Whisky of the Week

Today I look at a fun side by side comparison; the Three Ships 6 yo vs James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky. During this past year or two, there were two 6 year old whiskies released by the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington.

The first one was the Checkers Private Barrel Co James Sedgwick Distillery 6 year old and the second was That Boutique-y Whisky Company Three Ships 6 year old whisky. Both special releases created by Andy Watts, South Africa’s Master Distiller extraordinaire.

And what can be more fun than to have a blind side by side tasting of these two proudly South African releases. The Three Ships 6 yo vs James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky. Or perhaps TBWC vs Private Barrel Co. A Fino Cask versus a PX Cask. Regardless of how you want to look at it, I did it over the weekend and boy was it interesting.

Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Whisky

Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask with glass James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo vs Three Ships 6 yo
This is the first South African whisky to join the exclusive Private Barrel Co. collection of whiskies from Checkers. It is a single malt whisky from the award-winning James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington.

The James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky is lightly peated and spent its first 3 years in older American Oak, followed by 3 years in a seasoned Fino Cask. Only 677 bottles of the Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 year old Fino Cask was released.

All the bottles carry the signature of master distiller Andy Watts. It is the highest ABV to ever come out of the James Sedgwick Distillery. I have bottle 112/677.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company Three Ships 6 yo Whisky

Review and Tasting notes Three Ships 6 yo That Boutique-y Whisky Company review with glass James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo vs Three Ships 6 yo
The first independent Three Ships bottling ever released. The Checkers bottling referred to the James Sedgwick Distillery. This TBWC bottling mentions both the James Sedgwick Distillery and Three Ships.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company (TBWC) is an independent whisky bottler that bottle a considerable variety of distilleries as limited-edition releases. They bottle single edition malts, grains and bourbons from all over the world.

This release is batch one and it was matured in American oak and finished in PX. Only 1 150 bottles were produced. The artwork on the label depicts Master Distiller, Andy Watts, filling a Three Ships whisky cask with whisky.

The barrel in question is marked with PX. In one hand, he carries the filling nozzle, and in the other, he’s hammering the bung into the cask with a Derbyshire Club cricket bat.

Three Ships 6 yo vs James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Whisky

Three Ships 6 yo vs James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Whisky Comparison

	James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo	Three Ships 6 yo
ABV	54.6%	53.7%
Region	South African Whisky	South African Whisky
Colour	Deep mahogany	Dark gold
Cask Type	Fino Sherry Cask	PX Sherry Casks
Nose	A basket of fresh fruit. Hints of nuts and fruits of the forest. Spices floating in the background. Hints of creme brûlée with the faintest hint of cinnamon.	Christmas cake sweetness with berry jam, red plums, raisins and oak. Hints of cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Bits of old leather and polished wood mixed with sweetness and malt.
Palate	The palate is spicier than the nose suggests. Fruity sweetness with oak, pepper, cinnamon and bit of vanilla. A suggestion of lightly toasted macadamia nuts. Water releases more of the soft sherry sweetness.	Black pepper and alcohol-soaked cherries, fruity sweetness and fresh wood shavings. Then more pepper and lemon with some alcohol heat. The red plumbs and fruity notes are mixed with hints of earthy moss and wet forests.
Finish	Notes of light pepper and fruity berries with a nutty taste.	Dry wood and pepper with bits of fruity sweetness.
My Rating	Excellent	Very Good
Comments	Only 677 bottles released It’s chewy and bold.	Only 1150 bottles released. It needs to breathe a bit and a few drops of water to bring the complexity forward.

WOW! How different these two releases are. According to Andy, the base malt for both these releases was put into casks at close to the same time. But it is only when you compare them side by side that you see the impact of the different sherry casks on these releases.

Both of these James Sedgwick distillery bottlings are big and bold and spicy. They are both heavy drinking and certainly not for the novice whisky drinker. Both can do with a few minutes of standing to let them open up and need a few drops of water to release the complexity.

The Private Barrel Company James Sedgwick Fino Cask release is slightly sweeter and fruitier with hints of nuts. The finish is somewhat longer, and the water cuts through the spiciness and alcohol heat. The sherry comes through more on the Fino Cask compared to the PX Cask.

