Whisky of the Week

An intriguing name for a Scottish whisky – Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whisky. The name stems from the shoulder strain (often temporary) that maltmen experienced due to the repetitive hand-turning of barley during the whisky-making process.

Monkey Shoulder whisky, crafted by Speyside legends William Grant & Sons, is a blended malt whisky that embodies the spirit of Scottish tradition and innovation.

This spirit is meticulously produced using malt from the company’s three prestigious Dufftown distilleries: Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, and Kininvie. All three malts are aged in first-fill bourbon casks before being expertly blended in small batches, with 27 casks coming together to create the magic.

I have tasted many Glenfiddich and Balvenie expressions. Kininvie is, however, not quite as well known. Kininvie, one of Scotland’s youngest distilleries, began its journey on July 4, 1990, nestled within the grounds of the Balvenie distillery.

While Kininvie boasts computer-controlled distillation, it notably lacks its own mash house. The age-old tradition of hand turning is still honoured by the Balvenie maltmen.

The bottle proudly displays three metal monkeys on its shoulder, symbolizing the three distilleries contributing to this exceptional blend.

Monkey Shoulder whisky has garnered critical acclaim, with Jim Murray awarding it an impressive 93 points in his Whisky Bible and a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards in 2013.

Approximately 10% of my whisky collection comprises bottles from The Balvenie and Glenfiddich distilleries, making Monkey Shoulder blended malt a fitting addition to my lineup.

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Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review

REGION: Speyide

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark golden. It is a very thick and oily whisky.

NOSE: The nose has notes of bourbon sweetness, fruitcake, toffee, and vanilla notes; this whisky offers an exquisite drinking experience. Oak and cereals float past, and with the addition of a bit of water, there are hints of fresh cut-flowers.

PALATE: On the palate, Monkey Shoulder delights with a creamy texture and subtle notes of barley, cereals, spices, honey sweetness, and vanilla. It’s an easy-drinking whisky that will leave you yearning for a second glass.

FINISH: The finish is medium long, leaving a beautiful, warming sensation with hints of spice and caramelized nuts.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whisky is an outstanding standalone spirit and an excellent base for crafting cocktails. As the holiday season approaches, it will undoubtedly find a prominent place on my cocktail menu.

I’ve even acquired the Kininvie 17 year old expression, completing my trio of distilleries contributing to this fine dram’s magic.

I played around with a chocolate pairing. I found that Monkey Shoulder whisky proved a robust and versatile companion, beautifully complementing the sweet indulgence of Caramello chocolate.

Cheers to the perfect blend of tradition and innovation in every sip of Monkey Shoulder whisky!

The Monkey Shoulder is available around the world and the price is around R450 in South Africa, £24 in the UK and ₹ 3,990 in India.

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Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/20/2021

In Irish Whiskey

Like the vibrant green spirit of Saint Patrick’s Day, Tullamore DEW Irish whiskey proudly wears its distinctive green label. This Irish whiskey is one of the quintessential choices to pay homage to this cherished Irish celebration.

Tullamore DEW, a well-known Irish whiskey brand, is owned by William Grant & Sons. They also own the Glenfiddich and Balvenie distilleries. The Tullamore distillery traces back to 1829 when Michael Molloy founded the distillery in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. Following Molloy’s passing, the distillery found itself in the capable hands of the Daly family.

Interestingly, it was during the tenure of Daniel E. Williams as General Manager that the iconic DEW initials came into play, derived from his name. Quite the revelation, as many of us might have assumed it stood for dew, that glistening morning moisture on exposed surfaces.

This rich tapestry of Irish whiskey heritage continued to evolve, with the brand changing hands several times, ultimately being acquired by William Grant in 2010. Like the shamrock with its three leaves, Tullamore DEW’s distillation process also unfolds in threes.

The whiskey undergoes triple distillation, blending, and cask maturation. These casks include traditional refill, ex-bourbon, and ex-sherry casks, each imparting its unique character to the final product.

As for the tasting experience, let’s dive into the flavours of Tullamore DEW Irish whiskey:

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Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey Review

Looking at my tasting notes, this is only the 3rd Irish whiskey that I have tasted in the last 4 years.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: A dark amber.

NOSE: A blend of vanilla and caramel greets the senses, accompanied by subtle notes of fresh flowers, butterscotch, and hints of citrus, reminiscent of subtropical fruits. In the backdrop, a delicate interplay of spice, moss, and wood adds depth. After adding water, the spice and wood elements take centre stage.

