Whisky of the Week

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky

On 10/14/2019

It is not every day that I get the chance to taste a whisky that is older than me. A whisky distilled while John F Kennedy was still the President of the USA and in the heat of the Cuban missile crises. A whisky like that holds a bit of history.

In a ‘normal’ situation, there would be no way that I can afford to taste even a sip of whisky this old. Whiskies of this age class are sold in exquisite bottles at eye-watering prices, more expensive than what I can afford. However, this is all about to change.

The Craigellachie distillery decided to share their oldest whisky with fans around the globe. This whisky is the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

Craigellachie did not want it sold to the highest bidder and stored in a locked glass cabinet. They wanted to share it with ordinary whisky lovers. Best of all, they wanted to share it. FOR FREE. To allow whisky drinkers all over the word to enjoy it as well.

More about Craigellachie Distillery

Craigellachie Distillery is new to the blog. It is one of the single malt distilleries that form part of the Bacardi stable. Other single malts include Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Royal Brackla and The Deveron.

The Craigellachie distillery is situated in Aberlour in the Scottish Speyside region. In 1891 a group of blenders and merchants got together and decided to build a new distillery.

Ownership changed a few times over the years, and in 1998 it was sold to John Dewar & Sons. The majority of the distillery production is used for the Dewar’s blended whisky.

The Craigellachie standard range includes a 13 year old whisky, a 17 year old and 23 year old single malt whisky.

The Craigellachie 51 year old Scotch single malt was distilled during December 1962 and aged in ex-Bourbon hogsheads. It was taken out of the wood in 2014.

Me being the sceptic was wondering; are they giving this Craigellachie 51 year old away because it is not so good and more of a gimmick? I went to taste it and captured the tasting notes. Here you can see Georgie pouring this remarkable bit of history.

A bit about yesterday, when I got to taste the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky. Such a special experience. 🥰🥰#craigellachie51 #Craigellachie51SA pic.twitter.com/MtK9C5CtvW

— WhiskyoftheWeek (@WhiskyoftheWeek) October 12, 2019

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky Review

I had a pour from bottle 29 of 51.

ABV: 40.3%

COLOUR: Dark golden copper

NOSE: Fruity sweetness, faint hints of wood, bits of orange. Elegant and intriguing.

PALATE: Soft spiciness balanced with sun ripe fruit, hints of sweet oranges, vanilla and dry oak. Creamy notes with hints of meaty goodness.

FINISH: Drying and soft with fruity sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I was expecting a very woody dram, after spending that amount of time in the oak. However, there are only soft woody notes. The oak lends a drying finish to the dram. The Craigellachie has many layers. It is almost like an old manuscript wrapped in many layers of tissue paper. The manuscript is so old and fused that you can’t separate the different layers anymore.

All the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky elements have blended into one to make something new that is unique and delicious. It is moreish and a once in a lifetime experience.

The Craigellachie Bar 51 Experience

The best part is that a few more people in South Africa can also get to taste this unique whisky during November. Craigellachie is hosting a special pop up bar, Bar 51, where you can get to taste the Craigellachie 13 year old, the 17 year old and the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

At WhiskyBrother Bar on the 20th and 21 st of November and at the Athletic Club in Cape Town on the 25th and the 26th of November. All you have to do is enter your details HERE to go into the draw. What are you waiting for? Go quickly. Entries close on the 10th of November.

Sample disclosure: I received a sample of the Craigellachie 51 year old from Craigellachie as part of their promotional event. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Balblair 17 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/07/2019

In Single Malt whisky

The third in my series on the new Balblair age statement releases and this week I look at the Balblair 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Balblair 12 year old whisky set the foundation on which the rest of the series stands.

This is followed by the Balblair 15 year old, which is just delicious. The Balblair 17 year old whisky is a travel retail exclusive, so not quite part of the standard range, but something to look forward to when you travel.

Balblair is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. Founded in 1790 by John Ross, the distillery lies in Edderton in the Northern Highlands of Scotland. Balblair is owned by Inver House Distillers who also own the anCnoc whisky and Speyburn whisky brands.

