Tag: Rating: Excellent Page 28 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

Something different today, in honour of World Whisky Day I try the Checkers Private Barrel Co No 68 single malt Scotch whisky. Founded in 2012 and celebrated on the third Saturday in May, World Whisky Day is a global event to celebrate all that is whisky or whiskey.

An opportunity to bring people together and to share a glass of your favourite dram. This year Checkers invited a group of whisky lovers around the country to participate in a special Twitter tasting. An event to celebrate the friendship that whisky creates.

Anel Grobler, the editor of DrinksFeed, ran the Twitter tasting and we had the opportunity to taste four whiskies from the Checkers Private Barrel Co. I have written about the Private Barrel Co whisky before. The team behind Private Barrel company source unique limited single barrel whisky and bottle it under the Private Barrel Co label.

The aim is to offer the whisky lover something unique, different and above all, affordable. Private Barrel Co sources single casks from distillers that would not typically bottle a single cask or distilleries not well known in South Africa. The team look for finishes and releases that are out of the ordinary.

The Twitter Tasting

During the Twitter tasting we got to taste:

The Glenlossie 15 yo single malt with its palate of pineapple, subtle spice and honey;
The Glen Grant 17 yo that I have written about;
The latest addition to the Private Barrel Co. is a 10 yo Glen Scotia from the award-winning Campbeltown distillery of the year and matured in first-fill American oak casks. The Glen Scotia 10 yo has notes of pineapple and lemon zest along with hints of orange marmalade, sliced apple with honey and vanilla syrup on the palate.
The Private Barrel Co No 68 and it stood out. A 12 yo single malt Scotch whisky matured in American oak bourbon casks. I have written about the Private Barrel Co. No 41 single malt before and that release quickly made it into my Top 5 affordable Single Malts. After tasting this No 68 Scotch and seeing the price, I had to go out and get a bottle.

Also Read: Balvenie Triple Cask 16 yo Whisky

Checkers Private Barrel Co No 68 Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Polished copper with red hints

NOSE: Initially, the Private Barrel Co No 68 has the classic sweet vanilla notes of bourbon and toasted oak. This is followed by faint winter spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper balanced with fudge and toffee sweetness.

PALATE: Smooth and spicy. On second sip hints of oak appear with some brandied fruit sweetness and berries. Bits of Christmas pudding, wet wood and vanilla. This release is quite spicy, but it is a warming cinnamon, and nutmeg winter spice taste, more than a pepper spice.

The addition of water transforms this dram – removing some the spice and releasing the sweetness. The Private Barrel Co No 68 has a medium body. <

FINISH: Medium length ending in vanilla and hints of lemon.

RATING: EXCELLENT

For the price range, this Private Barrel Co No 68 is excellent quality! A great addition to the Private Barrel Co. Range This release is widely available and will make it onto my Top 5 affordable Single Malts for 2017.

I was not the only one who loved it. It also paired very well with an aged cheddar as well as an oxtail. It is drinkable and warming and perfect for winter.

The Private Barrel Co released a James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask during 2018, and you can read all about it too.

Also Read: Galloway Single Grain Whisky

Tamdhu 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/05/2017

In Single Malt whisky

The first thing that drew me to the Tamdhu 10 year old was the bottle shape. In between all the similar shaped whisky bottles, the beautiful Tamdhu bottles stood out. The old fashioned bevelled bottle reflects the light like a crystal.

Regardless of the taste, I wanted the bottle for the shape. Then I went to read up about this Speyside distillery, and I just had to taste the Tamdhu 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

In 1896, a group of investors founded the Tamdhu Distillery and a year later it was bought by Highland Distillers. Highland Distillers today is a subsidiary of Edrington Group who own Highland Park, the Macallan and Famous Grouse whisky.

Located in the Scottish Speyside town of Knockando in Banffshire, Scotland, Tamdhu means “little dark hill” in Gaelic.

The Tamdhu distillery was mothballed in 2009 and subsequently sold to Ian MacLeod Distillers in June 2011. The new owners fired up the stills soon afterwards and started producing single malt again.

Today Tamdhu uses sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. The casks are shipped whole to Speyside to ensure none of the flavours is lost. The newly filled casks are matured on the banks of the River Spey.

The Tamdhu 10 year old whisky is the signature malt and the first release by the new owners. The whisky is matured exclusively in sherry casks.

Also Read: Glengoyne 17 year old whisky

Tamdhu 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Polished copper, both in the bottle and in the glass. There is a lovely warm reddish glow to the spirit.

NOSE: Sweetness of ripe berries fruits, mixed with some butterscotch and vanilla. Hints of raisins and spicy oak.

PALATE: Sweet fruitiness balanced with notes of cinnamon, black pepper and cardamom with hints of dried citrus peel. The addition of water adds more smoothness to the Tamdhu 10 year old and bring the flavours together in a more luxurious and a more sophisticated way.

