Tag: Highland Whisky Page 4 of 12

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 categorization includes the whiskies produced on the islands around the perimeter of Scotland (the Island single malts), except for Islay.

Glenglassaugh Revival Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/09/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at the Glenglassaugh Revival single malt Scotchwhisky. What a great name for a whisky release: Revival. I realised that this whisky comes with a unique story. The Glenglassaugh distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in the Highland Region.

It sits on a hillside, not too far from the sea. A local entrepreneur James Moir and his two nephews established the distillery in 1875. Another distillery connected to a grocery store, like so many others.

Moir had an expanding grocery business and wanted to establish a distillery that would produce a whisky for his customers. The site was chosen due to its proximity to a clean water supply, the Glassaugh Springs and easy access to the nearby barley fields.

Highland Distillers bought the company in 1892. In 1960 it was rebuilt and upgraded to double the production capacity and to yield lighter spirit. However, during the economic downturn of 1986, this small remote distillery stopped production. But there was a light at the end of the still.

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In 2008 an independent investment group bought the distillery from the Edrington Group (where it landed up) and started production again. They released some of the pre-1986 stock as exclusive releases and won various prices with their releases.

The first spirit distilled under the new ownership was bottled and released as Glenglassaugh during 2011. In 2013 the Benriach Distillery Company purchased the distillery.

That is why the name Revival is such a fitting name for this release. This distillery kept on coming back time and time again. The Glenglassaugh Revival single malt is the first single malt Scotch released from this distillery available for retail.

Glenglassaugh Revival Whisky Review

Revival has been matured in a mix of ex-red wine and fresh ex-bourbon casks and then finished for 6 months in ex-Oloroso sherry butts. It is a NAS release. It is not chill-filtered with no added colour.

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Amber gold with green hints

NOSE: Green grass, pine needles, caramel sweetness and fresh earth. Dry apricot with bits of butterscotch and vanilla. Quite sweet.

PALATE: Drying oak, citrus and pepper. The sweetness promised by the nose does not carry through to the taste. Bits of sawdust, cocoa powder and bitter lemon. Medium-bodied. Not very complex. Water brings more lemon pepper forward.

FINISH: Medium with bitter lemon and pepper.

RATING: GOOD

This Glenglassaught is a very dry whisky. John described it as licking an oak plank. I found it quite astringent. After a finish in sherry casks, I was expecting more sweetness and red fruits, but neither of us picked up any of these notes.

I am glad that I only have a small bottle because if it were a big bottle, it would still be standing in my whisky room in 10 years. It did not put me off tasting more from this distillery, and I will continue to explore the Glenglassaugh Evolution, and Glenglassaugh Torfa releases over the next couple of months.

Also Read: Maraska ABC Whisky

Arbiki Highland Rye Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/17/2020

In Rye Whiskey

Last year November, Iain Stirling was in the country to showcase the Arbiki Highland Rye single grain Scotch whisky. Iain Stirling is a founder and director of Arbiki Distillery. I had some other responsibilities, so I did not get to meet him.

However, this year, I have the opportunity to taste the new Arbiki Highland Rye whisky second release.

Arbikie Distillery is a ‘field to bottle’ distillery, situated on the east coast of Scotland in the Angus region. This Highland distillery overlooks Lunan Bay. The Stirling family has been farming at Arbikie since the 1920s.

John, Iain and David Stirling grew up exploring the hills of the Estate. It was over a few drinks in New York that the 3 envisioned the idea of building a distillery on the family property.

In 2013 the Stirling brothers began the 18-month long build of their small distillery in an existing cattle shed. They utilised the skills of the local farm’s mechanics and blacksmiths to assemble the stills. They grow, harvest and distil from scratch, maturing and bottling on the Arbikie farm.

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The first spirit to run off the still was potato vodka, using Maris Pipers and King Edward potatoes grown on the farm. The Arbikie gin followed in August 2015. What makes this distillery unique is that they distil all their spirits in the same copper pot stills.

The focus is on operating sustainably, combining human intellect, science and art. The master distiller for Arbiki Distillery is Kirsty Black. Rye whisky is traditionally associated with America; however, records show that rye whisky was produced in Scotland during the 19th century. Arbiki Distillery hopes to awaken a Scottish rye whisky revival.

Arbiki Highland Rye Whisky Review

This Highland Rye is the second rye whisky released in Scotland in over 100 years, and the first 4 yo. The spirit was distilled put down in 2015 and aged in charred American oak barrels before being finished in Armagnac barrels. (From Cask 3, 5, 13 and 14)

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Rich gold

NOSE: Freshly squeezed orange juice, hints of orange peel, wet woody notes. Very distinctive and unique. Something reminds me of the smell of cherry Coke.

PALATE: Dry oak spices and pepper mixed with oranges, apricot sweetness. Full of flavour with only faint hints of the cherries I picked up earlier. Some alcohol heat and a few sharp notes. Water smooths out the alcohol heat and makes it very drinkable.

