Whisky of the Week

Meandering the world, one whisky at a time

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Tag: Heineken Beverages Page 4 of 8

Heineken Beverages bought the Distell Group in 2023.   Their brands include:
Klipdrift Brandy
Richelieu Brandy
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky
Black Bottle blended whisky
Bunnahabhain Islay single malt Scotch whisky
Deanston single malt Scotch whisky
Harrier whisky
Knights whisky
Ledaig single malt Scotch whisky
Scottish Leader whisky
Three Ships whisky
Tobermory single malt Scotch whisky
Hunters Cider
Savanna cider

Amarula Gold

Deanston 12 year old Whisky

By

On 11/25/2019

In Single Malt whisky

Review and Tasting notes: Deanston 12 yo single malt whisky
Today I look at another whisky with a strong SA connection; the Deanston 12 year  old single malt Scotchwhisky. The Deanston distillery is situated on the banks of the River Teith in the Scottish Highlands and is part of the Distell Group.

During the 18th century, a cotton mill was situated just outside the village of Doune in Perthshire. After 180 years, the cotton mill closed. However, all was not lost, and  in 1966 it was transformed into a distillery. The first  spirit was bottled in 1974. The distillery started using local skills and Scottish grown barley to create their spirit.

The classical architecture of the Mill was one of its best features, and many of the Mill buildings were reused and slightly modified for the distillery. The vaulted warehouse, which was previously the weaving shed, has been recognised as one of the most remarkable surviving Regency buildings in Scotland and is now used to mature the Deanston whisky.

Also Read: Teerenpeli Whisky

Deanston changed ownership a few times, but in 1990 was purchased by Burn Stewart Distillers (which is part of the Distell Group). Distell Group Limited also own Bunnahabhain Distillery as well as Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull.

A big part of the Deanston whisky is used in blends, including Scottish Leader blended whisky. The Master Blender is (was) Dr Kristie Mccallum. (During October 2019 Dr Mccallum moved to Glen Moray.) The Deanston 12 year old whisky is the entry-level of the core range, followed by the Deanston virgin Oak. There are also Distillery exclusives and a few independent releases.

The Deanston 12 year old single malt whisky is aged in ex-bourbon barrels, not chill-filtered and has no added colouring.




Deanston 12 year old Whisky Review

Review and Tasting notes: Deanston 12 yo whisky with glass
REGION: Highland

ABV: 46.3%

COLOUR: Light honey gold

NOSE: Soft, sweet and delicate with notes of cereals, grassy green fields, flowers and orange sweetness. Hints of vanilla, oak and cinnamon. Freshly baked sugar cookies.

PALATE: More spice than what the nose suggests. Dry oak, pepper and nutmeg mixed with water biscuits, vanilla, toffee and orange. Vanilla cookies and orange peel. A few rough edges that soften with the addition of water.

Water also brings sweetness and wood forward. It becomes fruity and easy drinking with a few drops of  water. The cereal notes from the nose are still there.

FINISH: Medium length ending in oak, pepper and orange peel.

RATING: VERY GOOD

A soft and sweet Highland 12 year old whisky. From here, it invites you to try more from this Scottish distillery. Not the boldest of drams, but very drinkable and indeed a great whisky to start exploring the Highlands with.

According to some research, the Deanston 12 year old whisky will pair well with cocoa dusted truffles. That sounds like a pairing I should try!

Also Read:  Redbreast 12 yo Whiskey



Three Ships 6 year old TBWC Whisky

By

On 11/11/2019

In Single Malt whisky

Review and Tasting notes Three Ships 6 yo That Boutique-y Whisky Company review
This past week was our wedding anniversary. I wanted to open a special bottle to celebrate this special occasion. What can be more memorable as a celebration than opening the first South African whisky bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company, the Three Ships 6 year old single malt whisky. The first independent Three Ships bottling.

Earlier in the year, at the Only Whisky Show, I was fortunate to meet Dave Worthington and attend one of his Master Classes. It was a fantastic night out, and it was great to meet up with old and new whisky friends. The Master Classed allowed for an opportunity to learn more about That Boutique-y Whisky Company (TBWC).

If you still don’t know, TBWC is an independent whisky bottler that bottle a huge variety of distilleries as limited-edition releases. They bottle single edition malts, grains and bourbons from all over the world.

Also Read: Bushmills 16 yo Whiskey

The label of each release is done in a graphic novel style that is fun and contains humorous references to the distillery, liquid in the bottle or the master distiller/blender behind the brand.

This 6 year old from Three Ships is batch one from the James Sedgwick distillery, matured in American oak and finished in PX. Only 1 150 bottles were produced. The artwork on the label depicts Master Distiller, Andy Watts, filling a Three Ships whisky cask with whisky. The barrel in question is branded with PX.

In one hand, Andy carries the filling nozzle, and in the other, he’s hammering the bung into the cask with a Derbyshire Club cricket bat (the team he used the play for).




