Tag: Rating: Very Good Page 9 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

Today I have the opportunity to try the Milk & Honey Classic single malt whisky. What an exciting opportunity, the chance to try whisky from a new country; Israel. This country is certainly not known for whisky distilling.

Plans for a whisky distillery began in 2012 after a group of entrepreneurs decided to establish the first whisky distillery in Tel Aviv.

The Milk & Honey distillery was Israel’s first urban single malt whisky distillery and began operating in 2014 in the south of Tel Aviv. The distillery’s first products reached the shelves during the first quarter of 2016.

The climate in Israel is certainly as far removed from cold and wet Scotland as possible. Similar to India or indeed South Africa, the hot, humid climate speeds up maturation.

Also Read: Signature whisky

The entrepreneurs hired the late Dr Jim Swan, one of the world’s most accomplished master distillers and an expert in hot climate distillation and maturation, as an advisor. Dr Swan assisted with the recipe and all kinds of specifications to make sure the production was optimal for warm weather.

Other releases from this Israel based distillery include the Elements Red Wine Cask, Elements Peated and the Elements Sherry Cask. They also produce gin, namely the Levantine gin and oak-aged gin and even a young malt aged in pomegranate wine casks.

It is matured in ex-bourbon and red-wine STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) casks. The Milk & Honey Classic is unpeated, non-chill-filtered with natural colour. It is now available in SA and retails for around R 790. I see that Whisky Brother and Bottega Whiskey club has some bottles available. Milk & Honey Classic single malt is certified kosher.

Milk & Honey Classic Single Malt Whisky

COUNTRY:Israel

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Rich gold

NOSE: Caramel sweetness, dry oak with hints of vanilla and toffee. An amazingly bold nose for such a young release. I love the creamy caramel sweetness. The Classic has a unique nose.

PALATE: Dry wood with vanilla and pepper and faint hints of green grass. After the sweet nose, I was expecting a sweeter taste, but the sweetness only comes through after adding a bit of water. Medium body and quite oily. Bit of alcohol heat.

FINISH: Medium body with oak and soft black pepper.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Not the most complex release, but easy drinking and distinctive. The best feature is the nose. It is warming with creamy caramel; I could smell my glass the whole evening.

This Classic edition is one of those releases that leaves a clear picture in my head; eating cream caramel toffees while hiking through an old forest. I enjoyed it, and I am happy that I have a big bottle in my collection to enjoy this again.

I tried the Classic and a few of the Element releases as part of an online tasting event hosted by WhiskyBrother and Universal Beverages, the importer of Milk & Honey to South Africa. We had the opportunity to listen to the team at the Tel Aviv distillery.

We even had a virtual walkabout in the Tel Aviv distillery. The attention to detail and quality from this distillery shines through in the whisky, and I will extend my collection with more when they become available in South Africa.

Also Read: Ballantine’s Finest vs Teacher’s whisky

The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/20/2020

In Blended whisky

The Famous Grouse whisky is a blended Scotch whisky brand, first produced by Matthew Gloag & Son. Owned and produced by The Edrington Group, this famous blend is made up of various well-known distilleries. Most notably whisky from The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Highland Park.

Furthermore, 65% of the spirit content is grain whisky. I have tried the Black Grouse, their peaty expression, and loved it. I found that the Black Grouse also pairs well with Indian food. It is also the perfect smoky addition to marinade for lamb to give lamb that extra earthy flavour.

Matthew Gloag purchased whiskies from various distilleries around Scotland. According to legend, his focus was always firmly fixed on creating the best quality whisky, not on profit. It was 1860 when his son, William Gloag assumed control of the company and started blending whisky.

In 1896, Matthew’s grandson, also named Matthew, created The Grouse Brand blend, which due to its popularity, was renamed “The Famous Grouse” in 1905. The brand’s emblem is the Red Grouse, Scotland’s national game bird.

The company sold to Highland Distillers in 1979, and the marketing and distributive power of the new company saw Famous Grouse become the highest selling Scotch in Scotland. The company founded The Famous Grouse Experience at the Glenturret distillery. The experience is as much a museum for whisky distillation as it is about the Grouse brand.

Related Article: Milk & Honey Elements Sherry whisky

The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR The whisky has a beautiful vibrant golden glow. It is quite an oily whisky, both in the glass and on the palate.

NOSE: On the nose, there are hints of sweetness with faint notes of dark chocolate, cherries, and candied fruit. Sherry notes grace the bouquet, and the addition of water accentuates the oak and introduces more floral elements.

PALATE: Without water, the Famous Grouse Scotch whisky palate has some honey, oak and some gentle spice. When you add water, there are bits of sweet butter shortbread and rich malt mixed with spices and floral notes. It is a medium-bodied whisky. It is very smooth and easy-drinking, and I can understand why this is so “Famous”.

