Category: Single Malt whisky Page 38 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.

Sullivans Cove Bourbon Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/11/2014

In Single Malt whisky

A world whisky today, the Sullivans Cove Bourbon Cask single malt whisky. This is not a traditional whisky distilling country, but together with New Zealand, there has been some level of distilling going on for a few years.

The Cove was the initial landing site of what is now the city of Hobart. It was founded on 21 February 1804 by the British, who travelled to the shore via what was then a rocky island named Hunter Island.

Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 km stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart. Being a penal colony, the locals were quite fond of a drink with 16 legal distilleries and countless illegal stills operating by 1824. However, in 1838 Governor John Franklin imposed a total prohibition on distilling which lasted 150 years.

This was only overturned in the early 1990s. Sullivans Cove whisky was established in 1994 at Sullivans Cove in Hobart. Sullivans Cove is one of Tasmania’s most successful and widely distributed whiskies and available in 11 countries. Tasmania has some of the most favourable growing conditions on the planet.

Deep red basalt soils, ample water and a mild climate result in barley that is perfect for malting. Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world and its rainwater is so pure that quantities have been shipped to Australian Olympic athletes competing overseas.

One of the World Meteorological Organization-Global Atmosphere Watch network’s three Baseline Air Pollution stations is in Tasmania.

The air is so clean, it is used as a benchmark against which air pollution is measured around the world. Given the cleanliness of the air, rainwater and therefore freshwater in Tasmania is vastly cleaner than anywhere else in the world.

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Sullivans Cove Bourbon Cask Strength Whisky Review

I have bottle number 186 from 203 from barrel number HH0281. The barrel date is May 2000 and the bottling date is June 2009.

COUNTRY: Australia

ABV: 60%

COLOUR: The whisky is quite dark in the bottle but the colour in the glass is a more light golden-yellow with a hint of green. It is a nice and oily whisky with lovely fingers down the sides of the glass.

NOSE:Immediately brings bourbon sweetness and sticky toffee pudding to mind. The Sullivans Cove Bourbon get more hints of citrus fruits when you add a few drops of water. The nose is rich with hints of oak.

PALATE: On the palate, there are notes of barley, spice and caramel mixed with vanilla sweetness. The Sullivans Cove Bourbon Maturation is a creamy smooth whisky and the 60% ABV surprisingly drinkable. It does not feel like such a high ABV. There are hints of citrus in the background.

FINISH: The finish is long and ends in notes of mild spice and sweetness. In the background, there are hints of leather and tobacco.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Sullivans Cove Bourbon Maturation started amazingly. The nose is rich and complex and the first taste is creamy and smooth. The finish is however what caught me. The old leather and tobacco notes leave a strange after taste that reminded me a bit of the Dalmore Cigar Malt whisky.

However, the nose and palate are amazing and it makes for a worthwhile addition to my world whisky collection. I also have a Sullivans Cove Double Cask whisky in my collection and captured my tasting notes for this dram.

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Wemyss Malts Sweet Mint Infusion Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/04/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Today I try the Wemyss Malts Sweet Mint Infusion single malt Scotch whisky. What a unique name! Wemyss Malts is an independent bottler of malt whiskies from Scotland. They regularly release limited editions of Single Cask Whiskies.

The names they choose for their limited releases are not only exotic and interesting but also reflect the unique aromas and flavours found within the bottle.

Wemyss Malts select their Single Cask releases, under the expert guidance of Charlie Maclean. The Single Cask range is bottled at 46% ABV and labelled according to their region of origin.

I tried my first Wemyss release in Dullstroom, on one of our visits to the quant little whisky bar ‘Wild About Whisky’. After this visit, we added a few bottles to our collection. I choose this Sweet Mint Infusion release to remind me of warm summer days. Something I am longing for during this cold SA winter.

The Wemyss Malts Sweet Mint Infusion is a 1991 distillation from the Aultmore Distillery. Only 354 bottles of this 22-year-old single cask were released.

Built in 1895 by Benrinnes-owner Alexander Edward, the Aultmore distillery sits just north of Keith, in the heart of Speyside. Aultmore, which originates from the Scotch Gaelic for ‘Big burn’, takes its water from the Burn of Auchinderran.

Aultmore closed for several years around the turn of the 20th century and was affected during WW1 due to barley shortages. It has changed ownership various times and is now owned by John Dewar & Sons Ltd, part of Bacardi.

