Tag: Rating: Very Good Page 4 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. You can see more about it HERE.

Glen Grant 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/16/2022

In Single Malt whisky

The last time I wrote about a Glen Grant whisky was in 2019 when I looked at the 12 year old Non Chill-Filtered. I need to rectify this oversight, as it is a whisky distillery that I like. So today, I look at the Glen Grant 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

The first time I tasted this whisky was at a Whisky Show many years ago when my good friend Bernard Gutman poured me a tot. The Major’s Release is on my top 5 affordable drams list, and the 12 year old non-chill-filtered is perfection. The Glen Grant stand is always on my whisky show must-visit list.

Glen Grant was founded in 1840 in Rothes, Speyside, by brothers John and James Grant. After the founding brothers died, James ‘The Major” Grant inherited the distillery, and he had a keen interest in whisky-making.

Also Read: The Top 5 Blends under R500

The Major was known as a renowned innovator and traveller, and he enjoyed trying many new ideas. He was the first man in the Highlands to own a car. Glen Grant was the first distillery to have electric lights. Chivas Brothers Ltd owned the distillery in the past. But in 2005 it was bought by the Italian company Campari Group.

The core range includes a 12 year old and an 18 year old, and there are quite a few independent bottlings available such as the Checkers Private Barrel Co Glen Grant 17 year old release.

It is a well-known brand all around the globe and is readily available in SA. The Glen Grant 10 year old single malt whisky is aged in bourbon casks. Glen Grant launched the revised bottle design in mid-2016. In SA, it retails for around R510.

Glen Grant 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden Yellow

NOSE: Elegant with notes of ripe pear, honey and vanilla. Bits of spearmint and fresh coriander with malt.

PALATE: Medium body and soft with sun ripe pear and apple and malt. Notes of vanilla, honey and oak spices. Adding water brings a gentle smokiness and lemon pepper to the front. Not very complex.

FINISH: Medium length with toffee cinnamon and oak.

RATING: VERY GOOD

A drinkable summer Scotch. The Glen Grant 10 year is not a bad dram, and I think it is an affordable introduction to Speyside single malt whisky for beginners. It is drinkable, but I miss the bolder, more complex fruity notes from the 12 year old. Even the Major’s Release has more depth and character.

It does, however, showcase the fruity characteristics of Speyside drams. It is readily available in South AFrica and in the affordable category. The Glen Grant 10 year old retail for around R 550 at WhiskyBrother& Co.

Also Read: Balvenie Doublewood 17 year old Whisky

Dimple Pinch 15 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/21/2022

In Blended whisky

It is no secret that my dad loved whisky, especially blended whiskey. My mom always bought him a Chivas 12 year old whisky for his birthday. But for special celebrations and anniversaries, she purchased his favourite favourite, the Dimple Pinch 15 year old blended Scotch whisky.

The distinctive triangular bottle with pinched (dimpled) sides and the gold thread netting has been around since 1893. During the late 19th-century, demand for blended Scotch whisky expanded in all directions. John Haig founded the Haig distillery in 1824.

Also read: Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Whisky

Today it is known as Cameronbridge. In 1830, it became the first distillery to produce grain whisky using the column still method. He experimented and mixed different kinds of whisky, creating the Dimple Scotch whisky recipe we know today.

According to some research, Dimple contains a higher than normal malt proportion, including liquid from Glenkinchie and Linkwood distillery. Precisely what this means remains undisclosed.

In the US, it is known as Dimple Pinch, and in the rest of the world, it is simply Dimple whisky.

Today it is owned by Diageo. Other releases under the Haig brand include the Haig Gold Label whisky and Haig Club, associated with David Beckham. Haig Club is a grain whisky sourced from the Cameronbridge distillery.

Dimple Pinch 15 year old Scotch Whisky Review

Dimple Pinch blended Scotch whisky consists of over thirty malt and grain whiskies.

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light amber

NOSE: Elegant and soft with notes of fruit, malt and honey. Not the most complex nose. Bits of green and pear mixed with lemon. No defined spicy notes on the nose. Light woody notes in the background.

PALATE: Notes of malt and fruit. It has a medium body with oak, banana, pear and honey. The Dimple has a few rough edges that need a few drops of water to mellow. The green notes from the nose come through, and it has a mild pepper bite. Easy drinking summer whisky. Not too complex.

FINISH: Short ending on notes of oak, honey and pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

My dad loved his Dimple whisky and only poured a glass on special occasions. Remember, that was the 80’s in South Africa, so the whisky variety was minimal. It is not a bad whisky, but I found it a bit forgettable. It starts delicate but gets better on sip 2 or 3. More flavour comes to the front after a few drops of water.

