Whisky of the Week

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

On 11/22/2021

Woodford Reserve, a celebrated brand of small-batch Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey, holds a cherished place in the heart of bourbon aficionados. It’s a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the oldest distillers in the Kentucky county.

This iconic bourbon’s history traces back to 1797 when Elijah Pepper, a visionary distiller, began crafting small quantities of whiskey and erected a distillery.

Following Elijah’s passing in 1831, his son Oscar Pepper assumed the distillery’s reins, leading to its rebranding as “The Oscar Pepper Distillery.” Oscar Pepper’s profound decision was to enlist the expertise of Dr. James Crow as the head distiller.

Dr. Crow, a Scottish physician and chemist, revolutionized bourbon production with his advocacy for the sour mash fermentation process, a cornerstone of Woodford Reserve’s excellence.

After changing ownership several times and languishing in disrepair, Brown-Forman Corporation acquired the distillery in 1993, meticulously restoring it to operational glory. In 2003, they christened it “The Woodford Reserve Distillery,” signifying its renaissance.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey officially graced the market in 1996, bearing a legacy that stretches back centuries. Notably, in 1995, the distillery secured a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2000, it earned the prestigious designation of National Historic Landmark.

Woodford Reserve’s secret lies in its mash bill, which features a higher rye content than many competitors. The mash bill comprises 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malt. It’s also triple distilled and enters the barrel at its lowest proof, allowing it to mature for at least six years.

Aside from the flagship Woodford Reserve bourbon, the distillery offers a range of options, including Woodford Reserve Rye, a malt whiskey edition, and a wheat edition. One standout is the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon, which promises a sensory journey.

Related Article: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43.2%

COLOUR:A dark copper and described by some as a honey amber. It is a very oily whiskey.

NOSE: The nose entices with honey sweetness, apricots, and underlying hints of oranges, mingling with the richness of condensed milk, vanilla, dark chocolate, and subtle spices.

PALATE: The palate features oak and sweetness balanced with peach, ripe cherries, and a touch of cinnamon spiciness. Tangy winter fruits and vanilla intertwine with toffee sweetness, creating a rich, buttery, and impeccably smooth mouthfeel. Full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel.

FINISH: Long and lingering and end in notes of sweet spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, complemented by the subtle allure of toasted oak. It’s an easy-drinking, affordable choice that appeals to seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers.

One of my personal favourites, it pairs beautifully with various foods, like pizza, enhancing the dining experience. It it also an excellent foundation for crafting classic cocktails, such as the timeless Old Fashioned.

If you’re eager to explore more about the world of whiskey, I’ve embarked on a series where I compare different whiskies to highlight their unique strengths. The inaugural comparison delves into the distinctive qualities of Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Discover their differences and my recommendations for when to savour each release.

Additionally, I’ve conducted a side-by-side comparison between Gentleman Jack and Woodford Reserve, shedding light on their merits. Woodford Reserve is an ideal candidate for these comparative tastings, as I’ve also compared it against Bulleit Bourbon, offering insight into how these bourbons stack up against one another.

Also Read: Jack Daniel’s vs Gentleman Jack Tennessee whiskey

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/15/2021

In Whisky Comparison

Buffalo Trace bourbon vs Bulleit Bourbon side by side comparison
This is my last side-by-side comparison for 2021, and today I am looking at a comparison between the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. I have enjoyed doing these comparisons. I learned so much, and it highlighted the variety in taste within the bourbon category.

It showed me how something that is made in essentially the same way could have such different notes by changing the mash bill and the toast level of the casks.

After the available selection of bourbon dropped off during 2017 / 2018 in South Africa, the category has grown these past two years, and the variety available is growing again.

As much as I like a good peaty Islay Scotch or a Speyside sherry bomb, I have a soft spot for the sweeter bourbons. The combination of toasted oak, vanilla and red cherries fits my palate just right. It works well in cocktails and is relatable and accessible to a broad audience.

So for my last comparison this year, I look at the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. Both my bottles are nearly done, which is proof of how often we reach for these bourbons. Both brands have a distinct history of producing their whiskey varieties and the ingredients used in their creation.

Also Read: Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey with glass b

A 150-year-old family recipe created by founder Tom Bulleit’s great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit inspired the creation of Bulleit Bourbon whiskey. The original recipe was for a rye whiskey made with 2/3 rye and 1/3 corn. It was produced between 1830 and 1860 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Tom always dreamt of recreating his ancestor’s recipe. In 1987, he opened the open Bulleit Distilling Company and created a small batch bourbon bearing the family name.

