Tag: Rating: Very Good Page 13 of 21

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky I rated Very Good. When the dram is enjoyable and memorable, and we don’t mind having another glass later in the week. This is bottles I might use for cocktails and the occasional afternoon sipper. Rating: Very Good

Boplaas Single Grain Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/07/2017

In Grain Whisky

Every month, WhiskyBrother & Co publish their top 5 sellers for the month. It is always interesting to see the old favourites (Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and Glendronach) share space with newcomers. The June the list had an exciting surprise. A South African whisky aged in Brandy Casks – Boplaas single grain whisky.

Obviously, after Ardbeg Day at the end of May, it was expected that the Ardbeg Kelpie would make an appearance. However, number 2 on the list was unusual.

Also Read: Helden Hickory Wood Single Malt Spirit

I saw the Boplaas whisky a while ago on social media and managed to grab a bottle. It is great to see that this local release is getting more exposure. I was rather intrigued by this SA release and did some more research on Boplaas.

The Boplaas Family Vineyards in Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo is known for crafting and distilling pot still brandy, port and wines. The brandy distillery dates back to 1880, with the first order of brandy sent to Cape Town harbour for export to London.

In the early 1920s, the distilling license was repealed, and the pot still stood dormant for nearly 70 years. However, it was fired up again in 1989, and in 1994, Boplaas released the very first estate brandy – the Boplaas 5 yo potstill estate brandy.

The Boplaas brandy, ports and wine have won numerous prizes around the world. I have also seen a Boplaas gin but is yet to get my hands on this one.

Boplaas Single Grain Whisky Review

The Boplaas Whisky is a blended cask-aged grain whisky.It is made from maize, and distilled to an alcohol content of 93% and then diluted with distilled water to 68% strength. The ageing takes place in American oak barrels for between 54 and 60 months. The spirit is then finished in Boplaas brandy barrels for a short time. The Boplaas single grain whisky is bottled unfiltered.

COUNTRY: South Africa.

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden amber

NOSE: Brandy and sweet fruits. Bits of vanilla. Let it breathe for a bit to allow some of the alcohol notes to disappear.

PALATE: Brandy, sweet fruit, cinnamon and bits of orange peel. Hits of wood. Medium body. Not too complex. Water smoothes out the alcohol bite but releases more of the sweetness.

FINISH: Brandy and spices

RATING: VERY GOOD

There is no age statement on the Boplaas, and it drinks more than a 3 yo than a 5 yo. It is not the most complex of whiskies, with mainly brandy fruitiness. After my experience with the Schoonspruit, I opened this bottle with reluctance. It is not a Bain’s Grain whisky, but it has potential. It is better than the Wild Reeds and a few of the well known Scottish releases I have tried over the years.

I shared it with a few whisky loving friends, and they all agreed. It has definite potential and was better than expected. Have you tried this South African release?

Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/24/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at a bottle I opened for to celebrate a special event; the Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky. One of the best things for me about whisky is the opportunity to open it celebrate something special.

You create memories when you open a bottle to celebrate a special occasion. Months later, when you open up that bottle again, you are immediately reminded you of what you have achieved and celebrated.

I found this quote in Patrick Lindsay,’ book ‘It’s Never Too Late’. He says “Every new friend is a new adventure… …the start of more memories.” Such an apt quote. Especially for the adventure that is whisky and making memories.

And when you have an interesting bottle like the Balvenie Triple Cask 16 yo whisky to open and share, you know it will be a great adventure.

My child always says, “sharing is caring”. Mostly when I have some chocolate in my hand, but she is right. Sharing is caring, especially with whisky. After John’s trip to Dubai (the 3rd one this year), it was great to sit down and open this bottle of Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old whisky.

We have been saving it for a while and was looking forward to something special. It was the perfect bottle to open after a busy week.

I have covered the Balvenie history plenty in some of my other blog posts, starting with the Balvenie Doublewood. It is one of my favourite distilleries, and I love The Balvenie Roasted Malt and The Balvenie Peated Cask release. The Balvenie Triple Cask range include a 12 year old and a 25 year old whisky.

The Balvenie Triple Cask 16 yo whisky is created by combining Balvenie whisky that has matured in the three most traditional types of cask – first-fill bourbon, refill bourbon and sherry – in a large wooden marrying tun before bottling.

Also Read: Aberlour A’bunadh whisky

The Balvenie Triple Cask 16 year old Whisky

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Light golden amber.

NOSE: Lots of toasted oak spices, chocolate covered dried pineapple, fresh banana and vanilla sweetness. All beautifully blended together to make a rich and complex nose. In the background, hints of dried grass, fruity sweetness and nuts.

