Tag: Brown-Forman Corporation Page 4 of 8

The Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, it manufactures several well known brands throughout the world, including:
Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey
BenRiach single malt whisky
GlenDronach single malt whisky
Glenglassaugh single malt whisky
Canadian Mist whisky

A beautiful box arrived a week or three ago. It was an invitation to join Rowan Gibb, the Super Premium Whisky Ambassador, to taste some Benriach whisky now available in SA. The tasting pack included the Benriach The Twelve Speyside single Malt Scotch whisky as well as the Benriach Smoky Twelve whisky.

The Benriach distillery has many links with South Africa. John Duff, the original owner, travelled through South Africa with his family during the 1800 and visited Johannesburg during the gold rush. He wanted to start a distillery here, but that did not work out as planned.

He went back to Scotland and, in 1898, built two distilleries next to each other in the Elgin region of Speyside. The other distillery was the Longmorn distillery. The Benriach distillery shut down during the Pattison crash, and only the malting floor remained active.

In 1965 the distillery was reopened by Glenlivet Distillers and, over the years, changed hands various times. In 2004 the Benriach distillery was bought by a consortium formed by two South Africans and Scottish whisky expert Billy Walker.

Also Read: Teerenpeli Whisky

The consortium expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of the Glendronach distillery in 2008 and the Glenglassaugh distillery in 2013. In 2016 the consortium sold all three of these distilleries to Brown-Forman.

Brown Forman appointed Dr Rachel Barry as the Master Distiller, and she has been refreshing the core range’s branding and structure. The look of the bottles and branding is reminiscent of the more classic branding from the early years.

Today let’s look at the Benriach The Twelve single malt whisky. In a week or two, I will also publish my tasting notes for the Benriach The Smoky Twelve whisky.

The Benriach The Twelve whisky was launched in 2020 as part of BenRiach’s new core range of single malts. It combines whisky matured in sherry casks, bourbon barrels and port casks for at least 12 years. Dr Barry then married the whisky from each cask together to create a sherry-rich single malt.

Benriach The Twelve Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Golden bronze

NOSE: Rich and sweet with notes of red fruits, sherry and cherries. Something fresh in the background reminds me of fresh summer meadow flowers and green apples. There are hints of cocoa and honey in the background.

PALATE: Sweet with toffee apples, summer fruit salad and fresh cream, chocolate-coated cherries and pepper. Bits of wood and tropical fruit floating around. Warming chilli spiciness balances out the sweetness. Water softens the fruity notes and takes away a bit of the complexity.

FINISH: Long and lingering with fruity sweetness and soft pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A rich sherry forward dram perfect for summer. Perfect as a pre-dinner sipping drink. The Benriach The Twelve is bold and memorable.

The Benriach The Twelve Scotch whisky is an excellent addition to any whisky drinker’s cupboard. The new branding is clean and classic and does credit to the spirit in the bottle.

It is available in South Africa and rentals for around R500. That is an excellent price for a 12 yo single malt from this innovative distillery.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the Benriach team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Also Read: Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Whisky

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/06/2022

In Rye Whiskey

Rye whiskey has become more commonplace in SA, and over the last couple of years, more and more rye releases have made it to our shores. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey is the latest brand to bring its rye release here.

In 2021, the Jack Daniel’s Rye reached our shores, and from May 2022, the variety is even more varied. Woodford Reserve is well known for its delicious Distiller’s Select and Double Oaked bourbon releases that have regular features on my social media feed.

The distillery is situated in Woodford County, Kentucky. With a rich history dating back to 1812, Elijah Pepper was the first to begin distillation on the site. The site and distillery changed hands various times during the following years until it was sold to the Brown Forman Corporation.

Also Read: Pikesville Rye Whiskey

The Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey was launched in 2015 as the third permanent addition to the brand’s core range. Woodford Reserve Rye uses a pre-prohibition style rye ratio to pay homage to history’s original rye whiskeys.

The legal requirement for a straight rye is 51%, so the rye content is slightly higher. The Woodford Reserve Rye mash bill is 53% rye, 33% corn, and 14% malt. It has quite a high corn ration compared to the Jack Daniel’s Rye which has a mash bill of 70% rye,18% corn and 12% malted barley. It is a NAS release.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 45.2%

COLOUR: Polished copper

NOSE: Caramel sweetness, fresh green orchid fruit, cereal and toasted wood. The traditional rye spice notes with hints of black pepper. Elegant and soft.

PALATE: Rye spices mixed with fresh fruit, green grass and black pepper. Bits of honey and bourbon vanilla with a butterscotch note. Toasted oak, green herbs with bits of orange. Medium body that is soft and oily.

Water softens the rye spice notes, and it is delicious without water. Not the boldest rye, but an outstanding balance between the rye spice and sweet fruity notes.

