Category: Single Malt whisky Page 37 of 44

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.

New Zealand Whisky Company 1990 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/06/2014

In Single Malt whisky

My whisky goal is to collect a single malt whisky from every country that produces single malt whiskies. When an opportunity comes along to add a New Zealand whisky to my collection, I grab it with both hands. I have some whisky from Australia as well.

Last year, my mom went to the UK. I managed to find a The New Zealand Whisky Company single malt whisky at the Whiskey Exchange, and mom brought it back.

The Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, call their home ‘Aotearoa’ – ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’. New Zealand is well-known for its magnificent beauty of snow-capped mountains, tranquil forest and sweeping green vistas.

New Zealand is a country renowned for its clean air and pure water. Whiskies from the famous Willowbank Distillery are often said to have similar characteristics to single malt whisky produced in the Lowland or Speyside regions of Scotland – such as delicate aromas, a lighter body, hints of sweetness and a smooth finish.

The Baker family established the Willowbank Distillery. Production commenced in December 1969. In 1974 the first whisky went on sale and the company was renamed Wilson Distillers Ltd. Located in Dunedin on the South Island, Willowbank was the most southerly whisky distillery in the world.

Seagram Company Ltd acquired the distillery in 1981. Sadly, the distillery ceased production in 1997 as Seagram’s rationalised their business portfolio and sold the business to the Foster’s Group. The distillery was mothballed in 2000.

The hundreds of barrels of Cask Strength whisky was auctioned off or mothballed. In 2010, The New Zealand Whisky Company bought the last 80,000 litres in 443 barrels from what had previously been stored in an old aeroplane hangar. The whisky now resides in the towering seaside bonds store in Oamaru.

Related Article: Clan Denny Islay Edition Whisky

New Zealand Whisky Company 1990 Vintage Review

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This particular whisky was distilled at the Willowbank distillery on New Zealand’s South Island in 1990. The date, 1990, is boldly displayed on the bottle. I have bottle #26 from barrel #90. It has a bottling date of September 2012.

REGION: New Zealand

ABV: 61.7%

COLOUR: The appearance of the whisky in the bottle is quite dark. In the glass, it is a light copper-gold colour. It is medium oily whisky.

NOSE: Quite subtle and soft. Notes of Christmas pudding and flowers with hints of toffee and cereals. In the background, there are bits of fresh summer fruit.

PALATE: Christmas cake and minced fruit. There are notes of oak and cereals mixed with florals and sherry sweetness. We added quite a bit of water before the high alcohol content softened a bit.

FINISH: Long and lingering. It is warming and ends in notes of spice and leather.

RATING: VERY GOOD

A great bottle added to my collection, and I will try to find more releases from this New Zealand distillery and hopefully more from this beautiful country.

This New Zealand whisky is fairly subtle and uncomplicated; the thing that makes this whisky uniquq is the finish. It is the last warming spice and leather notes that makes you want to have another glass.

Also Read:Whisky rating system

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/29/2014

In Single Malt whisky

My whisky this week is Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Edition 01 single malt Scotch whisky. The Bruichladdich distillery lies on a peninsula not far from Bowmore on the isle of Islay. The distillery produces mainly single malt Scotch whisky.

It is one of eight working distilleries on the island. The Harvey brothers, William, John and Robert, built Bruichladdich in 1881 on the shore of Loch Indaal.

At the time, the distillery was an advanced design, unlike Islay’s older distilleries, which had grown from old farm buildings. It was built from stone from the seashore and had a very efficient layout.

The uniquely tall and narrow-necked stills were chosen to produce a very pure and original spirit. This spirit style was seen as the opposite of the styles produced by the older distilleries. Bruichladdich changed owners various times, and the new owners mothballed the distillery in 1994.

Much of the equipment still in use on Bruichladdich is still the original Victorian equipment. The process is gravity fed, and no computers are used in production, apart from in the offices and to run a series of webcams.

A group of private investors bought the distillery in 2000. With some clever marketing and an excellent wood policy, they set out to make Bruichladdich a name to remember. Rémy Cointreau bought it in 2012.

Malt whisky produced at Bruichladdich distillery sells under three different brand names; Bruichladdich (unpeated), Port Charlotte (heavily peated) and Octomore (super-heavily peated). Octomore whisky is considered to be ‘the most heavily peated single malt whisky in the world’.

The Bruichladdich Classic Laddie is the foundation of the distillery’s core range. It has the classic flavours of Bruichladdich, distilled from unpeated barley. The distillers are calling this ‘the essential Bruichladdich’.

Related Article: Bunnahabhain 12 yo whisky

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Whisky Review

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie single malt has no age statement. It is non-chill-filtered and colour free.

REGION: Islay

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A light gold. It is a fairly thick whisky with slow fingers developing on the inside of the glass.

