Whisky of the Week

Meandering the world, one whisky at a time

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Port Charlotte Special Reserve 10 year old Whisky

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On 02/06/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Review and tasting notes Port Charlotte special reserve 10 yo Single Cask whisky
Now and again, I manage to get my hands on a single cask bottling release. Be it via WhiskyBrother and one of their special single cask bottlings or when friends travel. The Whisky Brother releases are legendary, and I am waiting with bated breath for what is coming out from them this year.

Back to today’s tasting; at the end of 2016, John came home with this bottle of Port Charlotte 10 year old Special Reserve Private Cask Scotch whisky bottling. It is a 10 yo release matured in Sherry casks. John received it as a gift from one of his colleagues. FC knows how much we love whisky and arranged this bottle for us.

Bruichladdich is situated on the beautiful Islay and is known for 3 different styles  of whisky. They are bottled as follows: Bruichladdich is the unpeated release, Port Charlotte is peated to a hefty 40 ppm, and Octomore, the heavyweight, peated to an enormous 131 ppm. Bruichladdich is owned by Remy Cointreau.

The Village of Port Charlotte lies just south of Bruichladdich close to the shore of Loch Indaal. There stand the ruins of LochinDaal Distillery that was in operation from 1829 to 1929. The Port Charlotte brand pays tribute to this now silent distillery.

I invited Emily from  the Whizzky App to join me on Twiter, to taste this limited release. Emily loves whisky as much as I do, and it is a great privilege to share a dram with such a special lady in the whisky industry.

Also Read: Armorik Millesime 2002 whisky

Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky Review

Review and tasting notes Port Charlotte Special Reserve 10 yo single cask whisky with glass
The Port Charlotte Special Reserve is a 10 year old single malt whisky aged in a sherry cask. This bottle is from Cask no 852, and it was distilled 15th October 2003 and bottled 5th March 2014.

REGION: Islay

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Dark golden syrup colour

NOSE: Peat, sherry, smoke, salt and ash. Dark chocolate and after adding water, there are notes of smoky bacon with cranberry sauce.

PALATE: Ash, earthy peat, Lindt Orange Intense and Salted Caramel chocolate, sherry, vanilla, halva.  After adding water to soften the alcohol, there are more sweet noes with hints of cinnamon and liquorice.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of ash, citrus, smoke and earthy peat. Quite spicy

RATING: EXCELLENT

An enjoyable, rich, bold and complex dram.  The Port Charlotte is not for the faint-hearted. You need to spend some time to appreciate the peat notes. This Port Charlotte is the perfect marriage between the peat and the sherry. Two different elements that work together as an excellent team.

Also Read: Laphroaig PX Cask whisky


Eagle Rare 10 year old Bourbon Whiskey

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On 01/30/2017

In Bourbon whiskey

Eagle Rare 10 yo Single Barrel Bourbon header
In 2017, as I ventured into the world of bourbons, I was eager to kick off the year with a bang, following the delicious memories of Makers Mark from the previous year. The Makers Mark release quickly became one of my all-time favourites. Could I find some bourbon this year to beat my expectations? Enter Eagle Rare 10 year old Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey.

2016 was a year of bourbon exploration, but I was somewhat underwhelmed. Few of the bourbons I sampled managed to truly impress my palate. I have a sweet tooth, and I’m drawn to those delectable toasted oak and vanilla notes that bourbon offers.

The variety of bourbons available in South Africa is relatively small, and it often feels like the selection is shrinking. Sure, you can hunt down some high-priced bottles online, but they aren’t always accessible to the everyday bourbon enthusiast.

Then I found the Eagle Rare 10 year old Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey. This release hails from the respected Buffalo Trace distillery. While it used to proudly bear the “10-year-old Single Barrel” label, the newer bottles have omitted this detail due to a transition from hand filling to machine filling.

This transition introduced the possibility of some bottles containing whiskey from more than one barrel, prompting the removal of the “Single Barrel” designation.

So, what’s the deal with Eagle Rare 10 year old? It’s aged for a decade in charred new oak barrels and bottled at a respectable 45% ABV.

This bourbon has garnered many accolades at renowned spirits competitions like the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the World Whiskies Awards. My bottle still features the 10 year old and Single Barrel labels, evoking a sense of tradition.