Perhaps I am spoilt, having enjoyed some big and bold drams lately. This light body dram is probably perfect for summer and will work well for introducing a newbie to whisky. The packaging is impressive and stands out. In South Africa, Dimple whisky costs around R600. Not a bad price for a 15 year old blended whisky.

Also Read: Ballantine’s 17 yo Scapa Whisky

Three Ships Virgin Oak Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/04/2021

In Single Malt whisky

It is no secret that I love what comes out of the James Sedgwick distillery. Three Ships single cask and limited editions sell out quickly. The Master’s Collection usually disappears within hours. When Pick n Pay brought out the Three Ships Virgin Oak Cask single malt whisky, I immediately picked up a bottle.

But with alcohol bans and everything going on, I have not captured my tasting notes yet; And it is time.

After many years of asking, in June 2018, the first independent bottled Three Ships was released when Checkers bottled the Private Barrel Co. James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky. It was the first South African whisky to join the exclusive Private Barrel Co. collection of whiskies.

The James Sedgwick Distillery 6 yo whisky is a lightly peated whisky that spent its first 3 years in older American Oak, followed by 3 years in a seasoned Fino Cask. It was bottled at a very respectable 54.6% ABV, and I rated it Excellent.

Also Read: Santis Malt Alpstein Edition Whisky

That Boutique-y Whisky Company quickly followed with a Three Ships 6 yo whisky. This 6 yo was matured in American oak and finished in PX casks. Only 1 150 bottles were produced. The artwork on the label depicts Master Distiller Andy Watts filling a Three Ships whisky cask with whisky. It was bottled at 53.7% ABV, and I rated it Very Good.

WhiskyBrother and Co have also collaborated with Three Ships, and their latest release was a 9 yo single casks that were bottled in 2020. These independently bottled releases are extremely popular and sell out quickly.

Now Pick n Pay also jumped on the bandwagon and released a Virgin Oak Cask single malt botting. This specific single malt was hand-selected by Andy Watts, Master Distiller.

Three Ships Virgin Oak Whisky Review

It is non-chill-filtered, natural in colour, and matured in virgin American oak. It was exclusively bottled for Pick n Pay and limited to 2 480 bottles.

ABV: 48.6%

COUNTRY: South Africa

COLOUR: Rich amber

NOSE: Sweet oak spices, vanilla, subtle smoke and fresh pine needles. Unusual and inviting with a nearly tropical fruitiness in the background.

PALATE: Toasted oak, smoky black tea with pepper and nutmeg. It is quite oily, and there are hints of toffee. Bits of fruity sweetness with bread pudding and apricot jam. White pepper, subtle smoke and cinnamon apples. A few drops of water brings the pepper spices to the front but dampens the complexity.

FINISH: Medium length and warming with pepper vanilla and a maltiness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

As usual, the whisky coming from the James Sedwick distillery in Cape Town is world-class. The releases are unusual and complex, with bold flavours. For me personally, the Virgin Oak Cask is a bit too spicy. My palate prefers a sweeter dram and gravitates more towards the Bain’s whisky releases.

John enjoyed this release more as his palate is not quite as sweet. I think this release will work wonderfully with a robust, creamy cheese such as an aged cheddar or something similar.

Also Read: A visit to Chamarel Rum Distillery

Glenglassaugh Torfa Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/27/2021

In Single Malt whisky

My third blog post on the Glenglassaugh distillery from the Scottish Highlands. For some reason, I have not liked any whisky from this distillery. Both the Glenglassaugh Revival and the Evolution release I rated as Good. Today I try to finish the last of my mini bottle from this Highland distillery, and it is time for the Glenglassaugh Torfa single malt Scotch whisky.

I found the Revival RELEASE drying on the palate, and the Evolution Scotch overly spicy. Both of these had an amazing nose that was rich and complex, with a promise of fruity sweetness. But on tasting them, I was left disappointed. I have to say, I am opening this mini bottle with a bit of trepidation.

The Glenglassaugh distillery sits on a hillside, on the Moray Firth coast overlooking the North Sea. James Moir and two of his nephews established the distillery in 1875. He chose the site due to its proximity to a clean water supply, the Glassaugh Springs and easy access to the nearby barley fields.

It changed hands a few times but continued to produce whisky. However, during the economic downturn of 1986, this small remote distillery stopped production. It was mothballed and all but forgotten.

In 2008, the Dutch-based Scaent Group acquired the distillery for £5 million and reopened it. In 2013 Billy Walker and the BenRiach Whisky Company purchased it. BenRiach is a subsidiary of the Brown-Forman Corporation.

Glenglassaugh Torfa single malt Scotch was released in 2014 and refer to the Old Norse word for turf or peat. It has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels and peated to 20 ppm.

Torfa has no age statement and has a natural colour, and is non-chill-filtered. In SA, it retails for around R670.

