Firstwatch Whisky

It is my first blend for 2017, the Firstwatch whisky. This year, I want to do something a bit different. It is great to try some of the more expensive blends available, and over the years, I have managed to taste quite a few exciting (and costly) blends.

However, the higher-priced blends are not always worth it, and I was wondering if some of the inexpensive blends are worthwhile. So this year, in terms of blended whisky, I am drinking my way through the bottom of the budget.

I am looking for a whisky that retails for less than R250 per bottle. In currency terms, that is drinkable whisky for around $18 or £15. Some of the whiskies in this category I have tried include the Teacher’s and the Cutty Sark blended whisky.

And there are plenty of whiskies in this price range. Walk into your local bottle store, and there is a long row of inexpensive whiskies. But how do you choose between these whiskies? There are seldom tasting notes for them.

How do you know that spending your hard-earned money on a cheap whisky will not leave you with indigestion? So, I will be doing to hard work for you. It’s a dirty job, but someone has got to do it!

I saw a big billboard in Johannesburg while I was driving and it advertised the FirstWatch Selected Extra Fine Imported whisky. It is bottled for the  company E Snell, that also import Glenfiddich and Balvenie to SA, so I decided to start here.

There is not much information available on this blend. Some desktop research revealed that FirstWatch whisky is a blend of imported rye and cereal grain whiskies. A Canadian whisky, Firstwatch is distilled, blended and matured in Canada before being bottled in South Africa.

The Firstwatch whisky has been matured for at least 3 years, and it was awarded gold medals at both IWSC and ISC in 2015. It might have some potential.

Also Read: Drayman’s Solera Whisky

Firstwatch Whisky Review

Rye whisky culture is not well established in SA. However, it might be interesting to see how many of the more spicy rye notes come through. Firstwatch is a Canadian whisky available only in South Africa.
ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark golden amber

NOSE: Overwhelming caramel, artificial caramel. It reminds me of the little hard corn syrup sweets a waiter brings with your bill. After letting the glass breath for a bit, notes of vanilla and toffee come through.

PALATE: After the sweet nose, I was expecting a sweet taste, but the palate was surprisingly spicy. Overwhelming notes of pepper and nutmeg with an alcohol burn.

There is very little of the sweetness from the nose translated onto the palate. Without water, the FirstWatch whisky has quite a light body. Adding water brings out some sweetness and soothes the spices and alcohol burn, but makes it very thin drinking.

FINISH: Medium length ending on spice and artificial caramel

RATING: GOOD

I bought this Firstwatch in the hope of finding an affordable alternative to the more expensive rye whiskies. This, however, is not it. It is not a bad whisky. I have tasted far worse. And at R114 per bottle, definitely bang for your buck. John called this “cooking whisky”. The rye notes however is nowhere to be seen.

If you are looking for some alcohol to cook or to flambé with, but don’t want to ruin the food, this release is perfect. Looking for some affordable whisky to add to you mixer, sure, go ahead. I have seen the First Watch whisky at Pick n Pay and Checkers.

If you want to sit down and enjoy a whisky neat or investigate some rye whisky, this is not the one. There are many more affordable blends that will better serve this purpose.

Also Read: Milk & Honey Classic Whisky