NOSE: Cereals, oak and vanilla. There are notes of fresh fruits and hints of florals. The Bruichladdich Laddie Classic does not have an overly complex nose.

PALATE: More fresh fruit, especially green apple mixed with notes of vanilla sweetness, barley and oak. There are hints of citrus and spice and more fresh-cut flowers.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of citrus, fruit and last hints of vanilla. It is a smooth whisky, but not very complex. However, the lack of complexity does make it a very easy drinking whisky.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Classic Laddie Scotch is a lovely drinkable whisky to have around. Best of all, it is affordable. It brightens up the whisky room with its turquoise colour and stands out between the ‘normal’ whisky bottles.

But I think it might be lonely and it needs the rest of its family to join it in our collection. So – 2 more names added to my whisky wish list. Have you tried this Bruichladdich Laddie Classic?

Also Read: Black Bottle Old Release Blended Whisky

Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/22/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am trying a whisky from the Scottish Highlands. A whisky that has won numerous awards and is a favourite of many people. I am looking a the Old Pulteney 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

In 1826, during a period in the Wick county town history known as the Great Herring boom, a small distillery was established right in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’.

This Old Pulteney Distillery was and still is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. This Highland distillery was quite inaccessible before they built roads. Barley was brought in by sea, and they shipped the whisky out the same way.

Many of the distillery workers were also employed as fishermen. Wick became known for the barrels of silver (herring) and gold (whisky), which left the port in huge numbers.

The distillery itself has a fascinating history, with its distinctive pot stills defying convention to this day. The wash still is an ongoing source of interest due to the absence of a ‘swan neck’.

Legend has it that it was too tall for the still house when the still was delivered, and the manager decided to cut the top off. The Old Pulteney bottle incorporates a bulbous neck to reflect the shape of the stills.

The distillery closed in 1930 due to declining trade after the local parish enforced prohibition laws. However, it was re-opened in 1951 when the parish abolished the law. The distillery bottle single malt whisky under Old Pulteney’s name, and there are both official and independent releases over the years.

Pulteney is part of the International Beverage Ltd company, whose whisky portfolio includes Hankey Bannister, Balblair, anCnoc, Catto’s and Speyburn whisky.

Related article: Glengoyne 21 yo Whisky

Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky Review

The Old Pulteney 21 year old whisky has been voted 2012 World Whisky of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. The Old Pulteney single malt has been matured in ex-Olorosso sherry cask as well as ex-bourbon casks. Non-chill-filtered and with natural colour.

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A golden amber with straw highlights. It is an oily whisky with slow fingers on the inside of the glass.

NOSE: The first impression of the nose brings sherry with cereals. There are notes of oak and florals. The nose is smooth and quite subtle. The sweetness from the bourbon casks comes through in notes of toffee and vanilla.

PALATE: When tasting the Old Pulteney without adding any water, it is fairly spicy. After adding a bit of water, the palate brings notes of oak, spice, cereals with hints of butterscotch. There are notes of fruit and malt cookies in the background.

FINISH: A medium length finish that ends in notes of spice, oak and fruit

RATING: VERY GOOD

Strangely the Old Pulteney reminded me a bit of the Highland Park 18 year old that I tasted. There are notes in the finish of both these whiskies that are very similar. Looking at a map of distilleries, I noticed that these two distilleries are quite close together.

As enthusiastic as many people are about this whisky, it will never be a favourite. I find the spice overwhelming and the light sweetness underwhelming. It feels to me like they just don’t fit. After 21 years in a barrel, it is not the most complex dram. With the endorsement of Jim Murry, I was expecting something more.

In terms of a whisky food pairing, Marc, owner of the WhiskyBrother shop in Hyde Park (and my favourite whisky shop in South Africa), suggest that you try the Old Pulteney 21 year old whisky with a whole quail. Now that sounds interesting!

Also Read: Chivas Royal Salute 21yo whisky

The Glenlivet 18 year old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/01/2014

In Single Malt whisky

I grew up with a dad who enjoyed blended whisky. His favourite drams were Dimple and Chivas Regal. This experience shaped the way I enjoyed whisky in my younger days, and I gravitated to blended whisky too. Then a friend poured me a Glenlivet 12 year old whisky and I was blown away.

The smooth, complex flavours just knocked me over. Needless to say, I still hold the Glenlivet 12 yo whisky as one of my favourite whiskies of all times. But today I, try the Glenlivet 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

The Glenlivet distillery is a Speyside distillery near Ballindalloch in Moray, Scotland. The distillery draws water from Josie’s Well and other springs a short distance from the distillery. It is owned by Pernod Richard.

Also Read: Glenfiddich 18 yo Whisky

George Smith was the first distiller in the region to get a license for legal distillation. In 1824, he established The Glenlivet on what was once a farm distillery called Upper Drummin. Some of the region’s illegal distilleries were not too happy with George and made several threats to his life. He, however, persisted and finished the building of his distillery.

