Tag: Rating: Excellent Page 23 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

Private Barrel Co No 108 Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/04/2019

In Irish Whiskey

During December, Segan, a whisky friend tagged me on a post on Instagram. He tried a new Checkers Private Barrel Co release and loved it. He described it as ‘… the best tasting Irish whiskey for the sub R300 range that I’ve had this year and has a nose like a hummingbird cake.”

Well; this interesting whiskey I needed to try. The whisky he was referring to was the Checkers Private Barrel Co No 108 Irish whiskey release.

This blog is no stranger to the Checkers Private Barrel Co releases. Both their named and unnamed releases. During 2018 they released the James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask Finish which was terrific. I have also tasted the Glen Grant 17 yo and the Glenlossie 15 yo whisky from their series.

But the real of the Private Barrel Co releases lies in their unnamed releases. Both Private Barrel Co No. 41 and Private Barrel Co no 68 whisky is excellent and very affordable. By not revealing the Distillery name, Private Barrel Co is able to sell the whisky at a fraction of the cost. The bottles do, however, have an age statement and full tasting notes.

The Private Barrel Co No 108 Irish whiskey is a 3 year old, aged in American Oak. It retails for R280 at Checkers, and I found a few at the Checkers store at the Mall of Africa.

Private Barrel Co No 108 3 year old Irish Whiskey Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Oak, fruity sweetness with hints of spice, honey and orange blossoms. The nose is delicate and fragrant and opens up more when you add a few drops of water.

PALATE: Smooth and sweet with notes of fruit, vanilla, oak and caramel. Freshly baked pancakes with cinnamon sugar mixed with nutmeg. Faint hints of milk chocolate and cereal. A bit of alcohol heat that smooths out with a few drops of water. The Private Barrel Co No 108 is smooth and creamy and very easy drinking.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of oak and nutmeg.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I think Checkers has done it again. A great tasting whiskey at a reasonable price. I was a bit scared that the young age would be visible on the taste profile with a few rough edges. However, the Private Barrel Co team knows how to choose the best barrels.

Grab it if you see it, you will not be disappointed. Only 7 200 bottles were released, and I am sure there are not too many left. Thank you for the recommendation Segan. A very delicious dram!

Also Read: How to make a whisky bottle lamp

Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/21/2019

In Single Malt whisky

It is the start of a new year. I start the new year by opening a new bottle of whisky. A bottle of whisky from one of my favourite distilleries. I have been saving this bottle for a special occasion, and this is a perfect time. The Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo single malt whisky was released during September 2018.

It is the third release in the Three Ships Masters Collection Series. First was the Three Ships 10 yo PX Cask Finish released during 2015. This was followed by the Three Ships Pinotage Cask Finish, which was my Whisky of the Year 2017.

And on the 19^th of September, Andy Watts released the much-awaited Three Ships 8 yo Oloroso Cask during an online event. The first 151 bottles sold within 15 minutes, that’s 10 bottles a minute, and at the end of the day, only a few bottles remained unsold.

Andy Watts chose this sherry cask from his secret cellar, which holds some exceptional casks. Here in the cool darkness, behind closed doors, he painstakingly nurtured this peated single malt. First, the whisky matured for 5 years in American Oak casks and then for another 3 years in Oloroso sherry casks.

Oloroso means ‘scented’ in Spanish and adds a nutty note to the whisky. The Oloroso Cask finish is the youngest of the Master’s Collection releases. Only 1 440 bottles released. I have bottle 980 of 1 440.

The Three Ships 8 yo Oloroso Cask Finish is not chill-filtered, natural colour with an impressive ABV of 51.8%.

Also Read: Auchentoshan Heartwood whisky

Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo Whisky Review

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 51.7%

COLOUR: Toasted amber

NOSE: Rich and sweet. Notes of oak and fruit come through first. Red fruits, berries and plums, followed by bits of dark chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon.

