Tag: Speyside Whisky Page 5 of 14

Speyside is a “protected region” for Scotch Whisky distilling under UK Government legislation.According to Visit Scotland, this region includes the area between the Highlands to the west, Aberdeenshire in the east and extending north to the Cairngorms National Park. Speyside single malt whisky is single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled in Strathspey, the area around the River Spey in Moray and Badenoch and Strathspey, in northeastern Scotland.

When it comes to distilleries, Balvenie holds a special place in my heart, landing a spot in my top five favourite distilleries. It’s a sentiment shared by John, and our recent adventure into the world of whiskies led us to the Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. A name that resonates with connoisseurs, Balvenie also boasts a 17 year old counterpart.

Nestled in the picturesque region of Speyside, Scotland, the Balvenie distillery has been crafting exceptional spirits since 1892. Founded by the skilled William Grant, who honed his craft at the renowned Mortlach distillery, Balvenie has an illustrious heritage. The man behind the magic today is none other than the esteemed Malt Master, David Stewart.

I’ve delved deep into the rich history and various releases from Balvenie, and one of my all-time favourites has to be the Balvenie Caribbean Cask. It’s the kind of dram that pairs perfectly with cheese or chocolate, offering a symphony of flavours.

Back to the Doublewood 12 year old Scotch, this whisky is initially matured in refill American oak casks before moving into first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts for an additional nine months.

After this, the whisky is transferred to large oak vessels for 3-4 months, allowing the flavours from different casks to beautifully “marry.” This expression was unveiled by Balvenie in 1993.

You can easily recognise Balvenie whisky on the shelf. They are bottled in the classic Balvenie bottle that exudes timeless charm. The bottle’s shape harks back to a bygone era, and the traditional dark cream colours and fonts evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Now, let’s talk about what really matters – the tasting experience.

Related Article: Glenfiddich 12 yo Whisky

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: The Balvenie 12 year old Doublewood is a dark, almost polished amber and burnt copper colour.

NOSE: On the nose, the Balvenie 12 year old greets you with a blend of oak and sherry notes. Hints of fresh grapes, red berries, and an array of spices dance around, with vanilla gently lingering in the background. It’s a rich and inviting start that promises a memorable journey.

PALATE: The palate takes a slightly unexpected turn. The dominant note is unmistakably oak, with the sherry influence remaining more subtle than anticipated. Those delightful hints of fresh grapes, red berries, and spices promised by the nose remain present but are somewhat subdued.

There are bits of vanilla trailing along. However, it’s not as complex as one might expect from a whisky aged in two distinct types of wood. The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old whisky feels a tad flat, leaving me underwhelmed.

FINISH: The finish drops off rather swiftly, which is a tad disappointing.

RATING: GOOD

Now, as someone with a collection boasting at least six bottles of Balvenie, I was possibly expecting more from this one. I distinctly remember a previous encounter with the 12 year old single malt that I enjoyed. Perhaps I encountered a dud bottle this time.

The nose is lovely, warming and inviting, promising a unique experience, but on the palate, it falls flat. The finish is also short and unmemorable.

Balvenie Distillery has a well-earned reputation for crafting excellent whiskies. I’m eager to revisit this release, possibly from a different bottle. It’s worth noting that the success of the 12 year old Doublewood led to the creation of a 17 year old Doublewood edition.

For those seeking a more in-depth exploration, I’ve compared this release with the Balvenie Caribbean Cask whisky side-by-side, highlighting the nuances in a dedicated blog post. Explore the intricate world of Balvenie with me.

Also Read: Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry Finish Whiskey

Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/11/2020

In Whisky Comparison

Side by Side: Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood Whisky
Today I look at a side-by-side comparison of two releases from the Balvenie Distillery. The Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood single malt Scotch whisky. Comparing different distilleries side by side is fun, but I find that the most interesting comparisons are the ones between other releases from the same distillery.

When you play around with drams from the same distillery, it gives you insight into the distillery character while highlighting cask influences and ageing changes. It is a wonderful way to explore a distillery, especially now that we are in Covid lockdown.

The Balvenie Distillery is a Speyside distillery in the Convals in Dufftown, Scotland, owned by William Grant and Sons. William Grant started as a bookkeeper at Mortlach distillery 1866, where he learned the distilling trade. After about twenty years at the Mortlach, he bought a piece of land near Balvenie Castle.

He built Balvenie 1892. It shares its water source, the Robbie Dhu springs, with Glenfiddich. It has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the most prestigious distilleries in the world. William Grant and Sons also own Glenfiddich and Kininvie Distillery.

