Tag: Beam Suntory Page 2 of 7

Beam Suntory, Inc. is an American multinational company that produces alcoholic beverages. It is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan, and the company’s headquarters are in Chicago, Illinois. It is the third largest producer of distilled beverages worldwide. The company’s principal brands include :

Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Booker’s, Knob Creek bourbon
Laphroaig, Bowmore, Ardmore, Auchentoshan, Teacher’s Highland Cream whisky
Connemara and Kilbeggan Irish whiskey
DYC whisky
Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, Chita whisky

Auchentoshan American Oak Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/30/2023

In Single Malt whisky

I have not tried an Auchentoshan whisky in years. I loved the Heartwood release, and our bottle did not last very long. A couple of years ago, I bought the Auchentoshan American Oak single malt Scotch whisky but left it standing in the cupboard until last week when I was looking for something new to try.

Auchentoshan distillery is a single malt whisky distillery located at the foot of the Kilpatrick Hills on the outskirts of Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire, just northwest of the city of Glasgow.

The name is from Gaelic, ‘Achadh an Oisein’ and translates as “corner of the field”. It is one of six malt whisky distilleries in the Scottish Lowlands, along with Glenkinchie, Bladnoch and Ailsa Bay.

Also Read: Dunville’s PX Cask 12 yo Whiskey

The distillery has changed hands many times since it opened in 1823. It is now part of the Beam Suntory portfolio. Unusually, all of its production is used for single malt, and they still triple distil all the whisky.

The standard range of Auchentoshan whisky is quite extensive and includes an Auchentoshan 12 yo, Three Wood and even a Blood Oak release (aged in bourbon and red wine casks). The Auchentoshan distillery character is described as smooth and calm.

The Auchentoshan American Oak whisky is their entry-level bottling and aged entirely in first fill ex-bourbon casks. It was first released in 2014 as a replacement for the Classic expression.

Auchentoshan American Oak Whisky Review

REGION: Lowland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Pale gold

NOSE: Gentle creamy sweetness with wood and vanilla. Bits of orange flowers and tropical fruit mixed with malt. Sweet and gentle.

PALATE: Creamy cereal, warming oak and honey with bits of vanilla and soft oak spices. Quite sweet with faint lemon notes. Medium body, nice and smooth. Water softens the palate, making it less complex and dampening the oak and spicy notes. It is better without water.

FINISH: Shortish with notes of oak, lemon peel and honey.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Auchentoshan American Oak whisky is a very affordable single malt at a retail price of R410 in South Africa. It is sweet with lovely warming oak notes and makes a beautiful pre-dinner dram.

You don’t need to add water; the triple distilling ensures a smooth, light experience. Not the most complex dram.

It is a NAS release and the whisky retails for around R410 in South Africa and around £30 in the UK.But at the price point, it is good value for money.

Also Read: Dewars White Label Whisky

Laphroaig PX Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/28/2022

In Single Malt whisky

It is my second Laphroaig I am tasting this year. Earlier in 2015, I tasted the Laphroaig An Cuan Mor whisky. The Laphroaig PX Cask Islay single malt Scotch whisky and the An Cuan Mor bottling are part of three travel retail exclusive releases from Laphroaig.

I notice that the PX Cask and the An Cuan Mor are now available more widely, even in South Africa.

The third bottle in this series is the Laphroaig Quarter Cask whisky. Laphroaig is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery on the beautiful Islay. It is named for the area of land at the head of Loch Laphroaig on the south coast of Islay.

The Johnston brothers founded the distillery in 1810 on what was originally a family-run farm. Laphroaig’s distinctive flavour comes in part from its vicinity to the coast and the high moss content of its peat, which is processed in the distillery’s floor maltings.

The Laphroaig PX Cask single malt whisky is matured in three types of cask. The spirit is aged initially in American oak bourbon casks and then in quarter casks before a final finishing period in ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. It has no age statement, but looking at some of the comments on line, it seems that the release is at least 10 years old.

The three different casks give this Laphroaig PX bottling a flavour profile which ties together the classic, peaty Laphroaig smoke and the sherry sweetness. The distillery and brand are owned and operated by Beam Suntory, the American subsidiary of Japan’s Suntory Holdings.

