was under the condition that the Cumming family held shares in Walker’s company. This shareholding turned into an excellent investment.

Today other single malt releases in the range include the Cardhu 15 year old, the Cardhu 18 year old, and the Cardhu Amber Rock. The word Cardhu comes from the Gaelic “Carn Dubh,” which means “black rock.”

The shape of the Cardhu bottle is unique with its rectangular shape and the oversized closure. Cardhu has a significant presence in Spain and France but is known worldwide. The Cardhu 12 year old single malt whisky is widely available in South Africa, and the retail price is around R500.

Also Read: Glenfiddich XX whisky

Cardhu 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich Gold

NOSE: Honey sweetness, malt, fruits with hints of vanilla. A soft, smooth nose that hints at a great experience.

PALATE: Toasted dry oak, ripe pears, honey, toffee apples and pepper with faint hints of vanilla. Medium body but nicely balanced and smooth.

FINISH: The Cardhu 12 year old has a dry oak with honey and pepper finish.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a lovely, drinkable, affordable dram. Can’t believe I have not tried this before. This bottle will not last very long. The Cardhu 12 year old is not the most complex whisky, but it is soft and delicate without being a wallflower. It has a presence without being overbearing. The smooth and delicious notes would work wonderfully with food.

The Cardhu 12 year old whisky will compliment a piece of perfectly grilled steak nicely. According to research, it is also magic when paired with a strawberry flavoured chocolate; something I will have to try soon.

I paired this Speyside whisky with some Swiss Appenzeller cheese for World Whisky Day. Following the link to see my thoughts on this whisky and cheese pairing.

Also Read: Dalwhinnie 15 yo Whisky