FINISH: Spicy with fruity sweet hints. Medium length and warming.

RATING: VERY GOOD

What a different and unique taste. This whisky is not like anything I have tried before. Slightly less spicy when compared to American rye whiskey, and it has a different spicy component. More orange and clove spices with hints of caraway. The Arbiki Highland Rye is warming and easy drinking. An interesting and different drinking experience.

I would love to see what happens to this whisky after another few years in barrels. It is a great beginning to a rye revolution that will add a new layer of flavour to the Scottish whisky landscape.

Since launching the first release of Arbikie Highland Rye, Arbikie won the ‘Best Newcomer Distillery’ at the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards.

The first release of Highland Rye was completely sold out and only a limited number of second release bottles are available globally.

Sample disclosure: I received this sample from Arbiki Distillery. Though received as part of a promotional event, the review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Also Read: Bulleit Rye whiskey

Macallan 15 vs Glenfiddich 15 yo Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/17/2019

In Whisky Comparison

Today I look at a comparison of 15 year old whiskies; two classic brands. These two brands go head to head all over the world. The Macallan 15 vs Glenfiddich 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

Both these single malt whiskies have iconic status worldwide. They are two of the most recognizable names in whisky. But what happens when you put them in a side by side comparison.

One from Speyside and one from the Scottish Highlands. Both spent time ageing in bourbon whiskey and sherry casks. Let’s start in Speyside.

Glenfiddich 15 year old Whisky

The Glenfiddich is one of my favourite distilleries, and this release has a special place in my heart. I love the sweet fruity releases that consistently come from this Speyside distillery. Family-owned after all this time, everyone knows the classic triangular-shaped bottle of Glenfiddich.

The Glenfiddich 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky is matured in American bourbon, Portuguese sherry and virgin oak casks. The whisky is then mellowed in a handcrafted Oregon pine solera vat (that is always kept half full) before being married in Portuguese oak tuns.

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old Whisky

The Macallan Distillery started life as Elchies Distillery. The name changed, and it expanded as the demand for the product soared. Over time, the Macallan had become a premium brand and have some of the most expensive drams in the world. The Macallan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Edrington Group.

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old is a single malt Scotch aged in a combination of bourbon oak casks as well as sherry casks.

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Macallan 15 vs Glenfiddich 15 year old Whisky

	Macallan 15 yo whisky	Glenfiddich 15 yo whisky
Region	Highland Whisky	Speyside Whisky
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Golden straw	Golden red
Nose	Oak and orange blossom sweetness. It is rich and rewarding and invites you to dive in. There are faint hints of orange peel and honey.	Complex and rich with sweet sultanas, honey, stewed apple crumble with cream and caramel. Bit of oak and vanilla combining with hints of sherry and fudge.
Palate	Florals, barley, vanilla sweetness mixed with some pepper spice and nutmeg. Adding water smooths out the spiciness, but takes away some of the sweetness. Faint hints of orange blossom and fruit float about. I was expecting a lot more bourbon notes on the palate, but the bourbon notes are a very faint part of the vanilla sweetness.	There are notes of honey, oak, cinnamon and nutmeg spice, brandy-soaked fruitcake, hints of nuts perfectly balanced with more fruit and vanilla. Water just smooths out this already delicious dram.
Finish	Medium length and end in notes of oak, orange and spice.	Long and lingering with hints of malt, honey and cinnamon
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	Great all round, well-balanced smooth whisky.	Rich, delicious, complex and easy drinking.
Price	$170	$80
Pairs well with	Wensleydale cheese or soft buttery blue cheese.	Duck, Grilled sirloin steak.

This side by side whisky comparison divided John and me. He loves the Macallan 15 year old, and I love the Glenfiddich 15 year old whisky.

The Macallan 15 year old bring notes of oak, florals, vanilla and orange blossom mixed with pepper and nutmeg. On the other side, the Glenfiddich 15 year old is brandy soaked fruit cake, nuts, oak and cinnamon.

The Macallan is bolder and more spice forward than the Glenfiddich. The Glenfiddich has a more elegant complexity with a nicer finish.

I love the creamy and soft fruity sweetness of the Glenfiddich, and it will probably be one of my all-time favourite drams. John loves the bolder, spicier notes balanced with the sweetness of the Macallan.

Looking at online ratings, it seems like more people prefer the Macallan compared to the Glenfiddich. The Glenfiddich 15 year old will always have a special place in my heart regardless. But for now, we are just going to sit back and enjoy these two excellent whiskies.

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Also Read: Ardbeg Corryvreckan vs Uigeadail Whisky

Balblair 18 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/02/2019

In Single Malt whisky

The last of my tasting notes for Balblair for this year. I have reached the last of my Balblair samples and today I look at the Balblair 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Earlier in the year, I started with the Balblair 12 yo and moved on to the Balblair 15 yo whisky.

Deanston 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/25/2019

In 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 18^th 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.

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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

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