Category: Single Malt whisky Page 27 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.

Oban Distillers Edition Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/13/2017

In Single Malt whisky

A short distance from the sea, right in the heart of the town of Oban, sits the Oban Distillery. Oban is part of the Diageo stable, and the Oban 14 yo is part of the Diageo Classic Malt Series. It is one of Diageo’s smaller distilleries and uses water from Loch Glenn a’Bhearraidh. But today I am tasting the Oban Distillers Edition single malt Scotch whisky.

Established in 1794 by two brothers on the site of an old brewery, Oban town grew around the distillery and today, Oban is one of the last few surviving urban distilleries.

A Highland Distillery, the Oban range of official bottlings available include a 14 yo, an 18 yo and the NAS Oban Little Bay release. The Oban Distillers Edition bottling completes the foursome. This single malt Distiller’s Edition whisky is finished in a Montilla Fino sherry cask before bottling.

Montilla Fino is a sherry-like, dry fortified wine, matured near the coast of Spain. The coastal character of the wine perfectly enhances the seaside character found in the Oban whisky, at the same time, adding some complexity.

I received this Oban Distillers Edition as a gift from a friend visiting from India. I was not particularly impressed with the Oban 14 yo whisky. As much as I love the sea, the bitter lemon and old wood character of the 14 yo was underwhelming.

I have been hesitant to try the Oban Distillers Edition. But the bottle has been staring at me, begging to be tasted, so I decided that today is the day. Lets’ see if this Oban release can change my mind about the Oban distillery. The fact that it was aged in Montilla Fino might add that interesting sweeter note, that I like in a whisky.

Also Read: Glenkinchie 1986 Distillers Edition

Oban Distillers Edition Whisky Review

Distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2014.

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark golden colour with hints of polished teak.

NOSE: Sherry, rich dark fruit, raisin fruit cake, hints of nutmeg, marzipan sweetness balanced with bits of vanilla and butterscotch. Bit of an alcohol smell and letting the Distiller’s Edition breath for a few minutes helped to soften the alcohol notes.

PALATE: Smoky hints with oak, cream and pepper spice. A bit of water softens the alcohol burn and makes it a bit sweeter. It is easy-drinking, clean and uncomplicated. Not as sweet as the nose suggested, but creamy and delicious. Subtle notes of vanilla and bits of salt.

FINISH: Without water, the finish is long and spicy. With some water, the alcohol is softened, but the finish becomes medium length with notes of oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a surprise! This Oban Distillers Edition single malt whisky was like a breath of fresh air. That cooling sea breeze that blows down the coast on a hot day filled with salty notes. I am glad that I have a 1L bottle, as we will be pouring this dram quite often. It might even motivate me to try more from the distillery.

Another reason for choosing this dram on Friday the 10th is International Scotch Day. It is an initiative launched by Diageo, where the company opened all of its Scottish distillery visitor centres free of charge, as well as the Diageo Archive to the public for the first time.

Also Read: Jura 10 yo Origin whisky

Port Charlotte Special Reserve 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/06/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Now and again, I manage to get my hands on a single cask bottling release. Be it via WhiskyBrother and one of their special single cask bottlings or when friends travel. The Whisky Brother releases are legendary, and I am waiting with bated breath for what is coming out from them this year.

Back to today’s tasting; at the end of 2016, John came home with this bottle of Port Charlotte 10 year old Special Reserve Private Cask Scotch whisky bottling. It is a 10 yo release matured in Sherry casks. John received it as a gift from one of his colleagues. FC knows how much we love whisky and arranged this bottle for us.

Bruichladdich is situated on the beautiful Islay and is known for 3 different styles of whisky. They are bottled as follows: Bruichladdich is the unpeated release, Port Charlotte is peated to a hefty 40 ppm, and Octomore, the heavyweight, peated to an enormous 131 ppm. Bruichladdich is owned by Remy Cointreau.

The Village of Port Charlotte lies just south of Bruichladdich close to the shore of Loch Indaal. There stand the ruins of LochinDaal Distillery that was in operation from 1829 to 1929. The Port Charlotte brand pays tribute to this now silent distillery.

I invited Emily from the Whizzky App to join me on Twiter, to taste this limited release. Emily loves whisky as much as I do, and it is a great privilege to share a dram with such a special lady in the whisky industry.

Also Read: Armorik Millesime 2002 whisky

Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky Review

The Port Charlotte Special Reserve is a 10 year old single malt whisky aged in a sherry cask. This bottle is from Cask no 852, and it was distilled 15th October 2003 and bottled 5th March 2014.

REGION: Islay

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Dark golden syrup colour

NOSE: Peat, sherry, smoke, salt and ash. Dark chocolate and after adding water, there are notes of smoky bacon with cranberry sauce.

PALATE: Ash, earthy peat, Lindt Orange Intense and Salted Caramel chocolate, sherry, vanilla, halva. After adding water to soften the alcohol, there are more sweet noes with hints of cinnamon and liquorice.

