Whisky of the Week

anCnoc 12 year old Whisky

On 10/01/2021

Today I am tasting the anCnoc 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Knockdhu distillery is a whisky distillery in the scenic village of Knock in Aberdeenshire in the Scottish Highlands. Together with Old Pulteney and Balblair, anCnoc is owned by Inver House Distillers Limited.

Also part of the brand portfolio is the Hankey Bannister and Catto’s blended whiskies. Inver House, in turn, is a subsidiary of the Thai Beverage Company.

John Morrison purchased the Knock Estate in 1892. He saw that the surrounding land was ideal for barley growth and had an abundance of peat. It was also helpful that the Great North Railway line ran nearby. Shortly after he bought the estate, he uncovered a spring on Knock Hill’s southern slopes.

He discovered that the water had a wonderful flavour and sent it to a laboratory owned by Distiller’s Company Limited in Edinburgh for evaluation. The tests confirmed that the water was of outstanding quality.

Distiller’s Company Limited made John Morrison an offer for the site, which he accepted. The Knockdhu distillery was built in May of 1893. Knockdhu renamed their whiskies anCnoc to avoid confusion with the nearby Knockando distillery.

In Gaelic, the name anCnoc means “the hill”. It was one of the delicious whiskies I tried on my first visit to the beautiful Dullstroom and the Wild About Whisky bar.

Related Post: Glenlivet 12 yo whisky

anCnoc 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: A light yellow wheat colour.

NOSE: On opening the anCnoc, there is an immediate aroma of pears. On the nose, there are cereals and oak with sweet smelling honey and spice. The rich bouquet of mixed flowers intermingles with the spiciness of vanilla.

PALATE: Without water, the palate is smooth and rich, with spicy notes of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon coming through the sweetness slowly. There are hints of fresh fruit and citrus. Adding water to the anCnoc 12 yo whisky softens the palate, but also releases more citrus, and oak notes that start to overwhelm the sweetness. Water dilutes the whisky a bit, making it less complicated and flat.

FINISH: Without water, the anCnoc’s finish is long and builds with honey and spicy notes. After adding a bit of water, the finish changes to a medium length that ends in pepper and citrus notes.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Is the anCnoc 12 year old whisky a knockout? Not entirely, nevertheless, it is an easy-drinking and affordable dram that should be in your collection. Just add water carefully or rather not at all. There is also the anCnoc Peatheart Edition that I tasted and wrote about.

This release has made it onto my Top 5 Single Malt whiskies under R500 list.

Also Read: Glen Moray Classic whisky

Glenglassaugh Torfa Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/27/2021

In Single Malt whisky

My third blog post on the Glenglassaugh distillery from the Scottish Highlands. For some reason, I have not liked any whisky from this distillery. Both the Glenglassaugh Revival and the Evolution release I rated as Good. Today I try to finish the last of my mini bottle from this Highland distillery, and it is time for the Glenglassaugh Torfa single malt Scotch whisky.

I found the Revival release drying on the palate, and the Evolution Scotch overly spicy. Both of these had an amazing nose that was rich and complex, with a promise of fruity sweetness. But on tasting them, I was left disappointed. I have to say, I am opening this mini bottle with a bit of trepidation.

The Glenglassaugh distillery sits on a hillside, on the Moray Firth coast overlooking the North Sea. James Moir and two of his nephews established the distillery in 1875. He chose the site due to its proximity to a clean water supply, the Glassaugh Springs and easy access to the nearby barley fields.

It changed hands a few times but continued to produce whisky. However, during the economic downturn of 1986, this small remote distillery stopped production. It was mothballed and all but forgotten.

In 2008, the Dutch-based Scaent Group acquired the distillery for £5 million and reopened it. In 2013 Billy Walker and the BenRiach Whisky Company purchased it. BenRiach is a subsidiary of the Brown-Forman Corporation.

Glenglassaugh Torfa single malt Scotch was released in 2014 and refer to the Old Norse word for turf or peat. It has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels and peated to 20 ppm.

Torfa has no age statement and has a natural colour, and is non-chill-filtered. In SA, it retails for around R670.

Also Read: Mackmyra Svensk Rok Whisky

Glenglassaugh Torfa Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Yellow gold.

NOSE: Rich earthy peat, smoke and custard sweetness in equal measures. Hints of cold ocean breeze and warming pepper spices. Wood smoke and a gentle fruit note in the background; just a lovely nose.

PALATE<: Warming earthy peat, drying ash and smoke. It has quite an alcohol bite. Letting it breathe for a while allows a mellow, fruity note to appear with hints of sour cherries. Earthy moss with hints of sea salt and honey drizzled over red apples. Light pepper and ginger notes with a medium body.

