Tag: Highland Whisky Page 9 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.

Oban Distillers Edition Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/13/2017

In Single Malt whisky

A short distance from the sea, right in the heart of the town of Oban, sits the Oban Distillery. Oban is part of the Diageo stable, and the Oban 14 yo is part of the Diageo Classic Malt Series. It is one of Diageo’s smaller distilleries and uses water from Loch Glenn a’Bhearraidh. But today I am tasting the Oban Distillers Edition single malt Scotch whisky.

Established in 1794 by two brothers on the site of an old brewery, Oban town grew around the distillery and today, Oban is one of the last few surviving urban distilleries.

A Highland Distillery, the Oban range of official bottlings available include a 14 yo, an 18 yo and the NAS Oban Little Bay release. The Oban Distillers Edition bottling completes the foursome. This single malt Distiller’s Edition whisky is finished in a Montilla Fino sherry cask before bottling.

Montilla Fino is a sherry-like, dry fortified wine, matured near the coast of Spain. The coastal character of the wine perfectly enhances the seaside character found in the Oban whisky, at the same time, adding some complexity.

I received this Oban Distillers Edition as a gift from a friend visiting from India. I was not particularly impressed with the Oban 14 yo whisky. As much as I love the sea, the bitter lemon and old wood character of the 14 yo was underwhelming.

I have been hesitant to try the Oban Distillers Edition. But the bottle has been staring at me, begging to be tasted, so I decided that today is the day. Lets’ see if this Oban release can change my mind about the Oban distillery. The fact that it was aged in Montilla Fino might add that interesting sweeter note, that I like in a whisky.

Also Read: Glenkinchie 1986 Distillers Edition

Oban Distillers Edition Whisky Review

Distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2014.

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark golden colour with hints of polished teak.

NOSE: Sherry, rich dark fruit, raisin fruit cake, hints of nutmeg, marzipan sweetness balanced with bits of vanilla and butterscotch. Bit of an alcohol smell and letting the Distiller’s Edition breath for a few minutes helped to soften the alcohol notes.

PALATE: Smoky hints with oak, cream and pepper spice. A bit of water softens the alcohol burn and makes it a bit sweeter. It is easy-drinking, clean and uncomplicated. Not as sweet as the nose suggested, but creamy and delicious. Subtle notes of vanilla and bits of salt.

FINISH: Without water, the finish is long and spicy. With some water, the alcohol is softened, but the finish becomes medium length with notes of oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a surprise! This Oban Distillers Edition single malt whisky was like a breath of fresh air. That cooling sea breeze that blows down the coast on a hot day filled with salty notes. I am glad that I have a 1L bottle, as we will be pouring this dram quite often. It might even motivate me to try more from the distillery.

Another reason for choosing this dram on Friday the 10th is International Scotch Day. It is an initiative launched by Diageo, where the company opened all of its Scottish distillery visitor centres free of charge, as well as the Diageo Archive to the public for the first time.

Also Read: Jura 10 yo Origin whisky

Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/31/2016

In Single Malt whisky

My never-ending quest to find affordable, drinkable whisky. Finding well priced blended whiskies is relatively easy. There are plenty of them around, and some of them are quite good. However, single malt whisky is a different story. There are not too many new single malts available at a reasonable price in South Africa.

With the worldwide increase in single malt prices and our unstable currency, it might become even more difficult in future. My ongoing search led me to the Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity Highland single malt Scotch whisky. I found it at a Pick n Pay. I have never heard of Muirhead, but it was in the affordable category, so I grabbed it.

Muirhead is owned by Picard Vins & Spiritueux S.A. An affiliate company that also owns Tullibardine and Highland Queen. According to some research, the brand is today distributed in over 30 markets around the world, both under the Muirhead’s Blue Seal range of blended whiskies, and the Silver Seal range of single malt whiskies.

The Muirhead Clans’ slogan is part of the labelling. It reads: “Auxilio Dei” which means “By the Help of God”. The name Muirhead means, “Head of the Moor” or “Highest Point of the Moor” in Gaelic.

Muirhead’s Silver Seal Maturity single malt whisky is aged in oak barrels for 5 years and from the Scottish Highlands. It does not state a distillery name.

Also Read: Glenmorangie 18 yo whisky

Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity Whisky Review

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ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Sunset yellow with bits of yellow floating around.

NOSE: The first notes that come through is barley, spices and oak. Hints of condensed milk and marshmallow provide a sweet side. There is a bit of raw alcohol on the nose. The nose is not quite as rich or complex as I would have hoped for, and it seems a bit young.

PALATE: It has quite a nice mouthful feeling. Without water, there is a bit of an alcohol bite and some raw edges. The initial palate is a bold winter spice, but not in a negative way. After a while, some of the sweetness and richness comes through slowly.

There are notes of oak, lemon drops and barley. The addition of water makes the Muirhead Silver Seal softer and takes away some of the harsher alcohol notes. The water also releases more of the sweetness and vanilla and make the dram more drinkable.