PALATE: Mellow peat with faint smoky oak balanced by hints of fruit and dark chocolate. The addition of a few drops of water softens the alcohol heat. The water brings forward a pepper spice heat next to the peat and adds a hazelnut note.

FINISH: A strong point. It builds beautifully to a deep lingering, chest filling crescendo. Peaty pepper with hints of dark chocolate

RATING: EXCELLENT

A fantastic range of whisky out of this beautiful distillery in Wellington. Fino Cask finish, PX cask finish, Pinotage cask and now Oloroso cask finish. All of them world-class! The depths that the Wellington distillery is capable of is a true testament to the wonderful skill and mastery of their Master Distiller.

I think the Three Ships 8 yo Oloroso cask with its peppery notes will work very well with a robust, creamy cheese and will be exploring this during the year.

I am not sure how many bottles of this remains in retail. If you spot a last lost bottle in a shop, then grab it. It is something Proudly South African you have to taste.

Also Read: Paul John Oloroso Select Cask Whisky

Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/26/2018

In Blended whisky

I can’t even remember where we got this bottle Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old blended Scotch whisky. It has been in my cupboard for ages. I think John picked it up in Dubai when he was travelling to India. It is such a beautiful bottle. The rectangle shape with the gold embossing and the XR raised in the glass.

Different than the regular square-shaped bottle A perfect bottle to use as a decanter when it is empty. John “Johnnie” Walker began selling whisky from his grocery shop in Ayrshire, Scotland.

After he died in 1857, Alexander Walker inherited the company. Alexander, with his son Alexander Walker II, began marketing Walker’s Old Highland. They introduced the now-iconic square bottle in 1860. This meant more bottles fitting the same space and fewer broken bottles.

In 1920, Alexander Walker II received a knighthood from King George V for his services to the nation. The Johnnie Walker XR whisky was created in honour of Sir Alexander Walker’s Knighthood. A special edition release, this Johnnie Walker XR whisky is a 21 year old expression, inspired by the handwritten blending notes of Sir Alexander Walker.

Sourced from the private reserves of the Master Blender, it includes casks from silent distilleries that are no longer in production. Diageo owns the Johnnie Walker brand. The bottle retails for around R 3 000, which is slightly more expensive than the Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky (R 2 200), but a lot cheaper than the King George V. The big questions is: Is it worth the price?

Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old Whisky Review

ABV: 40% ABV

COLOUR: Golden red tinges of polished copper fill the glass. Long oily fingers form.

NOSE: Sweet with honey, ripening summer fruit and flowers with highlights of vanilla. Hints of citrus peel, cinnamon and apples float around. Without water, the Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old nose promises a full-bodied, rich, smooth experience. Adding water softens the nose and releases more wood and spice notes.

PALATE: Rich and smooth. There are notes of cinnamon spice, maple syrup and oak. The Johnnie Walker XR 21 yo whisky intertwines citrus peel with cereal notes overlaying notes of ripe fruit and vanilla. Without water, it is delicious. Adding water softens the boldness of the whisky and brings more winter spice. But it takes away the complexity and richness.

FINISH: Medium length and end in notes of fruit and cinnamon spice. Water reduces the length of the finish.

RATING: EXCELLENT.

Don’t add water! The big question, however, was the Johnnie Walker 21 year old XR Scotch worth the price tag? It is a great whisky and a beautiful bottle, but I have tasted quite a few blended whiskies that are better and cheaper.

If anything, it is a unique bottle to have in my collection, and if you gift me a bottle, I would not complain. However, when this bottle is empty, would I buy it again? Probably not.

I have done a comparison between the Johnnie Walker Blue Label and the Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old to see if how they differ. You can read all about it in my Blue Label vs XR comparison post.

Related Article: Chivas Royal Salute 21 year old whisky

Great whisky gifts under R1000

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/05/2018

In Lifestyle

The second in my series on my Top whisky gift guide and I titled it ‘ Great Whisky gifts under R1000 to make you smile’. I am moving to a more accessible group, looking at whisky between R500 and R1000. In this category, you are spoilt for choice.

