Tag: Highland Whisky Page 12 of 13

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky from the Highland Region in Scotland. Highland single malts are single malt Scotch whiskies produced in the Highland region of Scotland. This category includes the whiskies produced on the islands around Scotland. However it excludes Islay.

Today I look at something from Macallan, the Macallan 10 year old Fine Oak single malt Scotch whisky. The Macallan distillery is a single malt whisky distillery in Craigellachie, Moray.

The Macallan Distillers Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Edrington Group. Even though Macallan is located right in the middle of the Speyside region, it’s not labelled as such.

Craigellachie falls outside of the defined “Speyside ward” boundaries as defined by the Scotch Whisky Regulations. Our bottle of The Macallan 10 year old Fine Oak whisky denotes that it is a Highland single malt.

The name Macallan is most likely derived from two Gaelic words, ‘Magh’ meaning a fertile piece of ground and ‘ellan’, meaning ‘of St Fillan’. He was an Irish-born monk who travelled widely in Scotland, spreading Christianity during the eighth century.

The River Spey, one of Scotland’s most famous salmon rivers, borders the Macallan Estate to the south and south-east. The Macallan Estate lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Initially, The Macallan releases were matured in ex-sherry casks brought to the distillery from Jerez, Spain.

During 2004, The Macallan introduced a new product range, the Fine Oak series. These whiskies are aged in ex-bourbon oak casks as well as ex-sherry casks. This range has been around for a few years now and seems to have weathered the storm it caused when it was first released.

According to John Hansell, quoted in the Malt Advocate Magazine, “The Fine Oak range is more approachable, and has the potential to be embraced by a greater percentage of whisky drinkers cutting back on the sherry reveals more of the Macallan spirit, which is first-class.”

Related Article: Glenlivet 12 yo whisky

Macallan 10 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: The Macallan 10 year old has a light golden colour and is an oily whisky. The official colour description is ‘pale straw’. The long fingers on the inside of the glass point to a lot of potential.

NOSE: The first impression upon nosing the whisky is honey sweetness, oak and spice. There are notes of florals and fruit and faint hints of cereal and barley in the background. The Macallan nose is complex and crisp.

PALATE: Quite spicy without adding water. There are hints of vanilla and caramel. Water smooths the spirit and releases soft notes of butter and florals. The 10 yo has an abundance of oak notes mixed with flowers and fruit. It is a delicate whisky, and the palate is not too complex. The nose hinted at a bit more complexity and body.

FINISH: A dry medium-length finish that ends in notes of oak and leather. There are hints of spice at the end.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The nose on the Macallan 10 year old whisky promised more than what the palate delivered. I was hoping for something bolder. Sadly, I think this Highland whisky is a bit nondescript. Still, an easy-drinking whisky and a great addition to our collection. Which Macallan is your favourite?

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Aberfeldy 12 year old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/27/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Today I chat about the Aberfeldy 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Aberfeldy is a distillery dating back to 1898. This Highland distillery was founded by John Dewar & Sons, nearby the town of the same name.

It was established to ensure a steady supply of quality single malt for the Dewar’s White Label blend. The distillery sits on the River Tay’s south bank and takes its water from the Pitilie Burn.

Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, mentioned the town of Aberfeldy in one of his poems. He wrote the Birks of Aberfeldy in 1787. Burns was inspired to write it by the Falls of Moness and the birch trees of Aberfeldy during a tour of the Scottish Highlands.

The main output of the distillery is used in the Dewar’s blended whiskies. The company only launched the Aberfeldy 12 year old single malt whisky during 1999.

Today, the distillery produces two official single malt bottlings – a 12 year old and an Aberfeldy 21 year old whisky. The label features a squirrel in the background, a reference to a nearby woodland that plays host to a colony of rare red squirrels.

It seems that John Dewar & Sons, a company that has always focused heavily on blended Scotch, is starting to focus more on the single malt market through their “Last Great Malts” Collection releases.

It will allow them to showcase all the interesting malt distilleries that sit behind the famous Dewar blend. These distilleries include Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Royal Brackla. The company plans to launch a 16 year old sherry finish and a 30 year old in 2015.

The Aberfeldy 12 year old single malt is matured in a combination of sherry and bourbon.

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Aberfeldy 12 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Warm gold, and it is a beautiful shade in the glass. It is a thick oily whisky with slowly forming fingers on the sides of the glass.

NOSE: Sherry and oak abundantly when opening the bottle. The nose brings spiciness and vanilla sweetness. The nose is very subtle with fresh-cut florals. There are notes of oak and barley in the background with hints of toffee.

PALATE: You can feel the oiliness of the whisky coat your mouth. The palate is peppery, with wood and cereal coming through immediately. There are notes of honeyed sweetness and malt with hints of sherried fruit. It is a reasonably smooth whisky. A medium-bodied whisky.