PALATE: Abundant notes of spice and oak dominate, intermingling with touches of grapefruit and lemon rind. A subtle toffee sweetness and hints of malt dance in the background, but the peppery spice starts to overwhelm. A drop of water tempers some of the whiskey’s fiery aspects, offering a smoother experience.

FINISH: Rather short and end in spicy notes.

RATING: VERY GOOD

My experience with Irish whiskies may be limited, but I anticipated a smoother, more approachable whiskey. Surprisingly, the spiciness of Tullamore DEW Irish whiskey takes centre stage, eclipsing other flavour notes. The spice and the oak nearly drown out the sweetness.

Due to the spicy nature, it pairs wonderfully with cheese, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on this Irish classic. I indulged in some Tullamore DEW alongside some Irish Dubliner cheese. The synergy between the whiskey and cheese was nothing short of lovely.

Tullamore DEW amplified the vanilla sweetness of the cheese while the cheese softened the peppery notes. The cheese lent its creamy texture to the whiskey, enhancing the woody undertones for a harmonious duet on the palate.

As a bonus, I conducted a lively side-by-side comparison between Tullamore DEW and Jameson whiskey to uncover their distinctive charms.

Also Read: Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 yo whisky

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2018 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/13/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

I am ending the year with my favourite Scottish fisherman; my last tasting notes for 2021 being for the Big Peat Christmas 2018 Edition blended malt Scotch whisky. Big Peat blended whisky needs no introduction; he has been a regular and welcome visitor on the blog over the last couple of years.

The Big Peat Cape Town Edition is one of my all-time favourite drams, and the Big Peat 26 year old Platinum Edition whisky is just as delicious. Since 2011, Douglas Laing has released a yearly limited edition of Big Peat to celebrate the festive season.

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The 2018 label features Big Peat dressed as a Santa, trying to shimmy his way down a chimney. However, it seems that he got a bit stuck. The expression on this face is, as always, comically serious. The bright red and white labelling and packaging stand out between the more traditional bottles and look festive and tempting.

The 2018 edition is a blended malt small batch recipe that uses 7 Islay malts. Non-chill-filtered naturally coloured and bottled at a cask strength of 53.9%. The distilleries used in the blend include Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, and Port Ellen.

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2018 Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 53.9%

COLOUR: Light golden straw

NOSE: Smoke, BBQ, earthy peat, tarry coal; all the Islay notes you come to expect from Big Peat. It is interlaced with a honey sweetness and some malt. The nose is lovely and balanced and not overwhelming or intimidating. Bits of BBQ spice and hints of dried pineapple and salted caramel. Just beautiful and warming.

PALATE: Soft and smooth with no alcohol heat! At 53%, you don’t have to add any water. Warming coriander and cumin, peat, smoke, with oak and bits of autumn fruit drizzled with honey. Hints of vanilla and dried salty seaweed. Wildflowers with bits of malt. Very oily and thick. It took me 3 glasses before I got around to add water. It is just perfection.

FINISH: Lingering with hints of peat, honey and mild warming pepper.

RATING: DIVINE

What a divine way to end this crazy Covid year’s tastings. This dram put a HUGE smile on both my and John’s faces. The BBQ notes remind me a bit of the Big Peat Cape Town Edition, but this release has a more flower honey sweetness to it.

It is rich and complex with enough Islay notes to impress peat lovers but is accessible enough for a Speyside lover as well. It has a superb balance between earthy and sweet notes, a perfect way to end the year.

I need to get my hands on more of the Christmas Editions. Looking at the 2021 Christmas Edition, Big Peat is enjoying a spot of sledding. I don’t think that edition will make it to our South African shores, but I will certainly look out for it when we travel again (one day).

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Paul John PX Select Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/06/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Something sweet to start December on; the Paul John PX Select Cask Indian single malt whisky. Sherry reminds me of December and my Dutch grandmother. During the festive season, she enjoyed a late afternoon sherry on the patio.

They were usually quite sweet, and in my mind, the smell of sherry became associated with Gauteng summer evenings, purple Hydrangeas, bright red Poinsettias and long chats.

When Hector from WhiskyShop gifted me a sample of the Paul John PX Cask whisky, I realised it was the perfect dram to open at the beginning of December and the start of the Festive season. All the sherry to bring back special memories.

Paul John has released two sherry cask single malt whiskies as part of its Select Cask series. These drams were finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks, respectively. Oloroso and PX are just two of the various sherry varietals.

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Fino is the driest, PX is the sweetest, and Oloroso falls about in the middle. Oloroso typically has caramel, walnut, and deep fruit notes. I will capture my tasting notes on the Oloroso early next year. Pedro Ximénez is sweeter, and you’ll get flavours like toffee, fig, raisin, and molasses.