There are some fantastic releases in this price class that will not break the bank but will make for a very appreciated gift for the whisky lover in your life. Many of these releases come with gift packs during this time of the year, so it is a great time to shop.

Again, I am trying to find releases that I have tasted this last period and that have not previously made of my top 5 lists. There are many more. Just search the Excellent category on the blog, and you will find many many delicious drams. But these stood out for me in 2018. All in alphabetical order.

Also Read: Espresso Martini Cocktail

Whisky gifts under R1000

Ardbeg An Oa Whisky

It was with great fanfare that Ardbeg launched an extension to their core range – the Ardbeg An Oa single malt Scotch whisky. The first permanent expression to join the Ardbeg core range since Corryvreckan in 2009. I was rather sceptical. I am not always so crazy about the Ardbeg Day releases. But wow, this release was impressive.

The whisky is named after the Mull of Oa in the south-west of Islay. Maturation of Ardbeg An Oa took place in a combination of casks including PX, spicy charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon.

It has notes of peat, creamy honey, salted liquorice with hints of cough syrup. Bits of ash, sweet vanilla and cinnamon sugar, hints of chocolate and toasted oak. The Ardbeg An Oa has a big mouthfeel, and it’s smooth and velvety on the palate. Water softens the medicinal notes and adds more sweetness.

The Ardbeg An Oa Islay whisky is not the salty, TCP and strong tar pole notes of an Ardbeg Uigeadail, but a softer, more classic version of it. It retails for around R 800 at major retailers and is so worth it!

Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon Whiskey

This bourbon was my first Divine rated whiskey for 2018. The bottle is short and round with a unique stopper – easily recognizable. The Blanton’s Gold bourbon whiskey is bottled at a whopping 51.5% ABV, and it is part of the Sazerac Company and distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

What makes the Blanton’s bottle unique is the very collectable eight different stopper designs. The stoppers feature a figurine of a racehorse and jockey in eight different scenes of a horse race. From standing at the gate to crossing the finish line with a win.

The Blanton’s Gold is rich and creamy bursting with a complex mix of tastes. There are notes of toasted oak, fudge, cinnamon, chocolate-covered oranges, Sichuan pepper, hints of cherries, honey and vanilla.

Big and beautiful. It needs just a few drops to tone down the bit of alcohol burn and release more complexity. Blanton’s Gold Edition bourbon is bold and demands your attention. All of it!

Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo Whisky

I had to add this release to my ‘Whisky gifts under R1000’ list. The only whisky I have not tasted before. But Andy Watts is an absolute master at distilling and blending, and I love everything that comes from the James Sedgwick Distillery.

I am keeping this release for a special occasion and will publish my formal tasting notes probably early 2019. But you can rest assured, the Three Ships Oloroso Cask 8 yo is beautiful. And a gift worth giving.

A specially selected single malt was matured for 5 years in American Oak and then transferred to Oloroso Sherry casks for a further 3 years. It has notes of dried fruit, crunchy nuts, rich chocolate with red berries and cinnamon. I see that there are still a few bottles available at Norman Goodfellows and they retail for R 749.

Powers John’s Lane 12 yo Whiskey

In 1791 James Power, an innkeeper from Dublin, established a small distillery at his public house. The little distillery grew, and grew and ownership remained in the family until 1966.

Powers distillery was one of the first distilleries to install a Coffey still to allow for the production of grain whiskey. Through the ups and downs, the Powers brand continued.

Power John Lane Release returns to the origin of the Powers Irish whiskey and celebrates the style that made Powers so famous. The Powers John’s Lane Release is a combination of 12 year old single pot still whiskey aged in two different types of casks.

The majority is matured in bourbon casks and the remaining spirit in Oloroso sherry casks. First released in 2011, it was an instant hit. It won the ‘Irish Whiskey of the Year’ in the 2012 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

The Powers John’s Lane Release has notes of malt, rich autumn fruit dusted with cocoa, dark chocolate with hints of caramel and bits of toasted oak, nutmeg and sherry. Smooth and warming. Water softens the spices and brings more honey notes.

