Tag: Rating: Very Good Page 19 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

My whisky this week is Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Edition 01 single malt Scotch whisky. The Bruichladdich distillery lies on a peninsula not far from Bowmore on the isle of Islay. The distillery produces mainly single malt Scotch whisky.

It is one of eight working distilleries on the island. The Harvey brothers, William, John and Robert, built Bruichladdich in 1881 on the shore of Loch Indaal.

At the time, the distillery was an advanced design, unlike Islay’s older distilleries, which had grown from old farm buildings. It was built from stone from the seashore and had a very efficient layout.

The uniquely tall and narrow-necked stills were chosen to produce a very pure and original spirit. This spirit style was seen as the opposite of the styles produced by the older distilleries. Bruichladdich changed owners various times, and the new owners mothballed the distillery in 1994.

Much of the equipment still in use on Bruichladdich is still the original Victorian equipment. The process is gravity fed, and no computers are used in production, apart from in the offices and to run a series of webcams.

A group of private investors bought the distillery in 2000. With some clever marketing and an excellent wood policy, they set out to make Bruichladdich a name to remember. Rémy Cointreau bought it in 2012.

Malt whisky produced at Bruichladdich distillery sells under three different brand names; Bruichladdich (unpeated), Port Charlotte (heavily peated) and Octomore (super-heavily peated). Octomore whisky is considered to be ‘the most heavily peated single malt whisky in the world’.

The Bruichladdich Classic Laddie is the foundation of the distillery’s core range. It has the classic flavours of Bruichladdich, distilled from unpeated barley. The distillers are calling this ‘the essential Bruichladdich’.

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Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Whisky Review

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie single malt has no age statement. It is non-chill-filtered and colour free.

REGION: Islay

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A light gold. It is a fairly thick whisky with slow fingers developing on the inside of the glass.

NOSE: Cereals, oak and vanilla. There are notes of fresh fruits and hints of florals. The Bruichladdich Laddie Classic does not have an overly complex nose.

PALATE: More fresh fruit, especially green apple mixed with notes of vanilla sweetness, barley and oak. There are hints of citrus and spice and more fresh-cut flowers.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of citrus, fruit and last hints of vanilla. It is a smooth whisky, but not very complex. However, the lack of complexity does make it a very easy drinking whisky.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Classic Laddie Scotch is a lovely drinkable whisky to have around. Best of all, it is affordable. It brightens up the whisky room with its turquoise colour and stands out between the ‘normal’ whisky bottles.

But I think it might be lonely and it needs the rest of its family to join it in our collection. So – 2 more names added to my whisky wish list. Have you tried this Bruichladdich Laddie Classic?

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Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/22/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am trying a whisky from the Scottish Highlands. A whisky that has won numerous awards and is a favourite of many people. I am looking a the Old Pulteney 21 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

In 1826, during a period in the Wick county town history known as the Great Herring boom, a small distillery was established right in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’.

This Old Pulteney Distillery was and still is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. This Highland distillery was quite inaccessible before they built roads. Barley was brought in by sea, and they shipped the whisky out the same way.

Many of the distillery workers were also employed as fishermen. Wick became known for the barrels of silver (herring) and gold (whisky), which left the port in huge numbers.

The distillery itself has a fascinating history, with its distinctive pot stills defying convention to this day. The wash still is an ongoing source of interest due to the absence of a ‘swan neck’.

Legend has it that it was too tall for the still house when the still was delivered, and the manager decided to cut the top off. The Old Pulteney bottle incorporates a bulbous neck to reflect the shape of the stills.

The distillery closed in 1930 due to declining trade after the local parish enforced prohibition laws. However, it was re-opened in 1951 when the parish abolished the law. The distillery bottle single malt whisky under Old Pulteney’s name, and there are both official and independent releases over the years.

Pulteney is part of the International Beverage Ltd company, whose whisky portfolio includes Hankey Bannister, Balblair, anCnoc, Catto’s and Speyburn whisky.

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Old Pulteney 21 year old Whisky Review

The Old Pulteney 21 year old whisky has been voted 2012 World Whisky of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. The Old Pulteney single malt has been matured in ex-Olorosso sherry cask as well as ex-bourbon casks. Non-chill-filtered and with natural colour.

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A golden amber with straw highlights. It is an oily whisky with slow fingers on the inside of the glass.

NOSE: The first impression of the nose brings sherry with cereals. There are notes of oak and florals. The nose is smooth and quite subtle. The sweetness from the bourbon casks comes through in notes of toffee and vanilla.

PALATE: When tasting the Old Pulteney without adding any water, it is fairly spicy. After adding a bit of water, the palate brings notes of oak, spice, cereals with hints of butterscotch. There are notes of fruit and malt cookies in the background.