Paul John makes use of six-row barley for their whisky. The six-row barley has a higher fibre and protein content when compared to the more traditional two-row barley. More proteins in the barley translate to more fatty acids in the liquid that adds to the whisky’s character.

This Paul John PX Cask whisky was first aged for about 5 years in 1st fill ex-Bourbon barrels before spending 2 years in the PX casks. It is a NAS release. The Paul John Pedro Ximénez Cask is not chill-filtered.

Paul John PX Select Cask Whisky Review

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 48%

COLOUR: Dark Copper

NOSE: Sherry sweetness, raisins, dried stone fruit with bits of wood and Christmas Cake. Hints of muscadel wine and ripe plums. Sweet, rich and complex. Delicious!

PALATE: Drying oak with nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. The sweetness comes through on the second sip with raisins, dried cherries and bits of dark chocolate. Freshly buttered toast with orange marmalade and black pepper. Toasted nuts and warm bread pudding. A maltiness in the background. Water softens the spices but takes away the complexity. Despite the higher ABV, the Paul John PX Cask does not need any water.

FINISH: Long and lasting with cinnamon and orange peel sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

This is a sipping whisky. An after-dinner dram to savour and sip slowly. Especially in winter, this Indian whisky will warm you up from the inside. It is not a whisky for beginners. It is complex and heavy, and you need to take your time with this. Even at a 48% ABV, you don’t need to add water. Rich and delicious, I can’t wait for winter to relax with this dram. A beautiful release.

Other expressions of Paul John whisky include Paul John Nirvana, Paul John Brilliance, Paul John Bold, and Select Cask Classic and Select Cask Peated. The Paul John Pedro Ximénez Select Cask Whisky retails for R 1700. I spotted some at the WhiskyShop.

During my visit to the WhiskyShop, I also spotted the Paul John Christmas Edition. I have tasted this beauty, and it is also a dram worth adding to your festive wish list.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky sample from WhiskyShop. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Waterford The Cuvée Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/29/2021

In Irish Whiskey

Terroir has been a hot topic in whisky chats again lately, especially since the launch of Waterford The Cuvée Irish single malt whisky. Two weeks ago, I wrote about the Cooladine Edition 1.1 release. This whisky is from Mark Reynier’s new Irish distillery, where the main focus is on the barley.

They meticulously document the barley, the weather, the soil conditions and a host of other factors that influence the growth of the barley.

It makes for fascinating reading for someone who grew up in the city. The barley from each individual farm is distilled separately and allocated to a country. SA has the Cooladine and Knockroe releases.

In 2021, inspired by the terroir of France’s wine-making region Bordeaux, Waterford launched its flagship single malt, The Cuvée Irish whisky. For this release, they applied the same methodology as the famous wine-making region to create something unique. Cuvée is a fancy-sounding word that indicates the liquid, the whisky, is a blend.

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Head Distiller Ned Gahan blended together 25 individually distilled single farm origins whiskies. These whiskies cover a broad spectrum of natural flavours defined by Ireland’s soils and micro climates.

The whisky is bottled in Waterford’s distinctive blue bottle and features a label designed by Leah Hewson, one of Ireland’s leading visual artists.

Waterford The Cuvée single malt Irish whiskey is a flagship bottling and will be available globally. The cask composition is a big percentage first fill US and virgin US, and also some premium French and Vin Doux Naturel.

Waterford The Cuvée Whisky Review

Waterford The Cuvée single malt is bottled with no chill-filtration and no colouring.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Honey sweetness, peaches, apricots and white oak. Bits of vanilla, biscuits, with green pine and mixed fruit. Subtle but complex and lovely.

PALATE: Freshly baked oats crunchies (a classic SA cookie) with honey sweetness. Cinnamon and vanilla with bits of creamy chocolate and malt. Fresh summer fruit with cereals and hints of white pepper and lemon. Smooth and drinkable. Water brings more oranges and pectin to the front.

FINISH: The honey and pepper spicy notes alternate in the finish. Bits of drying oak and lemon. Clean and fresh.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Layered and complex and even at 50% ABV, it is very drinkable without water. Add water carefully as it brought a lot of pectin to the forefront. The malty and honey notes were very similar to the Cooladine release I tasted not so long ago. An exciting release to have in your collection, especially if you like something novel.

The beautiful blue bottle stands out on the shelf. It is now available in South Africa through Navigate World Whisky, and it retails for around R1 495.

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Sample disclosure: I received this whisky sample from Navigate World Whisky. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.