The TBWC Three Ships 6 year old PX Cask whisky has more peppery spices, and oak and John described it as licking the top of a pepper grinder. The Christmas pudding and alcohol-soaked fruit from the nose do not carry through onto the palate. Water brings out more sweet notes, but the sherry sweetness stands behind the spiciness of the oak and the lemon pepper.

We did the tasting blind, and both our favourite from these two was the Private Barrel Co Fino Cask. The sweetness vs spices balance was better, and we enjoyed it more.

Header photos courtesy of Three Ships whisky.

Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/20/2020

In Blended whisky

If you’re a whisky enthusiast like me, you’ve probably journeyed through the Johnnie Walker colour spectrum. Savored the nuanced delights of Blue Label, Green Label, Black, or Platinum Label. But today, I am setting my sights on where it all began, the cornerstone of the Johnnie Walker legacy – the Johnnie Walker Red Label blended Scotch whisky.

In the grand tapestry of whisky history, 1893 marked a pivotal moment when the Walker family acquired the Cardhu distillery. This strategic move was driven by their desire to secure a steady supply for their key whisky brands, including their iconic Old Highland blends.

Fast forward to 1909, and Johnnie Walker embarked on a rebranding journey that would forever change the whisky landscape. During this transformation, the Special Old Highland became known as the Red Label, and the Extra Special Old Highland evolved into the Black Label whisky.

Also Read: Black & White Whisky

Since 1945, Johnnie Walker Red Label has held the title of best-selling Scotch whisky worldwide. Its reputation precedes it as a preferred choice for crafting mixed drinks. And in my exploration of this classic, I opted for a more portable companion – the Johnnie Walker pocket Scotch.

This scaled-down version, neatly packaged in a 200 ml plastic bottle, proves ideal for travellers, hikers, and picnic-goers alike. Its resilient design ensures it won’t shatter in your picnic bag, tumble or weigh down your hiking adventure. The convenience extends to the Johnnie Walker Black Label, which also comes in a pocket-sized edition.

The heart of Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch whisky lies in its blend of 30 single malt and grain whiskies. It harmonizes the light, coastal whiskies from Scotland’s eastern shores with the more robust, peaty expressions from the west. A cornerstone of the Diageo portfolio, this whisky carries no age statement.

Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Honey gold

NOSE:As you bring the glass to your nose, there are gentle notes of fruit, malt, and wildflowers. There’s a hint of greenery, a touch of vanilla, and subtle wafts of smoke. While not the most intricate bouquet, it offers a warm and inviting introduction.

PALATE: The first sip reveals toasted oak and a delightful toffee sweetness, punctuated by wisps of smoke and peat. It boasts a medium body with underlying vanilla undertones and a whisper of pepper and cardamom heat.

Though not excessively intricate, it’s eminently drinkable. A few raw alcohol notes are tempered with a drop of water, which also elevates the malt’s presence.

FINISH:The Red Label has a medium-length finish featuring notes of pepper, pectin, and honey, leaving a pleasant impression on your palate.

RATING: VERY GOOD

In summary, the Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch whisky may not have the complexity and refinement of its siblings. However, as my hubby aptly described, it’s “cheap and cheerful.”

You can rely on its consistent Johnnie Walker signature taste without breaking the bank, making it a perfect companion for crafting cocktails.

Affordability and unwavering quality are the hallmarks of Johnnie Walker Red Label. In South Africa, a bottle will retail for around R240 and India is sells for around ₹ 2,830, making it affordable.

In my quest for exploration, I couldn’t resist a side-by-side comparison with the Black Label whisky to uncover the nuances that set these two releases apart.

Also Read: Royal Challenge Whisky

Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/13/2020

In Blended whisky

2020 – A new year and a new decade. And what better way to start the new decade with than with a proudly South African whisky. My first official whisky tasting notes for 2020 is the Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask whisky.

The Fino Cask Finish is the 4th addition to the Three Ships Whisky Master’s Collection. First came the PX Cask Finish, then the Pinotage Cask Finish and thirdly the 8 yo Oloroso Cask Finish whisky. My favourite thus far was the Pinotage Cask which was my Whisky of the Year 2017.