FINISH: The finish is medium length and ends in notes of leather and spice. There are remnants of oak and cereals in the finish.

RATING: GOOD

I found the Aberfeldy 12 year old whisky rather bland. There is nothing that stands out for me to remember it by. Looking at the releases coming out of the Dewar’s “Last Great Malts” collection, perhaps I should put the 30 year old on my wish list for 2015.

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Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/22/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am trying a whisky from the Scottish Highlands. A whisky that has won numerous awards and is a favourite of many people. I am looking a the Old Pulteney 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

In 1826, during a period in the Wick county town history known as the Great Herring boom, a small distillery was established right in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’.

This Old Pulteney Distillery was and still is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. This Highland distillery was quite inaccessible before they built roads. Barley was brought in by sea, and they shipped the whisky out the same way.

Many of the distillery workers were also employed as fishermen. Wick became known for the barrels of silver (herring) and gold (whisky), which left the port in huge numbers.

The distillery itself has a fascinating history, with its distinctive pot stills defying convention to this day. The wash still is an ongoing source of interest due to the absence of a ‘swan neck’.

Legend has it that it was too tall for the still house when the still was delivered, and the manager decided to cut the top off. The Old Pulteney bottle incorporates a bulbous neck to reflect the shape of the stills.

The distillery closed in 1930 due to declining trade after the local parish enforced prohibition laws. However, it was re-opened in 1951 when the parish abolished the law. The distillery bottle single malt whisky under Old Pulteney’s name, and there are both official and independent releases over the years.

Pulteney is part of the International Beverage Ltd company, whose whisky portfolio includes Hankey Bannister, Balblair, anCnoc, Catto’s and Speyburn whisky.

Related article: Glengoyne 21 yo Whisky

Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky Review

The Old Pulteney 21 year old whisky has been voted 2012 World Whisky of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. The Old Pulteney single malt has been matured in ex-Olorosso sherry cask as well as ex-bourbon casks. Non-chill-filtered and with natural colour.

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A golden amber with straw highlights. It is an oily whisky with slow fingers on the inside of the glass.

NOSE: The first impression of the nose brings sherry with cereals. There are notes of oak and florals. The nose is smooth and quite subtle. The sweetness from the bourbon casks comes through in notes of toffee and vanilla.

PALATE: When tasting the Old Pulteney without adding any water, it is fairly spicy. After adding a bit of water, the palate brings notes of oak, spice, cereals with hints of butterscotch. There are notes of fruit and malt cookies in the background.

FINISH: A medium length finish that ends in notes of spice, oak and fruit

RATING: VERY GOOD

Strangely the Old Pulteney reminded me a bit of the Highland Park 18 year old that I tasted. There are notes in the finish of both these whiskies that are very similar. Looking at a map of distilleries, I noticed that these two distilleries are quite close together.

As enthusiastic as many people are about this whisky, it will never be a favourite. I find the spice overwhelming and the light sweetness underwhelming. It feels to me like they just don’t fit. After 21 years in a barrel, it is not the most complex dram. With the endorsement of Jim Murry, I was expecting something more.

In terms of a whisky food pairing, Marc, owner of the WhiskyBrother shop in Hyde Park (and my favourite whisky shop in South Africa), suggest that you try the Old Pulteney 21 year old whisky with a whole quail. Now that sounds interesting!

Also Read: Chivas Royal Salute 21yo whisky

Glengoyne 21 year old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/30/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Time for something a bit older, the Glengoyne 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Positioned in the Highlands, Glengoyne Distillery is situated in a valley close to a river that flows into the famous Loch Lomond. In the past, the woodlands, which covered the surrounding area, gave good shelter for illicit whisky distilling.

The Glengoyne Distillery began distilling legally in 1833 and was known as the Burnfoot distillery. The story goes that the owner intended to name the distillery Glengoyne, but due to a mistake by a clerk, it was recorded as Glen Guin. Later it was changed to Glengoyne, which translates from ‘Glenguin’ or ‘Glen of the Wild Geese’.

Glengoyne is one of the few distilleries left producing whisky in this part of Scotland today. Glengoyne is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd., a Scottish, family-owned business. Various features make Glengoyne unique. They produce Highland single malts, but the whisky is matured in the Scottish Lowlands.

Also Read: The Macallan Quest Whisky

The boundary line runs underneath the A81 road and passes in front of the distillery. Glengoyne’s stills are situated in the Highlands, while the maturing casks of whisky rest across the road in the Lowlands.

Unlike many malt whisky distilleries, Glengoyne does not use peat smoke to dry their barley but instead uses warm air. As a result, Glengoyne has been noted as being stylistically closer to a Lowland single malt than a Highland single malt. Glengoyne is also one of only two distilleries remaining today that uses Golden Promise barley.