The mash bill has been adjusted to make sure it is a true bourbon. The mashbill is 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley and it is aged for at least 6 years.

The bottle shape is modelled on old medicine bottles, with raised lettering and a skew label, as it might have looked in the 1860s.

Diageo now owns the Bulleit brand, and it is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. This bourbon is readily available in SA and retails for around R 400. In the USA it retails for around $42.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon with glass b

Records show that some form of distilling took place on the site in Frankfort Kentucky in 1775 already. Harrison Blanton constructed the first official distillery in 1812.

It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery. It is currently owned by the Sazerac distilling company.

The distillery introduced the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey brand in August 1999. The whiskey was named in tribute to the mighty buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness in the trek to the Great Planes and the pioneers’ rugged, independent spirit.

Readily available in SA and retails at around R 330 and $50 in the USA. It is perfect for cocktails and pairs well with chocolate.

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon

Side by side: Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon Comparison

	Buffalo Trace	Bulleit Bourbon
Type	Bourbon whiskey	Bourbon whiskey
Mashbill	Not disclosed	68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley
ABV	45%	45%
Colour	A reddish copper	Light amber
Nose	Fruity sweetness, rich and bold. There are hints of candied fruit, caramel, vanilla, brandy pudding and oak. Bits of spice float in the background.	Quite spicy. In the background, there is some sweetness reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding, nutmeg and vanilla. After standing for a while, some caramel comes through.
Palate	There are notes of fruit, orange marmalade, white pepper and oak. Bits of cinnamon with toasted oak. Water tones down the spice.	Loads of warming freshly ground spices. It's a rich, chewy mouthful. Toffee caramel and vanilla with a bit of wood and orange. Freshly baked sugar biscuits. With water, this bourbon becomes smoother and a bit sweeter.
Finish	Before adding water long and ended in notes of spicy sweetness. After adding water, the finish was quite flat.	Lovely. Very long and lingering. The finish is big and bold and has notes of mild spice and hints of oak.
My Rating	Very Good	Excellent
Comments	Without water it is bold and delicious. Drink it neat!	Unusual and unique.
Price point	$35	$33

Why did I leave such a difficult comparison for last? These two bourbons could not be more different. We spent most of Saturday afternoon savouring a few glasses of these. As usual, we did a blind tasting for our Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon side by side comparison.

Most of the time, we can accurately guess which bourbon is which, but this time it stumped us. Perhaps it was just a long week, and our taste buds were tired, but we had to try a few times before we could make up our minds.

The Buffalo Trace is fruity with mild spice and a nice drinkable mouthfeel. It has a medium body and lovely toasted oak notes. Just don’t add water. It is perfectly drinkable without water.

The Bulleit is bolder and spicier with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and freshly milled black pepper. Faint hints of orange and vanilla. The toasted oak notes are more subdued, but the Bulleit bourbon is bolder and richer than the Buffalo Trace.

John loved the Bulleit release the most, but after the second glass, I found the spices overwhelming. I preferred the Buffalo Trace and the more traditional bourbon notes for my sweeter palate.

Now both my bottles are finished, and I need to stock up again. Fortunately, that is not a problem as they are both readily available and not too expensive.

I have done a similar comparison between Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve.

Loading ...

Also Read: Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Whiskey

Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/08/2021

In Irish Whiskey

Two weeks ago, I wrote about my first real-life whisky tasting with the Joburg Whisky Club and Candice Baker from Navigate World Whisky. We tasted quite a few delicious drams, including the Linkwood 8 yo whisky. Another delectable release that I tried that evening and promptly went out to buy was the Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 Irish single malt whisky.

Terroir has been a controversial word in the whisky industry for many years. In 2015, Mark Reynier started his Waterford Distillery project to experiment and fully understand the concept of terroir in whisky.

The Waterford Distillery is located in a converted former Guinness brewery in the southeast of Ireland. Mark was previously at Bruichladdich, where he started experimenting with the concept, but Waterford allowed him to explore it more extensively.

Terroir is how a particular region’s climate, soils and aspect (terrain) affect the taste of the food. The dominant belief in the whisky industry is that wood makes the whisky. Maturation in oak barrels is often attributed to providing 70% or more of a whisky’s flavour. However, at Waterford, the focus is on the barley.

The distillery works with 72 Irish farms, all located in the same region as the distillery. The barley is grown in 19 different soil types and everything is meticulously documented in a digital logistical system. Each farmer’s crop is harvested, malted, fermented and finally distilled separately. Effectively, this creates 40 different new-make spirits each season.

