Whisky of the Week

Jack Daniels Apple Tennessee Whiskey Liqueur

On 07/10/2023

Today I look at the Jack Daniels Apple Tennessee whiskey liqueur. While travelling in Canada a couple of years ago, seeing all the flavoured whiskey liqueurs readily available was interesting.

There were whisky liqueurs from Crown Royal and Jim Beam with maple syrup and apple flavours. And later, I also spotted Bacon and Peanut Butter infused whiskey.

In South Africa, flavoured whiskey liqueur is less popular, and we have only been able to get honey and cinnamon flavoured. Both Jack Daniel’s Fire and Firewater (Fireball) liqueur is/was available. I have seen (and tasted) a locally made chilli-flavoured whisky a couple of years ago, but the less said about that, the better.

I was excited when I spotted Jack Daniel’s Apple Tennessee whiskey liqueur in a supermarket in Tamarin. The hubby just frowned.

Not strictly a whiskey at a 35% ABV with green apple flavouring added, but something fun to try nevertheless.

Jack Daniel’s brought out the Tennessee Honey in 2011 and followed that with the Tennessee Fire a few years later. I like the Honey release as a sipping liqueur in summer over ice; it is excellent for cocktails.

The Tennessee Apple Tennessee whiskey was released in 2019. It’s the standard Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 with tangy green apple.

Also Read: How to make a whisky bottle lamp

Jack Daniels Apple Tennessee Whiskey Liqueur Review

TYPE: Apple-flavoured liqueur

ABV: 35%

COLOUR: Golden mahogany

NOSE: Crispy fresh Granny Smith apples with bits of vanilla and oak. Quite sweet and not very complex.

PALATE: Fruity sweetness, vanilla and oak. The green apple is subdued on the palate. Hints of Old No 7 come through with bits of cherry and caramel. Smooth and easy drinking.

FINISH: Short and sweet with hints of white pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Not the most complex drink, but it was not meant to be. The Tennessee Apple is a fun, light, delicious play on Jack Daniels and apples. If you love all things Jack, it is a great bottle to have on your drinks trolley and is perfect for a summer BBQ and cocktails.

I hope that it makes its way to South Africa at some stage. It retails for around Rs 2 500 in Mauritius, and I see it online for about $27 in the USA and around £29 on Amazon in the UK. But that is for a 1 L bottle. Now to try the Jack Fire as well.

Also Read: Shackleton Whisky

Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/03/2023

In Whisky Comparison

Ardbeg 10 year old whisky vs An Oa single malt Whisky comparison
From the peat capital of the world, another peated side-by-side comparison; the Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa single malt Scotch whisky.

Both are from the Islay-based distillery, part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) stable. Both these releases are part of the Ardbeg core range, together with the Uigeadail and the Corryvrecken single malt whisky.

The Ardbeg distillery is situated on the south coast of the isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, in the Inner Hebrides group of islands. The distillery uses malted barley sourced from the maltings in Port Ellen. The distillery has been producing whisky commercials since 1815.

Every year, the distillery celebrates Ardbeg Day; this year, it fell on the 3rd of June. The distillery releases an annual Ardbeg Day bottling, and I have tasted many of these releases.

For the 2023 Ardbeg Day, the release was distilled without a purifier. A purifier is responsible for Ardbeg’s balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness. The Ardbeg Day release was called “Heavy Vapours”, and the release was available worldwide in limited quantities.

But today, I look at the two entry-level drams side by side.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs Talisker 10 yo Whisky

Ardbeg 10 year old Whisky

Ardbeg 10 yo whisky with glass

The Ardbeg 10 year old is a heavily peated single malt Scotch, aged for ten years in American oak barrels with no chill filtration. It is peated to between 55 to 65 ppm. Enthusiasts see the Ardbeg 10 year old as one of the peatiest, smokiest drams.

Ardbeg An Oa Whisky

Ardbeg An Oa whisky with glass

The Ardbeg An Oa single malt whisky was the first addition to the core range since 2009, and Ardbeg named this release after the Mull of Oa in the southwest of Islay. The Mull forms the most southerly point of Islay.

The Ardbeg An Oa single malt was aged in a combination of PX casks, charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon casks. These casks were then married in a French oak marrying vat before being bottled. It has no age statement.

Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa Single Malt Whisky

Comparison ardbeg 10 yo vs An Oa whisky

	Ardbeg 10 yo whisky	Ardbeg An Oa whisky
ABV	46%	46.6%
Region	Islay Whisky	Islay Whisky
Peat Level	55 to 65 ppm	50 - 60 ppm
Colour	Pale Straw with green hints	Light gold
Nose	Peat and smoke with hints of vanilla, sea salt and citrus sweetness. It is not overwhelming but inviting and intriguing.	Peat, creamy honey, salted liquorice with hints of cough syrup. In the middle sweet vanilla floats about mingling with bits of toasted nuts and pine needles. It’s complex, subtle and different all at once. Faint smoke lurks around.
Palate	After the initial peat, some warming citrus and hints of vanilla. It continues to bring you hints of coffee and a bit of iodine. This Ardbeg 10 yo is a big whisky but not overwhelming at all.	Ash, peat, soft honey, sweet vanilla and cinnamon sugar, hints of chocolate and toasted oak. Faint hints of lemon pepper. It’s smooth and velvety. Water softens the few rough edges and adds more sweetness.
Finish	What an epic finish! You will remember the Ardbeg 10 yo long after you have emptied the glass.	Smoothly with a long and lingering finish that hug and comfort you like a favourite jersey. Filled with sweetness and bits of nut.
My Rating	Excellent	Divine
Comments	Complex and well balanced	Rich and comforting. Just perfection.
Price	$65	$65
Pairs well with	Garlic leg of Lamb or a charcuterie platter	Strong Cheese, salmon sashimi and pulled pork

This side-by-side tasting is so tricky. We did the tasting blind to see if we could guess which one was which. You can work it out if you sit down and think about it. The An Oa has more vanilla, chocolate and nutty notes than the 10 year old. Both are big, bold drams and just delicious.

The citrus notes in the Ardbeg 10 year old whisky are more pronounced and have a smoother mouth feel. The peat, coffee and iodine wrap around you like a warming blanket. It has a bold finish that stays with you long after the glass is empty.

The Ardbeg An Oa whisky has a creamier mouthfeel, reminding me of burnt butter. It is sweeter on the palate with more pronounced green pine notes. The peat is softer and more elegant when next to the 10 yo. The finish is also smoother and slightly richer.

My sweeter palate enjoyed the An Oa more, but hubby preferred the Ardbeg 10 year old whisky. Regardless, both are a worthy addition to my collection.

I have also done a side by side comparison between the Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Uigeadail whisky to see where they differ.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs Lagavulin 16 yo whisky

How to make a Pina Colada

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/26/2023

In Cocktails

pina colada Cocktail
Here on the island, fruit and veggies grow in abundance. Due to the fertile volcanic soil, there is always fresh produce available on the market. Depending on the season, lychee, mango, dragonfruit, papaya, coconut, or pineapple frequently make it home with us.

Add in delicious local rum and you have endless cocktail opportunities just waiting to happen. Just like a mojito, the pina colada is one of the cocktails that shout tropical island.

The recipe include a mix of pineapple juice, coconut cream, and rum. It is served either blended or shaken with ice, garnished with a pineapple wedge. It is the perfect cocktail to make at home with the current abundance of pineapples and coconuts available.

The pina colada comes from Puerto Rico and enthusiasts can’t quite agree who created the first one. According to some research, the cocktail was created in 1954 by Ramon “Monchito” Marrero, the head barman at the Caribe Hilton in old San Juan.

Other sources claim that the pina colada dates back to the 1800s when Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí served the drink to his crew to boost morale.

pina colada cocktail recipe
Also Read: Negroni Cocktail

Regardless of who created it, the pina colada is delicious and has become popular globally. It has even become Puerto Rico’s National drink.

The name translated means “strained pineapple”, a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the cocktail.

Variations on the theme

There are many variations on the theme and some interesting combinations include:

Angostura colada – with angostura bitters, and lime juice, topped with whipped cream.
Virgin pina colada – without the rum, the non-alcoholic version.
Scotsman colada – substitute whisky for rum.
Blue Hawaiian – adding blue Curaçao for a distinctive colour.

The original recipe included heavy cream that I have chosen to exclude. There are also various rum-to-juice ratios and I again have chosen the one that works best for me. You can play around with the rum-to-juice ratio to find something that suits your taste. But now, lets look at how to make a pina colada.
pina colada cocktail header

Pina Colada Recipe

Ingredients

120ml pineapple juice
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
wedge of pineapple, to garnish (optional)
Ice

Method

Pulse all the ingredients with a handful of ice in a blender until smooth.
Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a wedge of pineapple.

Also Read: Whiskey Sour Cocktail

Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/19/2023

In Irish Whiskey

Today I try the last of the Dunville samples and it seems that I left the best for last. The remaining sample was the Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish blended Irish whiskey. The original Three Crowns brand was introduced in the 1830s and it was around for about 100 years before being discontinued.

I wrote about the history of the Three Crowns brand and the Echlinville distillery when I captured my tasting notes for the 12 yo PX Cask and the Three Crowns Peated whiskey and you can read all about it on those blog posts.