I am getting glazed, candied fruit peel and surprisingly less peat than the nose led me to believe @ @WhiskyoftheWeek #WhizzkyPeat #WOTW

— Whizzky (@WhizzkyApp) February 3, 2017

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of ash, citrus, smoke and earthy peat. Quite spicy

RATING: EXCELLENT

Took a breather & am left feeling like I can taste the inside of my fireplace. In a good way. The best way. @WhiskyoftheWeek #WhizzkyPeat

— Whizzky (@WhizzkyApp) February 3, 2017

An enjoyable, rich, bold and complex dram. The Port Charlotte is not for the faint-hearted. You need to spend some time to appreciate the peat notes. This Port Charlotte is the perfect marriage between the peat and the sherry. Two different elements that work together as an excellent team.

Also Read: Laphroaig PX Cask whisky

Checkers Private Barrel Co No 41 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/07/2016

In Single Malt whisky

One of the hardest things to do is to build a whisky collection on a budget. With an increase in demand and a hunger for unique and aged whisky, prices have been going through the roof and distilleries are releasing NAS versions at crazy prices.

With the Rand playing yo-yo against all major currencies (Nene-gate, State Capture report and Brexit), getting my hands on quality, affordable whisky has become harder and harder.

I have found budget blends and bourbons, but the big challenge has been single malts. Then I landed up at a Checkers lunch close to Hein Herbst (SA’s own MaltDoc), and he told me about the Checkers Private Barrel Co no 41 single malt Scotch whisky.

I have tried a few of the Checkers Private Barrel Co releases before. I have the Glen Grant 17 yo in my collection and tasted the Glendronach 20 yo, and a few others and they are delicious. These releases are, however, not in the budget category, i.e. under R 750. But, during 2014, Checkers released a whisky that doesn’t have a distillery listed at around R 230.

The concept works similar to the Checkers Odd Bins wine and champagne range. Odd Bins work on the idea that Checkers source top-class wine and champagne (and now whisky) from well-known wineries and distilleries and then bottle them under a unique bin number, not revealing where the whisky was sourced.

By not revealing the distillery, Checkers can sell the whisky at a fraction of the cost. It does have an age statement and full tasting notes on the bottle.

I was somewhat sceptical about an ‘Odd Bins’ whisky range, but MaltDoc assured me that he got a whole case of the Barrel 41 as it is so good. Barrel 39 is sold out, but Barrel 41 is still available, and I managed to grab a bottle.

It was bottled in 2015, and only 3 000 were released. If I was to wager a guess, the whisky in the Checkers Private Barrel Co No 41 single malt is from a Speyside distillery close to the Highlands border. Checkers, however, are keeping quiet on the origin.

Also Read: Michel Couvreur Peaty Whisky

Checkers Private Barrel Co No 41 Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark yellow gold

NOSE: On the initial nose there’s a lot of toffee sweetness with a little bit of spice. There is an element of sherry in the nose as well as summer fruits. It is followed by marshmallow and malty goodness floating about.

PALATE: The Private Barrel Co No 41 is bursting with fruity flavour mixed with creamy, buttery fudge, toffee sweetness and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Hints of candied fruits. I finished my first glass without water and then had to pour a second glass to see the impact of water on the dram. The addition of water certainly brings out a lot more smoothness and brings some floral notes to the front.

FINISH: A strong point to this particular release is a long and lingering finish. It is probably one of the longest finishes that I have experienced in a long time. The addition of water seems to improve the finish. The Private Barrel Co No 41 ends in notes of spice and toffee sweetness, perfectly balanced.

RATING: EXCELLENT

When Hein said that he bought a case of the Barrel No 41, I must honestly say, I thought he was overreacting. Can it be that good? But it is! It is delicious, smooth and easy drinking.

Well done Checkers team for choosing this delightful release and bringing it to us at an affordable price point. I am looking forward to many more Private Barrel Co. whisky releases.

The Private Barrel Coo released a James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask during 2018 as well as a Private Barrel Co No 108. It is a 3 yo Irish whiskey release, and you can read all about it too.

Also Read: Nikka Miyagikyo whisky

Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/31/2016

In Single Malt whisky

My never-ending quest to find affordable, drinkable whisky. Finding well priced blended whiskies is relatively easy. There are plenty of them around, and some of them are quite good. However, single malt whisky is a different story. There are not too many new single malts available at a reasonable price in South Africa.

With the worldwide increase in single malt prices and our unstable currency, it might become even more difficult in future. My ongoing search led me to the Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity Highland single malt Scotch whisky. I found it at a Pick n Pay. I have never heard of Muirhead, but it was in the affordable category, so I grabbed it.

Muirhead is owned by Picard Vins & Spiritueux S.A. An affiliate company that also owns Tullibardine and Highland Queen. According to some research, the brand is today distributed in over 30 markets around the world, both under the Muirhead’s Blue Seal range of blended whiskies, and the Silver Seal range of single malt whiskies.

The Muirhead Clans’ slogan is part of the labelling. It reads: “Auxilio Dei” which means “By the Help of God”. The name Muirhead means, “Head of the Moor” or “Highest Point of the Moor” in Gaelic.