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Whisky

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask with glass Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood
Balvenie launched the Caribbean Cask 14 year old single malt whisky to mark the 50th anniversary of David Stewart joining the Balvenie distillery. It is part of the Balvenie core range.

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask single malt whisky has been matured in traditional oak casks for a period. Afterwards, it was finished in casks that previously held Malt Master David Stewart’s own blend of select West Indian rum. It is readily available in South Africa (before Covid anyway).

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Whisky

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 yo whisky with glass Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood
The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old whisky is also part of the core series and readily available. (Well it was available before Covid and lockdown anyway) It was launched in 1993.

The Balvenie DoubleWood single malt Scotch spends 12 years maturing in traditional American oak ex-bourbon barrels and is then moved to Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks for an additional nine months.

Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood 12 yo Whisky

Balvenie Caribbean Cask vs Doublewood Whisky

	Balvenie Double Wood	Balvenie Caribbean Cask
Region	Speyside Whisky	Speyside Whisky
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Polished amber and burnt copper	Golden wheat
Nose	Bits of oak intertwined with sherry. Fresh grapes and red berries and spices with vanilla. Rich and inviting.	Ripe mango, pineapple and guava, toffee, Christmas cake and plump rum-soaked raisins. Hints of florals and malt intermingling with oak. Fudge and lashings of spices.
Palate	Sherry sweetness mixed with oak, honey and vanilla with mild nutmeg and cinnamon spice at the end. Bits of dried fruit and nuts. Not as complex as I expected. Medium body.	Mango and spicy notes, creamy caramel toffee, vanilla, oak, tipsy tart and ginger. Chewy and spicy.
Finish	Medium length with spicy, slightly drying notes and a hint of sweetness.	Long and lingering. Notes of pectin and pepper.
My Rating	Very Good	Excellent
Comments	Great introduction to the Balvenie house style	Chewy and rich and very delicious.
Price	$76	$95
Pairs well with	Grilled Haloumi, smoked cheddar cheese, smoked duck.	Camembert or brie cheese, mushroom risotto.

A side by side comparison like this is fascinating. You can pick up the Balvenie Distillery character notes of fruit, vanilla and honey in both these releases. The base of both the two releases is noticeably Balvenie. Both are smooth and very drinkable.

But I found the Balvenie Doublewood single malt delicate and not as complicated as I was expecting. The nose was creamy and delicious, but the palate did not quite live up to the promises the nose made. It had notes of oak, sherry, honey, nutmeg and cinnamon.

I have to note that this is the start of the Balvenie range and a great way to start exploring the distillery.

However, the Balvenie Caribbean Cask single malt is just delicious. It is big, bold, wonderfully balanced and chewy. Tropical mango mixed with Christmas cake, oak, toffee and pepper. Slightly more spicy than the Doublewood.

The Caribbean Cask is my favourite releases between these two. Aged for two years longer than the Doublewood, the extra time in the wood and the addition to the rum finishing adds a rich extra dimension.

This release makes me dream of tropical islands, especially now that we are confined to one place during lock down.

There is also a Balvenie Golden Cask which is a limited edition also finished in rum. I did a side by side comparison between the Golden Cask and the Caribbean Cask as well to see how they differ.

The Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/13/2020

In Single Malt whisky

The Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean Cask single malt Scotch whisky; this is one of those bottles that I have to review before I finish it. When I find great chocolate I want to pair with whisky, this is often one of the first bottles I grab. Likewise, when looking for a whisky to pair with soft cheese, this bottle regularly comes to mind.

Only when looking back on my whisky and food posts and tasting notes, did I realize, just how much I relied on the Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 year old whisky for its fruity notes.

According to some research, the Balvenie Caribbean Cask Scotch whisky was launched to mark the 50th anniversary of David Stewart joining the Balvenie distillery. It has since become a permanent part of the Balvenie range.

Related Article: Glenkinchie 12 year old whisky

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask whisky has been matured in traditional oak casks for 14 years. Afterwards, it was finished in casks that previously held Malt Master David Stewart’s personal blend of select West Indian rum.

You can read more of the Balvenie distillery history in my blog on The Balvenie Doublewood, The Balvenie Portwood 1993 and the Balvenie Single Barrel whisky

I have paired the Balvenie Caribbean Cask with Lindt Excellence Blueberry Intense. The tartness of the blueberries cuts through the sweetness of the whisky. The dark chocolate compliments the toffee flavours of the whisky superbly. A great whisky chocolate pairing.