Three Ships 6 year old TBWC Whisky Review

Review and Tasting notes That Boutique-y Whisky Company Three Ships 6 yo whisky
COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 53.7%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Sherry sweetness with berry jam, red plums, raisins and  oak. Hints of cinnamon, vanilla and cloves. Rich and complex with multiple layers. Bits of old leather and polished wood mixed with sweetness and malt. Rich and opulent and just inviting and wonderful.

PALATE: The first sip brings chocolate-covered cherries, fruity sweetness and fresh wood shavings. The second sip brought more pepper and lemon with some alcohol heat. The red plumbs and fruity notes are mixed with hints of earthy moss and wet forests.

The Three Ships 6 year old needs to breathe a bit, and the alcohol heat needs a few drops of water to soften it.  Water softens the spices and brings a new sweetness layer to the front.

FINISH: Wonderfully warming and long.  Dry wood and spices that lingers with bits of fruity sweetness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

What an interesting whisky. The nose is impressive and elaborate. On the first sip, you taste the sweet fruitiness promised. But the second sip tasted like a different whisky. If I had this blindfolded, I would have thought you switched my glass around.

The second sip of That Boutique-y Whisky Company Three Ships 6 year old single malt brought the alcohol heat, and it needed to stand for a few minutes to soften. It requires a few drops of water to bring the complexity forward. Only then can you appreciate the multi-layers of flavour that it offers.

This release is a weighty whisky. John called it a cognac type whisky. Something fruity but heavy that you need to take your time over and sip slowly. It is for a more maturity palate that enjoys bolder tastes.

Also Read: Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye whiskey


Black Bottle Old Release Whisky

By

On 07/29/2019

In Blended whisky

Review and tasting notes for the Black Bottle Older Botting Scotch Whisky
The first Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky I tasted was the new version that was launched in 2013. Burn Stewart went back to the original roots of the blend and updated the inside and the outside. That got me thinking about the Black Bottle old release whisky, that if you are lucky enough, you sometimes still find in the shops.

While researching  the new Black Bottle, I read a lot about the Islay character of the old Black Bottle whisky, and when I spotted a few of the pre-2013 versions in the shop, I grabbed it.



For many years, Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky was known for its Islay peatiness. The bottle changed from the original Black glass that was sourced from a supplier in Germany to green glass during the early part of  the 1900s.

The change was due to the outbreak of World War 1. The Islay character change is probably also from that time when Islay whiskies were more readily available and affordable.

Old Black Bottle is (according to some) a blend of at least 7 different Islay distilleries as well as some grain whisky from the mainland. The older release and the newer release can’t be more different. But what exactly does the old Black bottle taste like?

Also Read: William Lawson’s whisky

Black Bottle Old Release Whisky Review

Reviw and tasting notes for the Black Bottle Older Botting Scotch Whisky with glass
REGION: Islay

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Classic peaty Islay notes with hints of wet seaweed  and honey sweetness. It does not have that heavy medicinal notes from a Lagavulin or Laphroaig, but a bit more salt, oak, and fruity sweetness. Dried cherries and honey with hints of smoke and delicious creamy bits.

PALATE: Soft peat and fruit. Bits of pepper, vanilla and salted nuts mixed with dried cherries, honey, and condensed milk creaminess. Bits of smoke and dry oak. Not an overwhelming peat monster, but a wonderfully balanced drinkable whisky.

Certainly no shrinking violet. I finished my first glass without adding some water and had to have another glass to see what water does to it. Interestingly, water releases a malty cookie dough note.

FINISH: Long and warming and perfect for winter with peat and hints of lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious dram. Peaty enough for a peat lover, but balanced with enough sweetness to convert someone who wants to experiment with more peat. It has some rough edges, but it is all part of the prominent character.

The new Black Bottle release (in the black bottle) is a lovely dram, and it works well in cocktails. However, this release is bold and delicious. If you like peated whisky and you see the last lonely one in a bottle shop somewhere, grab it. You will be delighted that you did.

Also Read: Ledaig 10 yo Whisky


How to make a whisky bottle lamp

By

On 05/22/2019

In Lifestyle

Whisky Bottle lamp Three Ships whisky bottle
Father’s Day is fast approaching. But what do you get for the extraordinary father figure  in your life? You want to give him something unique, just like him. Last year, you bought him that limited edition bottle of whisky, and during the year he finished the bottle.

The empty bottle is now standing with his other half-empty bottles in the cupboard. It was such a beautiful bottle and a release that brings back treasured memories, and he does not want to get rid of even of the empty bottle.

So for Father’s Day 2019, I looked at a cool way to re-purpose those special empty whisky bottles. There are many things to do with empty glass bottles. You can make candle holders, torches or bird feeders.

But the idea I like the most was to upcycle the  bottle into a whisky bottle lamp. That way, the unique bottle get pride of place on a table as a purposeful décor item.

Luckily Builders Warehouse had all the items I needed for my whisky bottle lamp upcycling DIY project.  They also had friendly staff that helped with some good advice.