Also Read: Dunville’s PX Cask 12 yo Whiskey

Cooladine Single Farm Origin Whisky

The single farm origin whisky is then allocated per country. Only Waterford Cooladine and Knockroe barley is used in the limited edition whisky for South Africa. The back of the bottle has a code.

When you enter this into the Waterford website, it tells you every possible thing you could ever want to know about where the whisky and the environment the barley was grown in.

The land farmed by brothers William and Pat Doyle at Cooladine in County Wexford stands close to old Quaker burial grounds west of the River Slaney. These free-draining, fertile fields derived from the famously productive Clonroche soils are shingle to clay-rich marl, mainly from the Ordovician shale bedrock.

Barley variety: Overture barley
Yeast Type: Mauri Distillers yeast
Harvested: 16 August 2015
Maturation period: 4 years, 28 days
Bottled: November 2020
No of bottles: 5,076 bottles

Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 Whisky Review

However, it is not only the terroir that is important. Waterford Distillery also focuses on the wood policy, using only American and French oak to age their spirit in.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Golden liquid sunset

NOSE: Grain sweetness, green barley, freshly cut pine wood with toffee and red apples. Subtle and elegant. Bits of spice with hints of pepper and cloves.

PALATE: Summer spices with ginger and coriander. Condensed milk and vanilla custard with bits of black pepper and barley. Lovely smooth, and balanced. Hints of sultanas, toffee and lemon. Smooth and balanced. Water smooths out the alcohol heat and makes it a bit lighter drinking. Oily with a full body mouthfeel.

FINISH: Honey sweetness with malt.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 single malt is a delicious all year round whisky. Complex enough to be momorable, but still easy to drink. It has the sweetest finish I tasted in a whisky in a long time. The initial palate is quite spicy, then the sweetness moves forward and continues on the finish. Perfect for my sweet palate.

In SA, it retails for around R 1 495, and I bought mine from Navigate World Whisky. I can’t wait for the Cooladine 2.1 Edition to be released to compare them next to each other.

Also Read: Redbreast 12 yo Whiskey

Bain’s Symphony Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/01/2021

In Grain Whisky

The other day I reread the blog post I wrote at the end of 2017, where I was lamenting that there is only the standard Bain’s single grain whisky available. Even though Distell had older whisky available in casks, they were reluctant to release more liquid as the brand was still relatively small.

Fast forward four years, and today I have added the Bain’s Symphony 7 year old single grain whisky release to my collection. It is wonderful to see this small grain whisky brand going from strength to strength and finding its feet, in SA but also on the world stage.

The Bain’s Symphony is the 8th bottle of Bain’s release in my collection. They first released the Bain’s 15 yo whisky, and it is probably one of the best drams I have ever tasted. This was followed by the 18 year old series with a Fino Cask, Oloroso and a PX cask. Earlier in 2021, a Shiraz Cask finish landed and then a 21 year old Double Wood whisky.

Also Read: Bunnahabhain Eirigh Na Greine Whisky

And then, out of the blue, they dropped the Bain’s Symphony 7 year old whisky. It is a limited release, produced at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, Western Cape. The standard Bain’s is a NAS release that spends about 6 years in bourbon casks; the Symphony is aged for 7 years in bourbon casks before being aged for 3 months in a “sonic cellar” at the distillery.

The Bain’s brand team played South African artist Tellaman’s music into the barrels, which caused the maturing whisky inside to move and constantly interact with the wood. I will not think too deeply about the physics behind this, and John did frown a bit and mumbled something about Brownian motion. We both agree, South African music makes everything better, and in the end, the ultimate test is taste.

JSD released a total of 6,000 bottles. The standard Bain’s is bottled at 43%, the Bain’s Symphony single grain whisky is bottled at a respectable 48.6% ABV.

Bain’s Symphony 7 year old Whisky Review

I have bottle 4 886 / 6 000

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 48.6%

COLOUR: Sunrise gold

NOSE: Rich and bold with tropical fruit, banana, toasted wood, grain sweetness and vanilla. Thick and oily with bits of toffee and freshly baked Hawaiian sweet rolls.

PALATE: Bit of alcohol heat, but it is warming and not overwhelming. The oily spirit coast your mouth with condensed milk, nutmeg, and toasted grains. Hints of vanilla and dark chocolate balances with tropical fruit, banana and freshly milled black pepper. Water makes it even more drinkable and sweet. But it is perfect without water. Just delicious.

