Tag: Rating: Excellent Page 12 of 41

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whiskies that I rated as Excellent. Excellent means that after tasting the whisky, I want to pour a second and third glass. It is whisky that I want to keep on drinking and when the bottle is finished, I will buy another one. Rating: Excellent

An intriguing name for a Scottish whisky – Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whisky. The name stems from the shoulder strain (often temporary) that maltmen experienced due to the repetitive hand-turning of barley during the whisky-making process.

Monkey Shoulder whisky, crafted by Speyside legends William Grant & Sons, is a blended malt whisky that embodies the spirit of Scottish tradition and innovation.

This spirit is meticulously produced using malt from the company’s three prestigious Dufftown distilleries: Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, and Kininvie. All three malts are aged in first-fill bourbon casks before being expertly blended in small batches, with 27 casks coming together to create the magic.

I have tasted many Glenfiddich and Balvenie expressions. Kininvie is, however, not quite as well known. Kininvie, one of Scotland’s youngest distilleries, began its journey on July 4, 1990, nestled within the grounds of the Balvenie distillery.

While Kininvie boasts computer-controlled distillation, it notably lacks its own mash house. The age-old tradition of hand turning is still honoured by the Balvenie maltmen.

The bottle proudly displays three metal monkeys on its shoulder, symbolizing the three distilleries contributing to this exceptional blend.

Monkey Shoulder whisky has garnered critical acclaim, with Jim Murray awarding it an impressive 93 points in his Whisky Bible and a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards in 2013.

Approximately 10% of my whisky collection comprises bottles from The Balvenie and Glenfiddich distilleries, making Monkey Shoulder blended malt a fitting addition to my lineup.

Related Article: Clan Denny Islay Edition Whisky

Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review

REGION: Speyide

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark golden. It is a very thick and oily whisky.

NOSE: The nose has notes of bourbon sweetness, fruitcake, toffee, and vanilla notes; this whisky offers an exquisite drinking experience. Oak and cereals float past, and with the addition of a bit of water, there are hints of fresh cut-flowers.

PALATE: On the palate, Monkey Shoulder delights with a creamy texture and subtle notes of barley, cereals, spices, honey sweetness, and vanilla. It’s an easy-drinking whisky that will leave you yearning for a second glass.

FINISH: The finish is medium long, leaving a beautiful, warming sensation with hints of spice and caramelized nuts.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Monkey Shoulder blended malt Scotch whisky is an outstanding standalone spirit and an excellent base for crafting cocktails. As the holiday season approaches, it will undoubtedly find a prominent place on my cocktail menu.

I’ve even acquired the Kininvie 17 year old expression, completing my trio of distilleries contributing to this fine dram’s magic.

I played around with a chocolate pairing. I found that Monkey Shoulder whisky proved a robust and versatile companion, beautifully complementing the sweet indulgence of Caramello chocolate.

Cheers to the perfect blend of tradition and innovation in every sip of Monkey Shoulder whisky!

The Monkey Shoulder is available around the world and the price is around R450 in South Africa, £24 in the UK and ₹ 3,990 in India.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Green Label Whisky

Paul John PX Select Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/06/2021

In Single Malt whisky

Something sweet to start December on; the Paul John PX Select Cask Indian single malt whisky. Sherry reminds me of December and my Dutch grandmother. During the festive season, she enjoyed a late afternoon sherry on the patio.

They were usually quite sweet, and in my mind, the smell of sherry became associated with Gauteng summer evenings, purple Hydrangeas, bright red Poinsettias and long chats.

When Hector from WhiskyShop gifted me a sample of the Paul John PX Cask whisky, I realised it was the perfect dram to open at the beginning of December and the start of the Festive season. All the sherry to bring back special memories.

Paul John has released two sherry cask single malt whiskies as part of its Select Cask series. These drams were finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks, respectively. Oloroso and PX are just two of the various sherry varietals.

Also Read: Scottish Cousin Whisky

Fino is the driest, PX is the sweetest, and Oloroso falls about in the middle. Oloroso typically has caramel, walnut, and deep fruit notes. I will capture my tasting notes on the Oloroso early next year. Pedro Ximénez is sweeter, and you’ll get flavours like toffee, fig, raisin, and molasses.

Paul John makes use of six-row barley for their whisky. The six-row barley has a higher fibre and protein content when compared to the more traditional two-row barley. More proteins in the barley translate to more fatty acids in the liquid that adds to the whisky’s character.

This Paul John PX Cask whisky was first aged for about 5 years in 1st fill ex-Bourbon barrels before spending 2 years in the PX casks. It is a NAS release. The Paul John Pedro Ximénez Cask is not chill-filtered.

Paul John PX Select Cask Whisky Review

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 48%

COLOUR: Dark Copper

NOSE: Sherry sweetness, raisins, dried stone fruit with bits of wood and Christmas Cake. Hints of muscadel wine and ripe plums. Sweet, rich and complex. Delicious!

