Tag: Rating: Divine

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whiskies that I rated as Divine. Divine means that after tasting the whisky, I try not to finish the bottle in one sitting. Just perfection. Rating: Divine

Time for something a bit older, the Glengoyne 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Positioned in the Highlands, Glengoyne Distillery is situated in a valley close to a river that flows into the famous Loch Lomond. In the past, the woodlands, which covered the surrounding area, gave good shelter for illicit whisky distilling.

The Glengoyne Distillery began distilling legally in 1833 and was known as the Burnfoot distillery. The story goes that the owner intended to name the distillery Glengoyne, but due to a mistake by a clerk, it was recorded as Glen Guin. Later it was changed to Glengoyne, which translates from ‘Glenguin’ or ‘Glen of the Wild Geese’.

Glengoyne is one of the few distilleries left producing whisky in this part of Scotland today. Glengoyne is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd., a Scottish, family-owned business. Various features make Glengoyne unique. They produce Highland single malts, but the whisky is matured in the Scottish Lowlands.

Also Read: The Macallan Quest Whisky

The boundary line runs underneath the A81 road and passes in front of the distillery. Glengoyne’s stills are situated in the Highlands, while the maturing casks of whisky rest across the road in the Lowlands.

Unlike many malt whisky distilleries, Glengoyne does not use peat smoke to dry their barley but instead uses warm air. As a result, Glengoyne has been noted as being stylistically closer to a Lowland single malt than a Highland single malt. Glengoyne is also one of only two distilleries remaining today that uses Golden Promise barley.

This barley is low in yield but high in quality. Glengoyne also enjoys the slowest distillation rate in Scotland (the spirit comes from the still at around 4-5 litres per minute). It encourages the formation of ‘esters’, giving Glengoyne its distinctively sweet, smooth taste.

Glengoyne 21 year old Single Malt Whisky Review

The Glengoyne 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky is matured in oak casks from Spain, which previously contained sherry.

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: Another dark whisky where the colour is closer to red copper than gold. It is quite oily and leaves long legs in the glass.

NOSE: at once brings sherry sweetness. There are dried fruits, Christmas cake and hints of oak and vanilla. The addition of a few drops of water changes the nose. With the water, the Glengoyne nose brings more fresh fruit.

PALATE: This is quite a spicy whisky on the palette. It is wonderfully smooth and rich. Mixed with the spiciness, there are notes of sherry, oak and honey sweetness. The Glengoyne 21 year old balances the sweetness with the spicy to create a warming and comforting taste. There are hints of barley, vanilla and toffee.

FINISH: Long and lingering and goes on and on. It is a full-bodied whisky that ends in notes of spice, oak and ginger. John forgot to finish his notes and had to pour a second glass to complete the tasting notes.

RATING: DIVINE

This whisky makes you want to sit in front of a fire with loved ones and just stop to appreciate life. It’s delicious! The Glengoyne 21 year old whisky is well-balanced, smooth and rich.

It is a satisfying whisky that lifts your spirits and leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling that everything is well with the world. I can’t wait to try more expressions from this interesting distillery.

Also Read: The Old Pulteney 21 yo whisky

Amrut Two Continents Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/10/2013

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at a world whisky, the Amrut Two Continents single malt whisky. In the past, Scotland was known as the home of whisky. Over the past decade, this has changed.

Today new world whiskies have no reason to defer to Scotland and the Amrut distillery in Bangalore, India, produces world-class whiskies.

I guess Amrut Distilleries hit the big time when Malt Advocate Magazine called Amrut Fusion “World Whisky of the Year” and Jim Murray in the 2010 Whisky Bible named it the third-best whisky in the world. We are fortunate to travel to Bangalore and India yearly, and we love the culture, food, and colours.

The Amrut distillery is located in Bangalore, and I figured it would be easy to get Amrut whisky in Bangalore– wrong! The majority of shops in Bangalore were not aware of it, and requests for Amrut drew blank stares! Recently I was visiting my friend Audrey in Sydney, Australia.

Knowing my love of all things whisky, she took me to a speciality whisky shop in the heart of the city. It was a great place, and I took the opportunity to acquire some Sullivans Cove whisky.

As I was paying for them and chatting to the delightful owner, I noticed the black box of Amrut Two Continents whisky, First edition. I immediately asked him what it would cost, and he told me it was not for sale, as it was the only one he still had and was part of his collection.

Well, after 20 minutes of haggling, interspersed with pleading, he eventually agreed to part ways with it. This whisky had travelled a long and complicated journey – from India to Europe to Australia and finally to South Africa! At long last, I had acquired an Amrut Two Continents.

Amrut only released 786 bottles of the first edition, and this bottle is number 408. In 2012 Whisky Advocate awarded it the “New Whisky of the Year” award, so expectations were high.

Related Article: Glenmorangie Lasanta whisky

Amrut Two Continents Single Malt Whisky Review

The bottle itself has a beautiful label echoing the rich architecture and design of India. It is housed in an elegant black presentation case with gold trim and lettering. The single malt whisky nestles in a deep purple material with the inside flap describing the mythology behind the Amrut name.

The whisky itself is distilled in India before being shipped to Europe (a secret location!) for the final three years of maturation – hence the name Two Continents.

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Interesting, with hints of amber, honey, and light gold.

PALATE: Tasting the Amrut Two Continents, we immediately picked up honey, spice, and vanilla. There was a hint of peat but no smoke. Delicate waves of oak come through. The Amrut Two Continents comes across as a slightly sweet whisky, but in no way does it overpower. The whisky gets better if you let it breathe a bit.

FINISH: The finish is something else! It starts slowly and then builds to a big mouthful with a long slow tail. Jim Murray said – and we agree – it has a voluptuous finish.

RATING: DIVINE

This Amrut release is truly a unique whisky, and I am ecstatic to have it in my collection. I paired this fantastic whisky with some Blue Tower Cheese, and it made a delectable whisky cheese pairing.
Other Amrut expressions I have written about include the Amrut Fusion as well as the Amrut Kadhambam.

Also Read: Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique whisky