Tag: Diageo Page 2 of 14

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

On my recent trip to Mauritius, I found an interesting bottle of Johnnie Walker whisky in the supermarket. I had not seen the Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish blended Scotch whisky before and bought a bottle to try.

On the island, we had some time to explore this bottle properly. We love the Black Label whisky and always have a bottle around. So it made sense to spend a bit of time with this bottle.

The Sherry Finish is a limited edition Johnnie Walker Black Label initially released as a Taiwan exclusive. It is now available in more countries. According to the brand, this release combines the familiar notes of the Black Label whisky with dried plum and fig with aromatic vanilla.

Also Read: The Singleton Tailfire Whisky

Like the standard Black Label, the Sherry Finish is a blend that includes whisky from Cardhu in Speyside, Cameronbridge and Glenkinchie in the Lowlands and Clynelish from the Scottish Highlands. It was aged for 12 years and then finished in barrels seasoned with sherry from Jerez.

I have not seen it in South Africa, and I can’t remember what we paid for it in Mauritius. It was not too expensive, though; I see it retails for around R 650 worldwide.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish Whisky Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Reddish gold

NOSE: It has the distinctive Black Label peat and smoky nose with an extra layer of sweetness. Red fruits, dried cherries and hints of sherry. Bits of spice and vanilla, with hints of dry wood.

PALATE: Peat and faint sherry sweetness with black pepper, red berries and caramel. Drying tannins and oak underlay the red fruits with hints of chocolate. On the palate, it is delicate and soft with none of the standard Black Label bolder notes. As the ABV was only 40%, we did not add water.

FINISH: A drying, peaty finish with bitter citrus and black pepper. Medium length.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I was expecting a bit more of the sherry richness to shine through. The sherry notes are subdued and somewhat out of balance with the peat and spices. The sherry finish adds a unique red fruit note but also tannins and drying oak.

Not bad, but if I have to choose between the Sherry Finish or the standard Black Label, I will take the standard Black Label whisky. I have to add that we quickly finished our bottle during our holiday. It will be a great dram for Johnnie Walker aficionados.

The serving suggestion for the Sherry Finish whisky is either on the rocks or in a tall glass filled with ice, topped up with a blackcurrant mixer and garnished with a sprig of mint or a slice of citrus. According to Johnnie Walker, it also pairs well with dark fruits, nuts and chocolate after a meal.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Select Casks Rye Finish Whisky

Woodford Reserve Rye vs Bulleit Rye Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/22/2022

In Whisky Comparison

I have not done a side-by-side whiskey comparison in months, and it is so much fun. So today, let me look at a rye comparison: Woodford Reserve Rye vs Bulleit Rye whiskey. Earlier this year, I tasted the Woodford Rye whiskey, and the bottle gave me so much inspiration for side-by-side comparison posts.

Dimple Pinch 15 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/21/2022

In Blended whisky

It is no secret that my dad loved whisky, especially blended whiskey. My mom always bought him a Chivas 12 year old whisky for his birthday. But for special celebrations and anniversaries, she purchased his favourite favourite, the Dimple Pinch 15 year old blended Scotch whisky.

The distinctive triangular bottle with pinched (dimpled) sides and the gold thread netting has been around since 1893. During the late 19th-century, demand for blended Scotch whisky expanded in all directions. John Haig founded the Haig distillery in 1824.

Also read: Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Whisky

Today it is known as Cameronbridge. In 1830, it became the first distillery to produce grain whisky using the column still method. He experimented and mixed different kinds of whisky, creating the Dimple Scotch whisky recipe we know today.

According to some research, Dimple contains a higher than normal malt proportion, including liquid from Glenkinchie and Linkwood distillery. Precisely what this means remains undisclosed.

In the US, it is known as Dimple Pinch, and in the rest of the world, it is simply Dimple whisky.

Today it is owned by Diageo. Other releases under the Haig brand include the Haig Gold Label whisky and Haig Club, associated with David Beckham. Haig Club is a grain whisky sourced from the Cameronbridge distillery.

Dimple Pinch 15 year old Scotch Whisky Review

Dimple Pinch blended Scotch whisky consists of over thirty malt and grain whiskies.

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light amber

NOSE: Elegant and soft with notes of fruit, malt and honey. Not the most complex nose. Bits of green and pear mixed with lemon. No defined spicy notes on the nose. Light woody notes in the background.