PALATE: Drying oak with nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. The sweetness comes through on the second sip with raisins, dried cherries and bits of dark chocolate. Freshly buttered toast with orange marmalade and black pepper. Toasted nuts and warm bread pudding. A maltiness in the background. Water softens the spices but takes away the complexity. Despite the higher ABV, the Paul John PX Cask does not need any water.

FINISH: Long and lasting with cinnamon and orange peel sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

This is a sipping whisky. An after-dinner dram to savour and sip slowly. Especially in winter, this Indian whisky will warm you up from the inside. It is not a whisky for beginners. It is complex and heavy, and you need to take your time with this. Even at a 48% ABV, you don’t need to add water. Rich and delicious, I can’t wait for winter to relax with this dram. A beautiful release.

Other expressions of Paul John whisky include Paul John Nirvana, Paul John Brilliance, Paul John Bold, and Select Cask Classic and Select Cask Peated. The Paul John Pedro Ximénez Select Cask Whisky retails for R 1700. I spotted some at the WhiskyShop.

During my visit to the WhiskyShop, I also spotted the Paul John Christmas Edition. I have tasted this beauty, and it is also a dram worth adding to your festive wish list.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky sample from WhiskyShop. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Waterford The Cuvée Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/29/2021

In Irish Whiskey

Terroir has been a hot topic in whisky chats again lately, especially since the launch of Waterford The Cuvée Irish single malt whisky. Two weeks ago, I wrote about the Cooladine Edition 1.1 release. This whisky is from Mark Reynier’s new Irish distillery, where the main focus is on the barley.

They meticulously document the barley, the weather, the soil conditions and a host of other factors that influence the growth of the barley.

It makes for fascinating reading for someone who grew up in the city. The barley from each individual farm is distilled separately and allocated to a country. SA has the Cooladine and Knockroe releases.

In 2021, inspired by the terroir of France’s wine-making region Bordeaux, Waterford launched its flagship single malt, The Cuvée Irish whisky. For this release, they applied the same methodology as the famous wine-making region to create something unique. Cuvée is a fancy-sounding word that indicates the liquid, the whisky, is a blend.

Also Read: Teeling Irish Single Malt Whiskey

Head Distiller Ned Gahan blended together 25 individually distilled single farm origins whiskies. These whiskies cover a broad spectrum of natural flavours defined by Ireland’s soils and micro climates.

The whisky is bottled in Waterford’s distinctive blue bottle and features a label designed by Leah Hewson, one of Ireland’s leading visual artists.

Waterford The Cuvée single malt Irish whiskey is a flagship bottling and will be available globally. The cask composition is a big percentage first fill US and virgin US, and also some premium French and Vin Doux Naturel.

Waterford The Cuvée Whisky Review

Waterford The Cuvée single malt is bottled with no chill-filtration and no colouring.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Honey sweetness, peaches, apricots and white oak. Bits of vanilla, biscuits, with green pine and mixed fruit. Subtle but complex and lovely.

PALATE: Freshly baked oats crunchies (a classic SA cookie) with honey sweetness. Cinnamon and vanilla with bits of creamy chocolate and malt. Fresh summer fruit with cereals and hints of white pepper and lemon. Smooth and drinkable. Water brings more oranges and pectin to the front.

FINISH: The honey and pepper spicy notes alternate in the finish. Bits of drying oak and lemon. Clean and fresh.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Layered and complex and even at 50% ABV, it is very drinkable without water. Add water carefully as it brought a lot of pectin to the forefront. The malty and honey notes were very similar to the Cooladine release I tasted not so long ago. An exciting release to have in your collection, especially if you like something novel.

The beautiful blue bottle stands out on the shelf. It is now available in South Africa through Navigate World Whisky, and it retails for around R1 495.

Also Read: Dunville’s PX Cask 12 yo Whiskey

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky sample from Navigate World Whisky. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/22/2021

In Bourbon whiskey

Woodford Reserve, a celebrated brand of small-batch Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey, holds a cherished place in the heart of bourbon aficionados. It’s a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the oldest distillers in the Kentucky county.

This iconic bourbon’s history traces back to 1797 when Elijah Pepper, a visionary distiller, began crafting small quantities of whiskey and erected a distillery.

Following Elijah’s passing in 1831, his son Oscar Pepper assumed the distillery’s reins, leading to its rebranding as “The Oscar Pepper Distillery.” Oscar Pepper’s profound decision was to enlist the expertise of Dr. James Crow as the head distiller.

Dr. Crow, a Scottish physician and chemist, revolutionized bourbon production with his advocacy for the sour mash fermentation process, a cornerstone of Woodford Reserve’s excellence.

After changing ownership several times and languishing in disrepair, Brown-Forman Corporation acquired the distillery in 1993, meticulously restoring it to operational glory. In 2003, they christened it “The Woodford Reserve Distillery,” signifying its renaissance.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey officially graced the market in 1996, bearing a legacy that stretches back centuries. Notably, in 1995, the distillery secured a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2000, it earned the prestigious designation of National Historic Landmark.

Woodford Reserve’s secret lies in its mash bill, which features a higher rye content than many competitors. The mash bill comprises 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malt. It’s also triple distilled and enters the barrel at its lowest proof, allowing it to mature for at least six years.

