Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Whisky

A couple of weeks ago, The House of Fine Whisky at Checkers unveiled its latest addition. Something exceptional.  A Proudly South African release. The Checkers Private Barrel Co. frequently makes an appearance here on my blog.

The Private Barrel Co No. 41 and Private Barrel Co no 68 is a firm favourite in my house, and their Distillery releases always promise something unusual. They have even released a Private Barrel Co no 108 – a 3 yo Irish whiskey.

This is the first South African whisky to join the exclusive Private Barrel Co. collection of whiskies. And it is a single malt from the award-winning James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington.

The James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky a slightly peated single malt that spent its first 3 years in older American oak, followed by 3 years in a seasoned Fino cask. During the beginning of 2017, the Checkers team got the approval to go ahead with the project.

On the 23rd of August 2017, they made the selection, and it has been released into the trade during June 2018. I have a suspicion that by the end of August 2018, this release will have sold out.

Only 677 bottles of the Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask is available, so this whisky is set to become a collector’s item. Fortunately, I managed to get my hand on two bottles, 1 to taste now and 1 to keep for a special occasion.

All the bottles carry the signature of master distiller Andy Watts who was recently awarded the 2018 Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky World Master Distiller / Master Blender of the Year award.

Another thing worth noting: This is the highest ABV to ever come out of the James Sedgwick Distillery. Both the  Three Ships PX Cask and the Three Ships Pinotage Cask was bottled at 46.2% and the Three Ships 10 yo is bottled at 44.6%. So this  54.6% ABV is rather respectable.

James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask Whisky Review

This is bottle 112 / 677

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 54.6%

COLOUR: Deep mahogany, a similar colour than the Aberlour A’Bunadh whisky.

NOSE: A basket of mixed fruit berries (berries of the forest or in Dutch, bosbessen). Blackberries, juicy cherries and blueberries. Brandy soaked raisins. Sweetness floating in the background. Hints of creme brûlée with the faintest hint of cinnamon.

PALATE: The palate is spicier than the nose suggested. Rich chocolate cherry flavours with cinnamon and bit of vanilla. It’s chewy and delicious. The spice is not overwhelming, but warming and beautiful. The mouthfeel is creamy, and there is this suggestion of lightly toasted macadamia nuts.

The addition of water transforms this and releases more of the sherry sweetness. It’s chewy, delicious and fun drinking. Easy on the palette and super smooth.

FINISH: The finish is a little short, but that could be me just being super greedy on not wanting this pleasant taste to end.  There are notes of light pepper and fruity berries with a nutty flavour.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a beautiful whisky. Perfectly balanced, rich and satisfying with a very decent ABV. This release shows why Andy is one of the top Master Distillers in the world. And I know that there are more where this comes from. This is a limited release that is probably flying off the shop floor. If you have not got your hands on this, go quickly.

Pick n Pay also jumped on the single cask band wagon and released a Three Ships Virgin Oak bottling.

Comparing the Three Ships 10 yo PX Cask and the James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask Whisky

My ‘official’ Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask tasting happened on Friday, as usual. However, Saturday afternoon, while sitting next to the braai keeping an eye on the World Cup Soccer Iceland vs Argentina game, we decided to try a side by side comparison.

We did a blind tasting in my green Ardbeg glasses. The 6 yo Fino is so much darker than the PX Cask, and these were the only glasses I have that could hide the colour difference.

Even on a blind tasting, these two whiskies are so different – its unbelievable. Both from the same distillery, both finished in sherry, but two very different drams. A Pedro Ximénez sherry versus a Fino sherry.

The Three Ships PX cask has more spice, peat and smoke with light fruit cake notes.  The James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask is sweeter with soaked Christmas pudding notes and a more woody finish. Both delicious and very difficult to choose a favourite.

These beautiful drams are a great testament to the craftsmanship of a world-class Master Distiller. A skill that needs to be celebrated. How special would it be if Distell could celebrate the 5th consecutive Gold medal in the New York International Spirits Competition for Bain’s whisky and release some of the older casks (such as the 15 yo Bain’s release) as a limited release?

Or celebrate their Master Distiller winning the Top Icon of Whisky Master Distillers Award by releasing a few more of his extraordinary creations as limited editions.  We can but hope!

Also Read: Mackinlay’s Whisky