We took this bottle with us on our escape to the Golden Gate National Park in the Free State. What more can you ask for, the mountains in the back and a Laphroaig in the glass in front of you?

Related Article: Ardbeg Uigeadail whisky

Laphroaig PX Cask Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 48%

COLOUR: A wonderful old gold colour.

NOSE: Hints of sweetness, followed by the traditional smoke and peat that Laphroaig is known for. There are hints of raisins with bits of seaweed and nuts. The nose is a wonderful balance between the peaty Laphroaig notes and the sherry sweetness.

PALATE: This dram is something else. It is a riot of different tastes. There are smoke, Christmas Cake, oak, seaweed, peat and tar mixed with hints of a coal pit and some ash. Bit of spiciness floats around in between the bare hints of the sweet wine notes.

The sweetness is not overwhelming but also does not disappear in the peat. It has a beautiful balance. Water brings out more of the fruity sweetness and smooths out the peaty notes. But you need to add the water sparingly.

FINISH: Long and lingering with hints of tar, oak, hints of spice and ending in fruity sweet notes.

RATING: EXCELLENT

An amazing dram. I did not give this a Divine rating because the flavours seemed a bit disjointed. There are lots of flavours, but it is as if they did not spend enough time together in the last cask.

My regular readers would know, John loves his peaty whiskies while I prefer the sweeter, softer drams. But this peaty PX Cask Scotch blew us both away. We both loved it. The balance is perfect, and the sweetness makes the coal pit, ash and tar taste like something from heaven. Strange but true!

I paired this Laphroaig PX cask with coconut macarons for my New Years Eve celebration. I was hesitant to try this combination, but was pleasantly surprised when the Laphroaig paired beautifully with the sweet coconut.

The Laphroaig PX Cask release is rather expensive though. In South Africa, it retails for around R2400 and in the UK for around £110 on Amazon.

Laphroaig has also released a Port Cask Finish. It is not part of this specific series, but I have managed to taste the Laphroaig Brodir release as well as the Laphroaig Four Oak whisky as well.

Also Read: Lagavulin Distillers Edition whisky

Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/13/2022

In Whisky Comparison

In the world of whisky, few comparisons are as intriguing as the showdown between Ballantine’s Finest and Teacher’s whisky—an affordable blended whisky battleground for these two brands. Today, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s whisky, exploring what makes these blends unique and irresistible to whisky enthusiasts.

In the world of whisky, few comparisons are as intriguing as the showdown between Ballantine’s Finest and Teacher’s whisky—an affordable blended whisky battleground for these two brands. Today, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s, exploring what makes these blends unique and irresistible to whisky enthusiasts.

India has earned its reputation as one of the world’s most enthusiastic whisky-drinking nations. While homegrown Indian distilleries like Amrut and Paul John have made a mark, the Indian market also embraces distinguished Scottish whiskies with open arms.

Names like Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Ballantine’s, Teacher’s, Jack Daniel’s, and Johnnie Walker grace the shelves of liquor stores across the country. Moreover, many local brands, such as Signature whisky, Royal Stag, Antiquity Blue, and Royal Challenge, are exclusively available in India. It’s essential to note that these regional favourites are a rarity outside of India.

In this head-to-head comparison, I’ve chosen my favourite, Ballantine’s Finest, and pitted it against Teacher’s whisky, renowned for its affordability and popularity in India.

Ballantine’s Finest Blended Whisky

Ballantine’s Finest vs Teachers Highland Cream whisky Comparison
Let’s begin with Ballantine’s Finest, a Scotch whisky with a legacy dating back to 1827. George Ballantine embarked on a journey of providing a meticulously curated range of blended Scotch whiskies to discerning customers from his grocery store in Edinburgh. The brand flourished, and in 1895, Queen Victoria bestowed upon George Ballantine & Son a Royal Warrant.

Today, Pernod Ricard owns and continues the tradition of Ballantine’s. The heart of Ballantine’s Finest is a blend of up to 50 malts, including names like Miltonduff and Glenburgie, alongside four single grains.

