Tag: Highland Whisky Page 5 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.

Inchmurrin 11 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/22/2020

In Single Malt whisky

When South Africa went into Covid shut down in March 2020, the movement of all alcohol into the country and around the country came to a grinding halt. No alcohol sales were allowed, and all bars and restaurants closed.

The alcohol ban put a stop to the launch of an exclusive bottling for the Bottega Whiskey Club, a Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 11 year old Single Cask Scotch whisky.

The Government lifted the alcohol restrictions in June, and we all breathed a sigh of relieve. We could restock our wine and spirits again. And fortunately, the exclusive batting managed to reach its destination.

During 2019, after a long process, Savi selected an exclusive cask from Loch Lomond Inchmurrin, especially for the Bottega’s 20th birthday celebrations. And after all the wait and drama, it has safely arrived in Johannesburg. I had the fantastic opportunity to taste it live on Instagram with Muzi Mathe, the Loch Lomond Brand Ambassador.

Also Read: Kilchoman Sanaig Whisky

Loch Lomond has various brands in its portfolio. I have written about many of the Loch Lomond, and Glen Scotia releases and the Glen Scotia Victoriana is my favourite. However, I have not tasted anything from Inchmurrin yet.

The Isle of Inchmurrin is the largest of Loch Lomond’s island and was once home to chapel built by monks in the 7th century. Inchmurrin defines their house style as soft, grassy and floral notes mixed with woody influences. The Inchmurrin core range includes a 12 year old, an 18 year old whisky as well as a Madeira wood finish release.

The Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 11 yo was matured in refill American Hogshead and then finished for 9 months in new French Limousin Oak. Experts consider Limousin oak as loose grained, which allows particular characteristics of the oak to impact on the whisky. Limousin is not a wood finish you see every day and is certainly unique.

Inchmurrin 11 year old Whisky Review

The release is limited to only 371 bottles, so it is somewhat limited. It is non-chill-filtered and with natural colour.

ABV: 55.6%

COLOUR: Deep Gold

NOSE: Sweetness, fresh, green sapling with toasty malt and hints of fruit and vanilla. Rich and inviting.

PALATE: Spicier than what the nose promised. Oak spices with warming cinnamon and nutmeg balanced with roasted Brazil nuts, long grass and summer fruits. Bits of vanilla and faint wood in the background. It needs just a few drops of water to release a softer flower note. Big and bold, this release is perfect for winter.

FINISH: Oak spices, citrus with bits of fruity sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A delicious mouthful. I loved the spiciness balanced with sweetness. Neither overwhelmed each other. It works perfectly together. The wood notes in the background are like a beautiful ornate frame around the spice and sweetness.

I was surprised at how little water you needed to add to bring the flowers forward. Even though it has a huge ABV, it takes only a few drops of water to soften, and after adding the water, the change is pronounced.

The Inchmurrin 11 year old Scotch whisky excellent dram for winter to warm you up from the inside. It is one of those releases that you want to buy a bottle to drink and a bottle to keep.

I would, however, caution you not to wait too long before buying a bottle, because it is limited to only 371 bottles. It retails for R1 295, and you can find it online at Bottega whiskey.

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

Glenmorangie 18 year old Extremely Rare Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/13/2020

In Single Malt whisky

I have had this bottle of Glenmorangie 18 year old Extremely Rare single malt Scotch whisky in my collection for so many years; I can’t even remember where I got it. It has stood in the back of the cupboard for at least seven years. I have not touched it in many a moon.

Glenmorangie is a Highland distillery in Tain, Ross-shire, Scotland. The brothers William and John Mathesen established the Glenmorangie distillery in 1843, on the Durnoch Firth. The site previously held a brewery and made use of the Tarlogie Spring. Glenmorangie boasts the tallest stills in Scotland.

Also Read: Glenfiddich 18 yo Whisky

World events significantly impacted on the Glenmorangie history. The distillery was mothballed between 1931 and 1936 due to prohibition in America and the Great Depression. The distillery was affected by the Second World War, and it was mothballed until 1944.

Glenmorangie plc took over the Ardbeg distillery in 1997 and revived it. The French drinks company Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton bought Glenmorangie in 2004, for around £300 million.

