Category: Single Malt whisky Page 26 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.

Speyburn Bradan Orach Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/29/2017

In Single Malt whisky

At the end of each year, I look back at what I tasted and make a few lists. I list my Top 5 Single Malt and my Top 5 Blended whiskies. All whiskies that I have tasted during the year and that fall in the affordable category. The Top 5 Blended whisky list is easy.

There are plenty of blends available in the affordable category (Under R500 /$ 38). Creating the Top 5 Single malt category is somewhat more difficult, and the price point sits at around R 750 /$ 57. Reasonably priced single malts are a lot more challanging to find.<

A while ago, I spotted the Speyburn Bradan Orach single malt Scotch whisky that retails for around R450, and it joined my collection. It even had two glasses in the packaging. What a bargain, I thought. I have not tasted anything from Speyburn before, so today, let’s explore this Speyside distillery.

The Speyburn-Glenlivet Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Hopkins and Company. John Hopkins discovered the Granty Burn stream while hunting and knew the crystal clear water was perfect for whisky.

Granty Burn is one of the major tributaries to the River Spey. Distillers Company Limited acquired Speyburn from John Hopkin in 1916. In 1991, Speyburn distillery was acquired by Inver House Distillers Limited who also own Old Pulteney Distillery, Knockdhu Distillery and Balblair Distillery. The Speyburn whisky has no age statement. It is matured in ex-Bourbon casks. Speyburn is exported throughout the world. Bradan Orach means Golden Salmon in Gaelic. The Golden Salmon is represented on the bottle as well as on the top of the cork and also on the glass.

Also Read: Glenlivet 15yo whisky

Speyburn Bradan Orach Whisky Review

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Very light amber gold

NOSE: Let this dram breath first so that some of the raw alcohol notes can evaporate. After a while, there are notes of wood, unripe apples and old wilted flowers.

PALATE: The Speyburn Bradan Orach has sharp alcohol edges without water. It is overwhelmingly sweet with bits of pepper spice and sticky artificial caramel. It is not very complex and feels unfinished and too young.

Bradan Orach has a medium body, and after adding water, the raw edges smoothed out slightly. Unfortunately, the water releases even more sweetness.

FINISH: Medium length ending on notes of pepper and caramel.

RATING: ORDINARY

It will not make my list of Top 5 single malts. Not by a long shot. Sadly, not even some bonus points for affordability or free glasses can save this dram. The Speyburn Bradan Orach single malt whisky is going to be part of my collection for a rather long time.

Also Read: Rhino Whisky

Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/24/2017

In Single Malt whisky

April and the time around Easter is an indulgent chocolate month. Chocolate bunnies, eggs, even chocolate chickens can be found in most of the shops. Echocolate everywhere. I keep on finding lost (hidden) chocolate eggs in strange places. I am not complaining.

With all the chocolate around, it is nearly a requirement to eat chocolate. I realised that with all the chocolate around the house, I have not blogged about my favourite chocolate whisky – The Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange single malt Scotch whisky.

I tasted Wemyss Malts for the first time at Wild About Whisky in Dullstroom and was smitten. Since then, my Wemyss Malt collection has grown substantially. I picked up this 2013 release on one of my trips out of the country. Wemyss Malts single casks are not available in SA (yet).

Also Read: English Whisky Co Chapter 6 Whisky

This past year some of the blends such as The Hive have become available in selected shops. I have however managed to get my hands on a few releases and have written a few times about Wemyss Malts. My favourite is the Wemyss Malt Brandy Casket.

Wemyss Dark Chocolate Orange is a single malt Glenlivet bottling. Distilled in 1977 and bottled in 2013, this 36 yo was aged in Hogshead and was one of only 149 bottles. As with all their single cask releases, the Wemyss tasting panel names the bottle based on the whisky’s individual taste and aroma.

After 36 years of the Angels taking their share, only 149 bottles were released. I wonder how many of the 149 bottles remain?

Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange Whisky Review

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Orange marmalade, oak and cocoa powder.

PALATE: Fresh orange slices dusted with cocoa powder. Faint hints of cloves and mint. In the background, there is more citrus and malty richness. You can feel the 46% alcohol on your palate, and it needs a bit of water to smooth the sharp edges.

Water releases a little more sweetness in the Dark Chocolate Orange. It is a medium-bodied whisky with plenty of spice.

FINISH: The finish end in notes of citrus and spice.

RATING: VERY GOOD

This whisky is perfectly named. It is the whisky equivalent of dark chocolate covered orange slices. That is what I love about Wemyss Malts – how perfectly they name their releases. However, as much as I love chocolate and this whisky, it is not the most complex of whiskies.

After more than 35 years in a cask at Glenlivet, I was hoping for something with a bit more depth and a few more nuances.

Still, the Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange is the great dram to enjoy in April – don’t you agree? I have tried various Wemyss releases including the Wemyss Malts Sweet Mint Infusion, Wemyss Gooseberry Marmalade and the Wemyss Velvet Fig blended whisky.