Also Read: Dewar’s White Label vs Famous Grouse Blended Whisky

Teacher’s Blended Whisky

Ballantine’s Finest vs Teachers Highland Cream whisky Comparison
Turning our gaze to Teacher’s whisky, we find one of India’s more budget-friendly Scottish blends. It’s not uncommon to see friends in places like Bangalore stocking up on cases of Teacher’s. Founded around 1830 by William Teacher, this brand began its journey by selling blends from his wife’s Glasgow grocery store.

It wasn’t until 1863 that Teacher perfected the Highland Cream blend, officially registering the brand in 1884. Over time, the portfolio expanded to include the Ardmore distillery; at one point, they even held ownership of GlenDronach. Today, Teacher’s is a proud member of the Beam Suntory family.

The heart of Teacher’s whisky still derives from the Ardmore distillery, characterized by peat-smoked malt. Jim Murray, renowned in the whisky world, bestowed a remarkable rating of 90 on Teacher’s whisky in his Whisky Bible.

Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s Highland Whisky Comparison

Ballantine’s Finest vs Teachers Highland Cream whisky Comparison

	Ballantine's Finest whisky	Teacher's Highland Cream whisky
Type	Blended Whisky	Blended Whisky
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Light gold	Dark gold
Nose	Fruitcake, glazed cherries, wood and spice.	Smoke, gentle earthy peat, raw alcohol, vanilla, malty notes. Quite subtle.
Palate	Smooth with a full body. Flavours of Christmas cake, dried fruit and muscovado sugar. In the background are hints of peat and smoke. Complex and delicious.	Notes of smoke, peat and pepper but it has a raw alcohol edge. Fruity sweetness only comes out after you add a bit of water. Water tones down the raw alcohol notes but make the smoke and peat disappear.
Finish	The finish is brilliant. Long and lingering, It ends in notes of spice, ginger and fudge.	Long and spicy with hints of pepper.
My Rating	Divine	Good
Price	$27	$25

I titled this feature ‘The Battle of the Budget Blends’ on my social media this weekend, reflecting the fun and excitement of our tasting experience. To ensure an unbiased evaluation, we conducted a blind taste test. Even without labels, Ballantine’s Finest stands out with ease.

After allowing both drams to breathe for about 10 minutes, I noticed the initial alcohol notes that had greeted me with Teacher’s had evaporated. What remained was a delightful sweetness that emerged over time, almost verging on cloying with the addition of water.

The Teacher’s Highland Cream whisky had notes of earthy peat, malt and vanilla mixed with fruity sweetness and pepper.

In contrast, Ballantine’s Finest maintained its character as a delicious, smooth, and easy-drinking whisky throughout. There is bold notes of Christmas cake, dried fruit, and cherries mingling with oak, ginger and fudge. Full bodied and delicious.

These two blended drams boast similar prices, making the competition even more intriguing. As I reflect on the feedback from my social media posts, it’s evident that Teacher’s whisky has a dedicated fan base, with around 50% of the commentators declaring it their favourite.

Looking at the price of these two bottles, the Ballantine’s retail for around £21 on Amazon. There are regular specials and limited edition packaging available that make the Ballantine’s a colourful addition to your drinks trolley. In comparison, the Teacher’s whisky retail for around £32 on Amazon.

Teacher’s whisky might find its niche in cocktails where you want a hint of smokiness. However, John and I agree: Ballantine’s Finest takes the crown in this battle. Its easy-drinking nature, creamy texture, and overall deliciousness make it a top choice for whisky enthusiasts seeking an exceptional experience.

When it comes to Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s whisky, there’s no denying the enduring charm and excellence that Ballantine’s Finest brings to the table.

Also Read: Jim Beam Double Oak vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/13/2021

In Whisky Comparison

Another fun side-by-side bourbon comparison, and this time I am looking at the Evan Williams vs Jim Beam bourbon whiskey. As part of my comparison series, I put these two well know budget brands next to each other so you can make an informed buying decision.

Two of the most famous bourbon whiskey brands on the market are Jim Beam and Evan Williams. These bourbons are available in many countries around the world. Both brands have histories that date back a long time. But if you can get only one bottle, which bottle is worth buying?