Muirhead’s Silver Seal Maturity single malt whisky is aged in oak barrels for 5 years and from the Scottish Highlands. It does not state a distillery name.

Also Read: Glenmorangie 18 yo whisky

Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity Whisky Review

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ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Sunset yellow with bits of yellow floating around.

NOSE: The first notes that come through is barley, spices and oak. Hints of condensed milk and marshmallow provide a sweet side. There is a bit of raw alcohol on the nose. The nose is not quite as rich or complex as I would have hoped for, and it seems a bit young.

PALATE: It has quite a nice mouthful feeling. Without water, there is a bit of an alcohol bite and some raw edges. The initial palate is a bold winter spice, but not in a negative way. After a while, some of the sweetness and richness comes through slowly.

There are notes of oak, lemon drops and barley. The addition of water makes the Muirhead Silver Seal softer and takes away some of the harsher alcohol notes. The water also releases more of the sweetness and vanilla and make the dram more drinkable.

FINISH: The finish is long and lingering and builds slowly to a nice warm feeling in your stomach. It ends in oak, lemon drops and barley.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Muirhead has an interesting flavour profile. For me, it’s a whisky that I could picture in the middle of winter, in front of a fire after dinner, when you are having a philosophical conversation with someone.

Indeed a good buy at the affordable price point. It is inexpensive but does not taste cheap. It is very similar to the Highland Queen. I would nearly venture to say that it is a spicier version of the Highland Queen. Have you tried this Muirhead whisky release yet?

I was surprised to spot some of the Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity whisky in the US. It is the Muirhead Silver Seal 20 year old whisky that is not available in SA, but it was interesting to see it there.

>Also Read:Glenfiddich Gran Reserva whisky

Glendronach 13 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/24/2016

In Single Malt whisky

A small little whisky shop in Hydepark, Johannesburg, has become the Johannesburg whisky community’s central point. Since they opened their doors in 2012, WhiskyBrother has brought an incredible whisky variety to Johannesburg. Their whisky tastings are also legendary!

Every year around this time, WhiskyBrother brings out an exclusive release, which is no different this year. Some of the WhiskyBrother’s earlier releases include the Arran WB Private Cask and the 15 yo Glenlivet. All exceptionally delicious!

This year, they had the opportunity to select a Glendronach cask, and after much tasting and choosing, Marc and Neil chose the Glendronach 13 year old single cask Scotch whisky.

Glendronach has consistently been one of the WhiskyBrother shop’s top-selling whiskies, so it made for a natural fit. The GlenDronach 13 yo single cask whisky is matured in a second fill Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon.

The Glendronach distillery is a Highland whisky distillery located near Forgue in Scotland, owned by the BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd.

James Allardes founded the distillery in 1826 and it was only the second distillery to apply for a license to legally produce whisky under the Excise Act of 1823.

The distillery was bought and sold a few times, and the sherry characteristics changed. Subsequent owners each brought their own cask and wood philosophy. In 2008, when the BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd bought the distillery, they returned to the original GlenDronach character. The new owners relaunched the old core range of 12 year old, 15 year old and 18 year old, along with several single cask bottlings.<

So once again, the Glendonach is proudly known as the Sherry Cask Connoisseurs. Back to their original roots of heavily sherried drams. All new Glendronach releases are unpeated.

Also Read: Glenglassaugh Evolution Whisky

Glendronach 13 year old Whisky Review

This bottle was distilled in March 2003, and bottled in April 2016; the cask yielded 519 bottles. Each bottle is individually numbered and bottled at cask strength.

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 54.1%

COLOUR: A light amber-gold colour with hints of yellow sunshine.

NOSE: Rich and complex, heavy with brandy-soaked raisins, rich Christmas pudding, toffee, cherries and candied fruits. After a bit of time, some spice and woody notes come through.

PALATE: A very surprising palate! The toffee and Christmas pudding sweetness I was expecting was not there. Instead, the warming spices came through. Cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg intertwined with oak and cherries.

I expected a typical sherry PX Cask taste, but this Glendronach is anything but regular. Adding water softens the cask strength and makes the whisky smoother.

FINISH: An unusual finish that ends in notes of pepper, cinnamon and citrus fruit. Long and lingering.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is an unusual release. I can understand why the WhiskyBrother team chose this particular cask. If you are expecting the more traditional Glendronach sherry taste, this whisky is not it. This Glendronach 13 year old is big and bold.

Warming spices with cherries. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, something interesting for someone interesting, this is the bottle you want.

Best of all, you don’t have to be in Johannesburg to get your hands on this release. You can order it online from WhiskyBrother right here. This Glendronach 13 yowhisky is going to be perfect for winter. The spicy character will probably also pair well with food.

I poured a bit of the Glendronach 12 year old straight after, to compare. Interesting how one more year in a cask can make such a difference. From the fruity sweet 12 year old whisky to the spicy, rich 13 year old. All in the space of an extra 12 months.

Well Done WhiskyBrother Team! I have also captured the tasting notes for the Glendronach 16 yo release and the Glendronach 12 yo .

Also Read: Craigellachie 13 yo Whisky