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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

Oban 14 year old Singe Malt Scotch Whisky

Oban 14 yo Single Malt Whisky header
I have had this bottle of Oban 14 year old single malt Scotch whisky for so long; I can’t even remember where I got it. The Oban Distillery is situated in the Scottish Highlands near the west coast port of Oban.

It was established in 1794, and a bustling seaside town grew around the distillery. It is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland with just two pot stills. Oban only releases a limited variety of bottlings.

They are primarily known for the 14 year old single malt but also have a Distiller’s Edition (finished in Montilla Fino sherry casks) and a NAS Oban Little Bay. The Oban 14 year old is part of the Diageo Classic Malt range.

Also Read: Tamdhu Batch 001 Whisky

The Classic Malts of Scotland is a selection of six single malt whiskies, launched and marketed together. The Classic Malts whisky collection represents the unique diversity of the different Scottish regions, taste and heritage. From the soft flowery Glenkinchie in the Lowlands to the honeyed Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.

Through Speyside and Cragganmore onto the West where the Talisker comes from. Onwards to the Western Highlands where Oban sits and last but not least the peaty Lagavulin on Islay.



Oban 14 year old Single Malt Whisky Review 

Review and tasting notes Oban 14 yo single malt whisky with glass REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark mahogany gold.

NOSE: Rich with hints of smoke, fruity sweetness, faint spices and bits of peat. The nose is inviting and warming and the best part of this dram. The Oban 14 year old nose softens after adding water, but it keeps the inviting warmness.

PALATE:  On the palate, the Oban is a different story, however. I was expecting a rich, creamy peat; however, there are notes of bitter lemon, overwhelming oak, bits of peat and seaweed and very little of the sweetness promised by the nose.

This dram has an unfinished feel to it. As if it was aged in an old cask that had very little to give. Adding water intensifies the bitter lemon notes and takes away the peaty smoky.

FINISH:  Long and lingering, unfortunately, it is the bitter lemon that lingers.

RATING: GOOD

It might be that I have a bad batch or funky bottle, but this will never be on my top 20 list of favourite drams.  According to the Oban distillery, this dram pairs well with crystallized ginger. I will take their word for it as I will probably not be trying it anytime soon.

What was your take on this 14 year old from Oban?  I also tried the Oban Distiller’s Edition and liked it a lot more.
 Also Read: Macallan 10 yo Whisky 


Dimple Pinch 15 year old Whisky

dimple Pinch 15 yo whisky header
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 15 yo whisky with glass
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. In the US it retails for around $40. Not a bad price for a 15 year old blended whisky.

Also Read: Ballantine’s 17 yo Scapa Whisky


Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon

Buffalo Trace bourbon vs Bulleit Bourbon side by side 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.

After the available selection of bourbon dropped off during 2017 / 2018 in South Africa, the category has grown these past two years, and the variety available is growing again.

As much as I like a good peaty Islay Scotch or a Speyside sherry bomb, I have a soft spot for the sweeter bourbons. The combination of toasted oak, vanilla and red cherries fits my palate just right. It works well in cocktails and is relatable and accessible to a broad audience.

So for my last comparison this year, I look at the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. Both my bottles are nearly done, which is proof of how often we reach for these bourbons. Both brands have a distinct history of producing their whiskey varieties and the ingredients used in their creation.

Also Read: Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey with glass b

A 150-year-old family recipe created by founder Tom Bulleit’s great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit inspired the creation of Bulleit Bourbon whiskey. The original recipe was for a rye whiskey made with 2/3 rye and 1/3 corn. It was produced between 1830 and 1860 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Tom always dreamt of recreating his ancestor’s recipe. In 1987, he opened the open Bulleit Distilling Company and created a small batch bourbon bearing the family name.

The mash bill has been adjusted to make sure it is a true bourbon. The mashbill is 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley and it is aged for at least 6 years.

The bottle shape is modelled on old medicine bottles, with raised lettering and a skew label, as it might have looked in the 1860s.

Diageo now owns the Bulleit brand, and it is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. This bourbon is readily available in SA and retails for around R 400. In the USA it retails for around $42.




Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon with glass b

Records show that some form of distilling took place on the site in Frankfort Kentucky in 1775 already. Harrison Blanton constructed the first official distillery in 1812.

It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery. It is currently owned by the Sazerac distilling company.

The distillery introduced the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey brand in August 1999. The whiskey was named in tribute to the mighty buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness in the trek to the Great Planes and the pioneers’ rugged, independent spirit.

Readily available in SA and retails at around R 330 and $50 in the USA. It is perfect for cocktails and pairs well with chocolate.