Evan Williams Bourbon Whiskey

Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey with glass b
The Evan Williams Straight bourbon whiskey is a brand from the Heaven Hill range. Evan Williams decided to settle in Kentucky, which is where he began distilling his bourbon in 1783.

This specific bourbon release was first introduced to the American market in 1957. Evan Williams is distilled at Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.

It is between 5-7 years old. The Evan Williams’ mash bill is 78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye. It retails for R250 in SA and around $12 in the USA. In the UK this bottle retail for about £25 on Amazon.

Over on THIS blog post I explored more comparisons with other Evan Williams releases.

Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

Jim Beam Bourbon White with glass
Jim Beam is one of the best selling brands of bourbon in the world. In the early 1700s, a group of German immigrants moved to Kentucky to farm the new land. Jacob Beam (Boehm) grew grains and corn. The region allowed abundant cereal farming.

In 1795 he founded Jim Beam and used his excess grain to distil whiskey. He began selling it under the name of Old Jake Beam, and in 1820 his son David began managing the distillery. The distillery and brand grew from strength to strength. In 2014, Suntory Holdings acquired Jim Beam to create Beam Suntory.

The Jim Beam Straight bourbon whiskey is distilled at lower temperatures and aged for 4 years in oak. The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley. It retails for around $15 in the USA and is readily available. I have seen this on Amazon for around £28.

I have also done a side by side comparison between the Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s whiskey comparison.

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey Comparison

	Evan Williams Bourbon	Jim Beam Bourbon
Type	Bourbon Whiskey	Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill	78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye	75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Dark reddish gold	Golden Mahogany
Nose	While it has the traditional bourbon notes of toasty oak and vanilla on the nose, there is an element of corn syrup floating around. The nose is very one-dimensional and not layered or complex.	Subtle vanilla, spice, pine forests, toasted oak and lemon zest with hints of toffee. Sticky pudding and caramelized fruit.
Palate	It offers little complexity. Toasty oak, vanilla and bits of spice. All kinds of rough edges and alcohol notes. It has a light body and mouthfeel. Adding water does little to increase the complexity. It unlocks notes of chilli and bitter orange peel.	Spicy with toasted oak and mint freshness. Hints of dry paper and pepper. A faint hint of vanilla. Water brings more citrus and pepper. It has a light body and is not very complex.
Finish	A bit rough and fortunately does not linger too long.	Long and dry with citrus and pepper.
My Rating	Good	Very Good
Price	$12	$15

It was not difficult to choose the one I prefer. Even in our blind tasting, the difference between the Jim Beam and the Evan Williams is noticeable. The Evan Williams is more bourbon-y, meaning that it has the expected textbook bourbon notes that I was looking for with toasted wood and vanilla.

However, it was very one dimensional and had raw alcohol notes that were not pleasant. The sweetness was also more corn syrup and less warming caramel. The finish was short and has a lot of raw alcohol notes.

The Jim Beam was less bourbon’y, with the oak and vanilla notes being less prominent. However, the sweetness was more caramel, and the taste was a bit more complex. There was notes of mint, lemon zest and caramelised fruit. It also had a bit more of a pepper bite. The Jim Beam gets my vote in this round.

At the price point, you get what you pay for. These are some of the cheapest bourbons available, and if you want to experience bourbon, I would instead add a couple of bucks and look at the Buffalo Trace or Wild Turkey. If you are looking for an affordable drink to add to your cola or lemonade, this will work very well.

The last comparison in this three some is where I looked at the Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/02/2021

In Whisky Comparison

Maker's Mark vs Maker's 46 bourbon whiskey comparison
One of the more recognizable bottles of bourbon on my shelf is the Maker’s Mark bourbon. With the bright red wax closure, you can spot this bottle at a distance. Today, I want to compare the Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 bourbon whiskey to see how they differ.

Sadly, the variety of Maker’s Mark bourbon available in South Africa is (currently) limited to these two releases only. So what is the difference between these two bottles?

The mash bill for these two releases is similar. They are aged in the same barrels in the same warehouse. However, the Maker’s 46 is aged longer when compared to the standard Maker’s Mark bourbon. The Maker’s 46 also have seared French oak staves added to the barrels.