And I see that a few of the blended malts are now available in South Africa and I have tasted Wemyss The Hive and loved it.

Also Read: Tomintoul 16 yo Whisky

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/27/2017

In Single Malt whisky

This week I am tasting the Kavalan King Car Conductor single malt whisky from Taiwan. Back in 2009, when I started collecting whisky, it was only possible to find whiskies from the more traditional whisky-making countries like Ireland, USA and Canada.

But in 2011, on one of John’s regular international trips, he suddenly stumbled across a bottle of Finnish whisky and then a bottle of Taiwanese whisky. Suddenly the flood gates opened.

There was an explosion of world whisky. It might have been that the trip opened our eyes to something that has been there all along. Regardless of the reason, I started noticing world whiskies more frequently, and my collection changed to incorporate more world whisky.

To date, I have tasted whiskies from 23 different countries. But one of the first non-traditional countries I managed to get a bottle from, was Kavalan from Taiwan.

I got my hands on a Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Strength whisky, and it blew my minds. It is probably one our my and John’s favourite whiskies of all times.

Since then, I have tasted quite a few more Kavalans. It is always one of the first stands I visit at the Whisky Show. The whisky names from the King Car distillery are all inspired by the orchestra. There is the Kavalan Solist Range of different cask finishes, the Kavalan Podium, Kavalan Concertmaster and this King Car Conductor.

Situated in Yuanshan, at the cross-boundary of the Yi-Lan mountains, the King Car distillery has been creating Taiwanese whisky since 2008. The King Car company is not new to beverages. They have been producing food and beverage since 1979. However, the distillery was only started in 2005.

The whisky is made in the Scottish whisky tradition with two copper stills imported from Scotland. However, Taiwan is a very different climate from Scotland, and the whisky matures quicker in the cask.< The angel’s share is also considerably higher, at 10% compared to around 2% in Scotland.

The Conductor expression is the first to carry the name of the King Car Group instead of Kavalan. The King Car Conductor whisky was commissioned by Mr Lee to be the top offering in the permanent range.

Also Read: Macallan 10 yo Whisky

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky Review

King Car Conductor single malt whisky used eight additional cask types and a higher proportion of ex-Sherry casks compared to the standard single malt. The brief was to make the flavour the fullest and most rounded possible. The King Car Conductor whisky is non-chill filtered.

COUNTRY: Taiwan

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Vivid amber

NOSE: Rich and complex with notes of vanilla, ripe oranges, sweet apricots and lightly toasted oak. There are faint hints of marshmallow balanced with wood spice. After breathing a bit, there are hints of fruit jam and toffee.

PALATE: Warming and sweet with honey, vanilla, oak, fruity notes, and malt. It is complex and smooth. There is a slight alcohol bite. Hints of cinnamon and cloves warm you up from the inside, and after adding a bit of water, the alcohol softens, and more sweetness appears together with some citrus and coconut notes. Adding a bit of water opens up this dram and allow all the complexities to come out.

FINISH: This dram has the perfect finish and balances sweet honey and vanilla with the pepper spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

For a moment, I was concerned that a whisky using eight different casks is going to be a riot of unbalanced flavours. But the notes work in perfect harmony to create a beautiful symphony. This Kavalan release is a delicious dram. Not so complicated that it demands all your attention, but soothing like beautiful background music that allows you to relax.

Previously I paired the King Car Conductor whisky with some dark chocolate liqueur soaked cherries. The combination of dark chocolate and cherries made the coconut notes stand out much more, and it was a delicious pairing.

Also Read: Ardbeg Dark Cove whisky

BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/20/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am looking at something peaty from Speyside: The BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Whiskies from Speyside are among Scotland’s lightest, sweetest single malts.

Situated around the river Spey, Speyside is one of the most densely populated whisky areas in the world. Over 30 distilleries are located in the region.

The lack of peat or coastal air has allowed the Speyside region to create a broad style of whiskies that are lighter, honeyed and refined. Some have heavy sherries influences, but there is an undercurrent of rich malts with toffee and honeyed flavours, paired with nuts and fruity notes.

Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part to play in Speyside drams. Now and again, an expression comes along that veers off the designated path, like this BenRiach Curiositas 10 yo peated single malt whisky.

Also Read: Glenlivet 15 yo whisky

BenRiach distillery is a single malt distillery near Elgin in Speyside and as of June 2016 owned by Brown-Forman. BenRiach Distillery was established by John Duff in 1898.

There were various changes in ownership until in 2004 when the distillery along with several thousand casks was acquired by an independent consortium, the BenRiach Distillery Company Limited.

Other distilleries within this grouping include the Glendronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries.

The new owners wasted no time, and they resumed production and soon released a 12 year old, 16 year old and 20 year old expression.

