Whisky of the Week

Ballantine’s 17 year old Whisky

On 09/11/2023

Earlier this year, I received a Ballantine’sFinest Whisky as a gift from good friends. Neither John nor I had ever tried a Ballantine’s, so we did not know what to expect. We were blown away by what we found. Not only was it a fantastic whisky, but it also earned my first Divine rating for that year.

No blend has ever received a ‘Divine’ rating in our books. I grabbed my Whisky Bible and scanned it to see what Jim Murray’s views were. And lo and behold, he liked it as well. I was not far wrong in my views. But I noticed that he liked the Ballantine’s 17 year old blended Scotch whisky even more.

My friend Marc from WhiskyBrother tweeted that he had a few Ballantine’s 17 year old Scotch whiskies in stock. And so I added a second Ballantine’s to my collection. Ballantine’s Scotch whisky dates back to 1827. George Ballantine began supplying a selected range of blended Scotch whiskies to distinguished customers from his grocery store in Edinburgh.

Sales were good, and Ballantine employed his son, George Jr, to help with the expansion. They soon began exporting products to Europe, and the business went from strength to strength.

Based on 2012 sales, Ballantine’s is one of the top 10 whisky brands in the world. Today Ballantine’s whisky is owned by Pernod Ricard and produced in Dumbarton, Scotland.

The Ballantine’s 17 year old whisky was first blended in the 1930s and created in the true Ballantine family style. “Ballantine’s 17 year old displays all the flavours of Scotland, with a careful combination of malt and grain whiskies from all over Scotland.”

The Ballantine’s 17 year old won the Whisky Bible 2011 World Whisky of the Year. A controversial choice by Jim Murray, so I was quite interested in trying it.

Also Read: Highland Queen Majesty whisky

Ballantine’s 17 year old Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden amber. When you at first open the bottle, sherry and toffee notes float up. The Ballantine’s 17 year old makes long thick oily fingers in the glass.

NOSE: After the initial sherry sweetness, the nose brings notes of tropical fruit, pineapple and banana. There are hints of oak and cereal at the back. The nose is complex, luxurious and creamy.

PALATE: The Ballantine’s is incredibly smooth. The palate brings notes of creamy oak and spice. There are hints of vanilla sweetness balanced with little bits of smoke. It is a complex whisky that reminds us of liquid gold. Drinking this 17 year old is an amazing experience.

FINISH: Long and lingering with fruit and hints of sweetness, oak and spice at the end. This blended whisky is impressive.

RATING: DIVINE

The Ballantines 17 year old blended whisky is amazingly smooth, complex and well balanced. I can understand why Jim Murray rated this blend so highly. One of the best Scotch whiskies I have ever tasted. Perfectly balanced and complex with many intricate layers.

I will certainly extend my collection of Ballantine’s whiskies based on this delicious dram.

Note: I have been extending my Ballantine’s Scotch whisky collection with a variety of releases. Some of my favourite Ballantine’s releases include:

Balvenie 17 year old Doublewood Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/11/2023

In Single Malt whisky

I have not had a glass of Balvenie in ages. The last time I had any Balvenie in my glass was when we did the Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean Cask comparison, and the bottles were empty after that tasting. I looked at my whisky collection for something new to drink and saw the Balvenie 17 year old DoubleWood single malt Scotch whisky, so I grabbed it and am glad I did.

The first ever Balvenie I tried was the DoubleWood 12 year old, and I have found it to be a bit of a hit and miss. I have had an amazing bottle, and the bottle after that was just blah. Since then, I have tasted numerous Balvenie releases.

Balvenie is a Speyside distillery, part of the William Grant portfolio, together with Glenfiddich and Kininvie distillery.

Like its younger sibling, the Balvenie DoubleWood 17 year old single malt is matured in ex-bourbon casks before finishing in ex-Sherry Casks. The DoubleWood 12 year old was released in 1993 and was so popular that they added the DoubleWood 17 year old whisky to the portfolio in 2012. Sadly, Balvenie discontinued the DoubleWood 17 year old in 2021.