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon

Side by side: Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon Comparison

Buffalo Trace
Bulleit Bourbon
TypeBourbon whiskeyBourbon whiskey
MashbillNot disclosed68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley
ABV
45%
45%
Colour
A reddish copperLight amber
NoseFruity sweetness, rich and bold.  There are hints of candied fruit, caramel, vanilla, brandy pudding and oak.  Bits of spice float in the background.Quite spicy. In the background, there is some sweetness reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding, nutmeg and vanilla. After standing for a while, some caramel comes through.
PalateThere are notes of fruit, orange marmalade, white pepper and oak.  Bits of cinnamon with toasted oak.  Water tones down the spice.
Loads of warming freshly ground spices. It's a rich, chewy mouthful. Toffee caramel and vanilla with a bit of wood and orange. Freshly baked sugar biscuits. With water, this bourbon becomes smoother and a bit sweeter.
FinishBefore adding water long and ended in notes of spicy sweetness.  After adding water, the finish was quite flat.
Lovely. Very long and lingering. The finish is big and bold and has notes of mild spice and hints of oak.
My RatingVery GoodExcellent
CommentsWithout water it is bold and delicious. Drink it neat!Unusual and unique.
Price point


$35$33

Why did I leave such a difficult comparison for last? These two bourbons could not be more different. We spent most of Saturday afternoon savouring a few glasses of these. As usual, we did a blind tasting for our Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon side by side comparison.

Most of the time, we can accurately guess which bourbon is which, but this time it stumped us. Perhaps it was just a long week, and our taste buds were tired, but we had to try a few times before we could make up our minds.

The Buffalo Trace is fruity with mild spice and a nice drinkable mouthfeel. It has a medium body and lovely toasted oak notes. Just don’t add water. It is perfectly drinkable without water.

The Bulleit is bolder and spicier with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and freshly milled black pepper. Faint hints of orange and vanilla. The toasted oak notes are more subdued, but the Bulleit bourbon is bolder and richer than the Buffalo Trace.

John loved the Bulleit release the most, but after the second glass, I found the spices overwhelming. I preferred the Buffalo Trace and the more traditional bourbon notes for my sweeter palate.

Now both my bottles are finished, and I need to stock up again. Fortunately, that is not a problem as they are both readily available and not too expensive.

I have done a similar comparison between Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve.

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon. Which one is your favourite?

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Also Read: Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Whiskey


Linkwood 8 year old Very Cloudy Whisky

Linkwood 8 yo very cloudy whisky header
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

Linkwood 8 yo Very Cloudy Whisky with glass
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.

REGION: Speyside

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. The Linkwood is 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



Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch Whisky

Johnnie Walker Green Label Whisky header
As I continue my journey through the remarkable Johnnie Walker colour spectrum, I am pausing today to explore the exceptional qualities of Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year old blended malt Scotch whisky.

The Green Label is a truly unique offering within the Johnnie Walker family, and I’m excited to delve into the details of this blended malt whisky.

Johnnie Walker Green Label, known for its distinct character, was initially introduced in 1997 under Johnnie Walker Pure Malt 15 yo. It was rebranded in 2004 as Johnnie Walker Green Label. One of its standout features is that it’s a blended malt whisky consisting of a blend of only single malts, each aged for a minimum of 15 years.

Also Read: Bennachie Whisky

Notably, in 2012, Diageo discontinued the production of the Green Label as part of a range restructuring effort. However, whisky enthusiasts worldwide rejoiced when the brand made a triumphant return in 2016.

To add to the excitement, in recent years, Diageo unveiled a special edition called the Green Island, offering a fresh take on this classic. For today’s tasting experience, I’m delving into the pre-2016 release of this iconic blend.

Johnnie Walker describes the Green Label as representing various Scotch whisky regions, including Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Island. This well-crafted blend results from harmoniously combining at least 27 distinct single malts, all matured in a mixture of American and European oak casks.

These single malts hail from renowned distilleries like Cragganmore and Linkwood, playing key roles alongside the spirited contributions of Caol Ila and Talisker distiller malts. Together, these components create a symphony of flavours that define the Green Label’s unique character.




Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch Whisky Review

Review and tasting notes for the Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 yo blended malt whisky with glass
ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden Honey

NOSE: On the nose, the Green Label offers delightful aromas of after-dinner mints, aniseed, oak, and subtle hints of smoke. The bouquet is further enriched by fruity sweetness, malt, and a slight dash of pepper. There are also gentle reminders of fresh-cut grass and vanilla, providing a sensory journey for the whisky enthusiast.

PALATE: The palate is equally captivating, with notes of vanilla, fruity sweetness, and a touch of cinnamon. This is complemented by a mild Scottish Highland peat smoke, which adds depth and complexity to the tasting experience.

The presence of oak, malt, and the freshness of flowers balances a slight warmth from the alcohol. The after-dinner mint sensation, resembling fresh-cut mint and dark chocolate, becomes even more pronounced. A dash of water enhances the honeyed sweetness within the palate.

FINISH: The finish is medium-length and concludes with a delightful combination of pepper and a faint wisp of smoke.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Unsurprisingly, the Johnnie Walker Green Label earns this rating, with its delightful mint chocolate notes setting it apart as a delightful and easy-drinking dram. The price for the Johnnie Walker Green Label is around R1000 in South Africa.

The allure of the Green Label is undeniable, and I find myself curious about the differences that the newer 15-year-old expression and the Island Green edition might bring to the table. An exciting side-by-side tasting awaits in the future.

But for now, I’m content to savour the timeless charm of this blended malt. What are your thoughts on this remarkable release?

Update: My whisky adventures continue, and in 2023, I had the pleasure of discovering the Johnnie Walker Island Green whisky. I have also played around with a Green vs Blue Label comparison to see how the those two colours differ.

Also Read: Shackleton whisky



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