FINISH: The finish is of medium length, concluding with subtle notes of oak and sweetness.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Famous Grouse whisky boasts consistency, smoothness, and sweetness, making it a classic choice. Moreover, it’s an excellent addition to cocktails and appeals to a wide range of palates, ensuring it won’t disappoint anyone.

However, it’s worth noting that the Famous Grouse lacks that standout “WOW” factor that some enthusiasts seek. After experiencing the Black Grouse, known for its character and charm, one might expect a bit more personality from this renowned blend.

Nevertheless, the Famous Grouse Scotch whisky is affordable, with a retail price of around R 250 in South Africa.

In addition to the Black Grouse, there is also the Naked Grouse, which offers yet another dimension to the Famous Grouse lineup.

In 2015, Edrington revamped the Black Grouse and reintroduced it as the Famous Grouse Smoky Black, further expanding the portfolio and ensuring a Grouse expression for every whisky aficionado.

I have also managed to taste the Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask blended whisky and captured my tasting notes for this affordable release as well. To better understand the nuances of this blend, I have done a side by side comparison between the Famous Grouse and the Dewar’s White Label whisky.

Related Article: Grant’s Sherry Cask whisky

Ledaig 10 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/29/2020

In Single Malt whisky

During 2019, at one of the whisky festivals, I tasted a Ledaig whisky for the first time. At the beginning of 2020, I tasted another Ledaig release and again loved it. I thought that both these special bottlings from Ledaig were impressive.

A friend brought me a mini of the Ledaig 10 year old single malt Scotchwhisky from London. So I am very excited to see what this distillery is all about. The Tobermory distillery, a whisky distillery situated on the Hebridean island of Mull, produces Ledaig whisky. It is the only distillery on Mull Island.

The distillery was first known as Ledaig and was founded in 1798 by John Sinclair. It is located at the foot of a steep hill, at the head of the bay. The water for the distillery comes from the Mishnish lochs.

Ledaig distillery had periods of significant expansion followed by periods of closure with various changes in ownership and name changes. Ledaig translates to a safe haven in Celtic and pronounced “lea-chick”.

Burn Stewart Distillers, a subsidiary of the Distell Group Limited currently own the distillery and brand. The main product, Tobermory single malt, is used in the Scottish Leader blended whisky as well as in Black Bottle whisky. The distillery also produces a smaller amount of heavily peated whisky, which is known under the former name, Ledaig.

The Ledaig portfolio consists of just two permanent expressions, the Ledaig 10 year old and an 18 year old. Various single cask releases are also available. I have tasted the Single And Single Ledaig 13 year old and That Boutiquey Whisky Company Ledaig 18 year old.

The Ledaig 10 year old single malt is aged in ex-bourbon casks and has a peat level of 35 ppm. It is non-chill filtered with natural colour.

Also Read: Glenfarclas 17 year old Whisky

Ledaig 10 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Scottish Islands

ABV: 46.3%

COLOUR: Bright gold

NOSE: Gentle peat with soft fruity sweetness. Hints of barley and malt with briny moss. Quite light and well-balanced.

PALATE: Light peat, ash and wet green moss. Earthy notes with spices. Something in the background that reminds me of cough lozenges. Without water, the pepper and chilli overwhelm the peat a bit. Some alcohol heat. The sweetness promised by the nose only comes out when you add a few drops of water. Medium-bodied. Water softened the ash and promoted the peat.

FINISH: Medium length with sweet peat and pepper.

RATING:VERY GOOD

I loved the other releases that I tasted from this island distillery. This release is the start of the core range and gives a fascinating insight into the distillery style. The peat is soft and mild with more island brine notes and less Islay medicinal notes.

A great dram to introduce someone to peat. The Ledaig 10 year old whisky is not the most complex of drams but with a few drops of water it is easy drinking. Sadly I don’t think this release is currently available in South Africa. I see that at Master of Malt it retails for around R700.

Also Read: King Car Conductor Whisky

Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/01/2020

In Bourbon whiskey

A couple of months ago, I fell in love with a bourbon filled to the brim with flavours of malva pudding and dark, sweet cherries. The Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon promised and delivered a delectable taste experience. At the same time, I also found the Jim Beam Double Oak bourbon whiskey in the shop and just had to try this as well.

The Jim Beam Double Oak bourbon whiskey is considerably more affordable than the Woodford Reserve variety. Making it an intriguing alternative to the Double Oaked bourbon. You can read all about the history and background of Jim Beam in some of the other blog posts.

The Double Oak bourbon starts as the classic Jim Beam White, ageing for four years in freshly charred, new American oak barrels as required. However, what sets it apart is its unique double-barreling process.

After the initial ageing period, the liquid is transferred to new, charred American oak barrels for a second round of ageing. This extra time in new charred barrels allows the bourbon to develop a deeper level of spiced oakiness and caramel, creating a distinct flavour profile.