Other releases in the Balvenie range include the Caribbean Cask as well as the Balvenie Roasted Malt and the Balvenie Peated Cask whisky.

The Balvenie 17 year old Doublewood Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Old gold

NOSE: On the nose, this whisky is a pleasure to experience. It combines oak, nuts, vanilla, red fruits, and delicate orange blossom. The subtle hint of cinnamon sugar adds a touch of sweetness, while citrus notes provide a refreshing zing. After standing a bit, there is a tropical note in the background.

PALATE: The oak and fruits from the nose continue on the palate with bits of tart red apple and creamy grain. Cinnamon, cloves and vanilla mix with wood, dried fruit and almonds and are balanced with a toffee sweetness. The DoubleWood single malt has a medium body and is quite oily. Water takes away the sweetness and some of the complexity. It is better without water.

FINISH: The finish is medium long with notes of toffee sweetness, lingering creamy vanilla and a drying woody oakiness. Somewhere in the background is a milk chocolate note that makes me want to explore this dram again.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The combination between the fruity sweetness and the oak spices is well-balanced, contributing to a satisfying and well-rounded drinking experience. It is elegant and delicious. After 17 years in wood, I expected a bit more body on the Balvenie. However, the medium body makes it easy to drink.

If you see a bottle of this Balvenie Doublewood 17 year old Scotch whisky floating around, do yourself a favour and grab it. It is an enjoyable whisky experience you will be sorry to have missed.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa Whisky

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/04/2023

In Single Malt whisky

Tasting the Glenfarclas 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky this week brought back some fond memories. I purchased this bottle of Glenfarclas 12 year old on my most recent visit to Dullstroom. It was one of the whiskies I tasted in the bar during the weekend away, and I just had to stock up.

The Glenfarclas distillery sits in Banffshire, just a mile from the River Spey, in the heart of Speyside. Established in 1865 the distillery is still family-owned. Glenfarclas produces several expressions in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy sherry influence.

It is one of the few Scottish distilleries that never use exotic woods for maturation. Both the bottle and tube are presented in the now-classic Glenfarclas packaging. The distillery is situated in the middle of green pastures. A perfect place for whisky.

Related Article: Rhino Whisky

The range includes a Glenfarclas 10 year old, 15 year old, Glenfarclas 17 year old whisky, up to a 30 year old whisky and even a Glenfarclas 40 year old whisky. There is also the Glenfarclas 105 release as well as the various Family Cask releases.

Glenfarclas has a beautiful visitors center on-site, and it is one of the places on my bucket list to visit. How perfect would it be to taste some of the older Family Casks right there at the distillery?

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Vibrant amber gold. I think that the sherry renders it more copper in nature.

NOSE: Lots of sherry and honey. There are subtle hints of spice, oak and smoke.

PALATE: Nice, medium-bodied mouthful. The sherry sweetness immediately comes through with further notes of fruitcake, raisins, oak and spice. The 12 year old is not a complex whisky, but the flavours are beautifully balanced.

FINISH: An interesting one. Initially, I thought it dropped off quickly, but it comes back! It has a long tail with spice and honey.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The overall impression of this is a well-rounded whisky. The whisky lacks complexity, but it has an amazing finish. It is easily one of the most sherried whiskies I have tasted. I have also tasted an older 12 year old release from Glenfarclas. Similar to this release, it was also bursting with plums, caramel and raisins with the sherry notes.

The the releases were from different periods and has very different packaging but you can taste the similarities in the sherry fruitiness. Interestingly, the finish on the older release was much shorter than the finish on this release.

In 2006 this Glenfarclas 12 year old whisky was named the ‘Best Sherried Whisky’ in the Single Malt World Cup, and I can understand why.

My friend Marc, from the Whisky Brothers shop, also loves this whisky but suggests that the Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength 60% ABV has an even greater sherried nature.

I will certainly be looking out for this expression in future, but for now, I highly recommend the Glenfarclas 12 year old whisky. A great addition to my collection.

