Tag: Inver House Distillers Limited Page 1 of 3

Inver House Distillers Limited is a malt whisky distiller, based in Airdrie, Scotland. The company is a subsidiary of ThaiBev, one of the largest alcoholic-beverage companies in Southeast Asia.

Inver House Distillers owns and operating five distilleries: Balblair distillery, Balmenach distillery, Knockdhu distillery, Pulteney distillery, and Speyburn distillery.

Pairing Whisky and Pizza

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/04/2022

In Lifestyle

whiskey and pizza
Some time ago I found the National Day Calendar that lists all the National Days celebrated in the USA. It has been a great source of inspiration.

There are daily celebrations and even National Week observations. The month of December is root vegetables and exotic fruits month as well as Bingo’s birthday month.

All these fun celebrations inspired me to look at whisky food pairings again. Things like Pastry Day made me wonder what bourbon will pair nicely with some pasty.

But the one National Day that had me most excited was National Pizza Day. One of my favourite foods paired with whisk(e)y. What can be more fun?

Pizza

The humble pizza has been around for ages. Various cultures produced flatbreads with toppings. The word pizza was first documented in AD997 in Italy and was probably focaccia with toppings. The modern version that we all know and love developed in Naples. Tomato was added to the yeast-based flatbread, and the dish gained popularity.

Purists consider only two types of pizza’s – authentic pizzas: the Marinara and the Margherita. However, there are hundreds of variations all over the world, with countries adding their local specialities.

In South Africa, you would find biltong (our version of jerky) on pizza. In India, you will find Paneer, and in Mexico, toppings include chorizo, chilli and jalapeño.

A whole topic on its own is the discussion about pineapple on pizza. But that opens up a whole other subject.

Also Read: How to make Sangria

How to pair whisky and pizza?

I did a few experiments and have come up with the following formula to help you navigate the perfect pizza and whisky pairing.

For me, traditionally pizza goes with red wine or beer. Yet, I found after testing a few combinations, pairing a pizza with whisky elevated the flavours of both the pizza and the whisky.

Best place to start is with pizza. Do you like the fruity Hawaiian with ham and pineapple or do you prefer the meatier pizzas? Are you a vegetarian that love fresh veggies smothered under cheese?

When you have chosen your favourite pizza, think about the whisky. When choosing a whisky to pair with pizza, it is easiest to think of the whisk(e)y in terms of its flavour characteristics. Is it sweet, spicy or peaty? Is it smoky or full of flowery citrus tones?

Whisky and Pizza Pairings. What works best?

Hawaiian Pizza and Bourbon Whiskey

whiskey and pizza pairing woodford reserve and Hawaiian
Pineapple; the pizza topping that divides people. Should pineapple be on pizza? And finding a whiskey that can enhance the tropical notes while keeping the balance is key to a great pairing. For the most part, bourbon whiskies are known for notes of charred oak, vanilla and signature sweetness.

I found that bourbon whiskey and pizza paired brilliantly. The fruity Hawaiian pizza is perfectly complemented by the sweeter vanilla, toasted oak notes of bourbon.

I loved how the winter fruit and vanilla notes of the Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey paired with the pizza. It made for a delicious tropical taste explosion.

Vegetarian Pizza and Blended Whisky

Pizza and whisky pairing Hankey Bannister 12 yo and vegetarian pizza
Topped with tomatoes, olives, green peppers or mushrooms a vegetarian pizza is delicate and requires a softer smoother dram. A big and bold peaty whisky will overwhelm the more delicate veggie notes.

However, you want something with enough body to stand up to oodles of cheese and to cut through the creaminess. I found that softer Speyside and Highland blends work well with a vegetarian pizza.

My favourite pairing was with the Hankey Bannister 12 yo whisky. The cheesy notes and tomato worked well with the oak and raisin notes of the Hankey. The pizza had not only the traditional tomato base but also fresh baby tomatoes that burst open when you bite.

This pizza paired nicely with the medium body of the Hankey Bannister and created a great balance. But a Ballantine’s Finest whisky or a Famous Grouse blended Scotch whisky will also do the trick.

Meat lovers pizza and Irish Whiskey

Pizza and whisky pairing Jameson Cask Mates and meaty pizza
Known by many names, this pizza is topped with a variety of meat; smoky bacon, beef, chicken, ham or hot sausage. This meaty masterpiece calls for a big, bold dram. Something that will stand up to the smoky meat and rich cheese. I chose the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish whiskey.

The rich, bold beer and spicy flavours worked with the cheese and meat and balanced each other out. Other options that will work is a Talisker 10 yo single malt whisky or a bold Highland Park whisky release.

Whatever your favourite, does not matter. There are no rules. Experiment and see what works for you. Make a fun evening out of it. Grab your favourite pizza, pour a few drams and have fun. Once you’ve found a flavour combination that works for you, debut it at your next grown-up pizza party.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Label

Hankey Bannister 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/22/2021

In Blended whisky

I have seen the brand Hankey Bannister around for a few years, but nothing enticed me to try it. That was until John was invited to a Hankey Bannister tasting at Bottega in Parkhurst. The beautiful little restaurant is owned by Savi and has an impressive collection of whiskies.