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Wemyss Malts Sweet Mint Infusion Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46 %

COLOUR: The official colour description is “Pale Straw”.

NOSE: The mint hits you at once when nosing this whisky. Behind the mint is a layer of oak and cereals with hints of fresh-cut flowers. Adding a few drops of water releases more flavour in the nose and some peppermint and fudgy sweetness comes through.

PALATE: On tasting this Wemyss Malts Sweet Mint Infusion, the mint again immediately comes through. It is very different from other whiskies. It has a more herbal taste with green notes of crushed mint, cut grass, eucalyptus and oak.

There are notes of barley and toffee sweetness next, followed by some spices and fresh fruit. It is a smooth and rich whisky that is suitably complex.

FINISH: It has a medium finish. The finish has notes of spice and ginger with some hints of sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The freshness of the whisky remains. This is like a mint toffee version of a whisky. A wonderfully different whisky. I had a second glass and had visions of a sunny South African summer that is hopefully only 6 weeks away.

I paired this Wemyss dram with some Anthon Berg Mint & Caramel dark chocolate and the pairing made the mint pop.

Other Wemyss Malts releases I have tried include the Wemyss The Hive whisky, Wemyss Gooseberry Marmalade, Wemyss Brandy Casket as well as Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange.

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The English Whisky Co Chapter 6 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/30/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Whisky from England? Today I try The English Whisky Co Chapter 6 single malt whisky made in Norfolk at the St Georges Distillery. Although whisky distilling has been widespread in Scotland, just south of the border in England, whisky production was almost non-existent.

It stopped more than 100 years ago with the closing of the Lea Valley Distillery in 1903. It all changed when James Nelstrop retired. After spending his working life on projects around the globe, he decided to follow his dream upon retiring.

His vision was to make whisky in Norfolk. Together with his son Andrew, he obtained a distilling license in January 2006, and the English Whisky Co was born.

St. Georges Distillery in Roudham, Norfolk was built and the first barrels filled at the end of 2006. The grain for the whisky comes from Fakenham, the yeast comes from Kingston upon Hull, and the water comes from the Breckland. The first whisky came on to the market during 2009 and was three years old.

To indicate a sequence in their release schedule, St. Georges Distillery uses a sequential bottling system. Starting with Chapter 1, the distillery released a range of aged malt spirits and single malt whiskies.

Odd numbers in the range have been made using peated malt. Some exception exists such as Chapter 7 which was aged in Rum Casks. Now England has a place in the history of whisky again. The Saint George Distillery is stepping up and with courage and boldness, producing a magnificent golden liquid that England can be proud of.

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The English Whisky Co. Chapter 6 Whisky Review

I have a bottle from Cask Type ASB, Cask Number 463,464, 465 and 466. Distilled in September 2007 and bottled in March 2011. It is not chill-filtered. The English Whisky Co. Chapter 6 single malt is unpeated. Iain Henderson was the distillery manager.

COUNTRY: England

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: The whisky is a light golden colour.

NOSE: The nose is very delicate. There are notes of barley, fresh fruit sweetness and fresh-cut grass. There are hints of vanilla and almond sweetness.

PALATE: Add water carefully as to not overwhelm this delicate whisky. The palate is an amazing surprise. I was expecting a delicate soft whisky but got a wonderfully robust full-bodied taste. There are notes of oak, barley and some citrus. The English Whisky Co Chapter 6 whisky has hints of fresh apples, vanilla sweetness and some nuts.

FINISH: It is a complex whisky with a long finish. It ends in notes of spice and oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A surprising mouthful of taste for a 3 yo whisky. It is probably one of the youngest whiskies in my collection, but this shows that age is not always a predictor of quality. It is a whisky that England can be proud of. I will certainly extend my collection with a few more bottles from this distillery when I get the chance.

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Glenfiddich 18 year old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/28/2014

In Single Malt whisky

The Glenfiddich distillery is one of my favourite distilleries, and I have quite a few bottles from this distillery. Today I talk about the Glenfiddich 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

Located in Dufftown in the Speyside region of Scotland, the distillery was founded in 1886. Glenfiddich is one of three William Grant-owned whisky distilleries which sit in relative proximity to each other.

Glenfiddich was the first distillery with a visitor centre. The differently shaped Glenfiddich has become one of the world’s best selling single malts. The distinctive triangular-shaped bottles have been a Glenfiddich feature since 1957.

