Tag: Rating: Very Good Page 17 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

Elijah Craig 12 year old Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/17/2015

In Bourbon whiskey

Today I review an age statement bourbon, the Elijah Craig 12 year old Kentucky Straight bourbon whisky. In around 1789, Reverend Craig founded a distillery in Virginia. Not long after establishing the distillery, the Baptist minister and distiller suffered a fire, which damaged many of his barrels.

The story goes that the Reverend, being too stingy to replace them, filled the burnt barrels with whiskey regardless. Later he noticed that the whiskey from the burnt barrels tasted better than whisky from uncharred barrels. He has ever since, rightly or wrongly, been credited as the “Father of bourbon whiskey”.

Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc was founded in Bardstown, Kentucky in 1934, not long after Prohibition was abolished. Named for William HeavenHill, the company was established by a group of investors.

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Heaven Hill is the seventh-largest distributor of bourbon in the US, and their massive storage facilities hold 750,000 barrels of maturing whiskey. They not only deal in bourbon whiskey but also gin, vodka and Canadian whisky among others. The company remain independently owned.

In 1986, Heaven Hill launched a 12 year old small batch bourbon, named Elijah Craig in honour of the so-called ‘Father of bourbon’. Elijah Craig whiskey is produced in both 12 year old Small Batch and 18 year old Single Barrel bottlings.

Elijah Craig 12 year old Bourbon

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 47%

COLOUR: Dark red polished copper

NOSE: Quite spicy with bold notes of toasted oak spice, pepper, toffee, Christmas pudding and cinnamon baked apples. After adding a bit of water, the nose has more floral notes, hints of jasmin flowers and fewer spices.

PALATE: On the palate, this Elijah Craig is a bit different from the other bourbons we have tried this year. It is spicier with touches of pepper and nutmeg. There are notes of citrus peel, candy apple and warm oak. It is a medium-bodied bourbon. Water softens the spicy notes and smooths the citrus. The Elijah Craig 12 year old becomes sweeter with a few drops of water added.

FINISH: Without water, the finish is smooth and lingering and end in spice and bits of lemon. With water, the finish is sweeter and bring hints of flowers mixed with the spice.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I was expecting quite a lot from this 12 year old bourbon. It certainly is different, with the spicy notes, to some of the other bourbons I tried this year.

Does it offer a challenge to the younger Knob Creek bourbon or Woodford Reserve at the top of my favourites list? Not quite. Not a bad bourbon whiskey for my collection, but it will not become one of my favourites. Have you tried this Elijah Craig bourbon?

I paired this bourbon with some KFC to see how it would work. See which bourbon paired best with the fried chicken. This is a great whiskey for pairing with aged cheddar cheese.

I have also done a side by side comparison between this 12 year old and the Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon. It is incredible how different they are, coming from the same company.

Also Read: Four Roses bourbon

The Singleton Tailfire Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/11/2015

In Single Malt whisky

A while ago, a friend mentioned that her favourite dram is a Singleton. For some unknown reason, neither John nor me have ever tried whisky from the Dufftown Distillery. So, when Singleton released their new The Singleton Tailfire single malt Scotch whisky expression, it was a great opportunity to try this brand.

The Dufftown distillery is located in the small Speyside town of the same name. The Dufftown distillery was not originally built as a malt whisky distillery. Wine merchant Peter Mackenzie and friends converted it from an old Mill to a Distillery in 1895 /6.

Related Article: Whisky and Gouda Cheese

Today it is owned by Diageo. The majority of the malt whisky produced at the Dufftown Distillery is used for blended whiskies – particularly Bell’s and Johnnie Walker. Singleton Tailfire is one of two NAS single malt Scotch whiskies released in 2015 as part of the Singleton of Dufftown range. The other being Singleton Sunray.

Singleton Tailfire is aged in a combination of European and American oak casks. The names draw inspiration from the brand’s logo of a leaping salmon – Sunray and Tailfire are artificial fly used in salmon fishing.

