Tag: Campari Group Page 2 of 3

Davide Campari-Milano N.V., trading as Gruppo Campari, is an Italian company in the branded beverage industry. It produces spirits, wines, and soft drinks. Brands include:
Grand Marnier, Frangelico, SKYY vodka, Bulldog London Dry Gin,
Wild Turkey bourbon, Glen Grant whisky, Forty Creek Canadian whisky

My Top 5 Whisky Food Pairings

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/22/2017

In Lifestyle

Today I look at my favourite whisky food pairings that I have tried over the last couple of years. I capture my whisky tastings in a pretty notebook. I love the act of scribbling notes, pictures and drawing emotions on paper.

Sometimes a whisky creates such strong feelings that it is easier to draw an emotive face on paper than to write down the emotion words. Old school, I know. John loves technology, and he captures his thoughts via speech recognition software.

Perhaps I also prefer paper because paper does not complain about my bad spelling. Capturing my thoughts digitally leaves me with many red-underlined miss spelt words that I first need to fix before I can continue. My beautiful book is more forgiving. My shorthand doesn’t need to be spelt correctly.

Yesterday I was paging through my notebook looking at some of the fun combinations I have tried this past couple of years. Some have made it on to the blog; some have a ~~THICK Black line~~ through them as a reminder not to try that specific combination again. Notable failures include various whiskies and Emmenthal cheese, or Monkey Shoulder whisky and milk chocolate.

However, there have been some excellent whisky food pairings. Pairings I whip out time and time again. So I decided to compile my top 5 whisky food pairings that are a staple in my house.

Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Laphroaig Whisky and Stilton Cheese

The Laphroaig 10 yo Cask Strength is a pretty unique whisky. It is a big whisky in the best Laphroaig tradition. Big peat flavour, followed by smoke, iodine and seaweed. One of the first whisky food pairings I did was pairing the Laphroaig with a Blue Stilton. And not only is it my most read whisky food post, but it one of our favourite pairings to snack on. Rich and filling but not too heavy.

The strong taste of the Stilton complements the smoke and peat of the Laphroaig. It brings out the creamy, buttery flavour of the cheese in a remarkable way. A perfect pairing!

Bourbon and Snickers

Bourbon pairs wonderfully with Snicker Bars! It is one of those pairings that shouts comfort! Like your favourite slippers and gown after a crazy long week. The bourbon balanced out the sugary sweetness of the chocolate and enhanced the peanuts and caramel notes. The caramel enhanced the bourbon vanilla and softened the alcohol notes. It created a match made in chocolate heaven.

Also Read: Tiramisu with Whiskey

Roasted Lamb and Ardbeg 10 Whisky

We eat a lot of lamb over weekends. On the braai in summer and warming stews in winter. Weekends are the perfect time to experiment. I have tried this Garlic and Rosemary roasted lamb with various whiskies, but always return to the Ardbeg 10 yo. My tasting notes for the Ardbeg 10 yo included notes of peat and smoke, citrus and hints of vanilla. The Ardbeg 10 yo is a big complex whisky, but not overwhelmingly so.

It has enough peat to be typically Islay, but not so much that it would frighten a non-peat lover. The Ardbeg is robust enough to stand up to the Garlic and Rosemary flavour and the richness of the lamb. The peat and smoke in the Ardbeg enhanced the lamb’s earthiness and made it simply delicious.

Bain’s Whisky and Camembert Cheese

Another whisky cheese pairing I regularly enjoy. I paired the Camembert cheese with various whiskies, but the pairing with the Bains’ whisky remains my favourite. My tasting notes for the Bain’s whisky included sweet hints of toffee, banana and vanilla.

The sweetness and spice of the Bain’s enhanced the earthy notes of the Camembert. The richness of the cheese softens with the Bain’s, and you want to try the Bain’s whisky food pairing again and again.