Margaret Clarke, the Senior Brand Manager, came to SA to introduce this blended Scottish whisky, to whisky lovers. She not only had the Hankey Bannister 12 year old whisky and the 25 year old whisky available to taste but also shared the rare Hankey Bannister 40 year old release with them. He loved all the whisky he tried, and so I bought him a bottle of the Hankey Bannister 12 year old whisky.

Hankey Bannister & Co. was established by Beaumont Hankey and Hugh Bannister in 1757. Beaumont Hankey was the flamboyant socialite, and Hugh Bannister was the astute businessman. Together they made a convincing team.

Their wine and spirit business was set up to provide the best wines and spirits for the rapidly developing tastes of London’s glitterati as well as the Royal Household.

They chose a combination of Lowland grains and Highland and Speyside malt whiskies to create their first blend, and this is what they became famous for. Rumour has it that this was one of the favourite blends of Sir Winston Churchill.

After various ownership changes, the brand is now owned by Inver House. It is a subsidiary of Thai Beverages. They also own the Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn and Balmenach Distilleries. Hankey Bannister is looked after by the Master Blended Stuart Harvey and exported to over 40 countries.

Also Read: Grant’s Sherry Cask Edition whisky

Hankey Bannister 12 year old Whisky Review

Hankey Bannister blended whisky is loosely based on the original recipe. It contains about 30% of single malt whisky (mainly from the Balblair distillery but also Balmenach and Knockdhu). The remaining 70% is grain whisky. The Hankey Bannister 12 year old whisky is matured in American ex-Bourbon casks for 12 years. Available in SA for around R 350 a bottle.

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich Gold.

NOSE: French Vanilla, Oak, Honey, fresh ripe figs.

PALATE: Medium body, but creamy and delicious. More oak and vanilla promised by the nose balanced with malt, fruity sweetness and raisins. This is a very drinkable dram. Adding water brings out creamy smoothness. It is not the most complex of blends, but it is easy drinking and affordable.

FINISH: Long and sweet ending in honey and sweet spice.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I will certainly extend my collection of this refreshing blend. Starting with the Hankey Bannister Original. This is the perfect whisky for a rainy afternoon. Warming and comforting, I just sat back, relaxed and watched the summer rain in Africa fall.

This is also a great whisky to pair with a vegetarian pizza. It has just the right level of spice to work marvellously with veggies and cheese.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Green Label whisky

Balblair 15 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/08/2021

In Single Malt whisky

It is time to look at the second sample that I received from Balblair when they launched their new age statement releases. First up was the Balblair 12 year old single malt whisky which was a great start to the new range and a perfect introduction to the Balblair Distillery house style.

Today I look at the Balblair 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky. This release was first matured in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in first-fill Spanish oak butts.

According to the distillery tasting notes, the 15 year old have a deeper concentration of fruit notes compared to the 12 year old and have some yummy chocolatey elements too. Together with the Balblair 12 year old and the 15 year old, Balblair has also released a 17 year old whisky, an 18 year old as well as a Balblair 21 year old whisky.

I have a small love affair with 15 yo whiskies. For me, it is as if the little bit extra time in the wood adds something unique to the dram. Some of my favourite releases are 15-year-olds. Will this release also join my favourite 15?

The Balblair 15 year old single malt is non-chill-filtered and natural colour. It was aged in ex-bourbon casks and finished in first-fill Spanish oak butts. Balblair distillery is owned by Inver House Distillers.

Balblair 15 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Bright amber

NOSE: Fruity sweetness, ginger with toasted oak. Freshly baked sugar cookies with cinnamon and dried fruit. Rich and inviting.

PALATE: Dried apple rings, cinnamon and nutmeg spiciness and dried oak. Dark chocolate covered orange slices, red berries and summer fruit salad drizzled with honey. Delicious and rich. I so enjoyed the 15 year old that I finished my glass without even adding a bit of water.

FINISH: The best part of this dram. Delicious and long filled with dried oak, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cream.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is interesting how the additional time spent in sherry casks have changed this release compared to the Balblair 12 year old whisky. A very different mouthfeel and more complex when compared to the 12 year old.

You can recognize the house style, but the extra time in the casks added depth and intensity to the Balblair 15 year old whisky. Very delicious!

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

anCnoc 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/01/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am tasting the anCnoc 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Knockdhu distillery is a whisky distillery in the scenic village of Knock in Aberdeenshire in the Scottish Highlands. Together with Old Pulteney and Balblair, anCnoc is owned by Inver House Distillers Limited.

Also part of the brand portfolio is the Hankey Bannister and Catto’s blended whiskies. Inver House, in turn, is a subsidiary of the Thai Beverage Company.