FINISH: A bit short. It ends in notes of citrus en pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is probably one of the more citrusy whiskies I have tasted. The citrus is nicely balance with spices and a fruity sweetness. An elegant and luxurious dram.

At the end of 2016, I paired this Tamdhu 10 year old Scotch with some a Tamdhu 10 yo whisky finish to make it MILES long. I have also tried the Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001, and it is a huge mouth full.

Also Read: Benromach 10 yo whisky

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/27/2017

In Single Malt whisky

This week I am tasting the Kavalan King Car Conductor single malt whisky from Taiwan. Back in 2009, when I started collecting whisky, it was only possible to find whiskies from the more traditional whisky-making countries like Ireland, USA and Canada.

But in 2011, on one of John’s regular international trips, he suddenly stumbled across a bottle of Finnish whisky and then a bottle of Taiwanese whisky. Suddenly the flood gates opened.

There was an explosion of world whisky. It might have been that the trip opened our eyes to something that has been there all along. Regardless of the reason, I started noticing world whiskies more frequently, and my collection changed to incorporate more world whisky.

To date, I have tasted whiskies from 23 different countries. But one of the first non-traditional countries I managed to get a bottle from, was Kavalan from Taiwan.

I got my hands on a Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask Strength whisky, and it blew my minds. It is probably one our my and John’s favourite whiskies of all times.

Since then, I have tasted quite a few more Kavalans. It is always one of the first stands I visit at the Whisky Show. The whisky names from the King Car distillery are all inspired by the orchestra. There is the Kavalan Solist Range of different cask finishes, the Kavalan Podium, Kavalan Concertmaster and this King Car Conductor.

Situated in Yuanshan, at the cross-boundary of the Yi-Lan mountains, the King Car distillery has been creating Taiwanese whisky since 2008. The King Car company is not new to beverages. They have been producing food and beverage since 1979. However, the distillery was only started in 2005.

The whisky is made in the Scottish whisky tradition with two copper stills imported from Scotland. However, Taiwan is a very different climate from Scotland, and the whisky matures quicker in the cask.< The angel’s share is also considerably higher, at 10% compared to around 2% in Scotland.

The Conductor expression is the first to carry the name of the King Car Group instead of Kavalan. The King Car Conductor whisky was commissioned by Mr Lee to be the top offering in the permanent range.

Also Read: Macallan 10 yo Whisky

Kavalan King Car Conductor Whisky Review

King Car Conductor single malt whisky used eight additional cask types and a higher proportion of ex-Sherry casks compared to the standard single malt. The brief was to make the flavour the fullest and most rounded possible. The King Car Conductor whisky is non-chill filtered.

COUNTRY: Taiwan

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Vivid amber

NOSE: Rich and complex with notes of vanilla, ripe oranges, sweet apricots and lightly toasted oak. There are faint hints of marshmallow balanced with wood spice. After breathing a bit, there are hints of fruit jam and toffee.

PALATE: Warming and sweet with honey, vanilla, oak, fruity notes, and malt. It is complex and smooth. There is a slight alcohol bite. Hints of cinnamon and cloves warm you up from the inside, and after adding a bit of water, the alcohol softens, and more sweetness appears together with some citrus and coconut notes. Adding a bit of water opens up this dram and allow all the complexities to come out.

FINISH: This dram has the perfect finish and balances sweet honey and vanilla with the pepper spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

For a moment, I was concerned that a whisky using eight different casks is going to be a riot of unbalanced flavours. But the notes work in perfect harmony to create a beautiful symphony. This Kavalan release is a delicious dram. Not so complicated that it demands all your attention, but soothing like beautiful background music that allows you to relax.

Previously I paired the King Car Conductor whisky with some dark chocolate liqueur soaked cherries. The combination of dark chocolate and cherries made the coconut notes stand out much more, and it was a delicious pairing.

Also Read: Ardbeg Dark Cove whisky

BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/20/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am looking at something peaty from Speyside: The BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Whiskies from Speyside are among Scotland’s lightest, sweetest single malts.

Situated around the river Spey, Speyside is one of the most densely populated whisky areas in the world. Over 30 distilleries are located in the region.

The lack of peat or coastal air has allowed the Speyside region to create a broad style of whiskies that are lighter, honeyed and refined. Some have heavy sherries influences, but there is an undercurrent of rich malts with toffee and honeyed flavours, paired with nuts and fruity notes.

Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part to play in Speyside drams. Now and again, an expression comes along that veers off the designated path, like this BenRiach Curiositas 10 yo peated single malt whisky.

Also Read: Glenlivet 15 yo whisky

BenRiach distillery is a single malt distillery near Elgin in Speyside and as of June 2016 owned by Brown-Forman. BenRiach Distillery was established by John Duff in 1898.

There were various changes in ownership until in 2004 when the distillery along with several thousand casks was acquired by an independent consortium, the BenRiach Distillery Company Limited.