FINISH: Medium length with oaky notes, pepper and caramel sweetness. Something green in the background.

RATING: EXCELLENT

However, it is not the most complex or bold dram; it is still a tremendously drinkable rye whiskey. Mellower and more approachable than the Sazerac or the Mitchters Rye whiskey.

It is delicious, and I think it will perfectly suit the sweeter South African palate. It has an outstanding balance between the rye notes and the sweet fruity elements.

The Woodford Rye whiskey is great rye to use for cocktails. It is available now at selected stores and retail for around R450.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Woodford Rye and the Bulleit Rye to see how they stack up against each other. Playing around, I have also done a side by side comparison with the Jack Daniel’s Rye to see which one would be my favourite.

Also Read: Pike Creek 10 year old Whisky

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the Woodford Reserve team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the rye whisky.

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/15/2022

In Bourbon whiskey

During March this year, I got to meet Cam Dawson at a Jack Daniel’s function and taste a few exciting Jack Daniel’s releases. It was a great function that introduces a few whisky friends to more of how Jack Daniel’s is made.

We got to taste a variety of releases, however, the Jack Daniel’s release that impressed me most was the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Tennessee whiskey. I liked it so much, I went out and bought a bottle. At R600 a bottle, it is not too expensive and quite readily available.

Jack Daniel’s whiskey is not bourbon, but it is classified as a Tennessee whiskey. Despite bearing most of the same characteristics as bourbon in production methods, Jack Daniel’s whiskey enjoys filtration through a 10-foot stack of sugar maple charcoal before maturation.

This extra step, known as the Lincoln County Process, removes impurities and the taste of corn. It is what makes a Tennessee whisky different from a bourbon. Jack Daniel’s refers to this filtering step as “mellowing”.

The mash bill for Jack Daniel’s is made from corn, rye and malted barley, and is distilled in copper stills. Jack Daniel’s is labelled as a sour mash” whiskey, which means that when the mash is prepared, some of the wet solids from a previously used batch are mixed in to help make the fermentation process operate more consistently.

Jack Daniel’s is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee, by the Jack Daniel Distillery, which has been owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation since 1956. Other releases include the Gentleman Jack whisky and Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select whiskey.

Also Read: Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Whiskey Review

All Jack Daniel’s whiskey start out as Old No. 7. To become Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, the whiskey is matured in toasted and charred new white American oak barrels and stored in the uppermost part of the warehouse. Here the dramatic changes in temperature cause its colour and taste to deepen further. It is bottled at 94 proof.

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 47%

COLOUR: Dark copper with hints of mahogany

NOSE: Ripe red berries, vanilla, a hint of mint, caramel sweetness, a bit of toasted oak.

PALATE: The Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel whiskey is creamy with notes of cherries layered with caramel, vanilla, hints of coffee and cereal balanced with cinnamon and pepper spice. It is rich and complex and the layers open up slowly when you take a second sip. Water releases some more of the sweetness and softens the pepper. I just love it.

FINISH: Long and lingering and ends in notes of pepper and citrus.

RATING: EXCELLENT

This Tennessee whiskey is big and bold and has a yummy’ness to it. It is one of those drams that just begs you for a second glass. Easily my favourite of the bunch that I have tasted so far. Rich, rewarding, sophisticated and just simply delicious. I also love the bottle shape.

Playing around, I found that the fruity nature of this whiskey pairs well with a sweeter Monterey Jack cheese.

I have started a series where I compare two whiskies with each other. A side by side comparison to look at the strong point of each whisky. The first comparison is between Woodford Reserve vs Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Go and look what how they differ and my suggestion for when to drink each release.

Talking about Jack Daniel’s, I have also done a side by side comparison between the Old No 7 and the Gentleman Jack whiskey.

Also Read: Jameson Caskmates Whiskey

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/22/2021

In Bourbon whiskey

Woodford Reserve, a celebrated brand of small-batch Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey, holds a cherished place in the heart of bourbon aficionados. It’s a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the oldest distillers in the Kentucky county.

This iconic bourbon’s history traces back to 1797 when Elijah Pepper, a visionary distiller, began crafting small quantities of whiskey and erected a distillery.

Following Elijah’s passing in 1831, his son Oscar Pepper assumed the distillery’s reins, leading to its rebranding as “The Oscar Pepper Distillery.” Oscar Pepper’s profound decision was to enlist the expertise of Dr. James Crow as the head distiller.

Dr. Crow, a Scottish physician and chemist, revolutionized bourbon production with his advocacy for the sour mash fermentation process, a cornerstone of Woodford Reserve’s excellence.