PALATE: Notes of malt and fruit. It has a medium body with oak, banana, pear and honey. The Dimple has a few rough edges that need a few drops of water to mellow. The green notes from the nose come through, and it has a mild pepper bite. Easy drinking summer whisky. Not too complex.

FINISH: Short ending on notes of oak, honey and pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

My dad loved his Dimple whisky and only poured a glass on special occasions. Remember, that was the 80’s in South Africa, so the whisky variety was minimal. It is not a bad whisky, but I found it a bit forgettable. It starts delicate but gets better on sip 2 or 3. More flavour comes to the front after a few drops of water.

Perhaps I am spoilt, having enjoyed some big and bold drams lately. This light body dram is probably perfect for summer and will work well for introducing a newbie to whisky. The packaging is impressive and stands out. In South Africa, Dimple whisky costs around R600. Not a bad price for a 15 year old blended whisky.

Also Read: Ballantine’s 17 yo Scapa Whisky

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon Comparison

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/15/2021

In Whisky Comparison

This is my last side-by-side comparison for 2021, and today I am looking at a comparison between the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. I have enjoyed doing these comparisons. I learned so much, and it highlighted the variety in taste within the bourbon category. It showed me how something that is made in essentially the same way could have such different notes by changing the mash bill and the toast level of the casks.

Linkwood 8 year old Very Cloudy Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/25/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Three weeks ago, Morris invited me to join the Joburg Whisky Club for a whisky tasting. A real-life, in person, getting to shake people’s hands, whisky tasting. After so many months of lockdown and online tastings, this was the most exciting event on my calendar.

A further bonus was that the very knowledgeable Candice Baker hosted the tasting, and she presented some exciting drams.The first dram that Candice introduced us to was the Linkwood 8 year old Vintage 2012 single malt Scotch whisky released under the Very Cloudy label by the Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Company.

It is such a memorable dram that the next day I ordered myself a bottle for my collection. The other releases we tried were the Very Cloudy Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2013 Vintage, the Waterford Cooladine 1.1 and Knockroe 1.1 and lastly, the Edradour 9 year old Vintage 2010 whisky.

These releases are imported to South Africa by Navigate World Whisky. They don’t only do whisky but bring exciting rum releases to SA. I will also be exploring the rum selection later in the year.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Spice Road Whisky

Signatory is an independent bottler based at the Edradour distillery near Pitlochry in Perthshire. Launched in September 2005, the Very Cloudy range is a variant of “The un-chill-filtered collection”. The cloudy appearance of the whiskies comes from the suspended fats loaded with aromas that were not eliminated at the time of filtration at room temperature. Especially when you add a drop or 2 of water, the cloudiness comes through.

The original Linkwood distillery was founded in 1821 by Peter Brown in Elgin in the Speyside region of Scotland. Then, in 1971, a new adjoining distillery, called Linkwood B, was built. The two distilleries operated together until 1996 when the old Linkwood was closed down for good. The distillery draws its water from the springs of Millbuies Loch.

Diageo currently owns the distillery. The vast majority of the spirit distilled at Linkwood is used in Diageo-owned blends like Johnnie Walker and White Horse whisky. However, the distillery also sells much of the spirit to other blenders.

Linkwood 8 year old Very Cloudy Whisky Review

Aged in bourbon barrels. Distilled on 08.05.20212 and bottled on 16.11.2020 from Cask no 306311 + 306317. Selected by Navigate World Whisky and La Maison du Whisky.

COUNTRY: Speyside, Scotland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Pale gold.

NOSE: Fruity and green with notes of freshly cut green grass, pine needles, mint and bits of grain and malty richness. Bits of summer fruit and hay. Fresh and elegant. A lovely inviting nose.

PALATE: Tropical fruit with mild black pepper, salted liquorice and sun-dried hay. Malt and woodiness with citrus notes. More mint and hints of florals mixed with guava and pineapple sweetness. Quite oily with a medium body .

FINISH: Medium length with mild spice, some green earthy notes and malt.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Not the most complex dram, but unique, well-balanced and very drinkable. A great summer sipping whisky for when you are looking for something different but approachable.

As this is not a distillery from which you find regular independent bottlings (not in SA anyway), it makes for a great addition to the collection. It is available at selected retail stores, and I got mine via Navigate World Whisky Online. It retails for R995 in South Africa.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Island Green Whisky