Coffee Bourbon Ice Cream

Not technically a whisky food pairing, however something I make regularly. I love coffee; I love ice cream. Add some Knob Creek Bourbon, and you have magic. Perfect for a grown-up dessert in summer. Best of all, it is easy to make, without too much fuss.

Use the best quality ice cream you can get your hands on, add some good quality coffee, grab any bourbon that you have. It is as easy as that. Not too many dishes and the grownups will smile.

What is your favourite whisky food pairing?

Also Read: Checkers Private Barrel Co No 68 whisky

Top 5 Single Malt under R750

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/07/2016

In Lifestyle

Following my post last week on the ‘Top 5 Blends under R600’, I have worked hard to define my Top 5 Single Malt under R750. I have tasted a considerable variety of whiskies to sort the good from the bad, the cheap from the tasty.

Keeping it under R650 for the single malts have become impossible. With the decline in the currency and the general increase in single malt prices, I had to lift the price point to around R750.

But fear not, there are many delicious single malts at this price point. So, are you looking for a gift for your boss? You want to impress someone but not break the bank? Look no further, to my Top 5 Single Malt under R750 Edition. All available in South Africa.

Also Read: Gin and Olives Pairing

Top 5 Single Malt under R750

1. Glen Grant The Major’s Reserve Whisky

First up on the Top 5 Single Malt underR750 Edition: What a stunning dram! It is under R500 and delicious. One of the bottles I replace regularly. The Glen Grant Major’s Reserve is rich with spice, banana, green mango and pears. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg perfectly balanced with malt, toffee and hints of oak.

2. Glen Moray Elgin Classic Whisky

I got this Speyside staple from my brother in law, and his taste in whisky impressed me. An excellent buy for a whisky lover. The Glen Moray is delicate with hints of malty sweetness, vanilla and oak floating about.

Fresh cut flowers, grass and green apples mixed with whispers of condensed milk and cinnamon biscuits. The Glen Moray has the perfect balance between sweet and spicy. It is a very easy drinking dram. The sense of lightness remains the whole way through.

3. Laphroaig Quarter Cask Whisky

This classic Islay dram squeezes into the list on the price point. But it has to be here! It is a delicious classic that is perfect for any peat lover. For me, the Quarter Cask epitomizes the Laphroaig style. Burnt peat, seaweed and iodine mixed with mild smoke and a surprising hint of spicy sweetness.

In the background lurk some oak, liquorice and fruity notes. The palate feels rich and thick, befitting a proper Islay whisky. The addition of water makes the Laphroaig Quarter Cask smoother and softens the medicinal notes. Big and bold!

4. Three Ships 10 yo Whisky

So glad I can add this exceptional Vintage to my list this year! Released earlier in 2016 and available for under R750, this South African dram is a MUST for whisky aficionados!

The Three Ships 10 yo Vintage edition has notes of malt, fruitiness, spices and fresh with hints of honey and butterscotch. Once you add water, peat and smoke are released, and the earthy character of this proudly South African dram comes through.

The Three Ships 10 yo has a beautiful body and is a nice big mouthful. Even without water, this is wonderfully smooth. The addition of water transforms the whisky. Water releases all the peaty earthy notes. But the peat is smooth, rich and not overwhelming. Perfect for someone who wants to expand his or her whisky tasting experience.

5. Checkers Private Barrel Co No 41 Whisky

Last but not least on my Top 5 Single Malts 2016 list, the Checkers Private Barrel Co No 41. This “Odd Bins” release from Checkers does not have a distillery name but comes in at a very affordable price. It is a 12 yo and has a fantastic taste for the price.

There’s a lot of toffee sweetness with a bit of spice. The Private Barrel Co No 41 is bursting with fruity flavour mixed with creamy, buttery fudge, toffee sweetness and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

The addition of water certainly brings out a lot more smoothness and brings some floral notes to the front. The strong point of this dram is the finish. It is probably one of the longest finishes that I have “tasted” in a long time. The addition of water seems to improve the finish.

