Over the years, I have explored a variety of affordable whiskies, including releases from India like Signature Rare whisky and many well-known Scottish whiskies available worldwide. Continuing this journey, I’m now turning my attention to the White Horse Scotch blended whisky.
Tag: Diageo Page 1 of 15
Diageo plc is a British multinational beverage alcohol company, with its headquarters in London, England. It operates in more than 180 countries and produces in more than 140 sites around the world. It is a major distributor of spirits and the world’s largest producer of Scotch whisky.
Brands include:
Scotch whisky: Johnnie Walker, Cardhu, Justerini & Brooks, Bell’s, Black & White, White Horse, Caol Ila, Vat 69, Oban, Talisker, Lagavulin, Glenkinchie, Dalwhinnie, Cragganmore, Clynelish, Singleton, Dimple, Glen Elgin, Knockando, Blair Athol, Dailuaine, Glenlossie, Mannochmore, Mortlach, Strathmill, Teaninich.
American whiskey: Bulleit, Seagram’s
Canadian whisky: Crown Royal
Vodka: Smirnoff, Cîroc, Ketel One
Rum: Captain Morgan,
Gin: Gordon’s, Tanqueray, Gilbey’s, Aviation Gin
This week, we’re having another Islay peat battle: Ardbeg Uigeadail vs Lagavulin 16 year old whisky. Both these single malt Scotch drams achieved cult status with peat heads. The Ardbeg Uigeadail is one of John’s favourite drams. So, to ensure we remained unbiased, we blind-tasted them.
Exploring whisky side by side to understand the nuances and differences makes for a fun weekend activity.
Ardbeg Uigeadail whisky
Peaty Ardbeg has unquestionably earned its status as a cult favourite globally in recent years. Whisky enthusiasts eagerly anticipate each Ardbeg Day to see what exciting whisky the master distillery has for them.
The name Uigeadail derives from the Scotch Gaelic for ‘Dark and Mysterious Place’ and is named for the Loch from which Ardbeg draws its peat-laden waters. The Ardbeg distillery and the Glenmorangie distillery are part of the Louis Vuitton stable.
The distillery launched this award-winning expression around 2003. It is non-chill-filtered and matured in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels. The Uigeadail Islay single malt Scotch whisky has a peat level of around 50 ppm. It is a NAS release.
Lagavulin 16 year old whisky
Lagavulin is a historic distillery with centuries-old roots in a picturesque bay along Islay’s south coast. The name “Lagavulin” translates from Gaelic to “Lag a’ Mhuilinn,” meaning the hollow of the mill.
Lagavulin was one of the six whiskies marketed as part of the Diageo’ Classic Malts of Scotland’ range. The others include Cragganmore, Oban and Talisker whisky.
Lagavulin Distillery is known for its slow distillation speed and pear-shaped pot stills. The Lagavulin 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky is peated to 35 ppm.
Ardbeg Uigeadail vs Lagavulin 16 yo whisky
| Ardbeg Uigeadail | Lagavulin 16 yo | |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | 54.2% | 43% |
| Region | Islay Whisky | Islay Whisky |
| Peat Level | 55 to 65 ppm | 35 ppm |
| Colour | Light amber | Dark Gold |
| Nose | Bold peat, smoke, iodine, and medicinal notes. Raisins, hints of honey and spice follow in the background. | Liquorice, smoke, hints of peat with a fruity sweetness. Bits of oak, iodine, and vanilla. Delicate and balanced. |
| Palate | A big and bold mouthful whisky. Peat, drying ash and smoke fill your mouth. Notes of sherry and Christmas cake mixed with honey and dark chocolate. | Dry oak, peat with hints of cherry sweetness and smoke. Medium body with iodine and tar and a fruity sweetness. |
| Finish | Long and lingering. Raisins and honey, pepper and espresso. | Medium length with peat and hints of smoke, oak and vanilla. |
| My Rating | Excellent | Very Good |
| Comments | Complex and well balanced | Lacks some complexity and has a few sharp edges. |
| Price | $67 / £51 | $74 / £58 |
| Pairs well with | Fresh oysters, sashimi | Blue Stilton or Roquefort cheese |
As we uncork these two formidable drams, both are memorable and robust. They are not suitable for novice whisky drinkers. Each delivers the quintessential Islay experience with potent peat, iodine notes, and smoke.
The first difference between these two Islay drams is the peat level. The Uigeadail is peated at 55 ppm, and the Lagavulin is peated at 35 ppm .
The Lagavulin peaty notes are slightly more medicinal, while the Ardbeg has more seaweed, salt and fishy notes.