John Morrison purchased the Knock Estate in 1892. He saw that the surrounding land was ideal for barley growth and had an abundance of peat. It was also helpful that the Great North Railway line ran nearby. Shortly after he bought the estate, he uncovered a spring on Knock Hill’s southern slopes.

He discovered that the water had a wonderful flavour and sent it to a laboratory owned by Distiller’s Company Limited in Edinburgh for evaluation. The tests confirmed that the water was of outstanding quality.

Distiller’s Company Limited made John Morrison an offer for the site, which he accepted. The Knockdhu distillery was built in May of 1893. Knockdhu renamed their whiskies anCnoc to avoid confusion with the nearby Knockando distillery.

In Gaelic, the name anCnoc means “the hill”. It was one of the delicious whiskies I tried on my first visit to the beautiful Dullstroom and the Wild About Whisky bar.

Related Post: Glenlivet 12 yo whisky

anCnoc 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: A light yellow wheat colour.

NOSE: On opening the anCnoc, there is an immediate aroma of pears. On the nose, there are cereals and oak with sweet smelling honey and spice. The rich bouquet of mixed flowers intermingles with the spiciness of vanilla.

PALATE: Without water, the palate is smooth and rich, with spicy notes of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon coming through the sweetness slowly. There are hints of fresh fruit and citrus. Adding water to the anCnoc 12 yo whisky softens the palate, but also releases more citrus, and oak notes that start to overwhelm the sweetness. Water dilutes the whisky a bit, making it less complicated and flat.

FINISH: Without water, the anCnoc’s finish is long and builds with honey and spicy notes. After adding a bit of water, the finish changes to a medium length that ends in pepper and citrus notes.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Is the anCnoc 12 year old whisky a knockout? Not entirely, nevertheless, it is an easy-drinking and affordable dram that should be in your collection. Just add water carefully or rather not at all. There is also the anCnoc Peatheart Edition that I tasted and wrote about.

This release has made it onto my Top 5 Single Malt whiskies under R500 list.

Also Read: Glen Moray Classic whisky

Balblair 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/11/2021

In Single Malt whisky

I have slowly been working through my collection of Balblair Vintage mini’s this past year. Just as I finished my last review on the 1990 Vintage, Balblair surprised me with something new. They moved away from their well-known vintage releases in favour of aged statement releases.

Staying with their house style of apricots, oranges, spices, floral notes, and green apple notes, Balblair released a 12 year old, the Balblair 15 year old, 18 year old whisky and a 25 year old single malt whisky.

There is also a Balblair 17 year old whisky that is a travel retail release. Still aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, the goal was to revive interest in their creaminess and fruit-forward flavour profile.

There has been quite a bit of comment, both positive and negative, in the whisky halls regarding the change. Many people wanted to stock up on their favourite Balblair Vintages before they disappear.

However, I think change is good ,and this allows me a new look at Balblair, starting with the Balblair 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. It also makes understanding their core range easier, and according to some information, Balblair distillery will continue to release Vintage bottles regularly.

I was invited to take part in the Balblair Twitter tasting during May, where they introduced their new releases to some whisky bloggers. However, South African Customs had other ideas (as usual).

The samples only arrived two weeks after the Twitter tasting. But now I have a leisurely time to look at each release and evaluate it without any interruption.

Balblair is a Highland Distillery surrounded by beautiful by rugged mountains and uses the Allt Dearg springs as their water source. It is owned by Inver House Distillers, who also own Catto’s, Hankey Bannister and Speyburn whisky.

The range comes in new packaging but retains the Balblair’s signature bottle shape. The new logo is beautiful and inspired by the nearby Struie Hill. The Balblair 12 year old Scotch was matured in ex-bourbon and double fired American oak casks and is non-chill filtered and has no added colour.

Also Read: The Arran Malt Sherry Whisky

Balblair 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Polished gold

NOSE: Wood, wispy sweetness, green notes fruit, grass, and spices. The nose is soft and delicate.

PALATE: Barley and oak mixed with wood, ripe red berries and hints of honey. Bits of pepper heat, vanilla, and orange peel. Not as sweet as the nose promised. I was expecting more sweetness on the palate. Water softens the pepper spice heat and brings more orange blossoms to the front.

FINISH: Long and lingering and the best bit of dram. It ends in pepper and orange notes and is beautifully warming.

RATING: VERY GOOD

What an exciting start to the age statement releases from Balblair. For me, the Balblair 12 year old captures the essence of their house style and is the foundation from which all the other age statements follow.

I found the spiciness of this release a bit too much for my specific liking, I have a sweet palate and prefer a bit sweeter whisky. But that is my personal palate preference. The hubby loved the spicy notes (it suits his palate).

It is a way to start a new set of releases, and I am very excited to taste the rest of the range. According to Balblair, this 12 year old whisky will go very nicely with some hot-smoked salmon niçoise salad.

Also Read: The Belgian Owl Whisky

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