I can understand why Jim Murray gave this a 96.5 in the 2015 Whisky Bible. For a change, I agree with him. It is delicious. The Powers John’s Lane Release retails for around R900.

Wemyss The Hive Whisky

Last but not least, in my ‘Whisky gifts under R1000’ list, I have had a long love affair with Wemyss releases. Since the first time I tasted Wemyss in Dullstroom, I have been in love. Wemyss was not available in SA until about 2 years ago. But all this changed with Wemyss bringing a few of their standard releases into SA.

However, the core of the Wemyss blended malts is the three releases aptly named The Hive, The Spice King and The Peat Chimney. All bottled at 46% ABV.

The Hive was launched in 2011, and the release that is available in SA has no-age-statement (NAS). Wemyss The Hive focuses on sweet honey qualities with a few Speysider style notes at the core of this blend. It is a blend of at least 10 single malts.

Wemyss The Hive has lashings of floral honey sweetness, freshly baked apple pie malt and oak with bits of vanilla, ginger. Adding water makes it easier to drink and releases more of the honeycomb sweetness. Rich and delicious.

Not the most complex dram, but easy drinking and fun. Perfect for summer! Let it stand for a few minutes and add enough water. The Hive also pair wonderfully with fresh French pastry. It retails for around R 650 in SA.

There you have it. A fun selection of five great whiskies that will put a smile on your or your whisky lover partner’s face. Next week I will explore whisky under R1500 with which to spoil someone. Until then, Sláinte!

Also Read: Valentine’s Day Cocktails

Balblair 2003 Vintage Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/12/2018

In Single Malt whisky

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.

The Balblair distillery was founded in 1790 by John Ross. The distillery was in the Ross family for three generations, and the business was passed down from grandfather to father and son.

The opening of the railway near the distillery, it made shipping their whisky to England and the world more accessible for the Ross family. In 1895 the distillery moved even closer to the railway line and had a refurbishment where all the equipment was replaced by the latest technology.

However, the original water source, the Ault Dearg burn, that was used during the early years was deemed so significant that Balblair distillery still makes use of it. The distillery changed hands a few times and in 1996 Balblair Distillery was purchased by Inver House Distillers Limited.

Other distilleries owned by Inver House include the Speyburn, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney and the Balmenach Distillery, as well as the Hankey Bannister and Catto’s blended whisky brands, are part of their portfolio.

The Balblair 2003 single malt was distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2015. The release was matured in second fill bourbon casks. The price for the Balblair 2003 whisky is around R 650 in South Africa.

Also Read: Toor Whisky

Balblair 2003 Vintage Whisky Review

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Quite light golden amber

NOSE: Notes of freshly cut oak, vanilla, spring flowers, fruit sweetness and a bold maltiness with hints of honey and spices.

PALATE: Peppery spice and orange blossoms, fresh mint, oak with faint hints of caramel. The 2003 single malt is creamy and smooth. With water, there is more honey sweetness. Faint hints of chocolate cherries in the background.

FINISH: Spicy with a bit of pepper and oranges

RATING: EXCELLENT

A delicious dram. Not heavy or intense, but with enough character to make you sit up and take notice. This dram is the perfect pre-dinner drink. It has a bit of alcohol heat that water tones down, but be careful when adding water. You need to add only a few drops of water to soften the dram.

Balblair whisky is bottled in vintage-looking bottles that stand out in my collection. The bottles don’t have age statements but indicate the year that the spirits were distilled on the label.

Not too many of the older bottlings are still available in SA, but I notice that WhiskyBrother Shop still has a Balblair 1989 as well as some Balblair 2003 available.

The current bottling out at the Distillery is the Balblair 2005. During 2019 the distillery started releasing age statement whiskies starting with a 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: Dalmore Cigar Malt whisky