FINISH: The finish is long and lingering and builds slowly to a nice warm feeling in your stomach. It ends in oak, lemon drops and barley.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Muirhead has an interesting flavour profile. For me, it’s a whisky that I could picture in the middle of winter, in front of a fire after dinner, when you are having a philosophical conversation with someone.

Indeed a good buy at the affordable price point. It is inexpensive but does not taste cheap. It is very similar to the Highland Queen. I would nearly venture to say that it is a spicier version of the Highland Queen. Have you tried this Muirhead whisky release yet?

I was surprised to spot some of the Muirhead Silver Seal Maturity whisky in the US. It is the Muirhead Silver Seal 20 year old whisky that is not available in SA, but it was interesting to see it there.

>Also Read:Glenfiddich Gran Reserva whisky

Glendronach 13 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/24/2016

In Single Malt whisky

A small little whisky shop in Hydepark, Johannesburg, has become the Johannesburg whisky community’s central point. Since they opened their doors in 2012, WhiskyBrother has brought an incredible whisky variety to Johannesburg. Their whisky tastings are also legendary!

Every year around this time, WhiskyBrother brings out an exclusive release, which is no different this year. Some of the WhiskyBrother’s earlier releases include the Arran WB Private Cask and the 15 yo Glenlivet. All exceptionally delicious!

This year, they had the opportunity to select a Glendronach cask, and after much tasting and choosing, Marc and Neil chose the Glendronach 13 year old single cask Scotch whisky.

Glendronach has consistently been one of the WhiskyBrother shop’s top-selling whiskies, so it made for a natural fit. The GlenDronach 13 yo single cask whisky is matured in a second fill Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheon.

The Glendronach distillery is a Highland whisky distillery located near Forgue in Scotland, owned by the BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd.

James Allardes founded the distillery in 1826 and it was only the second distillery to apply for a license to legally produce whisky under the Excise Act of 1823.

The distillery was bought and sold a few times, and the sherry characteristics changed. Subsequent owners each brought their own cask and wood philosophy. In 2008, when the BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd bought the distillery, they returned to the original GlenDronach character. The new owners relaunched the old core range of 12 year old, 15 year old and 18 year old, along with several single cask bottlings.<

So once again, the Glendonach is proudly known as the Sherry Cask Connoisseurs. Back to their original roots of heavily sherried drams. All new Glendronach releases are unpeated.

Also Read: Glenglassaugh Evolution Whisky

Glendronach 13 year old Whisky Review

This bottle was distilled in March 2003, and bottled in April 2016; the cask yielded 519 bottles. Each bottle is individually numbered and bottled at cask strength.

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 54.1%

COLOUR: A light amber-gold colour with hints of yellow sunshine.

NOSE: Rich and complex, heavy with brandy-soaked raisins, rich Christmas pudding, toffee, cherries and candied fruits. After a bit of time, some spice and woody notes come through.

PALATE: A very surprising palate! The toffee and Christmas pudding sweetness I was expecting was not there. Instead, the warming spices came through. Cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg intertwined with oak and cherries.

I expected a typical sherry PX Cask taste, but this Glendronach is anything but regular. Adding water softens the cask strength and makes the whisky smoother.

FINISH: An unusual finish that ends in notes of pepper, cinnamon and citrus fruit. Long and lingering.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is an unusual release. I can understand why the WhiskyBrother team chose this particular cask. If you are expecting the more traditional Glendronach sherry taste, this whisky is not it. This Glendronach 13 year old is big and bold.

Warming spices with cherries. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, something interesting for someone interesting, this is the bottle you want.

Best of all, you don’t have to be in Johannesburg to get your hands on this release. You can order it online from WhiskyBrother right here. This Glendronach 13 yowhisky is going to be perfect for winter. The spicy character will probably also pair well with food.

I poured a bit of the Glendronach 12 year old straight after, to compare. Interesting how one more year in a cask can make such a difference. From the fruity sweet 12 year old whisky to the spicy, rich 13 year old. All in the space of an extra 12 months.

Well Done WhiskyBrother Team! I have also captured the tasting notes for the Glendronach 16 yo release and the Glendronach 12 yo .

Also Read: Craigellachie 13 yo Whisky

Balblair 2000 Vintage Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/12/2016

In Single Malt whisky

A month or so ago, I got invited to join a few fellow tweeters for a Balblair whisky Twitter tasting. The range we tried included the Balblair 90, Balblair 03 and the one I liked the most, the Balblair 1999 Vintage whisky. The Balblair 1999 whisky was a real “sit down and think of life” dram.

Rich, fruity sweet, full-bodied. Delicious! It made me realize that, although I have made quite a dent in my own bottle of Balblair whisky and photographed it extensively, I have never captured the tasting notes or written about it. It is the Balblair 2000 Vintage single malt Scotch whisky release, so hopefully it follows in the 1999’s footsteps.