However, adding a few drops of water changes the Torfa. The water brings out more pepper spice and lemon peel bitterness and mutes the complexity. After the water, it has the same overwhelming pepper notes that I found in Revival and Evolution whisky releases.

FINISH: Medium length that, before water, lingers with peat and honey and hints of liquorice. After adding some water, it is all lemon pepper and pectin.

RATING: VERY GOOD

This Glenglassaugh Torfa whisky poses a predicament. If you let it stand long enough for the worst of the alcohol to float away, it is elegant and drinkable without water. The moment you add the water, the spicy notes overwhelm everything else, and you are left with bitter pectin, which is not ideal.

This one would be my favourite of the three releases, but I would hesitate to buy more bottles from this distillery. Just like Dalmore and Highland Park, the distillery flavour profile just does not suit my tastes. If you like more spicy drams, this will be perfect.

However, I would rather spend some time with Brown Forman’s other Scottish Highland whisky, Glendronach, which has a much sweeter taste profile.

Also Read: Millstone 8 yo French Oak Whisky

Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/24/2021

In Blended Malt Whisky

As I continue my journey through the remarkable Johnnie Walker colour spectrum, I am pausing today to explore the exceptional qualities of Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year old blended malt Scotch whisky.

The Green Label is a truly unique offering within the Johnnie Walker family, and I’m excited to delve into the details of this blended malt whisky.

Johnnie Walker Green Label, known for its distinct character, was initially introduced in 1997 under Johnnie Walker Pure Malt 15 yo. It was rebranded in 2004 as Johnnie Walker Green Label. One of its standout features is that it’s a blended malt whisky consisting of a blend of only single malts, each aged for a minimum of 15 years.

Also Read: Bennachie Whisky

Notably, in 2012, Diageo discontinued the production of the Green Label as part of a range restructuring effort. However, whisky enthusiasts worldwide rejoiced when the brand made a triumphant return in 2016.

To add to the excitement, in recent years, Diageo unveiled a special edition called the Green Island, offering a fresh take on this classic. For today’s tasting experience, I’m delving into the pre-2016 release of this iconic blend.

Johnnie Walker describes the Green Label as representing various Scotch whisky regions, including Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Island. This well-crafted blend results from harmoniously combining at least 27 distinct single malts, all matured in a mixture of American and European oak casks.

These single malts hail from renowned distilleries like Cragganmore and Linkwood, playing key roles alongside the spirited contributions of Caol Ila and Talisker distiller malts. Together, these components create a symphony of flavours that define the Green Label’s unique character.

Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden Honey

NOSE: On the nose, the Green Label offers delightful aromas of after-dinner mints, aniseed, oak, and subtle hints of smoke. The bouquet is further enriched by fruity sweetness, malt, and a slight dash of pepper. There are also gentle reminders of fresh-cut grass and vanilla, providing a sensory journey for the whisky enthusiast.

PALATE: The palate is equally captivating, with notes of vanilla, fruity sweetness, and a touch of cinnamon. This is complemented by a mild Scottish Highland peat smoke, which adds depth and complexity to the tasting experience.

The presence of oak, malt, and the freshness of flowers balances a slight warmth from the alcohol. The after-dinner mint sensation, resembling fresh-cut mint and dark chocolate, becomes even more pronounced. A dash of water enhances the honeyed sweetness within the palate.

FINISH: The finish is medium-length and concludes with a delightful combination of pepper and a faint wisp of smoke.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Unsurprisingly, the Johnnie Walker Green Label earns this rating, with its delightful mint chocolate notes setting it apart as a delightful and easy-drinking dram. The price for the Johnnie Walker Green Label is around R1000 in South Africa.

The allure of the Green Label is undeniable, and I find myself curious about the differences that the newer 15-year-old expression and the Island Green edition might bring to the table. An exciting side-by-side tasting awaits in the future.

But for now, I’m content to savour the timeless charm of this blended malt. What are your thoughts on this remarkable release?

Update: My whisky adventures continue, and in 2023, I had the pleasure of discovering the Johnnie Walker Island Green whisky. I have also played around with a Green vs Blue Label comparison to see how the those two colours differ.

Also Read: Shackleton whisky

Ballechin 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/20/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Ballechin 10 yo whisky header
Today it is time for a peaty Highland release; the Ballechin 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Edradour distillery was officially established in 1825 in the Perthshire region. The name in Gaelic is Eadar Dhà Dhobhar, which translates to “between two rivers”.