The Lagavulin 16 year old Scotch brings notes of dry oak, iodene, cherries and vanilla. It is peaty with smoke and fruity sweetness. It has a wonderful nose, a medium body and a medium-length finish.
The Ardbeg Uigeadail offers fruitier notes and a sweeter profile balanced with bold peat, smoke and a touch of seaweed and salt. It has notes of old leather, espresso, Christmas cake, and dark chocolate.
Ardbeg is less medicinal than Laphroaig. However, it is more balanced and complex. The Lagavulin displayed a few rough edges and didn’t quite live up to its nose’s promise of impeccable balance.
The best thing about the Uigeadail vs Lagavun 16 whisky comparison is the difference in finish. The finish on the Uigeadail is long and complex, warming your soul with lingering smoke, pepper, and raisins.
Also Read: Bulleit Bourbon vs Bulleit Rye Whiskey
Another fun side-by-side comparison this week: the Bulleit Bourbon vs Rye whiskey. For me it is a learning opportunity to better understand the difference between a bourbon and a rye whisky. They look the same and in some instances smell similar, especially if the rye has only the minimum rye percentage.
Comparing a rye whiskey and a bourbon with a smaller rye mash bill, makes it interesting to better understand the differences.
The processes for both are rather similar, and it is only when you dig a little deeper that you can understand the significant differences between bourbon and rye. The flavour differences become apparent when you start tasting.
Let’s look at a broad description of both bourbon and rye whiskey.
Bourbon Whiskey vs Rye Whiskey
Bourbon whiskey is produced only in the United States. It must be made from a fermented mash, meaning cooked grains mixed with yeast, consisting of at least 51% corn. The rest of the mash can be any other cereal grain, but some combination of malted barley, rye, and/or wheat is most common.
Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels, and there’s no minimum ageing requirement. Straight bourbon must be at least two years old. Bourbon tends to be sweeter than rye due to its high corn content. Standard flavour notes include vanilla, toasted oak, nuts, dark fruit, chocolate, and soft spices.
Rye whiskey can be made anywhere in the world, but to be labelled rye in the United States, it must be made from a fermented mash of at least 51% rye grain. The remaining portion of the mash bill can be other cereal grains. It must be matured in new charred oak barrels and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV.
Rye whiskey’s flavour profile can change depending on its overall rye content. A minimum of 51% rye (like the Michter’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye or the Pikesville Straight Rye) will taste, to an extent, similar to bourbon. A high rye ratio, such as George Dickle Straight or Bulleit rye will have a very different profile with more spice and herbal notes.
That is why this comparison works so well. The mash bill of the Bulleit bourbon has 68% corn and only 28% rye, while the Bulleit Rye mash bill is a 95% rye whiskey.
Also Read: Laphroaig 10 vs Quarter Cask Whisky
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Bulleit bourbon Frontier whiskey traces its roots back to a 150-year-old family recipe. Augustus Bulleit, the great-great-grandfather of the brand’s founder, Tom Bulleit, created the recipe.
The story begins in the mid-19th century when Augustus crafted a distinctive rye whiskey, using a blend of 67% rye and 33% corn, right in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, between 1830 and 1860.
Tom Bulleit’s journey to resurrect this extraordinary family legacy was a winding one. He first served in the US Marine Corps and then pursued a career in law. Yet, the dream of recreating his ancestor’s recipe never left him.
In 1987, Tom Bulleit took the plunge and created a small-batch bourbon bearing the iconic family name.
Diageo owns the Bulleit brand, which is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey
Bulleit bourbon Frontier whisky is aged for an estimated 6 years in charred American white oak casks. It has no age statement. The mash bill is 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley. It is readily available in the USA ($25), and in the UK. I have seen it on Amazon for around £ 32.
Also Read: Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon
Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey
Diageo introduced the Bulleit Rye American Frontier whiskey in March 2011. It is made with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley and produced in small batches.
The Bulleit Rye whiskey is aged for around 5-6 years in heavily charred, new American oak casks but has no age statement.
According to research, it is sourced from a renowned distillery in Indiana. The retail price is around £32 in the UK on Amazon and $28 in the USA.