John Ross founded the first Balblair distillery in 1790. After his death, the distillery passed down to his son and in 1872 the distillery was rebuilt on a site higher up on the hills. The Balblair distillery lies in Edderton in the Northern Scottish Highlands, surrounded by mountains, from where the Allt Dearg – Balblair’s water source – springs.

Balblair was forced to close during World War I and did not reopen until 1949. In 1948 Keith-based lawyer, Robert ‘Bertie’ Cumming, bought it. Cumming ran the distillery until his retirement in 1970.

In 1996, Allied Domecq sold the distillery to its current owners, Inver House Distillers. Old Pulteney, anCnoc and Speyburn single malts, as well as Hankey Bannister and Catto’s blended whisky, are part of their portfolio.

The bottle is beautiful and stands out among the other more standard bottle shapes. According to some research, the design is inspired by the nearly Pictish stone Clach Biorach. The raised edging design on the bottle is gorgeous! It makes for an unusual photo opportunity as you can see above.

The Balblair 2000 Vintage single malt Scotch whisky was aged in first fill American oak casks.

Balblair 2000 Vintage Whisky

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: This is a very light whisky in colour. It has hints of golden-yellow and green.

NOSE: There are hints of fresh-cut flowers, malt, sweet tropical fruit with bits of spiciness floating about. Once you let the whisky breathe, more of the sweet notes come through.

PALATE: The flavour development on the Balblair 2000 is both interesting and complex. It starts with oak and then slowly transforming into sweetness with some coffee. It transforms into a fruity sweet note with bits of cinnamon spice. On the second sip, I get loads of oak spice, hints of bitter citrus and floating in the background, candied raisins.

The addition of water certainly makes the whisky a lot more easy drinking, but it does seem to take away some of the fresh-cut flowers from the nose as well as some of the citrus notes from the palette.

FINISH: The Balblair 2000 Scotch whisky has a medium length finish and end in notes of fruity sweetness and dried wood.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I finished the first tasting glass without adding water and had to get a second glass for reference purposes. It is better without water. Water takes away the complexity.

From what I can see, both the Balblair 2000 and 1999 vintages are sold out. But you can still get your hands on the Balblair 03 and 1990 release. Both smashing drams!

This 2000 Vintage has made it onto my Top 5 Single Malt whiskies under R500 list. During 2019 Balblair revamped their Vintage ranges and started releasing age statements starting with the Balblair 12 yo and going up to a 25 yo whisky. The range also includes a Balblair 17 yo whisky that is only available in Travel Retail.

Also Read: Also Read: Belgian Owl Passion Whisky

Glengoyne 17 year old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/08/2016

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at the Glengoyne 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Situated on the A81 in Scotland, next to a beautiful wooded area, the Glengoyne distillery sits at the foot of Dumgoyne Hill near Loch Lomond.

The distillery was started in 1833 and was known as the Burnfoot Distillery. It changed owners and names a few times; However, it has been one of the longest continuously run distilleries in Scotland.

It is located right on the line that divides the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. Glengoyne’s stills are in the Highlands while the filled casks of whisky mature across the road in the Lowlands.

It also sits on the popular West Highland Way, a long-distance footpath. The path is a 150km long trail, from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands.

Although Glengoyne is a Highland whisky, the whisky characteristics are closer to the Lowland drams. The water and the malt are unpeated. Glengoyne does not use peat smoke to dry their barley but instead uses warm air.

Glengoyne claim to have the slowest distillation rate, and according to the distillery, this creates a softer, smoother taste. In April 2003, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. acquired the Glengoyne Distillery from the Edrington Group.

Glengoyne doesn’t release the 17 year old anymore. The Glengoyne 17 year old whisky has a higher portion of 1st fill Sherry casks compared to their other releases. I loved the Glengoyne 21 year old, and it was my Single Malt of the Year 2014. Hopefully, this release will live up to my high expectations.

Related Article: Glenfiddich Age Of Discovery whisky

Glengoyne 17 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%<

COLOUR: A rich dark reddish copper

NOSE: Initially the nose has notes of fruitiness and sherry. Then some spicy oak bits mixed with vanilla and nougat come through. The nose is rich but gentle.

PALATE: Compared to the nose, the palate on the Glengoyne 17 year old whisky is bold and robust. The palate is full of ripe fruit, sweet juicy pears, figs, condensed milk sweetness balanced with oak spiciness and malty goodness. The addition of water seems to bring out much more wood and dried citrus. I prefer it, however, without water.

FINISH: Long and lingering and stays for a long time. It ends in spicy wood notes.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is sad that this Glengoyne 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky has been discontinued. This dram is a wonderful warming whisky, perfect for winter. It is not as great as the 21 year old whisky, but certainly good enough to call for a second glass. What did you think of this release?

Also Read: Tamdhu Batch 001 Whisky