Another of the miniature bottles I found while cleaning up my whisky storage area; the Balblair 2003 Vintage single malt Scotch whisky. This little bottle was leftover from a Balblair Twitter tasting a couple of years ago.
Tag: Inver House Distillers Limited
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.
A while ago, I spotted the Speyburn Bradan Orach single malt Scotch whisky and added it to my collection. It was in the affordable category and retailed for around R 450.
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.
A couple of days ago, a friend asked for some advice. She needed to buy whisky as a gift but did not know where to start. Walking into a bottle store can be a daunting experience. The sheer volume of products available makes choosing tough.
And knowing what whisky is worth buying on a small budget can be doubly difficult. And she needed to impress with something exceptional. I did some thinking and came up with my Top 5 Single Malts under R500.
I have also done a Top 5 Blends under R500 list. These whiskies are available in South Africa and will not break the bank. Additionally, they are all whiskies that I have tasted and rated over the last couple of years.
There is a glaring omission on the list. But as this amazing single malt whisky is as rare as hen’s teeth, I did not add it. However, The Three Ships 10 yo single malt needs an honorary mention. It retails (ed) below R500, and if you can still get your hands on one of the last few in the trade, grab it. It is worth it. But alas, not too many of them are left in the shops.
Here are the Top 5 Single Malts under R500 in South Africa that you can buy with confidence. As a gift for the boss or for your father in law. A special bottle for your boyfriend or your best friend.<
Or best of it all – as a gift to yourself. Don’t stress too much about Christmas presents; this list has you covered. And it will not break the bank.
Related Article: Gin and Olives
The Top 5 Single Malts under R500
anCnoc 12 yo Whisky
This AnCnoc 12 yo single malt Scotch whisky is a typical non-sherried Speyside style, showing polished malt and a delicious spiciness throughout. It has a warm, complex palate and lasting finish.
I tried this whisky for the first time in Dullstroom during our visit to Wild About Whisky. It was so lovely, I immediately grabbed a bottle. It is affordable and easy drinking.
Ardbeg 10 yo Whisky
An Islay classic that is the favourite of many lovers of peaty, smoky whisky. The Ardbeg 10 year old single malt Scotch does not flaunt the peat; instead, it allows the malt’s natural sweetness to produce a whisky of perfect balance.
Even if you are not a ‘peathead’, this whisky is just perfect. I rated it Excellent. A perfect gift for someone who wants to try something new. This peaty whisky also pairs well with lamb.
Balblair 2000 Vintage Whisky
At a respectable 10 years of age, the Balblair 2000 Vintage single malt Scotch whisky is one of the youngest of the current offerings from the oldest working distillery in the Highlands region of Scotland.
I bought this bottle from Whisky Brother and sampled this single malt early in 2013. With tasting notes that include vanilla pod, toffee apple, lemon cream biscuits, it certainly was delicious.
Glenfarclas 12 yo Whisky
Another whisky I discovered on one of my visits to Wild About Whisky in the beautiful town of Dullstroom. Glenfarclas produces expressions in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence.
I rated this Glenfarclas 12 year old single malt whisky as Excellent. It pairs very nicely with Christmas Cake as well. A unique whisky for someone with a sweet palate.
Glenfiddich Rich Oak Whisky
This Speyside whisky was aged for 14 years before being finished in new American and Spanish oak casks. The official tasting notes for the Genfiddich Rich Oak single malt Scotch whisky include vanilla, coconut, pine, cherry, sweet spice, tobacco and leather.
I bought this for John from WhiskyBrother in 2013. It is from one of the best-known distilleries in the world and will make a wonderful gift for anyone who likes whisky.
These whiskies are available through the Whisky Brother Shop in Hydepark, Wild About Whisky and most major retailers.
Also Read: Teeling Small Batch Whiskey
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