Making a Whisky Bottle Lamp

Making a whisky bottle lamp is not too difficult; it just takes a bit of patience. John just finished his limited release Three Ships 10 yo whisky and the bottle was perfect. It has a sturdy base, and this was great for stability.

Shopping list

First up was a visit to Builders Warehouse to look for the things I would need.  I have a drill but needed a special drill bit to drill through the glass and a few other items.

Other items needed:

whisky bottle lamp items from builders

  • Diamond Tip drill bit (I used a Ruwag diamond tip 6mm)
  • Lamp fitting (Nylon)
  • Switch
  • Wire
  • Plug
  • Glue (I used the Everbuild Stixall)

The process

Using the diamond tip drill bit, make a hole in the back of the bottle, somewhere near the bottom.  Having water drip on the drilling spot helps to lubricate it and keeps it cool. This part takes a bit of time and patience.  Slow, steady pressure works best. You don’t want the glass bottle to shatter.

Wear safety equipment when working with glass. I found some nice resources on YouTube with regards to glass drilling and also had a long chat to a friendly person at Builders who had some great advice as well.

When the hole is done, wash and dry the bottle. Thread through the wire and assemble the lamp fitting and the wire as required. Connect the on-off switch and safely add the plug socket. Test to see if it works. You don’t want to glue it all together just to find some wire was not securely connected.

Using the glue, fix the lamp fitting onto the top, making sure it is level. Let it all dry properly. Add a lampshade of your choice.  And you are done.

Finished Whisky Bottle Lamp

Whisky Bottle lamp Three Ships whisky bottle lamp
And your gift is done. Perfect for Father’s Day. A one of a kind gift for a one of a kind father.

It took a bit of time, but it was so worth it. Last week we finished our bottle of Three Ships Pinotage Cask, another limited release and I am going to change that into a whisky bottle lamp as well. It was the best whisky I had during 2018, and I don’t want to get rid of the bottle.

Not only is this a great gift, but the upcycling of the bottle is kind to the environment too.

Whisky Bottle lamp Three Ships whisky bottle lamp with full range
Disclaimer: I got a gift voucher from Builders Warehouse that allowed me to buy the items I needed for this DIY.

Also Read: Firewater Cinnamon



Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo Whisky

By

On 01/21/2019

In Single Malt whisky

Review and tasting notes Three Ships 8 yo oloroso cask finish whisky
It is the start of a new year. I start the new year by opening a new bottle of whisky. A bottle of whisky from one of my favourite distilleries. I have been saving this bottle for a special occasion, and this is a perfect time. The Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo single malt whisky was released during September 2018.

It is the third release in the Three Ships Masters Collection Series. First was the Three Ships 10 yo PX Cask Finish released during 2015. This was followed by the Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish, which was my Whisky of the Year 2017.

And on the 19th of September, Andy Watts released the much-awaited Three Ships 8 yo Oloroso Cask during an online event.  The first 151 bottles sold within 15 minutes, that’s 10 bottles a minute, and at the end of the day, only a few bottles remained unsold.




Andy Watts chose this sherry cask from his secret cellar, which holds some exceptional casks. Here in the cool darkness, behind closed doors, he painstakingly nurtured this peated single malt. First, the whisky matured for 5 years in American Oak casks and then for another 3 years  in Oloroso sherry casks.

Oloroso means ‘scented’ in Spanish and adds a nutty note to the whisky. The Oloroso Cask finish is the youngest of the Master’s Collection releases. Only 1 440 bottles released. I have bottle 980 of 1 440.

The Three Ships 8 yo Oloroso Cask Finish is not chill-filtered, natural colour with an impressive ABV of 51.8%.

Also Read: Auchentoshan Heartwood whisky

Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo Whisky Review

Review and tasting notes Three Ships 8 yo oloroso cask finish whisky with glass
COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 51.7%

COLOUR: Toasted amber

NOSE: Rich and sweet. Notes of oak and fruit come through first. Red fruits, berries and plums, followed by bits of dark chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon.

PALATE: Mellow peat with faint smoky oak balanced by hints of fruit and dark chocolate. The addition of a few drops of water softens the alcohol heat. The water brings forward a pepper spice heat next to the peat and adds a hazelnut note.

FINISH: A strong point. It builds beautifully to a deep lingering, chest filling crescendo. Peaty pepper with hints of dark chocolate

RATING: EXCELLENT

A fantastic range of whisky out of this beautiful distillery in Wellington. Fino Cask finish, PX cask finish, Pinotage cask and now Oloroso cask finish. All of them world-class! The depths that the Wellington distillery is capable of is a true testament to the wonderful skill and mastery of their Master Distiller.

I think the Three Ships 8 yo Oloroso cask with its peppery notes will work very well with a robust, creamy cheese and will be exploring this during the year.

I am not sure how many bottles of this remains in retail. If you spot a last lost bottle in a shop, then grab it.  It is something Proudly South African you have to taste.

Also Read: Paul John Oloroso Select Cask Whisky



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