The shape and packaging were introduced during the difficult times’ whisky producers faced in the 60s and 70s. Today, partly because of these innovations, Glenfiddich remains one of the few distillers still in family ownership.

My bottle of Glenfiddich 18 year old is a 1L bottle from Glenfiddich’s core range, and it was matured in a mix of Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon casks.

Every batch is individually numbered, and I have a bottle from batch no 3104. The prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2005 and 2006 judged it to be the best 18 year old Scottish whisky in the world.

I have previously tasted the Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky and rated it Excellent. It is one of my favourite whiskies for when there are guests who are new to whisky. The Glenfiddich 15 year old Solero Reserve is also a favourite in my house.

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Glenfiddich 18 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden colour. It hints at a rich experience ahead. However, it is not a very oily whisky.

NOSE: In terms of the nose, the oak and fresh apple notes intertwine with barley and cereals. There is a definite sweetness of dried fruits and hints of toffee in the background. The 18 yo has a fairly complex nose.

PALATE: Tasting the whisky after adding a few drops of water brings notes of oak, barley and cereal. There is a mild spice note on the palate. It seems like an extraordinary smooth whisky. There are notes of sweet fruit cake and Christmas pudding with some warming cinnamon spice at the end. Some roast nuts come through. It is a layered whisky that takes time to unpack fully.

FINISH: Long and lingering with lots of spice. A lingering spicy finish with mild nuts and toffee at the end.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Glenfiddich 18 year old single malt has a wonderfully complex nose and an easy-drinking and relaxing whisky. Just what you expect from Glenfiddich. I am delighted that I have a 1-litre bottle of this Glenfiddich expression because I certainly would want to have another glass or two.

The price for the Glenfiddich 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky is around $105 or £68.

Playing around with this release, I paired it with a Brebirousse d’Argental cheese. Not a bad pairing to try. I have also compared this release with the Glenmorangie 18 year old whisky to see how these two iconic 18 year old’s stack against each other.

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Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/02/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Up to about 18 months ago, Taiwanese whisky was not available in South Africa. On a business trip to London during 2013, John popped into the Whisky Exchange in London. This splendid emporium of whisky is a regular stop when we are in London. John took the opportunity to acquire a few whiskies, including the Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon cask single malt whisky.

Distilled by the King Car Group, the whisky was named after the Kavalan people. They are seen as the indigenous people of Taiwan. Legend has it that the Kavalan arrived by sea from the East.

When they saw the stunning beauty of the Island, they decided to settle in the bountiful land that later became Taiwan. Who would have thought that a country usually associated with electronics would be able to produce a drinkable whisky?

Solist is German, meaning a musician in a concert who performs a solo piece. The Solist range refers to the fact that this expression is from Kavalan’s single cask releases. The Kavalan range has a musical theme that flows through more releases, such as the ConcertMaster.

The whisky is matured in hand-selected American ex-bourbon casks. It has been awarded the Best Rest of the World Single Malt Whisky 2010 and International Spirits Challenge’s gold medal 2010.

The Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon single malt whisky is bottled at cask strength and is non-chill-filtered.

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Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Whisky Review

I have Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon cask bottle no 178 of 228 from cask no B080616020.

COUNTRY: Taiwan

ABV: 57.1%

COLOUR: Rich golden yellow.

NOSE: Deep rich sherry with some vanilla and spices. The Solist show hints of caramel sweetness and dried fruit. Adding a few drops of water allows the smoothness to come through.

PALATE: Bourbon sweetness with fresh cherries. There are nuances of dried fruit, toffee balanced perfectly with spices. The Kavalan shows bits of oak and vanilla in the background. A smooth, complex whisky that makes you want to have another glass.

FINISH: Long and lingering and hugely satisfying.

RATING: DIVINE

The first words I captured on my tasting notes for the Kavalan Solist ex-bourbon cask was “WOW”! Regardless of the high ABV, it is incredibly smooth and amazingly drinkable. You don’t need water; there is no alcohol heat.

The Solist ex-bourbon cask was my Whisky of the Year for 2013! Lately, there has been an influx of releases from this amazing distillery into SA, and I hope to add to my collection soon with a few more bottles. If you buy one bottle of whisky only this year, this is the one to get. It is so worth it.

I have also paired this special dram with some dark chocolate enrobed cherries, and it was a match made in heaven.

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