Pairing Snickers and Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/21/2016

In Whisky & Chocolate

Continuing with the Bourbon Heritage month theme, I looked around for a few interesting bourbon food pairing ideas when I came across an article that recommends pairing Snickers and bourbon.

Wait… What? A super sweet Snicker bar paired with sweet bourbon. Would this not be an overly sweet affair? I was unsure if this pairing would make a blue Monday better or worse.Snickers hold the top spot for the bestselling chocolate bar in the world.

Made by Mars, Incorporated, Snickers has annual global sales of $2 billion. It consists of nougat topped with caramel and peanuts covered in milk chocolate. It was named after the Mars family’s favourite horse. Snickers have been a crowd pleaser since the 1930s.

As if I needed an excuse to experiment. I have a sweet tooth and just had to try this combination. I paired the Snicker bar with a few different bourbons, and the results were consistently the same.

The Results

Bourbon pairs wonderfully with the Snickers! The bourbon balanced out the sugary sweetness of the chocolate and enhanced the peanuts and caramel notes. The caramel enhanced the bourbon vanilla and softened the alcohol notes. A wonderful balance, with each bringing out the best in the other.

It created a match made in chocolate heaven. I tried it with the Jim Beam Black Bourbon, the Wild Turkey 101, the Bulleit Frontier Bourbon and some Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It all worked amazingly well.

Also Read: Bourbon Coffee

I paired the Snickers bar with a Gentleman Jack, which is a Tennessee whisky, to see if the results would be the same. I am happy to report that even a Tennessee whisky pair wonderfully with some Snickers.

Blue Monday; your boss was on your case the whole day, Microsoft gobbled up the report you needed to work on, your car is running on fumes, and all you want to do is crawl into bed and watch Netflix.

Stop at the filling station on the way home. While they fill up your car, grab a Snicker Bar at the Convenience store. Grab that bottle of bourbon from the weekend and pour yourself a glass. Open the Snickers and enjoy.

No day can stay blue with this pairing.

Also Read: Whisky of the Year 2018

Glen Grant Major’s Reserve Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/15/2016

In Single Malt whisky

The highlight in the yearly whisky calendar is the Whisky Life Festival in Sandton. It is one of the biggest whisky shows in the world. The festival is about meeting up with old friends and making new whisky friends.

The whisky variety to taste is enormous. I try to focus on only a few whiskies that I have not tried before. Otherwise, it just becomes overwhelming.

Last year, I walked into Bernard Gutman, a good friend, at the Glen Grant exhibition. Bernard took the time to introduce me to the Glen Grant Major’s Reserve single malt Scotch whisky. And that is where I spend quite a lot of time. I also tried the Glen Grant 10 year old and the 16 year old whisky.

The 10 yo was nice, and I loved the 16 year old, but it was the Glen Grant Major’s Reserve whisky, that blew me away. I am always on the lookout for affordable quality whiskies. The Glen Grant Major’s Reserve is in the affordable category. The price is around R 300 in South Africa, and it is readily available.

The Glen Grant distillery was founded in 1840 by brothers John and James Grant in the Rothes, Speyside. It is close to the port of Garmouth.

The River Spey and the barley-growing plains are nearby. When the founders passed away, James “The Major” Grant inherited the distillery. He proved to be a worthy successor. The Campari Group purchased Glen Grant in 2005.

Half of Glen Grant’s Scotch whisky production is used as a blending product, notably in Chivas blends. The Glen Grant Major’s Reserve was Inspired by James ‘The Major’ Grant and his innovative lifestyle. It has no age statement and retail in SA for around R250.

Related Article: Glenmorangie Lasanta whisky

Glen Grant Major’s Reserve Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: A pale wheat

NOSE: First thought when opening the bottle is that it smells like a tropical fruit salad. It is rich with spice, banana, green mango and pears. In the background the vanilla and condensed milk balances with hints of fresh flowers and cereals.