Notably, the Scotch Noob points out in his review that the mash bill of Eagle Rare 10 is quite similar to Buffalo Trace. It’s like an older, more discerning sibling of Buffalo Trace, thanks to meticulous barrel selection.

Also Read: Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon

Eagle Rare 10 year old Bourbon Whiskey Review

Review and tasting notes Eagle Rare Kentucky Bourbon whiskey with glass

COUNTRY: USA

ABV:45%

COLOUR: Polished amber

NOSE: The nose enchants with vanilla, toffee sweetness, hints of brandy pudding, freshly cut flowers, and subtle notes of toasted oak and pepper.

PALATE: While the nose promises vanilla and oaky sweetness, the palate surprises with a malty spiciness. Think chilli peppers, nuttiness, creamy cocoa, and traces of toasted oak and mint leaves. A few drops of water work wonders, mellowing the pepper and revealing more cinnamon. This isn’t an overly sweet bourbon. However, it has a good balance and is complex enough to be thoroughly enjoyable.

FINISH: The finish is medium length, culminating in peppery and oaky notes.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Eagle Rare is indeed an intriguing bourbon whiskey; not as sweet as I anticipated, but it compensates with a satisfying hint of chili heat. The rest of the bourbon experience remains intact—vanilla and toasted oak enveloped in a rich, creamy body.

As a curious experiment, I paired this bourbon with some KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) to see how it would complement the flavours. You can follow the link if you’re interested in discovering which bourbon works best with your fried chicken fix.

This release is the perfect companion to a creamy Gouda cheese.  It is gentle enough to not overwhelm the buttery cheese while spicy enough to create interest.

Also Read: Buffalo Trace vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon



Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish Whisky

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On 01/16/2017

In Blended whisky

Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish 15 yo Whisky header
The year 2016 started with a BANG. I started my tasting year with a distinctive South African whisky. It was the Three Ships PX Cask, the first in their Three Ships whisky Masters Collection. This year, I am fortunate to start on an even bigger BANG. First up is another Three Ships Masters Collection release, the Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish whisky.

A 15 year old blend from the beautiful Wellington in the Western Cape. What makes it so very special is the ageing in the Pinotage Casks.

The 15 yo Pinotage Cask Finish is the oldest whisky crafted by Master Distiller Andy Watts. He sought to capture the unique heritage of South Africa in this vibrant, sophisticated and unique whisky.

Andy has been experimenting with ageing whiskies is a variety of casks. During October 2016, at a glittering event, the next unique ‘experiments’ was released. A whisky finished in casks previously used for the maturation of Pinotage – the uniquely South African wine cultivar.

What is Pinotage?

Pinotage is a grape variety that originated in South Africa in 1925 when Abraham Perold combined the best qualities of the robust Hermitage grape with Pinot Noir. This grape makes great wine but it can be challenging to grow. The result was a grape with high sugar levels and more intense ruby colour than the parents.

Recognition for this new grape variety came at the end of the 50s at as a Pinotage was the champion wine at the Cape Wine Show. But by the 70s, it seemed that the Pinotage lost favour and many producers uprooted large areas of well-established Pinotage vines.

A few producers, however, saw the potential of this grape and continued to look for ways to improve the quality of the grape. Their hard work and dedication paid off at the end of the 80s when a Kanonkop Pinotage won a major prize. Pinotage was back on the wine stage. And with all the exciting bottlings that have been coming out, a variety destined to stay on the stage for a long time.

Pinotage is known for red berry, plum, tropical fruit, banana, smoke, earthy and chocolate flavours. Pinotage wine pairs well with roast turkey, salami, dried meat, Spanish or Italian food, aged gouda and cheddar.

Also Read: Private Barrel Co James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky

Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish Whisky Review

Review and Tasting notes Three Ships Pinotage Cask finish 15 yo whisky with glass
The grain and malt portions were first matured separately in American casks before being finished for different periods in eight casks previously used for Pinotage. For this tasting, I was joined on Twitter by talented photographer Nymless.

REGION: World Whisky, South Africa

ABV: 46.2%

COLOUR: Golden blush pink

NOSE: Berries, sweet caramel, fresh fruits, vanilla, oak, butterscotch, strawberry jam and grapes. The nose is rich and complex.