This barley is low in yield but high in quality. Glengoyne also enjoys the slowest distillation rate in Scotland (the spirit comes from the still at around 4-5 litres per minute). It encourages the formation of ‘esters’, giving Glengoyne its distinctively sweet, smooth taste.

Glengoyne 21 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

The Glengoyne 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky is matured in oak casks from Spain, which previously contained sherry.

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: Another dark whisky where the colour is closer to red copper than gold. It is quite oily and leaves long legs in the glass.

NOSE: at once brings sherry sweetness. There are dried fruits, Christmas cake and hints of oak and vanilla. The addition of a few drops of water changes the nose. With the water, the Glengoyne nose brings more fresh fruit.

PALATE: This is quite a spicy whisky on the palette. It is wonderfully smooth and rich. Mixed with the spiciness, there are notes of sherry, oak and honey sweetness. The Glengoyne 21 year old balances the sweetness with the spicy to create a warming and comforting taste. There are hints of barley, vanilla and toffee.

FINISH: Long and lingering and goes on and on. It is a full-bodied whisky that ends in notes of spice, oak and ginger. John forgot to finish his notes and had to pour a second glass to complete the tasting notes.

RATING: DIVINE

This whisky makes you want to sit in front of a fire with loved ones and just stop to appreciate life. It’s delicious! The Glengoyne 21 year old whisky is well-balanced, smooth and rich.

It is a satisfying whisky that lifts your spirits and leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling that everything is well with the world. I can’t wait to try more expressions from this interesting distillery.

Also Read: The Old Pulteney 21 yo whisky

The Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/09/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Today I taste one of John’s favourites, the Macallan 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Macallan has managed to position their whisky in the premium whisky category. It has not been without controversy, especially around their antique collection.

The Macallan holds the Guinness world record for the most expensive whisky ever sold at auction. However, if there is one thing that I have learnt during our tasting sessions over the years, expensive whisky does not necessarily equate to great whisky.

Some of the best whiskies in my collection are in the more affordable range. Examples such as Ballantine’s Finest, The Black Grouse and South Africa’s very own Bain’s whisky comfortably stand alongside more expensive releases.

I have enjoyed some of the more affordable whiskies of late, and it is time for a change. Let’s take something a bit more expensive out of the box. The Macallan 12 year old Sherry Cask is not the most expensive whisky, but it carries a significant premium over many other 12 yo whiskies.

This particular expression has since been discontinued, so I am keen to try it. The Macallan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Craigellachie, Moray. The River Spey, one of Scotland’s most famous rivers, borders the estate to the south and southeast.

Even though Macallan is located right in the middle of the Speyside region, it’s not labelled as such. Under the Scotch Whisky Regulations, the “Speyside” designation can only be used by distilleries in certain wards in the traditional Speyside region. The Macallan falls into the Scottish Highlands.

The Macallan Distillers Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Edrington Group that purchased the brand from Highland Distillers in 1999.

Related Article: Glenfarclas 12 yo whisky

Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: It has spent lots of time exclusively maturing in Jerez Sherry Oak casks, which probably explains the very dark colour. The colour is almost red gold, and it is easily one of the darker whiskies in my collection.

NOSE: The immediate Sherry sweetness that you would expect from a whisky aged in a Sherry cask. There are fresh fruits and some flowers on the nose. The sweetness has little hints of vanilla in the background. It is not a very complex nose. Adding a drop or two of water opens this Macallan 12 year old and brings more fresh fruit and flowers.

PALATE: It is quite a smooth whisky, and the first tasting brings spices. This is followed by raisins, oak and red fruit sweetness. It leaves a spicy taste on the palette. There are notes of marmalade and dried fruits. Again, this Macallan 12 year old is not very complex, but it is an easy-drinking whisky.

FINISH: The whisky is quite warming with a medium finish. The Macallan finishes in notes of condensed milk and spice, particularly ginger and hints of black pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It is a nice whisky to add to a collection, but other 12 year old whiskies may prove better value for money. In some ways, it is a perplexing whisky. I suspect that in time it grows on you. The Whisky Bible scores this Macallan 12 year old whisky at 93 and calls it almost flawless.

I did not rate it as highly, but it’s by no means a bad whisky. I just find it a bit bland. Other Macallan releases I have tasted include the Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old and I liked it a lot more.

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Meandering the world, one whisky at a time

Tag: Highland Whisky Page 12 of 13

The Macallan 10 year old Fine Oak Whisky

Macallan 10 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

Aberfeldy 12 year old Single Malt Whisky

Aberfeldy 12 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky

Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky Review

Glengoyne 21 year old Single Malt Whisky

Glengoyne 21 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

The Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review