Glenmorangie matures all spirits in white oak casks. The white oak is manufactured from trees grown in Glenmorangie’s own forest in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, USA. These new casks are left to air for two years before being leased to distillers Jack Daniel’s and Heaven Hill for them to mature their bourbon in.

Glenmorangie then uses these barrels to mature their whisky. The total Glenmorangie production is reserved for bottling as single malt whisky. The Glenmorangie 18 year old single malt whisky spent 15 years maturing in white oak casks.

After this time, about 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years maturing. Then, when both elements have reached 18 years, they are blended back together.

Also Read: Aultmore 18 yo Whisky

Glenmorangie 18 year old Extremely Rare Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV:43%

COLOUR: Light golden amber

NOSE: Toffee sweet, rich and creamy. There are notes of crème brûlée, honey with hints of spice and oak. An abundance of fresh fruit, dried pear and fruits of the forest fills your senses. Water seems to soften the nose a bit.

PALATE: A big and bold mouthful. It is thick and syrupy with lots of spice and oak. There are notes of fresh fruit, pears and rich heather honey. Adding a bit of water smooths out the sweetness, and citrus notes come through. It is rich and complex with a big fruit and spice kick.

FINISH: Long and lingering with hints of butter, chocolate and citrus peel. The Glenmorangie 18 year old is a well-balanced and smooth dram.

RATING: EXCELLENT

After this tasting, the Glenmorangie 18 year old Extremely Rare Scotch whisky will certainly not be at the back of the cupboard anymore. I am moving the Glenmorangie bottle right to the front of the line. This Cinderella is going to the ball! A lovely well put together release.

I have also tried the Glenmorangie Spios, a whisky aged in casks that previously held American rye whiskey as well as the Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX.

I have done a comparison with the Glenfiddich 18 year old whisky to see how these two iconic 18 year old’s stack up against each other.

Also Read: Springbank 18 yo whisky

Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/16/2020

In Single Malt whisky

I bought this bottle of whisky for John’s 5oth birthday, and it is only now, three years later that I get around to opening it. The Glenmorangie Signet single malt Scotch whisky is somewhat unusual. It is the world’s first single malt whisky made with high roasted chocolate malt barley.

Glenmorangie is a well-known Highland Scottish distillery in the town of Tain. I have captured tasting notes for the Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX, and Glenmorangie Spios and these posts also deal with the Glenmorangie history.

Glenmorangie released the Signet edition in 2008. It takes its name from the elaborate design that embellishes most Glenmorangie bottles. The Signet itself originated from the Hilton of Cadboll Stone, a Pictish item that dates back to around the year 800 AD. The Signet whisky was a creation of Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Master of Whisky Creation.

Back in his student days, Dr Lumsden became a coffee enthusiast. While studying for the PhD in Biochemistry, he became obsessed over the intricacies of single estate coffee beans and the ideal roasting levels for optimum flavour. Years later, this coffee obsession inspired him to create the Glenmorangie Signet.

The Glenmorangie Signet single malt whisky was aged in American virgin oak casks before it was bottled. It is not chill-filtered and carries no age statement.

The Signet is part of the Glenmorangie Prestige range, together with the 18 year old and the 25 year old single malt whisky. The Signet release retails for around R2 500 in South Africa and around £ 150 in the UK.

Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt Whisky

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Notes of marshmallow, vanilla, butterscotch mixed with crunchy toffee brittle. Hints of spices and espresso and lemon peel. So delicious.

PALATE: Malty notes with lots of sweet spices, cinnamon dark chocolate. Bits of roasted coffee beans with a fruity hint and honey sweetness. Faint traces of pepper and ginger. A full-bodied whisky. Rich and delicious. Water releases a bit more complexity and sweetness, but it is delicious without water.

FINISH: The finish is long and lingering with notes of lemon peel, toffee sweetness and green pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious single malt. I can’t believe we waited three years to open this bottle. The coffee and chocolate notes are noticeable and delicious. I can sit and nose this whisky for hours. If they made a candle smelling like this, my whole house would be full of it.

A whisky to enjoy late at night with someone special. Probably my favourite Glenmorangie of all times.

Also Read: McCarthy’s Oregon Whiskey

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.

Also Read: Mackmyra Svensk Rok Whisky

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.

Also Read: Tullibardine 1993 Whisky

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