Also Read: Glendronach 12 yo whisky

Glenfarclas and Food Pairings

There was still some Woolworths Cherry Genoa Christmas cake leftover. I paired our second glass of the Glenfarclas 12 yo with this cake. The whisky made the Cherry Genoa rich and fruity, while the Glenfarclas sherry notes were accentuated. It makes for a lovely pairing!

I also tried the Glenfarclas with a sweet dessert cheese (White Rock with cranberries) to see if I can get a similar result, but the soft dessert cheese and the sherry whisky did not pair well. If you have tasted this Glenfarclas 12 yo whisky, or the Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength, I would love to hear your impressions.

Update: I paired this release with some Wensleydale cheese with cranberries. See how this pairing worked. This release has made it onto my Top 5 Single Malt whiskies under R500 for 2014 list.

Also Read: The Macallan 12 yo whisky

How to make a Good Margarita

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/28/2023

In Cocktails

margarita cocktail header
A few nights ago, we visited friends for a BBQ, and when we arrived, she had tequila shooters standing ready. I am not the biggest fan of tequila. But this was some decent tequila añejo.

I realised I had done very little exploring around tequila and tequila-based cocktails. The most famous tequila cocktail is the Margarita, and what better place to learn more about tequila when making cocktails at home?

The Margarita recipe comprises tequila, triple sec, and lime juice shaken and strained into a stepped-diameter martini-shaped glass rimmed with salt. The name conjures up images of tacos, guacamole, and enchiladas, as the Margarita is associated with Mexican cuisine.

Exactly where the margarita cocktail is from and who invented it is unknown. A cocktail recipe with similar ingredients was included in the Cafe Royal cocktail book published in 1937. This cocktail was called Picador.

Other sources claim that it was invented by a bartender for a dancer who was allergic to other alcohols but not tequila.

I have seen recipes with different ingredient ratios. From 2:1:1 (tequila, triple sec, lime juice) to 10:4:3. Personally, the best margarita recipe is the sweeter version where the triple sec is slightly more than the lime juice.

Also Read: Cosmopolitan Cocktail

However, looking around, you will find good Margarita recipes in various flavours and variations beyond the classic lime version. I have seen different fruit flavours, like strawberry, mango, and watermelon. Today, I am staying with the classic Margarita recipe and investigate how to make a good margarita at home.

Like all alcohol-forward cocktails, using only the best ingredients is essential. But let’s start at the most important ingredient; the tequila.

Margarita cocktail recipe

What is Tequila?

Tequila is a Mexican distilled spirit distilled from the blue agave plant (agave tequiliana). Tequila is a type of Mezcal, a spirits category made from various agave plants.

Different types of tequila

Tequila blanco (silver tequila): Tequila that is not aged. This typically has notes of pepper and citrus with a spicy finish. This is the perfect tequila to use for Margaritas.
Tequila reposado: Tequila aged between 2 to 12 months in oak barrels. It has a smooth flavour and typical oak, vanilla, and caramel notes.
Tequila añejo: aged between 1 to 4 years in oak barrels. It is richer, with typical notes of vanilla and cinnamon. A good sipping tequila.
Tequila joven is a blend of unaged and aged tequila.
Tequila cristalino is a clear spirit as the tequila añejo is filtered to remove tannins.

Other variations on the theme

Frozen Margarita: When the ingredients are slushed together with ice to create the perfect summer drink.

Paloma Margarita: When you replace the lime juice with grapefruit juice. A soft pink version of the classic.

Tequila Sours: When the whiskey in a sour is replaced by tequila.

Mexican Mule: Where the tequila replaces the vodka in the classic Moscow Mule. The spicy ginger beer and lime juice are the perfect pairing for tequila.

Margarita cocktail make

Why do you rim a Margarita cocktail with salt?

According to some research, salt changes the way our taste buds process the bitterness of the tequila and the lime. By adding a few grains to each sip, the alcohol and bitterness are balanced and additional flavours can come through.

