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

Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/22/2022

In Bourbon whiskey

Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey header
I got this bottle of Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee whiskey as a gift about a year ago, and it is certainly time that I open and try it. I had tasted the Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 before and gave it a Very Good rating. Certainly not my favourite dram, but it will do in a pinch (perhaps a very tight pinch, but it will do).

Will this premium version of Tennessee whiskey impress me more? I wrote about the history of the Jack Daniel’s company in my Jack Daniels post. Introduced during 1988 as an upscale offering to appeal to consumers who wanted to move to a more premium brand, Gentleman Jack is called a Rare Tennessee whiskey.

Gentleman Jack is twice filtered through sugar maple charcoal. First, it is charcoal mellowed before going into the barrel. Then it is sugar maple charcoal mellowed again after reaching maturity, before being bottled. The regular Old No 7 is only charcoal filtered once.

Also read: Evan Williams Bourbon 2006 Vintage

According to some sources, Gentleman Jack is aged longer than the standard Jack Daniels. But as Jack Daniel’s is aged until the distillers are happy with it, it is difficult to define the age.

In South Africa, Gentleman Jack whiskey is about R60 more expensive than the regular Old No 7. In the UK it retail for around £32 on Amazon.

It is one of those polarizing brands. Some people love it, some people not so much.

On to the important part – the taste. Is all the extra mellowing and drama going to make a Gentleman from this ordinary Jack?

Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey Review

Review and tasting notes Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack with glass
ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: Very similar to the regular Jack Daniel’s. It is a rich golden dark copper liquid.

NOSE: Gentleman Jack has spicy oak, caramel and vanilla sweetness and faint hints of smoke. It has that traditional Jack Daniel’s nose, but with a more sophisticated edge to it.

PALATE: Smoky oak and hints of charcoal. It reminded me of the smell that moment just before you light a BBQ. Herbal notes are coming through mixed with chocolate, rich dark roast coffee, hints of pepper and cinnamon intertwined with cherry sweetness and vanilla. The palate is bold and quite a big mouthful. Water smooths out the notes and adds sweetness.

FINISH: Medium length with dark Indian spices and faint bits of charcoal and vanilla.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is a whiskey that has a distinctive personality. It’s smooth, complex, but it is easy drinking and more upmarket than the regular Jack Daniel’s whiskey. To me, this Jack is a gentleman from the rougher side of town that made the big time through hard work and perseverance. He is confident, well dressed and sure of who he is but comfortable about where he has come from.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Old No 7 and the Gentleman Jack to see how big the differences between the two are. I have also done a side by side comparison between the Gentleman Jack and the Woodford Reserve. Putting them next to each other in a tasting shows the differences and strengths very well.

Also Read: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel whiskey

Benriach The Twelve Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/04/2022

In Single Malt 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

Pairing Whisky and Pizza

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/04/2022

In Lifestyle

whiskey and pizza
Some time ago I found the National Day Calendar that lists all the National Days celebrated in the USA. It has been a great source of inspiration.

There are daily celebrations and even National Week observations. The month of December is root vegetables and exotic fruits month as well as Bingo’s birthday month.

All these fun celebrations inspired me to look at whisky food pairings again. Things like Pastry Day made me wonder what bourbon will pair nicely with some pasty.

But the one National Day that had me most excited was National Pizza Day. One of my favourite foods paired with whisk(e)y. What can be more fun?

Pizza

The humble pizza has been around for ages. Various cultures produced flatbreads with toppings. The word pizza was first documented in AD997 in Italy and was probably focaccia with toppings. The modern version that we all know and love developed in Naples. Tomato was added to the yeast-based flatbread, and the dish gained popularity.

Purists consider only two types of pizza’s – authentic pizzas: the Marinara and the Margherita. However, there are hundreds of variations all over the world, with countries adding their local specialities.

In South Africa, you would find biltong (our version of jerky) on pizza. In India, you will find Paneer, and in Mexico, toppings include chorizo, chilli and jalapeño.

A whole topic on its own is the discussion about pineapple on pizza. But that opens up a whole other subject.

Also Read: How to make Sangria

How to pair whisky and pizza?

I did a few experiments and have come up with the following formula to help you navigate the perfect pizza and whisky pairing.

For me, traditionally pizza goes with red wine or beer. Yet, I found after testing a few combinations, pairing a pizza with whisky elevated the flavours of both the pizza and the whisky.

Best place to start is with pizza. Do you like the fruity Hawaiian with ham and pineapple or do you prefer the meatier pizzas? Are you a vegetarian that love fresh veggies smothered under cheese?

When you have chosen your favourite pizza, think about the whisky. When choosing a whisky to pair with pizza, it is easiest to think of the whisk(e)y in terms of its flavour characteristics. Is it sweet, spicy or peaty? Is it smoky or full of flowery citrus tones?

Whisky and Pizza Pairings. What works best?

Hawaiian Pizza and Bourbon Whiskey

whiskey and pizza pairing woodford reserve and Hawaiian
Pineapple; the pizza topping that divides people. Should pineapple be on pizza? And finding a whiskey that can enhance the tropical notes while keeping the balance is key to a great pairing. For the most part, bourbon whiskies are known for notes of charred oak, vanilla and signature sweetness.

I found that bourbon whiskey and pizza paired brilliantly. The fruity Hawaiian pizza is perfectly complemented by the sweeter vanilla, toasted oak notes of bourbon.

I loved how the winter fruit and vanilla notes of the Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey paired with the pizza. It made for a delicious tropical taste explosion.

Vegetarian Pizza and Blended Whisky

Pizza and whisky pairing Hankey Bannister 12 yo and vegetarian pizza
Topped with tomatoes, olives, green peppers or mushrooms a vegetarian pizza is delicate and requires a softer smoother dram. A big and bold peaty whisky will overwhelm the more delicate veggie notes.

However, you want something with enough body to stand up to oodles of cheese and to cut through the creaminess. I found that softer Speyside and Highland blends work well with a vegetarian pizza.

My favourite pairing was with the Hankey Bannister 12 yo whisky. The cheesy notes and tomato worked well with the oak and raisin notes of the Hankey. The pizza had not only the traditional tomato base but also fresh baby tomatoes that burst open when you bite.

This pizza paired nicely with the medium body of the Hankey Bannister and created a great balance. But a Ballantine’s Finest whisky or a Famous Grouse blended Scotch whisky will also do the trick.

Meat lovers pizza and Irish Whiskey

Pizza and whisky pairing Jameson Cask Mates and meaty pizza
Known by many names, this pizza is topped with a variety of meat; smoky bacon, beef, chicken, ham or hot sausage. This meaty masterpiece calls for a big, bold dram. Something that will stand up to the smoky meat and rich cheese. I chose the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish whiskey.

The rich, bold beer and spicy flavours worked with the cheese and meat and balanced each other out. Other options that will work is a Talisker 10 yo single malt whisky or a bold Highland Park whisky release.

Whatever your favourite, does not matter. There are no rules. Experiment and see what works for you. Make a fun evening out of it. Grab your favourite pizza, pour a few drams and have fun. Once you’ve found a flavour combination that works for you, debut it at your next grown-up pizza party.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Label