Interestingly only an estimated 15% of Balblair’s capacity is bottled as a single malt. The rest are all used for blends, including Hankey Bannister.

The Balblair 17 year old single malt whisky is matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and then finished in first-fill Spanish oak butts. It is not chill-filtered with no added colour.

Balblair 17 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Dark chocolate, bits of sultanas and cherries with wood spice. Minced fruit, oak and pepper.

PALATE: Not as sweet as the 15 year old with more wood spice and fruit. Nutmeg, white pepper mixed with vanilla. Red apples, sweet figs and juicy oranges with oak and hints of honey. Bold and chewy with a medium body. Adding water makes the 17 year old a bit sweeter, but interestingly, it does not tone down on the spicy notes.

FINISH: Dark chocolate and pepper with a hint of dried orange peel in the background.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Balblair 15 year old release showcased the fruity sweeter part of the Balblair style. This Balblair 17 year old whisky focused on the more wood spice part of the profile. It is delicious and a perfect after-dinner whisky.

This whisky will work well with a cheese board filled with fresh fruit and mature cheddar cheese. Next time I look at the last of my samples, the Balblair 18 year old whisky.

Sample disclosure: I received this sample from Balblair. Though received as part of a promotional event, the review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/16/2019

In Whisky Comparison

Today, I delve into the intriguing world of Johnnie Walker whisky, focusing on two exceptional releases: Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Johnnie Walker Gold Label blended Scotch whisky.

The showdown begins as we explore the legacy of the Gold Label 18 year old whisky, which was sadly discontinued in 2013, and its successors, the Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 year old blended Scotch.

Buckle up for a journey through time and flavour as we engage in a spirited bout of Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label whisky.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Whisky

REview and Tasting notes Johnnie Walker Gold Label Centenary Blend with glass
First, let’s pay homage to the legend that is the Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year old whisky. Crafted in 1920 by Sir Alexander Walker himself, this distinguished blend was created to commemorate the Johnnie Walker Company’s century in the whisky business, tracing its roots back to 1820.

The Gold Label is a blend of 15 different whiskies, boasting selections like Talisker, Clynish, Royal Lochnagar, and Cardhu. Each of these whiskies has gracefully aged for a minimum of 18 years, resulting in a harmonious blend that Jim Murray himself deemed worthy of 96 points in his esteemed Whisky Bible.

Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Whisky

Tasting notes for the Johnnie Walker Platinum blended whisky with glass
Now, let’s fast forward to the present and introduce the successor, the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label. This gem marked the first addition to the Johnnie Walker “colour” series in a while.

Initially launched in Travel Retail, it soon became widely available and earned its place next to the coveted Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The Platinum Label doesn’t hold back either.

With a blend of malts aged for around 18 years, it stands as Diageo’s formidable competition to the world of 18-year-old single malts. This release weaves together a select few single malt and grain whiskies, each aged for a minimum of 18 years, all crafted in the elegant and sweet Speyside style, according to Diageo’s discerning standards.

Also Read: Singleton 12 yo vs Glenfiddich 12 yo whisky

Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label Whisky

Comparing the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label whisky

	Johnnie Walker Platinum Label	Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Type	Blended whisky	Blended whisky
ABV	40%	43%
Colour	Bright gold	Bright gold
Nose	Toffee sweetness, brandy soaked fruits with hints of orange and smoke. Fresh-cut flowers and butterscotch. Traces of vanilla and caramel intermingle in the background.	Malt and barley with hints of smoke, oaky spices and sun dried grass. Rich and complex with a fruity sweetness. Apples and cinnamon hints balanced with fresh flowers.
Palate	Mild spice and hints of oak. Floral notes, malt, cinnamon and oranges intermingling with smoke. Something peaty in the background.	Honey and apricot jam, hints of malt and cream, toasted oak spices with smoky hints. Bits of cinnamon and dried fruit, wonderful balance between sweet and spice.
Finish	Medium length and ends in notes of orange and spice.	Long and lingering with notes of honey and green grass
My Rating	Very Good	Excellent
Comments	It is an easy drinking whisky.	A lovely balance between the rich fruity notes and hints of smoke.
Pairs well with	Delicate fish or soft cheese	Dark Chocolate dessert or beef stew

When placed side by side, it becomes evident just how subtle the differences are. They share striking similarities, beginning with their nearly identical hues, which make the choice all the more challenging.