FINISH: A medium length finish that ends in notes of spice, oak and fruit

RATING: VERY GOOD

Strangely the Old Pulteney reminded me a bit of the Highland Park 18 year old that I tasted. There are notes in the finish of both these whiskies that are very similar. Looking at a map of distilleries, I noticed that these two distilleries are quite close together.

As enthusiastic as many people are about this whisky, it will never be a favourite. I find the spice overwhelming and the light sweetness underwhelming. It feels to me like they just don’t fit. After 21 years in a barrel, it is not the most complex dram. With the endorsement of Jim Murry, I was expecting something more.

In terms of a whisky food pairing, Marc, owner of the WhiskyBrother shop in Hyde Park (and my favourite whisky shop in South Africa), suggest that you try the Old Pulteney 21 year old whisky with a whole quail. Now that sounds interesting!

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The Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/09/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Today I taste one of John’s favourites, the Macallan 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Macallan has managed to position their whisky in the premium whisky category. It has not been without controversy, especially around their antique collection.

The Macallan holds the Guinness world record for the most expensive whisky ever sold at auction. However, if there is one thing that I have learnt during our tasting sessions over the years, expensive whisky does not necessarily equate to great whisky.

Some of the best whiskies in my collection are in the more affordable range. Examples such as Ballantine’s Finest, The Black Grouse and South Africa’s very own Bain’s whisky comfortably stand alongside more expensive releases.

I have enjoyed some of the more affordable whiskies of late, and it is time for a change. Let’s take something a bit more expensive out of the box. The Macallan 12 year old Sherry Cask is not the most expensive whisky, but it carries a significant premium over many other 12 yo whiskies.

This particular expression has since been discontinued, so I am keen to try it. The Macallan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Craigellachie, Moray. The River Spey, one of Scotland’s most famous rivers, borders the estate to the south and southeast.

Even though Macallan is located right in the middle of the Speyside region, it’s not labelled as such. Under the Scotch Whisky Regulations, the “Speyside” designation can only be used by distilleries in certain wards in the traditional Speyside region. The Macallan falls into the Scottish Highlands.

The Macallan Distillers Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Edrington Group that purchased the brand from Highland Distillers in 1999.

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Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: It has spent lots of time exclusively maturing in Jerez Sherry Oak casks, which probably explains the very dark colour. The colour is almost red gold, and it is easily one of the darker whiskies in my collection.

NOSE: The immediate Sherry sweetness that you would expect from a whisky aged in a Sherry cask. There are fresh fruits and some flowers on the nose. The sweetness has little hints of vanilla in the background. It is not a very complex nose. Adding a drop or two of water opens this Macallan 12 year old and brings more fresh fruit and flowers.

PALATE: It is quite a smooth whisky, and the first tasting brings spices. This is followed by raisins, oak and red fruit sweetness. It leaves a spicy taste on the palette. There are notes of marmalade and dried fruits. Again, this Macallan 12 year old is not very complex, but it is an easy-drinking whisky.

FINISH: The whisky is quite warming with a medium finish. The Macallan finishes in notes of condensed milk and spice, particularly ginger and hints of black pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It is a nice whisky to add to a collection, but other 12 year old whiskies may prove better value for money. In some ways, it is a perplexing whisky. I suspect that in time it grows on you. The Whisky Bible scores this Macallan 12 year old whisky at 93 and calls it almost flawless.

I did not rate it as highly, but it’s by no means a bad whisky. I just find it a bit bland. Other Macallan releases I have tasted include the Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old and I liked it a lot more.

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Millstone 8 yo French Oak Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/14/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Finding international single malt whiskies is always great, but more so when the whisky is from a country with wich I have a special relationship with. One of these special finds is from the Netherlands. I am from a Dutch background, and when I saw this Millstone 8 yo French Oak single malt whisky, I had to get it.

Millstone whisky is handcrafted in a traditional distillery owned and operated by the Zuidam family. Zuidam Distillers was started back in 1975 by Fred van Zuidam.

He built a small whisky distillery of 300 square meters with one small copper still and one small production line. To keep in the best of Dutch tradition, windmills are used to mill the malted barley. It helps in preserving the world-famous heritage of windmills that dot the Dutch countryside.

This tradition does not only help in preserving the windmills but, due to the slow milling speed, keep the grain temperature stable and helps keep the wonderful aroma’s.

After a careful double distillation process, the whisky is aged in small barrels. Zuidam uses new barrels of American white oak as well as barrels that have previously held bourbon and Olorosso Sherry.