On the 24th of October 2019, the annual Master’s Collection store was opened online again. This event has become so popular that 90% of the whisky was sold within the first hour.

Also Read: Milk & Honey Elements Sherry

For the Fino Cask release, the whisky was matured for 5 years in ex-American oak, followed by an additional 4 years in ex-Fino sherry casks. From this, Andy hand-selected only 4 barrels to create this expression. It is a limited edition with only 2,940 bottles produced.

The Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask Finish is not chill-filtered, naturally coloured and bottled at 48.6%. The accent colour on the label is bright green. The green accents are fresh and bright and make the bottle stand out. I love it.

Three Ships 9 yo Fino Cask Whisky Review

I have bottle 643 of 2840.

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 48.6%

COLOUR: Dark Gold

NOSE: Notes of BBQ smoke, stone fruit sweetness with bits of spice. Dried peach and apricot with bits of peat and a tropical hint.

PALATE: Complex and rich. Raisins, soft spices and citrus notes. Hints of smoke and peat balanced with sherry notes and tropical fruit sweetness. Medium body and easy drinking. No need to add water; however, a few drops of water releases a richer dimension on the palate and brings more fruity sweetness forward.

FINISH: Medium length ending in sweetness with hints of pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Very delicious! This release is sweeter than the last 2 Three Ships releases I have tasted. The Private Barrel Co James Sedgwick 6 yo Fino and the Boutique-y Whisky Company 6 yo release both had a more spicy mouthfeel with less fruit.

With this release, there is a more fruit-forward profile again. I love how the Fino sherry shines through. It is a lovely release and probably my next favourite after the Master’s Collection Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish.

I noticed that both the Private Barrel Co 6 yo release and this both have a Fino Cask Finish and during the year, I will certainly do a comparison between the 6 yo and this 9 yo whisky. Pick n Pay also jumped onto the single cask release bandwagon and released a Three Ships Virgin Oak Cask during 2021.

Also Read: Three Ships Shiraz Cask Finish 11 yo Whisky

The Belgian Owl Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/06/2020

In Single Malt whisky

On my whisky journey, I seek to obtain a bottle of whisky from every whisky producing country in the world. I was fortunate to get my hands on a bottle of Belgium single malt – The Belgian Owl single malt whisky.

This single malt is the first to be produced in Belgium. It shows just how whisky creation has expanded around the world.
The Belgian Owl distillery is in the town of Grâce Hollogne, near the city of Liège. Etienne Bouillon and two partners founded the distillery in 1997. The original name of the distillery was Pure.

The barley for the whisky is grown in the fields around Liège, and the malting, mashing and fermentation processes take part in an old converted farm on the city’s outskirts. They filled the first barrel in October 2004.

The first 3 year old single malt whisky was bottled in October 2007 and called Identité. From then, they have grown from strength to strength.

The Belgium Owl Identité whisky is matured for 3 years and then bottled in small batches at a strength of 46% ABV. The ageing takes place in 1st fill bourbon casks. The Belgian Owl whisky is unpeated and not chilled-filtered.

There is a great legend posted on the distillery website that tells how the whisky came by its interesting name.

Related Article: Millstone 8yo French Oak whisky

The Belgian Owl Whisky Review

COUNTRY: Belgium

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A pale golden yellow. It is one of the lightest coloured whiskies in my collection. It is a medium oily whisky with some slow fingers on the side of the glass.

NOSE: Freshness and sweetness as soon as you open the bottle. There are hints of cereal and oak. The nose is quite subtle with fresh flowers and vanilla. The bourbon sweetness delicately comes through in the background.

PALATE: Quite spicy with floral undertones. There are notes of green grass with hints of lavender flowers floating by. The palate also brings oak and barley, and the bourbon sweetness comes through very subtly. The whisky is creamy smooth and has a medium body.

FINISH: Medium length. It ends in spicy and oak notes.

RATING: EXCELLENT

For a 3 year old this Identité is an amazing whisky; one of the better whiskies in this young age group. It is not the most complex whisky, but it is easy to drink and quite spicy. So it should pair quite nicely with some young creamy Dutch cheese.

Unfortunately, the bottle is 50cl volume, which means I will drink this very sparingly, as it is not available in South Africa as yet.