PALATE: Summer spice jump out at you. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. However, it is perfectly balanced with malt, fresh apples, pears, toffee and hints of oak. Hints of vanilla sweetness mix with honey. Water smooths out the Glen Grant Major’s Reserve and releases more flowery notes. It is rich and complex.

FINISH: Long and builds to notes of vanilla and oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT.

Looking at my collection, this is probably one of the best single malts in the affordable category. This Glen Grant can easily stand up to more expensive single malts. It is easy drinking and rewarding, and you will undoubtedly want a second glass.

Addition: During 2017 I tasted the Glen Grant 12 year old – again because my good friend Bernard introduced us. O my word. What a beautiful release. See my tasting notes of this Speyside dram. I have also tasted the 12 year old Non-Chill-Filtered version and captured all my notes on this release.

Also Read: Glen Moray Classic whisky

Whisky and Brie Cheese

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/27/2016

In Whisky & Cheese

After a relaxing holiday, 2016 started with new opportunities. And a chance to try out more whisky and cheese pairings. In December 2015, Checkers brought out a new cheese brochure, which I read from end to end. It had all kinds of amazing cheese ideas, and I kept it for further inspiration.

The front page had a picture of the cutest little Ile de France brie cheeses. You might say that brie cheese should not be described as cute, but when you see these little delicate Ile de France morsels, you would agree. They looked perfect for a whisky and brie cheese pairing experiment.

Brie cheese is one of the best known French cheeses and a staple on cheese boards worldwide. It is soft cow milk cheese named after the French Brie region, where it was first produced.

After shaping and draining, the cheese is taken out, salted and inoculated with mould and then aged for at least four weeks. It has a bloomy rind, and the flavour has creamy and hazelnut butter notes. Brie has hints of sweet fruit and a slightly tangy and earthy after taste.

The Ile de France brie cheese was slightly saltier compared to the locally produced brie’s. It however created a wonderful contrast with the whisky. It is best to serve brie at room temperature.

I tried various whisky pairings with this brie below are my results:

Also Read: Jack Daniels Apple Whiskey Liqueur

Glen Grant Major Reserve Whisky and Brie Cheese

I first tried the Glen Grant Major Reserve single malt whisky at the Whisky Life Festival during 2015 and loved it. With its heaps of spicy notes, this fruity whisky is a firm favourite and worked wonderfully with the salty brie cheese.

The Glen Grant whisky’s apple notes made the cheese sweeter and creamier, and the Brie smoothed out the spicy notes in the whisky. It is a wonderful balance between sweet and salty. I give the Glen Grant Major Reserve whisky and brie cheese pairing a Rating: 4/5

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Whisky and Brie Cheese

Looking back, I have tried quite a few cheese pairings with this Balvenie Caribbean Cask whisky. The tropical fruit and vanilla notes from the Scotch seem to pair nicely with softer cheeses. It is robust enough to stand up to the cheese’s earthy tangy character but soft and smooth enough not to overwhelm it.

The combination is creamy smooth and rich, and you don’t want the experience to finish. I give this Balvenie Caribbean Cask single malt whisky and brie cheese pairing a Rating: 4/5

The Black Grouse whisky and Brie Cheese

One of my favourite peaty blends was up next. The Black Grouse whisky with its mild peat, smoke and caramel notes, is a favourite when eating Indian food. But it is also gentle enough to go with these small morsels of cheese perfection.

The creaminess in the brie smooths out the peaty notes, and the cheese becomes more creamy and rich. I give the Black Grouse blended whisky and brie cheese pairing a Rating: 3,5/5

I tried the cheese with the Glenlivet 12 year old, and it worked well. A pairing with a Grant Sherry cask and a Tullibardine Sauternes Cask, however, did not work so well. Have you tried this soft cheese paired with whisky yet?

Related Article: Camembert cheese and whisky