I have also paired it with a creamy South African Camembert. Another great pairing! This dram works well with a Brie cheese too. A very versatile whisky! One I will certainly replace it when the bottle is empty. So below my official tasting notes on this versatile whisky.

Balvenie 14 year old Caribbean Cask Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: It is golden wheat with flashes of ruby.

NOSE: Rich with sweet notes of ripe mango, pineapple and guava, toffee, Christmas cake and plump rum-soaked raisins. Hints of florals and malt intermingling with oak come to mind. Notes of fudge and lashings of spices.

PALATE: Without water, the fruitiness continues with mango and spicy notes, creamy caramel toffee and bits of oak, vanilla and ginger. There is a tipsy tart yumminess in the background. The Caribbean Cask has a creamy mouthfeel and is quite chewy.

Adding water brings more wood to the front and softens the spiciness. Water brings together all the symphony of notes in this whisky.

FINISH: Long and lingering, smooth and creamy. It stays around long after the glass is empty. Notes of light pectin and pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

This Scottish dram has me dreaming of a hammock strung between 2 palm trees with the ocean lapping softly at the nearby shore. It is memorable and evolves as you drink it. If you see one, grab it. It is a worthy addition to any collection.

Balvenie Golden Cask whisky, which is also a 14 year old and finished in rum. I did a side by side comparison between the Golden Cask, and I did a side by side comparison between these two beautiful drams.

Furthermore, I have done a side by side comparison between the Caribbean rum and the Balvenie Doublewood single malt releases. You can read all about how they differ.

Also read: The Balvenie Peated Cask whisky

Macallan 15 vs Glenfiddich 15 yo Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/17/2019

In Whisky Comparison

Today I look at a comparison of 15 year old whiskies; two classic brands. These two brands go head to head all over the world. The Macallan 15 vs Glenfiddich 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

Both these single malt whiskies have iconic status worldwide. They are two of the most recognizable names in whisky. But what happens when you put them in a side by side comparison.

One from Speyside and one from the Scottish Highlands. Both spent time ageing in bourbon whiskey and sherry casks. Let’s start in Speyside.

Glenfiddich 15 year old Whisky

Review and Tasting notes Glenfiddich 15 yo Macallan 15 yo vs Glenfiddich 15 yo single malt whisky

The Glenfiddich is one of my favourite distilleries, and this release has a special place in my heart. I love the sweet fruity releases that consistently come from this Speyside distillery. Family-owned after all this time, everyone knows the classic triangular-shaped bottle of Glenfiddich.

The Glenfiddich 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky is matured in American bourbon, Portuguese sherry and virgin oak casks. The whisky is then mellowed in a handcrafted Oregon pine solera vat (that is always kept half full) before being married in Portuguese oak tuns.

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old Whisky

Review and Tasting notes Macallan 15 yo Macallan 15 yo vs Glenfiddich 15 yo single malt whisky

The Macallan Distillery started life as Elchies Distillery. The name changed, and it expanded as the demand for the product soared. Over time, the Macallan had become a premium brand and have some of the most expensive drams in the world. The Macallan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Edrington Group.

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old is a single malt Scotch aged in a combination of bourbon oak casks as well as sherry casks.

Also Read: Chivas 12 vs Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky

Macallan 15 vs Glenfiddich 15 year old Whisky

Macallan 15 vs Glenfiddich 15 yo Single Malt Whisky Comparison

	Macallan 15 yo whisky	Glenfiddich 15 yo whisky
Region	Highland Whisky	Speyside Whisky
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Golden straw	Golden red
Nose	Oak and orange blossom sweetness. It is rich and rewarding and invites you to dive in. There are faint hints of orange peel and honey.	Complex and rich with sweet sultanas, honey, stewed apple crumble with cream and caramel. Bit of oak and vanilla combining with hints of sherry and fudge.
Palate	Florals, barley, vanilla sweetness mixed with some pepper spice and nutmeg. Adding water smooths out the spiciness, but takes away some of the sweetness. Faint hints of orange blossom and fruit float about. I was expecting a lot more bourbon notes on the palate, but the bourbon notes are a very faint part of the vanilla sweetness.	There are notes of honey, oak, cinnamon and nutmeg spice, brandy-soaked fruitcake, hints of nuts perfectly balanced with more fruit and vanilla. Water just smooths out this already delicious dram.
Finish	Medium length and end in notes of oak, orange and spice.	Long and lingering with hints of malt, honey and cinnamon
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	Great all round, well-balanced smooth whisky.	Rich, delicious, complex and easy drinking.
Price	$170	$80
Pairs well with	Wensleydale cheese or soft buttery blue cheese.	Duck, Grilled sirloin steak.