FINISH: Toasted oaky goodness with grain sweetness and bits of vanilla. A long and smooth finish.

RATING: DIVINE

It has the classical Bain’s notes of toasted oak, vanilla and banana, but all the notes are elevated. It is basically a Bain’s on steroids! The extra time in the barrel and the higher ABV makes a massive difference between the Bain’s and the Symphony. The Symphony is more complex, with bolder flavours and texture. It is perfect! Just perfect!

I was hesitant to give the Bain’s Symphony whisky a Divine rating. We are always conscious of the fact that we might rate South African whisky more positive because it is a proudly local product and not purely on the merit of the liquid.

I did however look at the level of my bottle about two weeks after buying it and it was nearly empty. That was enough to convince me, it is divine and not a skewed rating based on my love for JSD.

And at a retail price of R360, it is worth drinking over and over. (About $25 or £ 18.50) The bad part is that there are only 6 000 bottles available. This is only the second Divine rating for this year (the first was the Port Askaig 8 yo) and taking the retail price into account, this will easily rate as my nicest dram for 2021.

Now to stock up on a few more bottles. And then to have the maturity and patience to let a bottle or 2 lie unopened until next year so that I can enjoy the beauty all over again. I was very happy to also pick up some James Sedgwick branded Glencairn style glasses to sip my proudly SA whisky from.

A Bain’s 15 yo Sonically Matured whisky has also been released and I have captured my tasting notes for this release as well.

Linkwood 8 year old Very Cloudy Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/25/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Three weeks ago, Morris invited me to join the Joburg Whisky Club for a whisky tasting. A real-life, in person, getting to shake people’s hands, whisky tasting. After so many months of lockdown and online tastings, this was the most exciting event on my calendar.

A further bonus was that the very knowledgeable Candice Baker hosted the tasting, and she presented some exciting drams.The first dram that Candice introduced us to was the Linkwood 8 year old Vintage 2012 single malt Scotch whisky released under the Very Cloudy label by the Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Company.

It is such a memorable dram that the next day I ordered myself a bottle for my collection. The other releases we tried were the Very Cloudy Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2013 Vintage, the Waterford Cooladine 1.1 and Knockroe 1.1 and lastly, the Edradour 9 year old Vintage 2010 whisky.

These releases are imported to South Africa by Navigate World Whisky. They don’t only do whisky but bring exciting rum releases to SA. I will also be exploring the rum selection later in the year.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Spice Road Whisky

Signatory is an independent bottler based at the Edradour distillery near Pitlochry in Perthshire. Launched in September 2005, the Very Cloudy range is a variant of “The un-chill-filtered collection”. The cloudy appearance of the whiskies comes from the suspended fats loaded with aromas that were not eliminated at the time of filtration at room temperature. Especially when you add a drop or 2 of water, the cloudiness comes through.

The original Linkwood distillery was founded in 1821 by Peter Brown in Elgin in the Speyside region of Scotland. Then, in 1971, a new adjoining distillery, called Linkwood B, was built. The two distilleries operated together until 1996 when the old Linkwood was closed down for good. The distillery draws its water from the springs of Millbuies Loch.

Diageo currently owns the distillery. The vast majority of the spirit distilled at Linkwood is used in Diageo-owned blends like Johnnie Walker and White Horse whisky. However, the distillery also sells much of the spirit to other blenders.

Linkwood 8 year old Very Cloudy Whisky Review

Aged in bourbon barrels. Distilled on 08.05.20212 and bottled on 16.11.2020 from Cask no 306311 + 306317. Selected by Navigate World Whisky and La Maison du Whisky.

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Pale gold.

NOSE: Fruity and green with notes of freshly cut green grass, pine needles, mint and bits of grain and malty richness. Bits of summer fruit and hay. Fresh and elegant. A lovely inviting nose.

PALATE: Tropical fruit with mild black pepper, salted liquorice and sun-dried hay. Malt and woodiness with citrus notes. More mint and hints of florals mixed with guava and pineapple sweetness. Quite oily with a medium body .

FINISH: Medium length with mild spice, some green earthy notes and malt.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Not the most complex dram, but unique, well-balanced and very drinkable. The Linkwood is a great summer sipping whisky for when you are looking for something different but approachable.

As this is not a distillery from which you find regular independent bottlings (not in SA anyway), it makes for a great addition to the collection. It is available at selected retail stores, and I got mine via Navigate World Whisky Online. It retails for R995 in South Africa.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Island Green Whisky