In the battle of Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label whisky, both contenders are champions in their own right, offering distinct yet equally enchanting experiences for whisky enthusiasts.

The Johnnie Walker Gold Label whisky brings notes of barley, apricot jam and cinnamon. A fruity sweetness with creamy oak. The Johnnie Walker Platinum Label whisky brings brandy-soaked fruit, orange and light smoke. The finish on the Gold Label is longer and more satisfactory than on the Platinum Label.

If one were to nudge ahead slightly, it would be the Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year old whisky. I found the Gold Label richer and somewhat more complex, with an outstanding balance. The Platinum Label is easier to drink and more approachable.

Whether you choose the elegance of the Gold Label or indulge in the fruity notes of the Platinum Label, Johnnie Walker continues to deliver exceptional blends that honour their long legacy.

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Also Read: Johnnie Walker Blue Label vs XR Whisky

Tamdhu Batch Strength Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/09/2019

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am trying a dram with a BIG ABV – 58.8%; the Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 single malt Scotch whisky. One of the higher alcohol by volume releases in my collection. However, I bought this bottle pretty much just for the shape, not the ABV.

The bottle stands out in between the ~~dull~~ standard whisky bottle shapes in my collection. It is lovely and will be repurposed when empty. However, from where is Tamdhu?

It was in 1863 that the Strathspey railway first graced Speyside’s countryside. The railway created a dependable means of travel and several distilleries were built. Tamdhu distillery was founded in 1896 in Speyside by a group of investors. During 1897 it was bought by Highland Distillers.

In 2009, the Tamdhu Distillery was mothballed. It was then sold to Ian MacLeod Distillers in June 2011. The new owners fired up the stills soon afterwards and started producing single malt again.

Tamdhu lies on the banks of the mighty River Spey, not far from Knockando. The Knockando distillery’s old railway station has since been converted into the Tamdhu visitor centre.

The new owners released their first Tamdhu single malt in 2013 – the delicious Tamdhu 10 yo. Tamdhu Batch Strength was introduced in early 2015, and it is aged exclusively in first-fill Sherry casks.

It has been followed up by Batch 002 and 003 since then, and the current release is Batch 004. Tamdhu also has a Distillery Managers Edition as well as a Dalbeallie II release.

The Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 is a single malt that was matured exclusively in American and European oak Sherry casks. It is bottled without chill-filtration or additional colours.

Also Read: Amrut Two Continents Whisky

Tamdhu Batch Strength Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 58.5%

COLOUR: Amber

NOSE: Sherry hints with dark chocolate covered cherries. Some alcohol on the nose. It needs to breathe a bit. Then there are notes of sweetness and wood. Bits of vanilla and toffee sweetness with red berries and sultanas.

PALATE: Quite an alcohol bite. Fruity sweetness mixed with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. Brandied cherries, red grapes with bits of pepper and toffee sweetness. Sherry mixed with cognac notes. Water tones down the alcohol bite, but add it carefully. You only need to add a few drops of water.

FINISH: Red berries mixed with spicy pepper. A long finish that lingers around for a while still.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A big, bold sherry mouthful! A delicious sherry bomb. This Batch Strength single malt Scotch is not an easy-drinking, finish the bottle tonight type of whisky. The Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 is the type of whisky where you have one glass a week.

At the end of the meal, when you want to sit and debate the meaning of life while slowly sipping something special. When you have time to sit back and appreciate the boldness.

Also Read: Jura 10 yo Origin whisky

Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/26/2019

In Whisky Comparison

Singleton 12 yo vs Glenfiddich 12 yo single malt whisky side by side comparison
Today, I embark on a captivating journey, comparing Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch whiskies. There are many distinctive flavours to enjoy in the world of Speyside whisky, a region renowned for its fruity, nutty, and honeyed sweetness.