PALATE: Without water, the palate has pepper, toffee, creme brûlee and hints of toasted oak. Water releases complexity and richness. The fruity nose becomes defined fruits.

Apples, bananas and berries mixed with a cereal maltiness. Honey sweetness balanced with cinnamon and vanilla.  Little hints of pepper for bite. Floral sweetness. The Three Ships Pinotage Cask has a HUGE personality.

FINISH: Long and lingering with sweet, fruity notes, cinnamon. Leaves you wanting more!

RATING: DIVINE  

It was unanimous. All 3 people across the country gave it the same score.

Wonderfully delicious! A true piece of South African history. I love the Three Ships brand, team and whisky.

Because I know the people that make this whisky, I run the risk of making an emotional rating. I want to keep my ratings as objective and as sensible as possible. Without me  knowing it, a few weeks before this tasting, I made the same call on a blind tasting of the Pinotage Cask.

We were playing Monopoly with our 5-year-old daughter. It was a rainy afternoon, and I asked John to pour me something aged in sherry. He came back with a glass and handed it to me. I tasted and realised it was not a sherry cask.

But I was unsure what whisky he poured me. John knew that we were tasting the Pinotage Cask a week later, so I was not expecting him to open that. He asked what I thought of the whisky and it inadvertently became a blind tasting. I immediately rated it, Divine. So no, the Divine rating is not exaggerated  or an emotional rating. It is an exceptional whisky. A HUGE whisky to start 2017 with,

Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish Whisky and Food

If you like drinking pinotage, this is a whisky that you will enjoy. It has the same fruity, earthy notes of a great pinotage, but with the rich malty cereal whisky notes.

I preferred the Pinotage Cask Finish with a few drops of water to release more of the fruity tones. It will pair well with foods such as cured meats, a great cheddar and a big bowl of spaghetti bolognese.

During 2021 the James Sedgwick distillery released a grain whisky finished in a red wine cask, the Bain’s Shiraz Cask Finish  whisky.

Also Read: Three Ships 6 yo That Boutique-y Whisky Company



Whisky and Chocolate pairings

By

On 01/03/2017

In Lifestyle

Whisky chocolate pairing 1027 edition header
Welcome 2017! The end of an old year and a new beginning. For me, 2017 started with a bang. Or rather the sound of a small firework war as the neighbourhood set off (illegal)  firework after firework. I stood  on the patio, with a view of the horizon, while watching hundreds of fireworks greet the New Year.

My poor dogs were dozed up on calming meds and sleeping soundly. The noisy fireworks woke my five year old, who also joined me for the free display. But before all the colourful and loud fireworks, we had a few taste explosions of our own.

For the last seven or more years, my special year-end tradition is to end the Old Year on a whisky chocolate pairing. It is a sweet and delicious way to say “Goodbye” to the old while celebrating with some fantastic drams. (This means there is always leftover chocolate to start a New Year with). This year was no exception.

During December, I found various interesting looking chocolates and did a bit of desk research on what whisky might pair with them. Sometimes it is a miss; sometimes it is a hit. It is always sweet and fun. Let’s dive straight into our first pairing.

Whisky and Chocolate Pairing 2017 Edition 

Knob Creek Bourbon paired with Toffifee 

Whisky chocolate pairing 2017 edition Knob Creek Bourbon whisky and Toffifee chocolate pairing
I fell in love with chocolate and bourbon pairings this year.

There is nothing nicer than to sit and work at night, sipping on a delicious bourbon and munching on whatever chocolate I raided from the little one’s stash. I paired bourbon with Smarties, Kit Kats and a Kinder Egg. Just don’t tell my child that this is where all her chocolate disappears to.

Toffifee are chewy caramel cups containing nougat, caramel and crunchy hazelnut, topped with a chocolate button. They are seriously delicious and addictive! In 1973, Storck combined the four most popular candy ingredients in the world, and the result was the Toffifee.