This side by side whisky comparison divided John and me. He loves the Macallan 15 year old, and I love the Glenfiddich 15 year old whisky.

The Macallan 15 year old bring notes of oak, florals, vanilla and orange blossom mixed with pepper and nutmeg. On the other side, the Glenfiddich 15 year old is brandy soaked fruit cake, nuts, oak and cinnamon.

The Macallan is bolder and more spice forward than the Glenfiddich. The Glenfiddich has a more elegant complexity with a nicer finish.

I love the creamy and soft fruity sweetness of the Glenfiddich, and it will probably be one of my all-time favourite drams. John loves the bolder, spicier notes balanced with the sweetness of the Macallan.

Looking at online ratings, it seems like more people prefer the Macallan compared to the Glenfiddich. The Glenfiddich 15 year old will always have a special place in my heart regardless. But for now, we are just going to sit back and enjoy these two excellent whiskies.

Also Read: Ardbeg Corryvreckan vs Uigeadail Whisky

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/14/2019

In Single Malt whisky

It is not every day that I get the chance to taste a whisky that is older than me. A whisky distilled while John F Kennedy was still the President of the USA and in the heat of the Cuban missile crises. A whisky like that holds a bit of history.

In a ‘normal’ situation, there would be no way that I can afford to taste even a sip of whisky this old. Whiskies of this age class are sold in exquisite bottles at eye-watering prices, more expensive than what I can afford. However, this is all about to change.

The Craigellachie distillery decided to share their oldest whisky with fans around the globe. This whisky is the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

Craigellachie did not want it sold to the highest bidder and stored in a locked glass cabinet. They wanted to share it with ordinary whisky lovers. Best of all, they wanted to share it. FOR FREE. To allow whisky drinkers all over the word to enjoy it as well.

More about Craigellachie Distillery

Craigellachie Distillery is new to the blog. It is one of the single malt distilleries that form part of the Bacardi stable. Other single malts include Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Royal Brackla and The Deveron.

The Craigellachie distillery is situated in Aberlour in the Scottish Speyside region. In 1891 a group of blenders and merchants got together and decided to build a new distillery.

Ownership changed a few times over the years, and in 1998 it was sold to John Dewar & Sons. The majority of the distillery production is used for the Dewar’s blended whisky.

The Craigellachie standard range includes a 13 year old whisky, a 17 year old and 23 year old single malt whisky.

The Craigellachie 51 year old Scotch single malt was distilled during December 1962 and aged in ex-Bourbon hogsheads. It was taken out of the wood in 2014.

Me being the sceptic was wondering; are they giving this Craigellachie 51 year old away because it is not so good and more of a gimmick? I went to taste it and captured the tasting notes. Here you can see Georgie pouring this remarkable bit of history.

A bit about yesterday, when I got to taste the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky. Such a special experience. 🥰🥰#craigellachie51 #Craigellachie51SA pic.twitter.com/MtK9C5CtvW

— WhiskyoftheWeek (@WhiskyoftheWeek) October 12, 2019

Craigellachie 51 year old Whisky Review

I had a pour from bottle 29 of 51.

ABV: 40.3%

COLOUR: Dark golden copper

NOSE: Fruity sweetness, faint hints of wood, bits of orange. Elegant and intriguing.

PALATE: Soft spiciness balanced with sun ripe fruit, hints of sweet oranges, vanilla and dry oak. Creamy notes with hints of meaty goodness.

FINISH: Drying and soft with fruity sweetness.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I was expecting a very woody dram, after spending that amount of time in the oak. However, there are only soft woody notes. The oak lends a drying finish to the dram. The Craigellachie has many layers. It is almost like an old manuscript wrapped in many layers of tissue paper. The manuscript is so old and fused that you can’t separate the different layers anymore.

All the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky elements have blended into one to make something new that is unique and delicious. It is moreish and a once in a lifetime experience.

The Craigellachie Bar 51 Experience

The best part is that a few more people in South Africa can also get to taste this unique whisky during November. Craigellachie is hosting a special pop up bar, Bar 51, where you can get to taste the Craigellachie 13 year old, the 17 year old and the Craigellachie 51 year old whisky.

At WhiskyBrother Bar on the 20th and 21 st of November and at the Athletic Club in Cape Town on the 25th and the 26th of November. All you have to do is enter your details HERE to go into the draw. What are you waiting for? Go quickly. Entries close on the 10th of November.

Sample disclosure: I received a sample of the Craigellachie 51 year old from Craigellachie as part of their promotional event. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.