Also Read: Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 Whisky

This distillery is also not a stranger to winning awards. During March 23, Dunville’s won two major awards at the World Whiskies Awards in London. The Dunville’s 21 year old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish single malt was named Ireland’s Best single malt and the PX 20 year old Cask Strength, Cask 1644 won Ireland’s Best Single Cask whiskey award.

The Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish is a blended whiskey made up of a 4 year old single grain, 10 year old single malt and a 15 year old single malt finished in Oloroso casks.

Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Irish Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 43,5%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Yummy. Red orchard fruit sweetness with bits of malt, raisins, and brown sugar. A gentle floral note in the background with bits of vanilla and nutmeg.

PALATE: Creamy oak, sherry, orchid fruits, nutmeg, and hints of green pepper. A walnut note mixed with some malt and dried orange. Smooth, rich, and bold. Water softens the boldness and complexity. You don’t need to add any water.

FINISH: The finish has notes of drying oak, sherries fruits, vanilla, and pepper. Warming you from the inside out. Long and lingering.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish is a lovely release! Rich with a chewy mouthfeel that will be ideal for winter. Perfect for the sherry-finish whisky enthusiast. I enjoyed it more than the Peated and the 12 yo PX cask whiskey.

It is the bottle I will buy for myself and would encourage you to try. Serve it in a cognac glass on a winter’s evening next to a camel throne fire. A lovely sipping dram.

It is available in South Africa. I saw it at WhiskyShop and it retails for around R1100 as well as at Cutler Drinks.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the Truman & Orange team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whiskey.

Also Read: Waterford The Cuvée Whisky

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/12/2023

In Bourbon whiskey

In the bourbon world, few names carry the weight of tradition and history, like Bulleit bourbon Frontier whiskey. This remarkable spirit traces its roots back to a 150-year-old family recipe. The recipe was created by Augustus Bulleit, the great-great-grandfather of the brand’s founder, Tom Bulleit.

The story begins in the mid-19th century when Augustus crafted a distinctive rye whiskey, using a blend of 67% rye and 33% corn, right in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, between 1830 and 1860.

Tom Bulleit’s journey to resurrect this extraordinary family legacy was a winding one. He first served in the US Marine Corps and then pursued a career in law. Yet, the dream of recreating his ancestor’s recipe never left him.

In 1987, he took the plunge and created a small batch bourbon that would bear the iconic family name. To ensure it qualified as a true bourbon, the mash bill was adjusted to 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley.

One of the first things that capture your attention about Bulleit bourbon is its distinctive bottle shape. Modelled after antique medicine bottles, it features raised lettering and an askew label, reminiscent of how it might have appeared in the 1860s. In 1997, Seagram acquired the Bulleit brand, setting the stage for its continued journey.

Following various acquisitions, the Bulleit brand now rests under the ownership of Diageo, and its production takes place at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

Related Article: Uncle Nearest 1856 whiskey

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 45%

COLOUR: Light amber

NOSE: Bulleit bourbon greets your senses with a spicy punch upfront, departing from the usual sweetness associated with traditional bourbons. In the background, hints of sticky toffee pudding and vanilla bean emerge. With time, a subtle caramel note weaves into the aromatic tapestry.

PALATE: This bourbon is a rich, chewy experience, brimming with spice that never overwhelms. Beyond the initial spice, you’ll discover notes of toffee caramel, vanilla, and a touch of wood. In the background is subtle hints of orange and freshly baked sugar biscuits.

Even when water is added, Bulleit bourbon maintains its frontier spirit, becoming smoother and slightly sweeter, all while retaining its robust character.

FINISH: The finish is delightful – long, lingering, and memorable. It stays with you well after you’ve savoured the last drop, boasting bold notes of mild spice and subtle hints of oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a lovely bourbon. The first sip brings spices and pepper, but on sip two, the toffee, vanilla and oak move forward. It has a lovely balance without any overwhelming elements.

Bulleit bourbon departs from the familiar sweetness found in traditional counterparts. Its uniqueness lies in its unparalleled flavour profile, making it a standout choice for those seeking something extraordinary.

Bulleit bourbon frontier whiskey is readily available in South Africa and is typically priced at around R 400. A great affordable bourbon whiskey. In the USA, you can find it for approximately $42. I have seen it on Amazon for around £32.

And if you’re intrigued by Bulleit bourbon whiskey, don’t miss the opportunity to explore its sibling, Bulleit Rye whiskey.

Side by Side Comparisons

I’ve undertaken a side-by-side comparison between Bulleit and Woodford Reserve bourbon, shedding light on their nuanced differences. In my final tasting experience of 2021, I set Bulleit bourbon alongside Buffalo Trace bourbon, aiming to determine which one captures my preference.

I have also done a side by side comparison between the Bulleit Rye and Bulleit bourbon to see how the mash bill profile changes the taste.

Also Read: Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye whiskey