He dealt with the treats in a very wild west manner – 2 pistols were always at his side to discourage any trouble makers. The pistols were a personal gift from the Laird of Aberlour, who was impressed with George’s perseverance.

The majority of the whisky made by the Glenlivet distiller is sold as The Glenlivet single malt, and the remainder is used in Pernod Ricard’s blended whisky, including Chivas Regal. Today, The Glenlivet is the world’s second best-selling single malt, and it is one of the top sellers in the US.

Glenlivet 18 year old Whisky Review

The Glenlivet 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky is matured in a combination of first and second fill American oak and sherry casks.

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: The colour of the Glenlivet 18 year old has a bronze golden copper shade. The official description is ‘old gold with apricot hues’.

NOSE: While pouring this single malt whisky into the glass, you immediately get whiffs of banana and sweet tropical fruit. The nose brings cereals and oak and little hints of sherried sweetness. Slowly, long fingers form in the glass. It is a very oily whisky that holds much promise.

PALATE: On the palate, there are notes of oak and spice. It grows slowly to butterscotch and sweet banana toffee. Traces of orange peel, raisins and honey mix with the oak. It is a wonderfully smooth whisky. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy with lots of spices.

FINISH: Long and lingering. The spice notes slowly turn to more oak with mild sweetness at the very end. This Glenlivet whisky comes oh so close to a Divine rating. It just lacks a little bit of the last WOW factor.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Well balanced and delicious. Every time I drink this Glenlivet 18 year old whisky, it reminds me of a special time with special friends. It brings back wonderful memories and makes me appreciate all the wonderful experiences we have been fortunate to share.

Many of them with this bottle of Glenlivet 18 year old whisky. That is perhaps why the bottle is nearly empty. I have also tasted and wrote about a Glenlivet 15 yo whisky.

Related Article: Hammerhead 1989 Vintage whisky

The Glenlivet Alpha Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/13/2014

In Single Malt whisky

I heard that The Glenlivet Distillery was releasing a limited edition whisky with little details. It sounded quite mysterious and interesting. Lucky for me, WhiskyBrother, my favourite whisky shop, had a few bottles of this Glenlivet Alpha single malt Scotch whisky available, and Marc kept one for me.

Only 3,350 bottles were released worldwide. No tasting notes. No cask details. Just trust in The Glenlivet, that they know how to distil great whisky. During the run-up to the release, there were some online teasers and sensory challenges.

Master Distiller Alan Winchester interacted with the online community, fielding questions. He revealed that the limited release has been matured in ‘first-fill Scotch whisky cask. The full tasting notes were only released after the Glenlivet Alpha was launched at the end of June 2013.

The Glenlivet Alpha single malt sold out very quickly. It came presented in a black bottle with minimal labelling, and the only information revealed about its contents is its strength.

It has a 50% ABV. So, after all this secrecy, online challenges and marketing effort, the most important question remains. Is this quite expensive, limited edition Glenlivet Alpha worth it?

Related Article: Bain’s 15 yo whisky

The Glenlivet Alpha Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Golden yellow

NOSE: Visions of citrus and fruits. There are notes of oranges, pineapple and fruit mince pies blended with chunks of caramel sweetness and little hints of vanilla and spice. I added a drop of three of water and this just created the most amazingly smooth feel to the whisky.

PALATE: The palate brings more citrus and fruit notes. There are hints of coconut and marshmallow. There are tropical notes blended with spice and toffee. It is an amazingly complex whisky that just keeps on giving you different tastes every time you try it. Taking a second sip bring notes of nuts and more sweetness.

FINISH: It has a long and lingering finish. There are notes of spice, more citrus and honey. It has an amazing finish. We just looked at each other and went WOW. This amazing Glenlivet Alpha has the WOW factor. It has wonderfully layered complexity with notes of honey, caramel, marshmallow, spice and fruits. The overall experience was just amazing.

RATING: DIVINE

Without revealing the distillery, we offered it to some of our whisky friends, and they came up with the same comments and conclusion.

It is an amazing whisky. To answer the question, was it worth it? A big definite YES. Drinking this whisky is an amazing experience. Well worth the expensive price point.

Was it Whisky of the Year?

The Glenlivet Alpha is one of 2 whiskies that I shortlisted for my Whisky of the Year 2013. A truly magnificent dram! I paired this whisky with a Woolworths Clemengold Mandarin discs covered in dark chocolate for New Year.

The joint citrus in this whisky chocolate pairing became overwhelming. I then tried it with toasted coconut and dark chocolate and this worked a lot better. Other Glenlivet releases I have tried include the Whiskybrother Glenlivet 15 yo and the Glenlivet 18 year old whisky.

Also read: Glenfiddich 19 yo Madeira Cask whisky