Whisky of the Week

Meandering the world, one whisky at a time

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Private Barrel Co. Glen Grant 17 year old Whisky

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On 05/12/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Private Barrel Co. Glen Grant 17 yo Whisky header
Checkers recently bottled a Glen Grant 17 year old whisky under their Private Barrel Co. label. Glen Grant is a Speyside Single Malt distillery located in the small town of Rothes – not far from the Glenrothes distillery.

John and James Grant, two former illegal distillers, founded Glen Grant in 1840. All the essential ingredients of malt whisky were close at hand; the sea and port of Garmouth, the River Spey and barley-growing plains all within easy reach for a new distillery.

By 1872, the founders of Glen Grant Distillery had died. Young James ‘The Major’ Grant, born in 1847, had always taken a keen interest in the distillery. After inheriting the business from his uncle John Grant, he proved himself a worthy successor.

According to accounts, James Grant was a legendary innovator and traveller.  New ideas fascinated James Grant, and he wasn’t afraid to explore them. He was the first man in the Highlands to own a car. Glen Grant was the first distillery to have electric light.

He also introduced the tall, slender stills and purifiers, which created the fresh malty flavour. James Grant passed away in 1931. He was survived by his three daughters and a distillery that had become one of the most famous in the world.

Douglas MacKessack, his grandson, became his successor. In 2006, Campari acquired Glen Grant. The Glen Grant distillery is one of the top-selling malt whiskies in parts of the world.

Checkers launched their Private Barrel Co. Label of single malt whiskies in 2013. There are three other bottlings in the Checkers Private Barrel Co collection, including a Mortlach and a Glenburgie.

Only 464 bottles of the Glen Grant 17 year old whisky has been released. It is the most mature of the current Private Barrel Co. range, and I managed to get bottle number 170 of 464.

Related Article:  The Glenlivet Alpha Whisky

Glen Grant 17 year old Whisky Review

Review and tasting notes Glen Grant 17 yo Single Malt whisky with glass
The Glen Grant 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky is finished in a Sherry Cask (cask no. 97265).

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A copper tinted gold.

NOSE: When nosing, the sherry cask is immediately noticeable.  The sherry comes through at once and is very pronounced.  Then some fresh fruit emerges, especially when you add a bit of water.  There are notes of greengage, mild spice and butterscotch.  Not have a very complex nose.

PALATE: Fresh fruit and butterscotch. It is a very spicy whisky with lots of pepper, ginger and nutmeg. There is some sweetness of the sherry cask in the background, but the spice dominates the taste.

FINISH: This Glen Grant 17 year old finishes in spice and liquorice. The finish is rather short but nicely warming.

RATING: VERY GOOD

For a 17 year old whisky, this is not a very complex whisky. However, it is an easy-drinking dram. Surprisingly the sherry does not come through as much in the palate as it does in the nose.

An interesting bottle to have in my collection. I am looking forward to trying some of the other expressions in the Checkers Private Barrel Co collection. There are a few more to choose from. I have also tasted the Private Barrel Co. No.41 whisky and the Private Barrel Co No 68, both of which are amazing drams. Earlier this year, I tried this Glen Grant 17 yo with various cheeses to find a good whisky cheese pairing. The Glen Grant works very nicely with young, mild cheddar cheese.

The Private Barrel Co released a James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask as well as a Private Barrel Co No 108 Irish Whiskey during 2018, and you can read all about it.

Also Read:  Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label whisky


Glendronach 16 year old Platinum Whisky

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On 05/06/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Glendronach 16 yo Platinum Whisky header
Today I look at the Glendronach 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky. James Allardes founded the distillery in 1826. Rumour has it that this was only the second distillery licensed to legally produce whisky under the Excise Act of 182.

This Act was passed three years earlier and allowed for the distilling of whisky in Scotland. Glendonach created richly sherried single malts often used in blended whisky.  Since 1826 it has changed ownership many times.

Some of the best-known whisky companies in the world has owned the Glendronach Distillery at some stage or another. However, Glendronach always seems to stay true to its sherried roots through all the changes and moves.

During the 1830’s Teaninich owned it. Charles Grand of Glenfiddich bought it in 1920, and during 1960 William Teacher & Son bought it.

Also Read: Glenfiddich IPA Cask whisky

They expanded the number of stills from two to six. Allied Distilleries mothballed it in 1996. During 2005 it moved to Chivas Brothers, and it closed for a few months to allow for conversion from coal to steam to fire the stills.

In 2004 three families, two being South African, purchased BenRiach. The BenRiach Distillery Company bought the Glendronach distillery in 2008 and brought a South African connection. GlenDronach could focus again on their original strength, crafting richly sherried single malt whisky in the style that Glendronach became famous for.

I found this Glendronach Platinum 16 year old expression at Makro during December 2013 as part of their Christmas catalogue.

Glendronach 16 year old Platinum Whisky Review

GlenDronach 16 yo Platinum with glass b
The Glendronach 16 year old single malt was matured for a minimum of 16 years in Oloroso sherry casks. Glendronach is not chill-filtered with no added colour.