How to make a good Margarita at home

Margarita glass

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz blanco tequila
1 oz triple sec (Cointreau)
3/4 oz lime juice
lime wedge and wheel
salt
ice

Instructions

Sprinkle some salt on a small plate. Rub the wedge of lime along the rim of a glass and then dip it into the salt.
Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well-chilled.
Carefully strain into the cocktail glass with a few blocks of ice.
Decorate the Margarita with a lime wheel and enjoy.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Blue vs Black Label Whisky

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/25/2023

In Bourbon whiskey

This Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey bottle holds a special place in my whiskey journey. It was one of my first forays into the world of bourbon, a spirit that my love for single malt and blended whisky had previously overshadowed.

Back in 2013, Maker’s Mark made headlines when they decided to lower the ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of their bourbon.

This decision piqued my curiosity, and I couldn’t resist grabbing a bottle of their “full strength” bourbon from WhiskyBrother in Hydepark. Little did I know that this decision, which they later reversed, would mark the beginning of my love affair with bourbon.

Maker’s Mark, distilled in Loretto, Kentucky, has a rich history dating back to 1954. T. William “Bill” Samuels Sr. acquired the distillery, known initially as Burks’ Distillery, and embarked on a journey to create a distinctive bourbon.

During the development phase, Samuels experimented with seven different mash bills. Rather than distilling them all, he opted for a unique approach.

He baked loaves of bread with these various grain recipes and selected the most delectable one. The winning loaf contained a high proportion of barley and red winter wheat, omitting rye altogether.

Samuels, with the guidance of St. Pappy Van Winkle and the creative touch of his wife, Marjorie “Margie” Samuels, gave birth to Maker’s Mark, complete with its iconic label and signature red wax seal.

Fast forward to 1968, and the first Maker’s Mark bourbon whiskey graced the world. What sets Maker’s Mark apart from many other bourbons is its mash bill, which excludes rye in favour of red winter wheat (16%), corn (70%), and malted barley (14%).

Maker’s Mark carries no age statement; it is bottled when their expert tasters deem it ready, typically around six years old. The brand is owned by Beam Suntory.

Other releases include the Maker’s 46, a cask strength edition as well as a wood finish series.

Also Read: Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 45%

COLOUR: A light golden copper. It seems lighter in colour than the other bourbons in my collection.

NOSE: Maker’s Mark reveals a less pronounced sweetness than other bourbons I have tasted. Scents of condensed milk, cherries, brandied fruit, toasted wood, and sweet vanilla spice intermingle. A few drops of water amplify the spicy and woody notes on the nose.

PALATE: When sipped neat, the palate bursts with vanilla spice, followed by cherries and fresh fruit sweetness. A layer of cinnamon spice and toasted oak follows the initial fruity notes. Maker’s Mark impresses with its velvety smoothness, and the flavour profile evolves with each subsequent sip.

It perfectly balances vanilla sweetness, cinnamon-infused oak spiciness, and subtle fruity hints. Adding water further refines the bourbon, making it exceptionally easy to savour.

FINISH: Long with hints of sweetness, vanilla and caramel.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What an excellent introduction for those new to bourbon. In contrast, seasoned bourbon enthusiasts will also enjoy and appreciate its versatility in crafting cocktails. Its approachable nature ensures you can enjoy it all evening without growing weary of its company.

Another great aspect of this bourbon is the price. It retails for around £32 on Amazon and I regularly see it on special.

The Maker’s Mark is a great companion to a creamy Gouda cheese. It balances the buttery Gouda with the oak and vanilla.

Additionally, I’ve had the pleasure of tasting Maker’s 46, a unique release from this distillery. In my quest to discover perfect pairings, I once paired this bourbon with some KFC to assess the synergy between flavours.

Other Side by Side comparisons

I also compared Maker’s Mark and Buffalo Trace bourbon side-by-side to discern their distinct characteristics. For those interested in exploring the nuances within the Maker’s Mark portfolio, I’ve delved into the differences between Maker’s 46 and the classic Maker’s Mark.

This bourbon, with its rich history and exceptional flavour profile, continues to be a beloved and intriguing presence in the world of bourbon.

Also Read: Uncle Nearest 1856 Whiskey