I will be looking out for more expressions from this Belgium distillery when we travel to Europe again. It is a worthy addition to any collection.
The Whisky Bible 2015 chose the Belgian Owl Single Malt ‘64 Months’ as their European Whisky of the Year (Single Malt).

I was fortunate to taste quite a few more of the Belgian Owl whisky and I have captured my tasting notes for the Belgian Owl Passion and the Belgian Owl Evolution Whisky.

Also Read: Glengoyne 17 yo whisky

Teacher’s Blended Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/30/2019

In Blended whisky

Welcome back to the second instalment of my series on affordable drams. Today’s bottle is none other than Teacher’s blended Scotch whisky.

If you missed Part 1, where I delved into the world of budget-friendly drams, you might want to catch up here with the Jim Beam bourbon. But for now, let’s pour ourselves a dram and dive right into the world of Teacher’s whisky.

My first encounter with Teacher’s whisky was on one of our trips to India, where our friend consistently stocked up on this blend. It’s safe to say that Teacher’s whisky has quite the following in India, and for good reason. It’s affordable and trendy, making it a favourite among many whisky enthusiasts.

But what exactly is Teacher’s Highland Cream blended Scotch whisky? It’s one of the more affordable blends out there, and when I spotted it on the shelves of my local liquor store, I couldn’t resist giving it a try. At around R 170 (roughly $13 for our international friends) in South Africa, it definitely falls into the affordable category.
Also Read: Ballantine’s 7 yo Bourbon Finish Whisky

The story of Teacher’s whisky dates back to around 1830, when William Teacher founded it. He began selling his blends from his wife’s grocery store in Glasgow. It wasn’t until 1863 that he perfected the Teacher’s Highland Cream blend and the brand was officially registered in 1884. After William Teacher’s passing, his two sons, William Jr. and Adam, took the company’s reins.

To ensure a steady supply of high-quality malt whisky for Teacher’s Highland Cream, Adam Teacher founded the Ardmore distillery and acquired the Glendronach distillery. With time, Teacher’s Whisky and the Ardmore distillery attracted the attention of various buyers, leading to ownership changes.

In 2014, Beam Inc. acquired Ardmore, along with the Laphroaig distillery and the Teacher’s brand. Later on, Beam Inc. was purchased by Suntory, forming Beam Suntory. As for Glendronach, it found its way into the Brown-Forman portfolio.

The heart and soul of Teacher’s still emanate from the Ardmore distillery, known for its peat-smoked malt. The range includes the Teacher’s 50 year old to celebrate India’s 50-year independence, Teacher’s Origin to honour the founder, and Teacher’s 25 year old whisky.

Notably, Teacher’s blended whisky is renowned in India where the price is around ₹ 2,030 and it is exported to over 100 countries. Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the whisky itself:

Teacher’s Highland Cream Blended Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: When you give Teacher’s blended Scotch whisky a sniff, you’ll pick up hints of smoke, gentle earthy peat, raw alcohol, vanilla, and malty notes. The nose is subtle and not overly sophisticated.

PALATE: The palate packs more punch than the nose suggests, with notes of smoke, peat, and a touch of pepper. The fruity sweetness emerges after adding a bit of water, which also tames the raw alcohol notes but tempers the smoke and peat. It’s not the most complex of drinks, but it has its moments.

FINISH: The finish is long and spicy, with hints of pepper lingering on the palate.

RATING: GOOD

According to some research, Jim Murray, the whisky guru, loves this blend and rated it a 90 in his Whisky Bible. However, personal preferences vary, and after a busy day or two, I found that Teacher’s whisky didn’t tickle my taste buds the way I’d hoped. I revisited it a few days later, but it still didn’t win me over.

Considering the price point, I wasn’t expecting the most complex of whiskies. Still, for my palate, Teacher’s has a bit too much of that raw alcohol edge. It’s a one-glass wonder, and I might not even finish the glass I poured.

Update: I decided to have fun over the weekend and conducted a taste-off between Teacher’s and Ballantine’s Finest whisky, both budget-friendly blends. Stay tuned for the results; it made for an enjoyable afternoon of exploration on the patio.

What budget blend should I try next?

Also Read: Grant’s Sherry Cask Edition whisky