Bulleit Bourbon vs Bulleit Rye Whiskey
| Bulleit Bourbon | Bulleit Rye | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bourbon whiskey | Rye whiskey |
| Mashbill | 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley | 95% rye and 5% malted barley |
| ABV | 45% | 45% |
| Colour | Light amber | Light golden caramel |
| Nose | A bold spicy nose followed by vanilla, nutmeg, toasted wood and a toffee pudding sweetness. There is a subtle creamy caramel note . | Sweet and fresh. Cherries and vanilla with hints of grain and toasted oak. Subtle spices with hints of cinnamon and cloves. |
| Palate | Rich and chewy, it is brimming with spice that never overwhelms. There are notes of toffee, vanilla, and a touch of oily wood. In the background, there are subtle hints of orange and freshly baked sugar biscuits with nutmeg. When water is added, it becomes smoother and slightly sweeter, all while retaining its robust character. | Caramel sweetness is followed by fresh fruit before the spicy notes. Rye spices mingle with overripe cherries, dry-roasted peanuts, and crunchy grain. There are hints of vanilla, cinnamon, pepper, and cloves. Water brings more orange notes forward together with a herby note. |
| Finish | The finish is long and lingering. Bold notes of mild spice, caramel and subtle hints of oak. | A spicy rye finish with cinnamon, allspice and vanilla. Medium length. |
| My Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| Price point | $25 | $28 |
This Bulleit bourbon vs rye comparison makes for a fun afternoon experiment. Similar to Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey and Jack Daniel’s Rye comparison, this comparison highlights the difference a higher rye percentage in the mash bill makes to the whiskey. It gives a better understanding of the difference a mash bill makes.
On the nose, the Bulleit bourbon appears spicier. Vanilla and nutmeg arrive before the sweeter toffee and caramel notes. The Bulleit Rye nose is sweeter with cherries and grain before the spices appear.
The rye spices are more prominent on the palate in the Bulleit Rye. Where the bourbon has spices, they balance with the freshly baked cookies, toffee, and vanilla notes.
The Bulleit Rye, on the other hand, is more spice-forward, although it starts sweeter. It has notes of fresh fruit, roasted peanuts, and caramel. In the background, there is a fruity orange note. The sweetness stands slightly to the back when the spices come through.
Where the bourbon has a spice-sweetness balance close to 50:50, the spice-to-sweetness ratio on the rye whiskey feels more like 60:40.
My favourite is probably the Bulleit bourbon, as my palate prefers the sweeter bourbon notes. John prefers the rye release, as he likes the spices more. What is your favourite?
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Green vs Blue Label Whisky
As a whisky enthusiast living in Mauritius, I relish stumbling upon unique whisky finds, especially those hailing from India. So when I encountered Royal Challenge whisky at Winners in Cascavelle, I knew I had to grab it.
Initially, the brand was crafted by Shaw Wallace and introduced to the Indian market in the early 1980s. United Spirits Ltd (USL), a Diageo group company, acquired Shaw Wallace in July 2005.
Royal Challenge is a grain-flavoured blended whisky with some Scotch and Indian malts. Approximately 12% of the blend is derived from this blend of Scotch and Indian whiskies matured in charred American oak casks. The rest is a neutral spirit distilled from molasses.
However, it’s important to note that Royal Challenge whisky, akin to many Indian “whiskies” (Indian-made foreign liquor), ventures into the realm of ambiguity. In essence, it is a rum blended with some whisky. It is not in line with the Scottish whisky regulations. In the United States, it is called “spirit whisky”.
Despite its unconventional origins, Royal Challenge whisky boasts a formidable presence in the global spirits market, with over 4.5 million cases sold annually. While it enjoys widespread popularity in India, it has also made waves in the USA, Canada, and the UK, showcasing its universal appeal.
In Mauritius, acquiring a bottle won’t break the bank, with a reasonable price tag of Rs 1350. The retail price in Canada was around $29 and $23 in the USA. In the UK, it costs around 42 GBP and ₹ 974 in India.
The Royal Challenge whisky earned a Gold medal for ‘Best Indian Whisky – 2011’ at the International Whisky Competition. It does have added colour.
Also Read: Vat 69 Whisky
Royal Challenge Whisky Review
COUNTRY: India and Scotland
ABV: 42,8%
COLOUR: Antique gold
NOSE:Caramel and fruity sweetness with malt. A slight alcohol note, so let it stand for a minute or 2 for the alcohol to dissipate. Not the most complex nose, but bold nevertheless. My favourite part of the whisky.
PALATE: First taste brings caramel sweetness, malt, and black pepper. After I added a few drops of water, a bitter lemon note came forward and drowned out the malt and sweetness. Faint oak in the background.
FINISH: The finish is short. Without adding water the finish is sweeter. With the water, the finish becomes more bitter lemon and pepper.
RATING: GOOD
My personal tasting experience unveils a mixed verdict. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. Possessing a mild sweetness and devoid of any harsh alcohol burn, it serves as a versatile addition to cocktail creations.
I won’t use this in whisky-forward cocktails like an old-fashioned, but I might add this to a whisky mule or a peach smash as it is quite sweet. Just don’t add water.