Other releases in the Singleton range include a Singleton 12 year old as well as a 15 year old single malt whisky.

The Singleton Tailfire Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: It is a dark bronze colour with hints of red glistening in the glass.

NOSE: Sweet and spicy with caramel, candied fruit, cherries and marzipan. There are notes of vanilla and fruity Christmas cake.

PALATE: Without water, the palate is spicy and has a bit of a pepper spice bite. There are hints of chocolate cherries as well. Water smooths out the Singleton Tailfire. It lessens the spicy bite and brings forth notes of vanilla oak and wood. The bold fruitiness promised by the nose has softened. Malt and fruits of the forest notes flirt around the background.

FINISH: Big and bold with lots of spice, wood, cherries and bitter lemon. This is a very drinkable dram.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Singleton Tailfire whisky does not cause a tailspin, however, it is a good whisky for someone trying out whisky for the first time. Another good point is that it is also affordable.

The Singleton website suggests you pair this Tailfire with a panacotta with red fruits, Brie and dark cocoa chocolate. With all the spicy notes in this whisky, I am guessing it will also pair well with cheese. Something I will test in future.

I have also tried the Singleton 15 year old whisky. See my thoughts on this interesting Dufftown release.

Also Read: Ardbeg Wee Beastie Whisky

Highland Park 1997 Vintage Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/29/2015

In Single Malt whisky

Today I try the Highland Park 1997 Vintage single malt Scotch whisky. Highland Park distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery founded in Kirkwall, Orkney. Sweeping plains of barley fields and rocky outcrops dot the landscape around Highland Park.

It is the most northerly whisky distillery in Scotland, about a kilometre further north-east than that Scapa distillery. Highland Park was founded in 1798 and officially licensed in 1826.

The name Highland Park does not refer to ‘The Highland’ area of Scotland. It refers to the point that the distillery was founded on an area called ‘High Park’ distinguished from a lower area nearby.

The distillery draws its water from the mineral-rich springs to the east of the distillery and the Crantit Spring. Highland Park is one of the few distilleries to malt its own barley, using locally cut peat from the Hobbister Moor.

The peat is then mixed with heather before used as fuel. Highland Park is also one of the ingredients of The Famous Grouse blend. The Highland Park distillery is part of the Edrington portfolio.

The Highland Park 1997 Vintage whisky expression was bottled exclusively for the duty-free market and is released in 1-litre bottles. Distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2009, makes this a 12 year old but the bottling does not have a specific age statement.

Based on some research, this 1997 Highland Park single malt spent some time in both American oak and Sherry casks as well as some bourbon casks.

Related Article: Tomintoul 16 yo whisky

Highland Park 1997 Vintage Whisky Review

REGION: Islands

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Amber or dark gold. It is very dark in the bottle but redder in the glass. It is quite an oily whisky.

NOSE: Offers sweetness mixed with spices. There are hints of citrus, cloves and cinnamon. Some butter and toffee float around. This Highland Park 1997 whisky has a great nose, and it promises a creamy mouthful.

PALATE: A bit of let down after the promise of the nose. We looked at each other and wondered where the flavour disappeared to? It has a medium body with hints of oak, marmalade, and citrus peel. In the background, there are bits of smoke and peat mixed with custard.

FINISH: Short and ends quite abruptly in notes of wet leather and oranges.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It is a smooth whisky that promises much, but doesn’t quite deliver what I expected. I keep on hoping to find a Highland Park that I would love. So many people love this distillery. For some reason, every time I try it, I am disappointed.

I tried the Highland Park 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky but was not blown away. What Highland Park release do you recommend I try next?

Also Read: Chivas Regal Extra whisky

Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/11/2015

In Blended whisky

This week’s whisky is a blend again, and this week I chose the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 year old blended Scotch whisky. I have rated various Johnnie Walker releases, and you can read my thoughts on the Johnnie Walker King George V, Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky and the Johnnie Walker Explorers Club Gold here.