They also redesigned the logo and the packaging of the bottles. Since these releases, there has been a steady stream of standard and exotic finishes released. Some of the casks that the BenRiach Company got as part of the 2004 sale included batches of more peated malt whisky. The BenRiach Curiositas contains some of this peated whisky.

BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old Whisky Review

Curiositas is a 10 year old, heavily peated release, peated to an estimated 55 ppm based on some research. More peated than the heavily peated Port Charlotte release from Bruichladdich that I tasted a few weeks ago.

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Light straw nearly a light golden yellow with hints of green.

NOSE: Earthy peat, heady smoke, plump fruit, honey sweetness, caramelized toffee mixed with vanilla. Faint hints of oak and malt.

PALATE: Peat, ash, honey sweetness mixed with vanilla, peppery spice and oak. The Curiositas is big and bold. Rich and satisfying, the peat does not have the same medicinal, seaside notes that some of the Islay drams have.

It is earthy and rich, nicely balanced with honey and fruity sweetness. Water brings more of the well known Speyside character and softens the peat. More fruity sweetness appears.

FINISH: Long with notes of pepper, nutmeg, oak and sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What an unexpectedly intriguing dram! All that earthy peat balanced very nicely with the fruity sweetness. I preferred it without water, to preserve the more peaty side of the dram. The Benriach Curiositas is not the most complex whisky but delicious and warming.

Heavy peat from Speyside? I was wondering if I should compare to similar-aged Islay drams? The Ardbeg 10 year old perhaps full of maritime flavours? Then I realized, no, I should judge it all on its own merits, just for what it is – a peaty Speyside whisky.

The fundamental question should always remain: Do I want another glass? Yes, please!

Also Read: Balvenie Doublewood 17 yo whisky

Ardbeg Dark Cove Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/13/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Another Ardbeg Day release, the Ardbeg Cark Cove Islay single malt Scotch whisky. I always look forward to last weekend in May. It is when the world celebrates Ardbeg Day. Ardbeg day started in 2012, and this annual event has been filled with fun and whisky every year since.

With loud fanfare, a new limited Ardbeg release is launched and the day is spent tasting and appreciating Ardbeg around the world.

From New Zealand and Australia, South Africa, Europe and the USA, special Ardbeg themed events turn the day into a worldwide party. We try and make our annual pilgrimage to Dullstroom for this event. It is such a beautiful venue with such a fantastic team and a special place to celebrate.

Since the launch, there have been quite a few extra special moments. One of my favourite Ardbeg releases was from Ardbeg Day 2014 when they released the Auriverdes. This creamy, smooth, peaty dram was created in celebration of the World Cup soccer in Brazil.

And 2016 was no different. We spent the weekend in the beautiful Dullstroom. We rented a cottage next to a trout dam; relaxing while sipping whisky and we celebrated the new Ardbeg Dark Cove whisky release with good friends at Wild About Whisky. Dark Cove was inspired by turbulent times and pays homage to the shadowy past of Ardbeg’s coastline.

Dark Cove is a secret fusion of Ardbeg whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks as well as in dark sherry casks. According to the lore, it is the darkest Ardbeg ever. It is a limited edition NAS release.

The Ardbeg distillery is located on the Kildalton shore of Islay, not too far from Lagavulin and Laphroaig. It is owned by Glenmorangie Plc., which in turn is owned by the French company, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy).

Also Read: Tamdhu 10 yo Whisky

Ardbeg Dark Cove Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 46.5%

COLOUR: Golden Wheat

NOSE: Islay peat, smoke, salt and seaweed drying on the shore with notes of vanilla sweetness. The peat and smoke disappear after a bit and only leaves the sweetness on the nose.

PALATE: Ash, mild peat and heavy smoke, sherry sweetness with a pepper bite. Hints of liquorice and nori seaweed. Bits of lemon with salty notes. Not very complex and a few rough edges. Water softens the palate, making it smoother and softer, balancing the peat and the sweetness better.

FINISH: Long and end on dry sherry and ashy tobacco.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Is it worth it?

As much fun as Ardbeg Day is every year, the Limited releases do not come cheap. The Ardbeg Dark Cove retailed for around R1 175 per bottle. For a NAS release. Is this really the darkest Ardbeg yet? I am not so sure.

I feel like the notes don’t mix quite right. It tastes like something that wants to be Auriverdes but did not quite get there. A younger, less complex version of Auriverdes.

John described this as starter peat. A peaty dram that you would give to someone one who wants to try peat for the first time. Peaty enough to get the point across, but not overwhelmingly so. Nothing that will offend too severely.

For Ardbeg Day, I expect (rightly or wrongly) something that is big, bold, loud and makes a MASSIVE entrance. At a premium price, for a day that comes with this much fanfare, I expect something that will blow people away – something different, something that will polarize people. Something that will get people talking. For me, this was not it – sadly. What did you think of the Ardbeg Dark Cove?

Also Read: Laphroaig An Cuan Mor whisky