Similar to the Woodford Reserve Double Oak and Maker’s 46 bourbon, Jim Beam Double Oak’s double-barreling process imparts a unique character to the spirit. It’s not just about the process but also the presentation.

Jim Beam Double Oak is released in the Beam premium packaging, featuring embossed glass and textured labelling. Some bottles even come with a branded glass, adding an extra touch to the experience. At around R 300, this bourbon offers an affordable yet premium option for bourbon enthusiasts.

The Jim Beam brand is part of the Beam Suntory stable and retail for around R 300.

Also Read: Slaughter House Whiskey

Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Deep golden copper

NOSE: Oak, vanilla bits of toffee sweetness, cinnamon. Not a very complex nose.

PALATE: Peppery oak, vanilla, brown sugar, toasted bread, hints of cherries and dry wood. Adding water softens the spiciness a bit, but does not bring the sweeter notes forward.

FINISH: The finish is overwhelmingly spicy and dry, leaving a lasting impression.

RATING: VERY GOOD

This bottle is a must-try if you’re a fan of bold, spicy bourbon. However, if you prefer something softer and sweeter, in that case, this bourbon might not be your best pick. The intense oak and spiciness from the extra maturation can overwhelm those seeking a milder taste.

Suppose you’re willing to splurge a bit more. In that case, the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked offers a delightful balance between soft sweetness and spicy oak, making it a superior choice for those looking for a more well-rounded bourbon experience.

For those curious about other offerings from Jim Beam, I’ve also explored the Devil’s Cut and the Jim Beam White Label bourbons in previous posts. Moreover, I’ve compared the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Jim Beam Double Oak side-by-side to uncover the nuances that set these two remarkable releases apart.

Whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur or just starting your bourbon journey, a world of flavour is waiting to be explored with these exceptional choices.

Also Read: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

Arbiki Highland Rye Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/17/2020

In Rye Whiskey

Last year November, Iain Stirling was in the country to showcase the Arbiki Highland Rye single grain Scotch whisky. Iain Stirling is a founder and director of Arbiki Distillery. I had some other responsibilities, so I did not get to meet him.

However, this year, I have the opportunity to taste the new Arbiki Highland Rye whisky second release.

Arbikie Distillery is a ‘field to bottle’ distillery, situated on the east coast of Scotland in the Angus region. This Highland distillery overlooks Lunan Bay. The Stirling family has been farming at Arbikie since the 1920s.

John, Iain and David Stirling grew up exploring the hills of the Estate. It was over a few drinks in New York that the 3 envisioned the idea of building a distillery on the family property.

In 2013 the Stirling brothers began the 18-month long build of their small distillery in an existing cattle shed. They utilised the skills of the local farm’s mechanics and blacksmiths to assemble the stills. They grow, harvest and distil from scratch, maturing and bottling on the Arbikie farm.

Also Read: Tullibardine 1993 Whisky

The first spirit to run off the still was potato vodka, using Maris Pipers and King Edward potatoes grown on the farm. The Arbikie gin followed in August 2015. What makes this distillery unique is that they distil all their spirits in the same copper pot stills.

The focus is on operating sustainably, combining human intellect, science and art. The master distiller for Arbiki Distillery is Kirsty Black. Rye whisky is traditionally associated with America; however, records show that rye whisky was produced in Scotland during the 19th century. Arbiki Distillery hopes to awaken a Scottish rye whisky revival.

Arbiki Highland Rye Whisky Review

This Highland Rye is the second rye whisky released in Scotland in over 100 years, and the first 4 yo. The spirit was distilled put down in 2015 and aged in charred American oak barrels before being finished in Armagnac barrels. (From Cask 3, 5, 13 and 14)

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Rich gold

NOSE: Freshly squeezed orange juice, hints of orange peel, wet woody notes. Very distinctive and unique. Something reminds me of the smell of cherry Coke.

PALATE: Dry oak spices and pepper mixed with oranges, apricot sweetness. Full of flavour with only faint hints of the cherries I picked up earlier. Some alcohol heat and a few sharp notes. Water smooths out the alcohol heat and makes it very drinkable.

FINISH: Spicy with fruity sweet hints. Medium length and warming.

RATING: VERY GOOD

What a different and unique taste. This whisky is not like anything I have tried before. Slightly less spicy when compared to American rye whiskey, and it has a different spicy component. More orange and clove spices with hints of caraway. The Arbiki Highland Rye is warming and easy drinking. An interesting and different drinking experience.

I would love to see what happens to this whisky after another few years in barrels. It is a great beginning to a rye revolution that will add a new layer of flavour to the Scottish whisky landscape.

Since launching the first release of Arbikie Highland Rye, Arbikie won the ‘Best Newcomer Distillery’ at the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards.

The first release of Highland Rye was completely sold out and only a limited number of second release bottles are available globally.

Sample disclosure: I received this sample from Arbiki Distillery. Though received as part of a promotional event, the review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

Also Read: Bulleit Rye whiskey