There is a slight difference as well in the ABV and the price. Let’s see if the extra wood and time changes the liquid enough to pick it up on my blind tasting.

Beam Suntory distils Maker’s Mark bourbon in Loretto, Kentucky. Production of Maker’s Mark started in 1954 after T. William “Bill” Samuels Sr. purchased the distillery known as Burks’ Distillery.

His wife, Marjorie “Margie” Samuels, gave the whisky its name. She designed the now-classic label and came up with the red wax-dipping top that provides the bottle with its distinctive look. 1968 saw the first bottle of Maker’s Mark whiskey.

Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey

Maker's Mark bourbon Whisky with glass Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46
It is the bourbon that made me fall in love with bourbon; a regular whiskey in my cocktails and my glass. First released in 1958, the Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey has no age statement.

It is bottled when the tasters agree that it is ready, roughly around 6 years old. The Maker’s Mark mash bill does not include rye. Instead of rye, Maker’s Mark uses red winter wheat (16%), along with corn (70%) and malted barley (14%).

It is an excellent introduction to bourbon for someone who wants to explore it American bourbon more broadly.

Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whiskey

Maker's 46 Kentucky Bourbon with glass Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46
According to Maker’s Mark, Maker’s 46 Kentucky bourbon whiskey is the first new expression to the range since the 50s. It was released in 2010. The goal was to take the standard release and ad something spicier.

Maker’s 46 starts as standard Maker’s Mark bourbon. Then, heavily seared French oak staves are placed in just-emptied traditional Maker’s Mark barrels, refilled and returned to the warehouses to finish ageing.

The number reflects the experiment’s number that created what the team was looking for; experiment No. 46 was just perfect.

Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whiskey

Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 Bourbon whiskey comparison

	Maker's Mark	Maker's 46
Type	Bourbon whiskey	Bourbon whiskey
Mashbill	Red winter wheat (16%), corn (70%), malted barley (14%)	Red winter wheat (16%), corn (70%), malted barley (14%)
ABV	45%	47%
Colour	Light golden copper	Dark polished copper
Nose	Cherries, brandied fruit, toasted wood and vanilla spice. Adding a few drops of water brings out more spice and woody notes.	Rich and sweet with heaps of plump maraschino cherries, oak, vanilla and caramel. There are hints of honey and buttery cinnamon toast.
Palate	Full of vanilla, followed by sweet cherries and fresh red fruit. Cinnamon and toasted oak. A few drops of water brings butterscotch and warming nutmeg. Delicious and very easy drinking.	Rich and creamy. There are notes of oak, vanilla cinnamon, all perfectly balanced. The Maker's 46 has a big mouthfeel. It is smooth like creamed honey. After the second sip, butter toffee, toast and hints of pepper show up. Water softens the heat a bit, but it is easy enough to drink without water.
Finish	Long with hints of sweetness, vanilla and caramel.	Long and lingering and ends in notes of caramel, pepper and vanilla.
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Price	$33	$43

Starting at the nose, the initial wafts coming from the two glasses are pretty similar. Both have cherries, vanilla and oak. After a while, the Maker’s 46 shows a bolder, creamy wooden note on the nose.

Looking at the Maker’s Mark, the vanilla and cherries continue on the palate. Easy drinking with cinnamon and fruity sweetness; it is lovely. However, when you put the Maker’s 46 next to it, you can immediately taste what the extra time in the wood did to the whiskey.

The Maker’s 46 is creamier and more decadent with bolder cherry and toasted oak notes, more spices with added complexity and an oilier mouthfeel. The complexity continues on the finish. A fantastic glass of bourbon.

When you compare the price of these two bourbons, there is significant price difference. The Maker’s Mark retail for £33 on Amazon while the Maker’s 46 retail for about £50. There are regular specials on these bottles, so you might find it for cheaper. I don’t mind paying the premium for the Maker’s 46 to have both these bottles in my collection.

Both of these bourbons are wonderful to have in the cupboard. However, the extra time and effort on the Maker’s 46 bourbon show its superiority: a lovely dram and worth the extra few bucks.

Which one is your favourite?

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Red vs Black Label Whisky