PALATE: The first sip brings cinnamon and pepper spice. More than what I expected based on the nose. The second sip brings sun-dried pears, oak woodiness but very little of the sweetness that I expected based on the nose.

Faint hints of malt, honey and vanilla. The Balvenie Triple Cask 16 is oily with a medium body. The addition of water smoothes out the dram but increases the pepper bite. Not what I was expecting after the rich, complex nose.

FINISH: Medium length finish with notes of pepper, bits of citrus peel and tobacco.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I had hight hopes for this 16 year old single malt whisky. It is one of my favourite distilleries, and I have quite a few Balvenie’s in my collection. The best part of this Balvenie Triple Cask whisky is the nose. It is rich and complex and promises much pleasure.

However, the palate does not live up to the expectations and for a 16 year old disappointed me a little. Perhaps this release will grow on me if I try it again in a couple of months. It does keep on reminding me of an amazing achievement, the reason why I opened this bottle in the first place.

Also Read: Mackinlay’s The Enduring Spirit Whisky

Amrut Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/12/2017

In Single Malt whisky

Today I look at a whisky from India, the Amrut Indian single malt whisky. Thirty-five years ago, most whiskies came from Scotland. The sacred place where whisky is distilled and aged as part of a nearly religious experience.

Chivas and Dimple were premium blends that epitomized everything Scottish and masculine. It was a man’s drink in a man’s world. Ronald Reagan was president, and the Cold War was a reality.

It was the time of the Falkland War, the launch of MTV and Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spenser. Chernobyl exploded, and the Simpsons were created.

A busy time in history. On a side note: I read about the 80’s history, and it reminds me of the uncertainty that we are currently facing. Bombings, terrorist attack and political instability characterized most of the 1980s.

Fast forward to today. The Cold War is over, MTV is still around, Chernobyl is still radioactive, and the Simpsons are on season 28. Bart has not aged much. Chivas and Dimple have stood the test of time. But there was a significant change – whisky is not only from Scotland any more.

Now great quality whisky is made all over the world from my local favourite Three Ships whisky in Wellington South Africa to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Taiwan.

Most of Europe has whisky distilleries that release quite decent bottlings regularly. Some whisky releases from Japan cost an arm, and a leg and India has surprised everyone with some award-winning releases from their Amrut distillery.

India is one of my favourite counties to travel in. The mix of colours and spices, the rich history and vast nature is a combination that you don’t get anywhere in the world. I loved the Amrut Fusion and the Amrut Two Continents. I have written about the Bangalore based distillery history extensively in these posts.

Also Read: Signature whisky

Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky Review

I have a bottle from Batch No 23, October 2010.

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Golden Yellow

NOSE: Spices, bits of wood with fruity notes.There are notes of sweet candy floss, malt and ripened plum with vanilla. It’s a dram that needs to breathe a bit to let some of the alcohol blow off.

PALATE: Loads of wood and spice. Faints hints of dried citrus peel and dried cranberries. It has a spicy black pepper bite with cloves and a bit of fruity dried apricot sweetness. It is quite oily and has an alcohol burn if you don’t add a bit of water to smooth the Amrut single malt out.

FINISH: Spicy with a dried citrus peel.

RATING: VERY GOOD

An enjoyable dram, but not my favourite from the Amrut range. It does not have the same complexity and richness that a Fusion or a Two Continents have. Karen paired the Amrut single malt with some coffee and cardamom flavoured chocolate. Thank you for joining me on this cold Friday afternoon, Karen. It was lots of fun to share this exciting world whisky with you.

Lately, it seems like when I try an Amrut, I end up sharing it with a friend. I had my good friend Zee visiting when I tried the Amrut Intermediate Sherry and this Amrut single malt whisky I shared with Karen. Whisky is really made for sharing.

Also Read: Tamdhu 10 yo whisky

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/08/2017

In Irish Whiskey

When friends meet up for a drink, great things tend to happen. I know! When I meet up with my friends for drinks, we solve a world full of problems in an evening. Other friends met up for a drink during a ski holiday, and Mackmyra was created. The same is true for the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition whiskey.

In 2013, two long-time friends met for drinks at a local pub in County Cork, Ireland. The friends were Dave Quinn, Master of Whiskey Science at Jameson distillery and Shane Long, Head Brewer at local Irish micro-brewery Franciscan Well. Dave shared the Jameson proprietary oak whiskey barrels from the Midleton Distillery with Shane, who created a unique Irish stout aged in Jameson barrels.

Afterwards, the casks were returned to Midleton distillery where they were subsequently used to give a stout finish to Jameson whiskey.

Jameson is a blended Irish whiskey produced by the Irish Distillers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. The original distillery on this site was called the Bow Street Distillery and was established in 1780 by the Steins.