Other distilleries within this grouping include the Glendronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries.

The new owners wasted no time, and they resumed production and soon released a 12 year old, 16 year old and 20 year old expression.

They also redesigned the logo and the packaging of the bottles. Since these releases, there has been a steady stream of standard and exotic finishes released. Some of the casks that the BenRiach Company got as part of the 2004 sale included batches of more peated malt whisky. The BenRiach Curiositas contains some of this peated whisky.

BenRiach Curiositas 10 year old Whisky Review

Curiositas is a 10 year old, heavily peated release, peated to an estimated 55 ppm based on some research. More peated than the heavily peated Port Charlotte release from Bruichladdich that I tasted a few weeks ago.

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Light straw nearly a light golden yellow with hints of green.

NOSE: Earthy peat, heady smoke, plump fruit, honey sweetness, caramelized toffee mixed with vanilla. Faint hints of oak and malt.

PALATE: Peat, ash, honey sweetness mixed with vanilla, peppery spice and oak. The Curiositas is big and bold. Rich and satisfying, the peat does not have the same medicinal, seaside notes that some of the Islay drams have.

It is earthy and rich, nicely balanced with honey and fruity sweetness. Water brings more of the well known Speyside character and softens the peat. More fruity sweetness appears.

FINISH: Long with notes of pepper, nutmeg, oak and sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What an unexpectedly intriguing dram! All that earthy peat balanced very nicely with the fruity sweetness. I preferred it without water, to preserve the more peaty side of the dram. The Benriach Curiositas is not the most complex whisky but delicious and warming.

Heavy peat from Speyside? I was wondering if I should compare to similar-aged Islay drams? The Ardbeg 10 year old perhaps full of maritime flavours? Then I realized, no, I should judge it all on its own merits, just for what it is – a peaty Speyside whisky.

The fundamental question should always remain: Do I want another glass? Yes, please!

Also Read: Balvenie Doublewood 17 yo whisky

Oban Distillers Edition Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/13/2017

In Single Malt whisky

A short distance from the sea, right in the heart of the town of Oban, sits the Oban Distillery. Oban is part of the Diageo stable, and the Oban 14 yo is part of the Diageo Classic Malt Series. It is one of Diageo’s smaller distilleries and uses water from Loch Glenn a’Bhearraidh. But today I am tasting the Oban Distillers Edition single malt Scotch whisky.

Established in 1794 by two brothers on the site of an old brewery, Oban town grew around the distillery and today, Oban is one of the last few surviving urban distilleries.

A Highland Distillery, the Oban range of official bottlings available include a 14 yo, an 18 yo and the NAS Oban Little Bay release. The Oban Distillers Edition bottling completes the foursome. This single malt Distiller’s Edition whisky is finished in a Montilla Fino sherry cask before bottling.

Montilla Fino is a sherry-like, dry fortified wine, matured near the coast of Spain. The coastal character of the wine perfectly enhances the seaside character found in the Oban whisky, at the same time, adding some complexity.

I received this Oban Distillers Edition as a gift from a friend visiting from India. I was not particularly impressed with the Oban 14 yo whisky. As much as I love the sea, the bitter lemon and old wood character of the 14 yo was underwhelming.

I have been hesitant to try the Oban Distillers Edition. But the bottle has been staring at me, begging to be tasted, so I decided that today is the day. Lets’ see if this Oban release can change my mind about the Oban distillery. The fact that it was aged in Montilla Fino might add that interesting sweeter note, that I like in a whisky.

Also Read: Glenkinchie 1986 Distillers Edition

Oban Distillers Edition Whisky Review

Distilled in 1999 and bottled in 2014.

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark golden colour with hints of polished teak.

NOSE: Sherry, rich dark fruit, raisin fruit cake, hints of nutmeg, marzipan sweetness balanced with bits of vanilla and butterscotch. Bit of an alcohol smell and letting the Distiller’s Edition breath for a few minutes helped to soften the alcohol notes.

PALATE: Smoky hints with oak, cream and pepper spice. A bit of water softens the alcohol burn and makes it a bit sweeter. It is easy-drinking, clean and uncomplicated. Not as sweet as the nose suggested, but creamy and delicious. Subtle notes of vanilla and bits of salt.

FINISH: Without water, the finish is long and spicy. With some water, the alcohol is softened, but the finish becomes medium length with notes of oak.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a surprise! This Oban Distillers Edition single malt whisky was like a breath of fresh air. That cooling sea breeze that blows down the coast on a hot day filled with salty notes. I am glad that I have a 1L bottle, as we will be pouring this dram quite often. It might even motivate me to try more from the distillery.

Another reason for choosing this dram on Friday the 10th is International Scotch Day. It is an initiative launched by Diageo, where the company opened all of its Scottish distillery visitor centres free of charge, as well as the Diageo Archive to the public for the first time.

Also Read: Jura 10 yo Origin whisky