The Johnnie Walker Platinum Label whisky was the first new ‘colour’ to be released in many years, and it was initially introduced only into the travel retail. This release was brought out to replace the iconic Johnnie Walker Gold Label whisky and fits in next to the Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

With a mix of malts around 18 years old, it is Diageo’s competing product in the 18 year old single malt market.

John “Johnnie” began by selling whisky from a grocery shop in Ayrshire, Scotland. John Walker’s grandsons, Alexander Walker II and George Walker, established the colour-based naming system. Johnnie Walker Red Label launched in 1909. The colour based system extended from there.

The Johnnie Walker Platinum Label combines a limited number of single malt and grain whiskies, each matured for a minimum of 18 years. According to Diageo, this release is blended in the elegant sweet Speyside style.

Related Article: Chivas Regal 12 yo whisky

Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 year old Whisky Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: A bright golden colour It forms medium length tears on the glass.

NOSE: Toffee sweetness, brandy-soaked fruits with hints of orange and smoke. There are notes of fresh-cut flowers and butterscotch. Traces of vanilla and caramel intermingle in the background. Adding water brings out more oiliness in the Platinum.

PALATE: Medium-body whisky. There are mild spice and hints of oak on the palate. Little peaty hints in the background. It is a sweet and easy-drinking whisky. The Platinum Label has bits of florals, malt, cinnamon and oranges intermingling with smoke. It is not the most complex whisky.

FINISH: Medium length and ends in notes of orange and spice.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Platinum Label is an easy-drinking whisky with notes of spice, wood and sweetness. This release does not quite have the bold character it would need to compete against some well known 18 year old single malts. But it is readily available and offers consistent quality. What did you think of the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 year old whisky?

I have done a side by side comparison between the Platinum Label and the Johnnie Walker Gold Label blended. Both 18 year old releases, but how do they compare?

Also Read: Tomatin 12 yo Whisky

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/16/2015

In Bourbon whiskey

Time for a bourbon again; well, some kind of bourbon anyway. This week I try the Devil’s Cut Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey from Jim Beam. Jim Beam is a brand of bourbon whiskey produced in Clermont, Kentucky, by Beam Suntory.

The name “Jim Beam” is in honour of James B. Beam, who rebuilt the business after Prohibition ended. Launched in 2011, Devil’s Cut bourbon comes with a long story. According to the Jim Beam website: “As bourbon ages, a portion of the liquid is lost from the barrel due to evaporation—that’s the “Angel’s Share.”

After ageing, when the bourbon is poured out of the barrel, a certain amount of whiskey is left trapped within the wood of every barrel.” Jim Beam calls that the “Devil’s Cut.” According to Jim Beam, to create Devil’s Cut bourbon, they developed a proprietary process that extracts the whiskey trapped inside the wood after emptying.

Jim Beam claims they can extract some of this “lost” liquid by filling the emptied casks with water and spinning them at high-speed. The water containing a large amount of this ‘devil’s cut’ is then used to cut down the traditional 6 yo Jim Beam bourbon.

I am not so sure if the theory behind it all adds up, but it is certainly a clever way of selling more of their 6 yo whiskey. For me, however, the only important thing that matters is how does it taste.

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Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Dark copper in colour. It is quite an oily whiskey.

NOSE: It has a typical bourbon sweet nose. The sweetness intermingles with hints of oak, warm spice, caramel and condensed milk. There are notes of toffee and fresh doughnuts hiding in the background.

PALATE: Not as sweet as we expected it to be. Notes of wood and spice are enhanced when you add a dash of water. The Jim Beam Devil’s Cut has a medium body and is very smooth. There are hints of vanilla sweetness in the background. Not a very complex bourbon.

FINISH: Builds slowly. There are notes of spice and wood, and it ends in caramel and burnt nuts.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It should make a good addition to bourbon-based cocktails. Not sure if I will rebuy this Jim Beam release though, I find it a bit gimmicky.

I have also tried the Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon, and you can see what I thought about it if you follow the link.

Also Read: Top 5 Single Malt under R750