John Jameson was a Scottish lawyer from Alloa in Clackmannanshire and became the first General Manager for Bow Street Distillery. In 1805, with his son, took full ownership and expanded the distillery. The distillery was officially renamed to John Jameson & Son’s Bow Street Distillery in 1810.

In 1966 Jameson merged with Cork Distillers and John Powers to form the Irish Distillers Group. With the opening of a New Midleton distillery outside Cork in 1976, both the Dublin whiskey distilleries of Jameson in Bow Street and John’s Lane closed down.<

The old Jameson distillery in Bow Street near Smithfield in Dublin now serves as a museum that offers tours and tastings.

Also Read: Teeling Single Grain Whiskey

Jameson CaskMates Stout Edition Whiskey Review

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is the standard triple-distilled Jameson Original finished in stout seasoned barrels.

COUNTRY: Ireland

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich dark copper colour with amber hints.

NOSE: Faints hints of coffee and dark chocolate, notes of oak, fruity sweetness, toffee and malt. The nose is subtle and sweet.

PALATE: Smooth and crisp. There are notes of spicy black pepper, bits of hops and oak. Water smoothes out the spicy pepper and releases more sweetness. Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition whiskey has a medium body.

FINISH: Ends in notes of sweetness balanced with dried orange.

RATING: VERY GOOD<

Not the most complex of whiskeys. I spent some time working at a distillery and was expecting a bit more of that malty, toasted barley taste with a bit more fullness on the palate. Still, it is an exciting dram due to the Stout Cask finish. Certainly a lot more exciting than the standard Jameson release. The Jameson Caskmates pairs very nicely with a meaty pizza.

What started as a discussion over a pint or 2 and some experimentation, ended up in an enjoyable dram. At a retail price of around R380 in South Africa, this is certainly affordable. Even more delicious than the Caskmates release is the Jameson Select Reserve whiskey. I wrote about my experience tasting it and it is probablay my favourite Jameson’s to date.

Also Read: Tullamore DEW vs Jameson Irish Whiskey Comparison

Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/24/2017

In Single Malt whisky

April and the time around Easter is an indulgent chocolate month. Chocolate bunnies, eggs, even chocolate chickens can be found in most of the shops. Echocolate everywhere. I keep on finding lost (hidden) chocolate eggs in strange places. I am not complaining.

With all the chocolate around, it is nearly a requirement to eat chocolate. I realised that with all the chocolate around the house, I have not blogged about my favourite chocolate whisky – The Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange single malt Scotch whisky.

I tasted Wemyss Malts for the first time at Wild About Whisky in Dullstroom and was smitten. Since then, my Wemyss Malt collection has grown substantially. I picked up this 2013 release on one of my trips out of the country. Wemyss Malts single casks are not available in SA (yet).

Also Read: English Whisky Co Chapter 6 Whisky

This past year some of the blends such as The Hive have become available in selected shops. I have however managed to get my hands on a few releases and have written a few times about Wemyss Malts. My favourite is the Wemyss Malt Brandy Casket.

Wemyss Dark Chocolate Orange is a single malt Glenlivet bottling. Distilled in 1977 and bottled in 2013, this 36 yo was aged in Hogshead and was one of only 149 bottles. As with all their single cask releases, the Wemyss tasting panel names the bottle based on the whisky’s individual taste and aroma.

After 36 years of the Angels taking their share, only 149 bottles were released. I wonder how many of the 149 bottles remain?

Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange Whisky Review

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Orange marmalade, oak and cocoa powder.

PALATE: Fresh orange slices dusted with cocoa powder. Faint hints of cloves and mint. In the background, there is more citrus and malty richness. You can feel the 46% alcohol on your palate, and it needs a bit of water to smooth the sharp edges.

Water releases a little more sweetness in the Dark Chocolate Orange. It is a medium-bodied whisky with plenty of spice.

FINISH: The finish end in notes of citrus and spice.

RATING: VERY GOOD

This whisky is perfectly named. It is the whisky equivalent of dark chocolate covered orange slices. That is what I love about Wemyss Malts – how perfectly they name their releases. However, as much as I love chocolate and this whisky, it is not the most complex of whiskies.

After more than 35 years in a cask at Glenlivet, I was hoping for something with a bit more depth and a few more nuances.

Still, the Wemyss Malts Dark Chocolate Orange is the great dram to enjoy in April – don’t you agree? I have tried various Wemyss releases including the Wemyss Malts Sweet Mint Infusion, Wemyss Gooseberry Marmalade and the Wemyss Velvet Fig blended whisky.

And I see that a few of the blended malts are now available in South Africa and I have tasted Wemyss The Hive and loved it.

Also Read: Tomintoul 16 yo Whisky