Nestled within this whisky-rich landscape are two notable distilleries, located just a stone’s throw from each other and offering their own unique takes on the revered 12 year old single malt category.

These two remarkable spirits are separated by flavour and striking bottle designs: the iconic triangular flask of Glenfiddich stands in stark contrast to the hip flask-inspired elegance of Singleton.

Singleton 12 year old Whisky

Singleton 12 yo vs Glenfiddich 12 yo Review and Tasting notes Singleton 12 yo whisky with glass
Our first stop is at the Dufftown Town Distillery, proudly situated in the heart of Speyside and under the ownership of Diageo.

Most of the malt whisky produced at this distillery finds its way into the blends, notably Bell’s whisky and Johnnie Walker releases. Only 5% of the spirit enjoys the limelight as single malt Scotch whisky.

Singleton 12 yo single malt whisky, a product of this Speyside establishment, undergoes maturation in a combination of American and European oak casks.

Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

Singleton 12 yo vs Glenfiddich 12 yo REview and Tasting notes The Glenfiddich 12 yo with glass
Now, let’s turn our attention to the triangular-shaped Glenfiddich bottle, which has earned its place as one of the world’s best-selling single malts. Glenfiddich pioneered packaging, introducing tubes and gift tins for its bottles, a tradition that continues to this day.

What sets Glenfiddich apart is not just its remarkable whisky but also its history of remaining family-owned. Founded in 1886 by William Grant in Dufftown, Scotland, nestled in the Glen of the River Fiddich, this distillery boasts a legacy that is both rich and enduring.

Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt whisky matures in Oloroso sherry and bourbon whisky casks, further enhancing its distinctive character.

Also Read: Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 yo whisky

Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 yo Single Malt Whisky Comparison

	Singleton 12 yo	Glenfiddich 12 yo
Region	Speyside Whisky	Speyside Whisky
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Deep polished copper	Bright amber
Nose	Sweet with caramel, toffee and vanilla mixed with malt. Notes of rich fruit and sweet spice.	Fresh fruit, oak and honey. Floral notes with faint spices in the background.
Palate	Spice, rich oak and toasted malt. It is rich and nutty with a great mouth feel. Heaps of sweet vanilla and hints of fruit dipped in dark chocolate. Well-balanced with the spicy and sweet in perfect harmony.	Creamy wood notes, toffee and dried fruit. Hint of pear and caramel. Cinnamon and nutmeg. Medium bodied whisky.
Finish	Medium length. Notes of fruit, sweet cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. There is an underlying layer of nutty toffee sweetness, which is delicious.	Medium length. Notes of oak and spice. Lovely oily mouth feel.
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	Easy drinking and affordable. It has an underlying nutty complexity that is delicious.	Great fruity whisky to start someone on his or her whisky journey. Not the most complex, but easy drinking, smooth and well balanced.
Price	$41	$54
Pairs well with	Crispy pork belly or a soft cheese.	A pear and ginger crumble.

Both of these 12 year old releases are accessible and affordable and essential additions to a whisky enthusiast’s collection.

The Glenfiddich brings notes of sweet pear, creamy oak and cinnamon. It has a lovely creamy mouthfeel and finishes in warming oak and spices.

The Singleton has toasted malt and toffee sweetness with nuts and vanilla. There is an abundance of ripe fruit and hints of dark chocolate.

The Singleton exhibits a bit more complexity than its Glenfiddich counterpart, while the Glenfiddich has a remarkable smoothness and an enticingly oily mouthfeel.

Choosing a favourite between these two magnificent offerings is a challenging task. So, I’ve chosen the path of least resistance and keep a bottle of each within easy reach in my home.

Yet, if I were to tip my hand, it’s worth noting that the Glenfiddich has graced my shelf more frequently than the Singleton, perhaps suggesting a subtle preference for the smooth and elegant charms of Glenfiddich.

But ultimately, the choice is yours to make, and exploring the flavours of Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old whiskies is an adventure well worth embarking upon.

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Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Label