REGION: Speyside

ABV:  48%

COLOUR: This is one of the darker whiskies in my collection. The texture is oily and thick and leaves long fingers on the glass.

NOSE: It has a big, bold nose, full of sherry notes. There are dates, raisins, sweetness and Christmas cake on the nose. After adding a little water, fresh fruit comes through as well.

PALATE: Glendronach 16 year old Platinum Scotch is quite a mouthful. It has a nice body and a smooth, robust mouthfeel. The palate brings  dried fruit, fruitcake and nuts. Hints of spice and cinnamon with some wood and smoke in the background.

FINISH: There is quite a lot of spice in the finish with bits of caramel. It has a slow build and a lingering finish.  Not an overly complicated whisky but quite bold and spicy.  Adding a bit of water softens the higher alcohol bite a bit, and unlocks more flavours.

RATING: EXCELLENT

If there are still some in stock, it is worth grabbing. And especially with our South African winter fast approaching, it will add a soothing warm touch to the heart on a cold night. Combine it with a creamy Irish seafood bisque to warm up a cold winters’ evening.

Other Glendronach releases I have tried include the Glendronach 13 year old whisky WhiskyBrother release as well as the Glendronach 12 year old whisky.

The GlenDronach 16 year old Platinum sells for around R 2 700 in South Africa and is not that easy to get anymore.

Update: During 2016 GlenDronach and BenRiach was sold to Brown-Forman.

Related Article: Glenlivet 12 yo whisky


McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey

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On 04/18/2014

In Single Malt whisky

McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey header
I found a McCarthy’s single malt whiskey from the USA here in South Africa. The USA is one of our favourite countries to travel around. About a quarter of the items on our buckets list relate to North America. So testing something from an area I still want to visit is awesome.

Top places we still want to visit include Denali, visiting Yellow Stone and hiking the Appalachian Trail.

America is traditionally known for its bourbon and Tennessee type whiskeys. But as smaller distilleries and single malt continue to rise in productivity and popularity, a few American craft whiskies are beginning to distinguish themselves.

I was fortunate to get hold of a bottle of McCarthy’s single malt from my favourite whisky shop, WhiskyBrother. McCarthy’s is a single malt whiskey produced at the Clear Creek Distillery near Portland, in Oregon. Not only does Clear Creek Distillery make single malts, but distil brandy and liqueurs as well.

McCarthy’s single malt is made from 100% malted barley imported from Scotland. It is heavily peated in the Islay tradition and draws comparisons to prominent Islay whiskies such as Lagavulin.

The whiskey is pot-distilled and aged in ex-sherry casks for 3 years in the foothills of Mount Hood, Oregon. McCarthy’s is partly aged in barrels made from air-dried Oregon oak.

My bottle is from batch number w10-01, bottled in November 2010 and has a 42.5% AVB. I am excited to try this American McCarthy’s single malt whiskey, especially a peated one with an Islay likeness.

Related Article: WL Weller Wheated Bourbon

McCarthy’s Single Malt Whiskey Review

McCarthy's Oregon whiskey with glass
COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 42.5%

COLOUR: Pale golden with a hint of green.

NOSE: It has a very delicate nose, with wood, light BBQ smoke and flowers coming through. Quite young still.

PALATE: Tasting it brought oak, BBQ smoke and light medicinal peat. It is not as peaty as I expected it to be. Some sweet notes in the background with a hint of milk chocolate.

FINISH: A sharp pepper finish with some bitterness and isn’t very long.

RATING: GOOD

McCarthy’s Oregon single malt whiskey is  smooth, and taking into account that it is only 3 years old, a decent whisky for this young age. Not the most complex of drams, but certainly interesting. The peat is not overwhelming, and even someone who has not tried peat before can enjoy it.

I will be looking out for more of this distillery as it holds a lot of promise. Hopefully, we can add visiting this distillery to our bucket list. Another American whiskey that I have tried is the Slaughter House American Whiskey. See my thoughts on this release here.

Also Read: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon


Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky

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On 04/13/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Penderyn Whisky header
In the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, Penderyn distils the first whisky in Wales for over a century. My blog post today looks at the Penderyn Welsh single malt whisky release.

The Brecon Beacons National Park spans 519 square miles. It has some of the most spectacular, pristine and diverse landscapes in Europe. The Beacons themselves are a mountain range of outstanding natural beauty.

They are home to Pen-y-Fan, the highest old red sandstone summit in Britain. The distillery is situated in the village of Penderyn, from which the whisky takes its name. Some consider Penderyn to be the smallest distillery in the world.  There is some evidence that the Welsh practised distillation as early as the fourth century.

Economic and political events shut down the distilling industry in 1894. However, Penderyn became the first whisky to be manufactured in Wales for over a century when the new distillery was launched in 2000.

Sales of the new whisky started in 2004. It remains the only whisky currently produced in the country. Penderyn Aur Cymru Welsh whisky is different from English or Irish whisky.