It was founded by farmers who resided in the neighbourhood and grew all the barley used at the distillery. The distillery is seen as one of Scotlands smallest. Most of the spirit from the distillery went into blended whisky.

Ownership changed in the years that followed until 1982 when it was bought by Campbell distilleries, which is part of the Pernod Ricard Group. They opened a visitors centre and released the first single malt under the Edradour label.

In 2002, Andrew Symington from the Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky company took over the distillery, and he expanded production to include a peated variety.

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He called the peated release Ballechin. The name Ballechin (pronounced “Bell-eck-in”) pays homage to the history of the surrounding area and was the name of a closed farm distillery. Ballechin whisky, which was first distilled in 2003, is peated to a minimum level of 50 ppm. Signatory launched the Ballechin 10 year old whisky in 2014.

The Ballechin 10 year old whisky is matured in a combination of ex-Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks. It is non-chill-filtered and naturally coloured.

Ballechin 10 year old Whisky Review

Ballechin 10 yo whisky with glass
REGION: Highlands

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Amber

NOSE: A lovely rich nose with peat, oranges and barley. Bits of smoke and wood mixed with vanilla and grainy sweetness. Not overwhelming, but elegant and delicious.

PALATE: Ash, peat with a floral sweetness. More of the orange notes but not as bold as I was expecting after the rich nose. A bit flat with oak and malt and faint vanilla. After the lovely nose, I was hoping for a more complex taste.

It is not bad; it is just a bit one dimensional. I was expecting the sherry and bourbon ageing to show up somewhere. Adding water softens the peat considerably, so add water carefully.

FINISH: Short to medium with drying ash, smoke and bits of citrus peel.

RATING: VERY GOOD

During the week, I tasted an Edradour whisky, and it was a big and bold sherry bomb. The Ballechin 10 year old single malt was finished in sherry, and I was perhaps hoping for a little bit of the sherry richness and complexity to come through.

A pleasant enough dram, but at ten years old, I was hoping for a bit more weight. The peat takes a step back when you add water, so it might be a good whisky for peat novices.

I don’t think the 10 year old is available in SA currently, but I saw a bottle of Ballechin 9 year old 2010 Vintage whisky at Navigate World Whisky.

Also Read: Drayman’s Solera Whisky

Glenkinchie 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/17/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Time to move back down to the Scottish Lowlands this week. The Lowlands has three well-known malt distilleries, namely Auchentoshan, Bladnoch and Glenkinchie. Today I investigate Glenkinchie and especially the Glenkinchie 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

Lowland whiskies traditionally were softer and more floral compared to the more Northern releases. The name Glenkinchie Distillery was registered in 1837 and lay a stone through from Edinburgh near the charming village of Pencaitland. It draws it water from the Lammermuir Hills. Together with Oban (West Highlands), Dalwhinnie (Highland), Talisker (Islands), Cragganmore (Speyside) and Lagavulin (Islay), Glenkinchie represents the Lowlands in the Diageo Classic Malts Range.

Also Read: Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX whisky

The Glenkinchie 12 year old single malt is the entry-level single malt bottling from the distillery that replaces the previous 10 year old. Glenkinchie also releases a Distillers Edition. The year 2017 is an important year for Glenkinchie. They will be celebrating the 180th anniversary of the distillery.

So in honour of this outstanding achievement, let’s try this Lowland whisky. I have paired this Glenkinchie 12 year old with some Wensleydale cheese with mango and ginger, and it made for a delicious pairing.

Glenkinchie 12 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Lowlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden wheat

NOSE: Fresh cut flowers and grass with hints of mint leaves. The nose is delicate and sweet with notes of liquorice, orange cake, vanilla, toffee and toasted oak.

PALATE: Oak with vanilla and hints of butterscotch. Lots of citrus and pepper spice and very little of the subtle flowery notes promised by the nose. Orange marmalade and lemon rind with bits of toffee sweetness and fresh fruit. Water releases a bit more fruity notes but also makes the lemon rind more pronounced.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of pepper and lemon drops. Drying.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I was hoping that the floral notes of this Lowland whisky would translate from the nose to the palate. Not a bad dram, but a bit too peppery for my liking. I prefer something a bit sweeter. Still not bad for the price point.

In South Africa the Glenkinchie 12 year old whisky retails for around R 850 which, for an aged single malt Scotch whisky, is not bad. In India the price is around ₹ 6,780. Worth adding to your collection.

Recently I got to taste the Glenkinchie 1986 Distillers Edition, and it was terrific. What did you think of the Glenkinchie 12 year old whisky?

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