Zuidam Distillers still creates its products in the traditional artisan way. All ingredients are 100% natural. Ingredients are carefully selected and processed into products that they can be proud of.

The distillery has no less than 600 different product lines, including many liqueurs and gins. All recipes are designed by father Fred and son Patrick van Zuidam.

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Millstone 8 yo French Oak Whisky Review

I first tried the Millstone 8 yo during 2013. It is packaged in a black wooden box with the distillery name in gold. I have bottle no 202 from Cask number 355 bottled during June 2009.

COUNTRY: The Netherlands

ABV: 40%.

COLOUR: The Millstone 8 yo is a beautiful light golden colour.

NOSE: Woody spices with subtle hints of fresh flowers. The Millstone 8 yo has a very light and delicate nose. There are hints of cinnamon, cloves and pepper.

PALATE: After adding a drop or 2 of water, the palate brings subtle aromas of spice, oak, ginger and barley. There are notes of nutmeg and pepper and a biscuit sweetness in the background. Also, hints of raisins and fresh fruit.

FINISH: Medium length and not very complex. Hints of salt, spice and fresh fruit intermingle in the finish.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It is a light fragrant whisky perfect for a late evening drink. Not too heavy and complex but with enough spice and oak. A wonderful whisky for an 8 yo.

I will be on the lookout for more of these Millstone whiskies for my collection. I have also tried the Millstone 8 yo French Oak with different cheeses. Both the Gouda with Cumin pairing and the Mature Gouda pairing worked wonderfully with this Dutch whisky.

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Private Barrel Co. Glen Grant 17 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/12/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Checkers recently bottled a Glen Grant 17 year old whisky under their Private Barrel Co. label. Glen Grant is a Speyside Single Malt distillery located in the small town of Rothes – not far from the Glenrothes distillery.

John and James Grant, two former illegal distillers, founded Glen Grant in 1840. All the essential ingredients of malt whisky were close at hand; the sea and port of Garmouth, the River Spey and barley-growing plains all within easy reach for a new distillery.

By 1872, the founders of Glen Grant Distillery had died. Young James ‘The Major’ Grant, born in 1847, had always taken a keen interest in the distillery. After inheriting the business from his uncle John Grant, he proved himself a worthy successor.

According to accounts, James Grant was a legendary innovator and traveller. New ideas fascinated James Grant, and he wasn’t afraid to explore them. He was the first man in the Highlands to own a car. Glen Grant was the first distillery to have electric light.

He also introduced the tall, slender stills and purifiers, which created the fresh malty flavour. James Grant passed away in 1931. He was survived by his three daughters and a distillery that had become one of the most famous in the world.

Douglas MacKessack, his grandson, became his successor. In 2006, Campari acquired Glen Grant. The Glen Grant distillery is one of the top-selling malt whiskies in parts of the world.

Checkers launched their Private Barrel Co. Label of single malt whiskies in 2013. There are three other bottlings in the Checkers Private Barrel Co collection, including a Mortlach and a Glenburgie.

Only 464 bottles of the Glen Grant 17 year old whisky has been released. It is the most mature of the current Private Barrel Co. range, and I managed to get bottle number 170 of 464.

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Glen Grant 17 year old Whisky Review

The Glen Grant 17 year old single malt Scotch whisky is finished in a Sherry Cask (cask no. 97265).

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: A copper tinted gold.

NOSE: When nosing, the sherry cask is immediately noticeable. The sherry comes through at once and is very pronounced. Then some fresh fruit emerges, especially when you add a bit of water. There are notes of greengage, mild spice and butterscotch. Not have a very complex nose.

PALATE: Fresh fruit and butterscotch. It is a very spicy whisky with lots of pepper, ginger and nutmeg. There is some sweetness of the sherry cask in the background, but the spice dominates the taste.

FINISH: This Glen Grant 17 year old finishes in spice and liquorice. The finish is rather short but nicely warming.

RATING: VERY GOOD

For a 17 year old whisky, this is not a very complex whisky. However, it is an easy-drinking dram. Surprisingly the sherry does not come through as much in the palate as it does in the nose.

An interesting bottle to have in my collection. I am looking forward to trying some of the other expressions in the Checkers Private Barrel Co collection. There are a few more to choose from. I have also tasted the Private Barrel Co. No.41 whisky and the Private Barrel Co No 68, both of which are amazing drams. Earlier this year, I tried this Glen Grant 17 yo with various cheeses to find a good whisky cheese pairing. The Glen Grant works very nicely with young, mild cheddar cheese.

The Private Barrel Co released a James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo Fino Cask as well as a Private Barrel Co No 108 Irish Whiskey during 2018, and you can read all about it.

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