After changing ownership several times and languishing in disrepair, Brown-Forman Corporation acquired the distillery in 1993, meticulously restoring it to operational glory. In 2003, they christened it “The Woodford Reserve Distillery,” signifying its renaissance.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey officially graced the market in 1996, bearing a legacy that stretches back centuries. Notably, in 1995, the distillery secured a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2000, it earned the prestigious designation of National Historic Landmark.

Woodford Reserve’s secret lies in its mash bill, which features a higher rye content than many competitors. The mash bill comprises 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malt. It’s also triple distilled and enters the barrel at its lowest proof, allowing it to mature for at least six years.

Aside from the flagship Woodford Reserve bourbon, the distillery offers a range of options, including Woodford Reserve Rye, a malt whiskey edition, and a wheat edition. One standout is the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon, which promises a sensory journey.

Related Article: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43.2%

COLOUR:A dark copper and described by some as a honey amber. It is a very oily whiskey.

NOSE: The nose entices with honey sweetness, apricots, and underlying hints of oranges, mingling with the richness of condensed milk, vanilla, dark chocolate, and subtle spices.

PALATE: The palate features oak and sweetness balanced with peach, ripe cherries, and a touch of cinnamon spiciness. Tangy winter fruits and vanilla intertwine with toffee sweetness, creating a rich, buttery, and impeccably smooth mouthfeel. Full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel.

FINISH: Long and lingering and end in notes of sweet spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, complemented by the subtle allure of toasted oak. It’s an easy-drinking, affordable choice that appeals to seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers.

One of my personal favourites, it pairs beautifully with various foods, like pizza, enhancing the dining experience. It it also an excellent foundation for crafting classic cocktails, such as the timeless Old Fashioned.

If you’re eager to explore more about the world of whiskey, I’ve embarked on a series where I compare different whiskies to highlight their unique strengths. The inaugural comparison delves into the distinctive qualities of Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Discover their differences and my recommendations for when to savour each release.

Additionally, I’ve conducted a side-by-side comparison between Gentleman Jack and Woodford Reserve, shedding light on their merits. Woodford Reserve is an ideal candidate for these comparative tastings, as I’ve also compared it against Bulleit Bourbon, offering insight into how these bourbons stack up against one another.

Also Read: Jack Daniel’s vs Gentleman Jack Tennessee whiskey

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/18/2021

In Bourbon whiskey

Earlier this year, I was privileged to attend an event featuring Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve. That’s when I had my first taste of the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey.

The moment I tasted the creamy toasted flavours, it instantly brought to mind the comforting embrace of Malva pudding. It was a match made in heaven, and I promptly added the Double Oaked into my ever-growing spirits collection.

The delectable Malva pudding is a beloved sweet dessert originating from the Cape Malay tradition in South Africa. This dessert is a South African favourite with its luscious apricot jam and spongy caramelised texture. It is often served piping hot alongside custard or ice cream. Some even elevate it with a touch of liquor or brandy, making it a perfect winter treat.

I’ve always enjoyed Woodford Reserve bourbon, both the whiskey and the brand itself. It’s one of those bourbons that pairs wonderfully with pizza and effortlessly elevates classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned.

But what sets the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey apart from the standard Woodford Reserve bourbon?

This unique expression begins its journey just like the classic Woodford Reserve bourbon. After its initial ageing, it’s further matured in fresh oak barrels that have been generously toasted and lightly charred.

This process imparts an additional layer of sweet oaken character to the bourbon while enhancing the notes of fruit, vanilla, and caramel. It’s the first new Woodford Reserve expression to emerge in over 15 years.

Also Read: Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43.2%

COLOUR: Golden mahogany

NOSE: As you raise the glass, you’re greeted by the aromas of Malva pudding, apricot jam, cream, dark cherries, candied fruits, caramel, honey, and subtle hints of cinnamon.

PALATE: On the palate, there is honey, toasted oak, and a delightful interplay of fruity spices. Vanilla and caramel notes dance alongside hints of dark chocolate cherries. It’s a rich and smooth experience, and a few drops of water enhance the sweetness even further.

FINISH: The Double Oaked bourbon offers a medium-length finish, leaving behind a creamy embrace of cinnamon and honey that lingers on the palate.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon whiskey epitomises an unpretentious, comforting. It’s remarkably smooth, and has a warming, delicious finish. There’s a delightful richness to the palate that’s thoroughly enjoyable, striking an elegant balance between sweetness and spice.

It’s time to whip up some Malva pudding and pair it with the Double Oaked. I couldn’t resist comparing it with the Jim Beam Double Oak to truly appreciate this Woodford Reserve release’s subtle nuances and distinctiveness. in my opinion, there is a definate winner between these two releases.

I have paired this release with a creamy French Brie but it will work just as nicely with a Camembert. The pairing is decadent and delightful.

Also Read: Maker’s 46 Bourbon