Also Read: Mackmyra Svensk Rok Whisky

Glenglassaugh Torfa Whisky Review

REGION: Highland

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Yellow gold.

NOSE: Rich earthy peat, smoke and custard sweetness in equal measures. Hints of cold ocean breeze and warming pepper spices. Wood smoke and a gentle fruit note in the background; just a lovely nose.

PALATE: Warming earthy peat, drying ash and smoke. It has quite an alcohol bite. Letting it breathe for a while allows a mellow, fruity note to appear with hints of sour cherries. Earthy moss with hints of sea salt and honey drizzled over red apples. Light pepper and ginger notes with a medium body.

However, adding a few drops of water changes the Torfa. The water brings out more pepper spice and lemon peel bitterness and mutes the complexity. After the water, it has the same overwhelming pepper notes that I found in Revival and Evolution whisky releases.

FINISH: Medium length that, before water, lingers with peat and honey and hints of liquorice. After adding some water, it is all lemon pepper and pectin.

RATING: VERY GOOD

This Glenglassaugh Torfa whisky poses a predicament. If you let it stand long enough for the worst of the alcohol to float away, it is elegant and drinkable without water. The moment you add the water, the spicy notes overwhelm everything else, and you are left with bitter pectin, which is not ideal.

This one would be my favourite of the three releases, but I would hesitate to buy more bottles from this distillery. Just like Dalmore and Highland Park, the distillery flavour profile just does not suit my tastes. If you like more spicy drams, this will be perfect.

However, I would rather spend some time with Brown Forman’s other Scottish Highland whisky, Glendronach, which has a much sweeter taste profile.

Also Read: Millstone 8 yo French Oak Whisky

Famous Grouse Smoky Black Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/31/2021

In Blended whisky

Today I look at a smoky budget blend; the Famous Grouse Smoky Black blended Scotch whisky. I have tasted my way through some of the top-selling budget blends this year. The Bell’s whisky was not too bad and brought back lots of childhood memories.

However, the Black and White whisky was too sweet. A characteristic of these budget blends is the very high grain percentage that leaves the dram (quite frequently) overly sweet and overwhelms many (if any) of the more peaty notes.

I was looking for a budget blend with a more peaty profile and then realized that I have not tasted or captures my tasting notes for the Famous Grouse Smoky Black whisky yet.

Famous Grouse launched The Smoky Black towards the end of 2015 to replace the Black Grouse whisky. According to some Internet research, the recipe of the Smoky Black is the same as Black Grouse whisky. It is described as a “smoky yet sweet whisky.”

The Famous Grouse blend is one of the top-selling brands globally, and as with many blends, it was conceived by a grocer and drinks merchant named Matthew Gloag. The Famous Grouse blend comprises whisky from various distilleries, including Macallan, Glenrothes and Highland Park.

Other releases in the Famous Grouse portfolio include the Naked Grouse and Famous Grouse Bourbon cask whisky. The Smoky Black is a NAS release and retails for around R 290. It is readily available in SA.

I loved the Black Grouse blended Scotch whisky and found it the perfect bottle to pair with Indian food and use in marinade for lamb. Will I love the Smoky Black Scotch just as much?

Also Read: Whisky and Pizza

The Famous Grouse Smoky Black Whisky Review

ABV:43%

COLOUR: A dark golden amber

NOSE: Hints of alcohol that first needs to evaporate. Sweetness with bits of smoke, cherries and lots of vanilla. Fresh pine needles and dry wood. Light peat and spices.

PALATE: Medium body with drying oak, peat and dried fruit. Pepper and cloves with smoke and grainy sweetness. Quite a bit of alcohol heat that needs a few drops of water to soften. It has the green Highland type of peat notes and not the fishy Islay kind of peat. Water tones down the heat but also washes out the peat. It becomes fairly sweet with water.

FINISH: Short with notes of bitter pectin, caramel and drying oak.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I love the new branding/packaging on this release. The bottle looks more premium when compared to the Black Grouse. However, looking at the liquid in the glass, it needs to breathe a bit for the alcohol to waft off.

Comparing it to my tasting notes for the Black Grouse, I am not convinced that the recipe stayed the same. Take into account, my last bottle of Black Grouse is long gone, and I am just comparing by memory, but I can’t remember the Black Grouse having so much alcohol heat with the grainy sweetness and very light peat.

My notes for the Black Grouse included peat and smoke followed by ginger and pepper notes, a woodiness in the palate with notes of oak and rich chocolate sweetness. I found none of that decadent chocolate sweetness with the Smoky Grouse, more of a caramel and cherry type sweetness.

The Smoky Grouse is not a bad whisky and will work nicely in a cocktail, but I am not sure that I will repurchase this bottle.

Also Read: William Lawson’s Whisky