The complete process from wash to new make is done in a single Faraday still. Also, Penderyn buys their wash from a regional beer brewer instead of preparing it themselves. For the first maturation, they use hand-selected bourbon barrels.

The distillery finishes the various Penderyn Welsh whisky expressions in different casks which include  Madeira, Port Wood and Sherry casks. My bottle has been finished in Madeira casks and was released in December 09. Penderyn is not chill-filtered.

Related Article: Bushmills 16 yo Whiskey

Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky Review

Review and tasting notes Penderyn whisky with glass
REGION: Wales

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Beautiful golden colour. It is nice and oily and makes beautiful fingers in the glass.

NOSE: The nosing brings honey, dried fruit and raisins. Some of the Madeira notes are also quite pronounced. It has  a complex, layered nose that promises greatness.

PALATE: The Penderyn Welsh whisky has a smooth, rich mouth-feel. The palate brings spice and sweetness of burnt caramel and fresh fruit. A bit of oak and some notes of barley. Every sip allows more flavours to come through. It is a medium-bodied whisky. There are notes of citrus and oak, and it is a wonderfully complex whisky.

FINISH:Drops of quickly but then comes back. There is honey sweetness with a few vanilla notes. It ends with bits of spice and fresh fruit. A nicely balanced whisky to enjoy anytime.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I would love to add more of these whiskies from Wales to my collection, especially if I can get my hands on the peated expression.  A worthy addition to any whisky collection.

Also Read: Singleton 15 yo whisky


The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 yo Whisky

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On 04/06/2014

In Single Malt whisky

The Balvenie 15 yo Single Barrel Whisky header
Today I look at a Balvenie Limited Edition, the Balvenie Single Barrel 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky. William Grant was born in December 1839 in Dufftown. He was apprenticed to a shoemaker, after which he worked as a clerk.

Grant became a bookkeeper at Mortlach distillery 1866; he moved up the ranks and learned the distilling trade. After about twenty years, he left his job at the Mortlach distillery.

He  bought a field near Balvenie Castle. Grant drew up plans for his distillery, and the foundation stone was laid in the autumn of 1886. He remained active in the company until his death in 1923 at the age of 83.

Balvenie lies in the Convals in Dufftown. The single malt distillery lies just below the Glenfiddich distillery, sharing its water source, the Robbie Dhu springs. Despite sharing the water, Balvenie is hugely different in character from Glenfiddich. The Balvenie is the only single malt Scotch whisky distillery that still grows and malts its own barley.

The floor maltings at Balvenie also supply neighbouring Glenfiddich. Balvenie has been continually under the ownership of William Grant & Sons, proprietors. William Grant & Sons also own Speyside distilleries Glenfiddich and Kininvie.

The Balvenie Single Barrel is a 15 year old single malt that is drawn from a single traditional oak whisky cask of a single distillation. Each Balvenie Single Barrel 15 year old whisky is part of a limited edition of no more than 350 hand-numbered bottles – so each bottle is unique and unrepeatable.

Related Article:  Loch Lomond 12 yo whisky

The Balvenie Single Barrel 15 year old Whisky Review

Tasting notes and review Balvenie Single Barrel 15 yo whisky with glass
I have bottle 159 from cask number 13529 bottled on 30 April 2008. The in-cask date was 6 October 1989.

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 47.5%

COLOUR: Very light golden. It has a nice oily texture in the glass, leaving beautiful fingers.

NOSE: On nosing the Balvenie Single Barrel, there are notes of fresh fruit, oak, honey and mild spice. The Balvenie Single Barrel has a freshness to the nose with some grassy notes. It is a medium-bodied whisky.

PALATE: On the palate, it brings lots of fresh fruit, honey, vanilla with hints of oak and ginger spice.  It has a slightly floral character with lots of oak peeking through. This 15 yo is not a very complex whisky, but it’s very drinkable.

FINISH: I found the finish relatively short. I love expressions from Balvenie, and maybe I am used to longer, more sophisticated finish. It ends with some pepper and honey sweetness notes. There are elements of fresh fruit, as well.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I have several expressions, and maybe I expected a bit more from this Balvenie Single Barrel 15 year old Scotch whisky. That is the problem when you have a distillery regularly spoiling us with stunning releases!

While this expression may not have been as smooth and rounded as some of its peers, it nevertheless is very drinkable. This whisky is an interesting expression and worth tasting if you get the chance.

I have also tried the Balvenie Roasted Malt as well as the Balvenie Doublewood whisky.

Balvenie & food pairing

Looking around for interesting food pairings, the conclusions seem to be that this Balvenie will pair best with meat. I found suggestions of pairing Balvenie Single Barrel with serrano ham as well as smoked short rib.

Perhaps I should try this Single Barrel with apricots stuffed with goat’s cheese and wrapped in bacon from one of my favourite food blogs, Drizzle and Dip. I think the richness of the goat’s cheese with the apricots and bacon would work well with the sweetness and spice in the whisky.

Also Read: How to pair whisky and cheese


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