Have you enjoyed sampling Royal Challenge whisky in your neck of the woods? Share your experiences and impressions with this spirit.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky
Today’s whisky exploration revolves around the intriguing duel of Johnnie Walker Green vs Blue Label whisky. Known worldwide as a beacon of whisky excellence, the Johnnie Walker brand spans a colourful spectrum from Red and Black to Green and Blue Label releases.
However, it’s the esteemed Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky that often steals the spotlight, symbolizing the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication.
Yet, amidst this grandeur, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the subtleties of the Johnnie Walker Green Label whisky. Its enticing blend of chocolate mint and fruity undertones captured my palate, much like the ever-reliable Black Label.
Thus, driven by curiosity, I embarked on a side-by-side comparison to unravel the nuances between the Green and Blue Label expressions.
The tale of Johnnie Walker traces back to a humble grocery shop in Ayrshire, Scotland, where John “Johnnie” Walker initially crafted whiskies tailored to individual preferences. As his blends became successful, he started creating blended drams that he labelled Walker’s Kilmarnock whisky.
This laid the foundation, but the ingenuity of his grandsons, Alexander Walker II and George Walker, revolutionized the business by introducing the colour-based naming system.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whisky
Crafted by Master Distiller Jim Beveridge, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky is a testament to tradition, blending 35 grain and malt whiskies, some aged for an astonishing 60 years.
While the Blue Label lacks an age statement, each bottle boasts a unique serial number. The Blue Label, however, is firmly in the exclusive (expensive) category. A bottle of Blue Label retail for around £190 on Amazon.
Johnnie Walker Green Label Whisky
On the other hand, the Johnnie Walker Green Label blended malt whisky was initially introduced as the Pure Malt 15-year-old. The release boasts a blend of 27 single malts, each aged for a minimum of 15 years.
The blended malt includes spirits from distilleries like Cragganmore and Linkwood, together with Caol Ila and Talisker. A bottle of Green Label retails for around £50 on Amazon.
Johnnie Walker Blue vs Green Label Whisky
| Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky | Johnnie Walker Green Label whisky |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type | Blended whisky | Blended malt whisky |
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Colour | Amber | Golden Honey |
| Age statement | NAS | 15 year old |
| Nose | Peat, smoke with oak and malt. Christmas cake, spice and dried fruit. Adding some water unlocked fresh flowers and florals. | After-dinner mints, aniseed, oak, and subtle hints of smoke. A fruity sweetness, malt, and a slight dash of pepper. Fresh-cut grass and vanilla. |
| Palate | Peat and old wood with toasted nuts, toffee and pepper. Water releases a sweeter note with hints of florals. | Highland peat, hints of smoke, vanilla, fruity sweetness, and a touch of cinnamon. Notes of oak, malt, and the spiciness of white pepper and a citrus zing. After-dinner mints and espresso. |
| Finish | Medium length with notes of pepper and nutmeg, caramels and oak. | Medium-length with a combination of pepper, fruity sweetness and a faint wisp of smoke. |
| My Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| Price | $250 | $70 |
| Pairs well with | Hoisin duck, dark chocolate mousse | Smoked salmon, BBQ chicken |
In the glass, the Blue Label’s deeper hue reflects its prolonged maturation, while the Green Label exudes a slightly lighter tone.
On the nose, the Blue Label presents oak, malt, and Christmas cake aromas. In contrast, the Green Label offers a diverse spice bouquet with hints of aniseed and vanilla intertwined with peaty notes and a subtle after-dinner mint freshness.
Moving onto the palate, the Blue Label’s creamy nuttiness and refined floral notes exude elegance, contrasting with the Green Label’s vibrant blend of chocolate, peat, and smoke, accentuated by hints of vanilla and malt.
While both offer a medium-length finish, the Blue Label whisky concludes with refined oak and spices. In contrast, the Green Label leaves a fruity sweetness lingering, accompanied by subtle hints of pepper and smoke.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended whisky epitomizes sophistication and refinement, ideal for commemorating special occasions. Conversely, the Johnnie Walker Green Label blended whisky embodies vibrancy and approachability, perfect for unwinding on a casual evening.
Personally, I find the Green Label more memorable and enjoyable, with its unique after-dinner mint notes and versatile character.
Moreover, the substantial price difference between the two labels makes the Green Label an appealing choice for regular indulgence. At the same time, the Blue Label remains reserved for exceptional occasions.
Ultimately, if pressed to choose a favourite, the Johnnie Walker Green Label blended malt Scotch whisky wins my vote for its approachability and sheer drinkability, making it a staple in my collection.