I decided that the caramel notes might pair nicely with the rich, creamy smooth Knob Creek Bourbon. My tasting notes for the Knob Creek Bourbon included maple, oak, cereal with hints of caramel and raisins. Knob Creek is a big mouthful, and there are the traditional bourbon notes of vanilla sweetness and cinnamon.
Did it work? What an amazing pairing. The whisky cuts through the Toffifee sweetness and the chocolate makes the Knob Creek creamier and more decadent. A great pairing.  And easy enough to try at home. Interestingly, the Knob Creek bourbon did not pair well with Malted Puffs. Perhaps my palate was still busy processing the Toffifee, and I need to try the Knob Creek and Malted Puff pairing again.

Highland Park 18 yo Whisky paired with Toblerone White Chocolate

Whisky chocolate pairing 2017 edition Highland Park 18 yo whisky and toblerone white chocolate
I need to find a way to finish this bottle because, for some reason, I don’t like this release. I have paired the Highland Park 18 yo with some mature Gouda cheese, which worked well. Now to try it with some chocolate. My tasting notes included notes of oak, honey, toffee and sweetness mixed with oak. There are notes of butterscotch, Christmas cake, plump raisins and peat with smoky hints. Some florals with barley and cereal.

Some desktop research indicates that creamy white chocolate will pair well with a smoky Highland dram. Let’s try the Highland Park 18 yo with a Toblerone White with honey and almond nougat pieces.

Toblerone was created by Theodor Tobler in Switzerland in 1908. He and his cousin developed a unique mix of milk chocolate which included nougat, almonds and honey in a distinctive prism shape.

Did it work? The nose on the Highland Park is amazing, but when you taste it, you wonder; where did it all go? Did this pairing work enough to help me finish the bottle?  Not so much. The chocolate is overwhelmingly sweet and drowns out the Highland Park. This sweet chocolate needs a much more smoky dram to stand up to it. The Highland Park 18 yo is too delicate for this creamy chocolate.

Tamdhu 10 yo Whisky paired with De Villiers Cinnamon and Chili Dark Chocolate

Whisky chocolate pairing 2017 edition tamdhu whiskyand cinnamon chilli dark chocolate pairing
The De Villiers (DV) artisanal chocolate makers are the first ‘Bean to Bar’ makers in SA and one of the few companies to make good single-origin chocolates on the African continent. Situated in the Wine Lands of the Cape, DV gets their inspiration from what they see around them.

This Cinnamon and Chilli Dark Chocolate is a 70% dark chocolate bar with cinnamon flavours presenting first and chilli following in the finish. It is made with UTZ certified Ugandan cocoa beans. I have decided to pair it with the Tamdhu 10 yo.

Tasting notes for the Tamdhu include vanilla & sugared almonds, fresh oak and cinnamon, fruit, toffee and sherry oak.

Did it work? I have only tried the Tamdhu 10 yo at a Whisky show, so had no tasting notes or proper recollection about the taste. It must have been nice because I bought it after the Whisky Show. Tasting it reminded me, what a great whisky! This 10 yo will certainly land up on my tasting schedule sooner rather than later!

And this whisky chocolate pairing was great. The two elements combined to create a creamy, rich experience. The chocolate enhanced the Tamdhu 10 yo finish to make it MILES long. At least 5 minutes after tasting this combination, I was still conscious of the whisky and chocolate on my palate.

Lagavulin Distillers Edition Whisky paired with Malted Puffs 

Whisky chocolate pairing 2017 edition lagavulin 1994 distillers edition whisky and chuckles malted puffs pairing
While researching my whisky chocolate pairing 2017, I saw a reference to pairing Maltesers with a Lagavulin on one of Fiona Beckett’s Pairing Food and Whisky posts and thought; why not?

In South Africa, Maltesers are called Malted Puffs and a firm favourite in my house. (Because I can eat them in bed without messing too much)

Lagavulin is one of Johns’ favourite whiskies, so I knew he would not complain too much if I bought a bag (or 3) Malted Puffs to try as a pairing.  All in the name of research, you know!

My Lagavulin 1994 Distillers Edition tasting notes included peat and iodine, followed by the characteristic smokiness, burnt oak, fruitiness, raisins, sherry and vanilla.

Malted Puffs, on the other hand, is a roughly spherical malt honeycomb-like structured centre, surrounded by milk chocolate. Just delicious! Easy to pop into your mouth while reading, but difficult to stop before the whole bag is gone.