Aside from the flagship Woodford Reserve bourbon, the distillery offers a range of options, including Woodford Reserve Rye, a malt whiskey edition, and a wheat edition. One standout is the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon, which promises a sensory journey.

Related Article: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43.2%

COLOUR:A dark copper and described by some as a honey amber. It is a very oily whiskey.

NOSE: The nose entices with honey sweetness, apricots, and underlying hints of oranges, mingling with the richness of condensed milk, vanilla, dark chocolate, and subtle spices.

PALATE: The palate features oak and sweetness balanced with peach, ripe cherries, and a touch of cinnamon spiciness. Tangy winter fruits and vanilla intertwine with toffee sweetness, creating a rich, buttery, and impeccably smooth mouthfeel. Full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel.

FINISH: Long and lingering and end in notes of sweet spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, complemented by the subtle allure of toasted oak. It’s an easy-drinking, affordable choice that appeals to seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers.

One of my personal favourites, it pairs beautifully with various foods, like pizza, enhancing the dining experience. It it also an excellent foundation for crafting classic cocktails, such as the timeless Old Fashioned.

If you’re eager to explore more about the world of whiskey, I’ve embarked on a series where I compare different whiskies to highlight their unique strengths. The inaugural comparison delves into the distinctive qualities of Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Discover their differences and my recommendations for when to savour each release.

Additionally, I’ve conducted a side-by-side comparison between Gentleman Jack and Woodford Reserve, shedding light on their merits. Woodford Reserve is an ideal candidate for these comparative tastings, as I’ve also compared it against Bulleit Bourbon, offering insight into how these bourbons stack up against one another.

Also Read: Jack Daniel’s vs Gentleman Jack Tennessee whiskey

Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/08/2021

In Irish Whiskey

Two weeks ago, I wrote about my first real-life whisky tasting with the Joburg Whisky Club and Candice Baker from Navigate World Whisky. We tasted quite a few delicious drams, including the Linkwood 8 yo whisky. Another delectable release that I tried that evening and promptly went out to buy was the Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 Irish single malt whisky.

Terroir has been a controversial word in the whisky industry for many years. In 2015, Mark Reynier started his Waterford Distillery project to experiment and fully understand the concept of terroir in whisky.

The Waterford Distillery is located in a converted former Guinness brewery in the southeast of Ireland. Mark was previously at Bruichladdich, where he started experimenting with the concept, but Waterford allowed him to explore it more extensively.

Terroir is how a particular region’s climate, soils and aspect (terrain) affect the taste of the food. The dominant belief in the whisky industry is that wood makes the whisky. Maturation in oak barrels is often attributed to providing 70% or more of a whisky’s flavour. However, at Waterford, the focus is on the barley.

The distillery works with 72 Irish farms, all located in the same region as the distillery. The barley is grown in 19 different soil types and everything is meticulously documented in a digital logistical system. Each farmer’s crop is harvested, malted, fermented and finally distilled separately. Effectively, this creates 40 different new-make spirits each season.

Also Read: Dunville’s PX Cask 12 yo Whiskey

Cooladine Single Farm Origin Whisky

The single farm origin whisky is then allocated per country. Only Waterford Cooladine and Knockroe barley is used in the limited edition whisky for South Africa. The back of the bottle has a code.

When you enter this into the Waterford website, it tells you every possible thing you could ever want to know about where the whisky and the environment the barley was grown in.

The land farmed by brothers William and Pat Doyle at Cooladine in County Wexford stands close to old Quaker burial grounds west of the River Slaney. These free-draining, fertile fields derived from the famously productive Clonroche soils are shingle to clay-rich marl, mainly from the Ordovician shale bedrock.

Barley variety: Overture barley
Yeast Type: Mauri Distillers yeast
Harvested: 16 August 2015
Maturation period: 4 years, 28 days
Bottled: November 2020
No of bottles: 5,076 bottles

Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 Whisky Review

However, it is not only the terroir that is important. Waterford Distillery also focuses on the wood policy, using only American and French oak to age their spirit in.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Golden liquid sunset

NOSE: Grain sweetness, green barley, freshly cut pine wood with toffee and red apples. Subtle and elegant. Bits of spice with hints of pepper and cloves.

PALATE: Summer spices with ginger and coriander. Condensed milk and vanilla custard with bits of black pepper and barley. Lovely smooth, and balanced. Hints of sultanas, toffee and lemon. Smooth and balanced. Water smooths out the alcohol heat and makes it a bit lighter drinking. Oily with a full body mouthfeel.

FINISH: Honey sweetness with malt.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Waterford Cooladine Edition 1.1 single malt is a delicious all year round whisky. Complex enough to be momorable, but still easy to drink. It has the sweetest finish I tasted in a whisky in a long time. The initial palate is quite spicy, then the sweetness moves forward and continues on the finish. Perfect for my sweet palate.

In SA, it retails for around R 1 495, and I bought mine from Navigate World Whisky. I can’t wait for the Cooladine 2.1 Edition to be released to compare them next to each other.

Also Read: Redbreast 12 yo Whiskey