Did it work? O my word, when I read about the pairing, I was not sure that it would work, but it was amazing. The puffs softened the peat and Islay characteristics of the Lagavulin and the two elements together created a rich, creamy smooth experience. A great whisky chocolate pairing 2017! There might even be a few malted puffs left over to test it on some of the other Islay drams.

What is your favourite whisky chocolate pairing?

Also Read: Islay Whisky and Lamb Pairing



Top 5 Single Malt under R750

By

On 12/07/2016

In Lifestyle

top 5 single malts 2016 edition-under-r750
Following my post last week on the ‘Top 5 Blends under R600’, I have worked hard to define my Top 5 Single Malt under R750. I have tasted a considerable variety of whiskies to sort the good from the bad, the cheap from the tasty.

Keeping it under R650 for the single malts have become impossible. With the decline in the currency and the general increase in single malt prices, I had to lift the price point to around R750.

But fear not, there are many delicious single malts at this price point. So, are you looking for a gift for your boss? You want to impress someone but not break the bank? Look no further, to my Top 5 Single Malt under R750 Edition. All available in South Africa.

Also Read: Gin and Olives Pairing

Top 5 Single Malt under R750

1. Glen Grant The Major’s Reserve Whisky

Glen Grant Major's Reserve Single Malt Whisky header
First up on the Top 5 Single Malt underR750 Edition: What a stunning dram! It is under R500 and delicious. One of the bottles I replace regularly. The Glen Grant Major’s Reserve is rich with spice, banana, green mango and pears. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg perfectly balanced with malt, toffee and hints of oak.

2. Glen Moray Elgin Classic Whisky

Glen Moray Elgin Classic Whisky header
I got this Speyside staple from my brother in law, and his taste in whisky impressed me. An excellent buy for a whisky lover. The Glen Moray is delicate with hints of malty sweetness, vanilla and oak floating about.

Fresh cut flowers, grass and green apples mixed with whispers of condensed milk and cinnamon biscuits. The Glen Moray has the perfect balance between sweet and spicy. It is a very easy drinking dram. The sense of lightness remains the whole way through.

3. Laphroaig Quarter Cask Whisky

Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Whisky header
This classic Islay dram squeezes into the list on the price point. But it has to be here! It is a delicious classic that is perfect for any peat lover. For me, the Quarter Cask epitomizes the Laphroaig style. Burnt peat, seaweed and iodine mixed with mild smoke and a surprising hint of spicy sweetness.

In the background lurk some oak, liquorice and fruity notes. The palate feels rich and thick, befitting a proper Islay whisky. The addition of water makes the Laphroaig Quarter Cask smoother and softens the medicinal notes. Big and bold!

4. Three Ships 10 yo Whisky

Three Ships 10 yo 2005 Vintage Whisky header
So glad I can add this exceptional Vintage to my list this year! Released earlier in 2016 and available for under R750, this South African dram is a MUST for whisky aficionados!
The Three Ships 10 yo Vintage edition has notes of malt, fruitiness, spices and fresh with hints of honey and butterscotch. Once you add water, peat and smoke are released, and the earthy character of this proudly South African dram comes through.

The Three Ships 10 yo has a beautiful body and is a nice big mouthful. Even without water, this is wonderfully smooth. The addition of water transforms the whisky. Water releases all the peaty earthy notes. But the peat is smooth, rich and not overwhelming. Perfect for someone who wants to expand his or her whisky tasting experience.

5. Checkers Private Barrel Co No 41 Whisky

Checkers Private Barrel Co. Barrel No 41 Single Malt whisky
Last but not least on my Top 5 Single Malts 2016 list, the Checkers Private Barrel Co No 41. This “Odd Bins” release from Checkers does not have a distillery name but comes in at a very affordable price. It is a 12 yo and has a fantastic taste for the price.

There’s a lot of toffee sweetness with a bit of spice. The Private Barrel Co No 41 is bursting with fruity flavour mixed with creamy, buttery fudge, toffee sweetness and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

The addition of water certainly brings out a lot more smoothness and brings some floral notes to the front. The strong point of this dram is the finish. It is probably one of the longest finishes that I have “tasted” in a long time. The addition of water seems to improve the finish.

Also Read: Laphroaig 10 vs Quarter Cask Whisky



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