Tag: Speyside Whisky Page 6 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.

Tamdhu Batch Strength Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/09/2019

In Single Malt whisky

Today I am trying a dram with a BIG ABV – 58.8%; the Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 single malt Scotch whisky. One of the higher alcohol by volume releases in my collection. However, I bought this bottle pretty much just for the shape, not the ABV.

The bottle stands out in between the ~~dull~~ standard whisky bottle shapes in my collection. It is lovely and will be repurposed when empty. However, from where is Tamdhu?

It was in 1863 that the Strathspey railway first graced Speyside’s countryside. The railway created a dependable means of travel and several distilleries were built. Tamdhu distillery was founded in 1896 in Speyside by a group of investors. During 1897 it was bought by Highland Distillers.

In 2009, the Tamdhu Distillery was mothballed. It was then sold to Ian MacLeod Distillers in June 2011. The new owners fired up the stills soon afterwards and started producing single malt again.

Tamdhu lies on the banks of the mighty River Spey, not far from Knockando. The Knockando distillery’s old railway station has since been converted into the Tamdhu visitor centre.

The new owners released their first Tamdhu single malt in 2013 – the delicious Tamdhu 10 yo. Tamdhu Batch Strength was introduced in early 2015, and it is aged exclusively in first-fill Sherry casks.

It has been followed up by Batch 002 and 003 since then, and the current release is Batch 004. Tamdhu also has a Distillery Managers Edition as well as a Dalbeallie II release.

The Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 is a single malt that was matured exclusively in American and European oak Sherry casks. It is bottled without chill-filtration or additional colours.

Also Read: Amrut Two Continents Whisky

Tamdhu Batch Strength Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 58.5%

COLOUR: Amber

NOSE: Sherry hints with dark chocolate covered cherries. Some alcohol on the nose. It needs to breathe a bit. Then there are notes of sweetness and wood. Bits of vanilla and toffee sweetness with red berries and sultanas.

PALATE: Quite an alcohol bite. Fruity sweetness mixed with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. Brandied cherries, red grapes with bits of pepper and toffee sweetness. Sherry mixed with cognac notes. Water tones down the alcohol bite, but add it carefully. You only need to add a few drops of water.

FINISH: Red berries mixed with spicy pepper. A long finish that lingers around for a while still.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A big, bold sherry mouthful! A delicious sherry bomb. This Batch Strength single malt Scotch is not an easy-drinking, finish the bottle tonight type of whisky. The Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch 001 is the type of whisky where you have one glass a week.

At the end of the meal, when you want to sit and debate the meaning of life while slowly sipping something special. When you have time to sit back and appreciate the boldness.

Also Read: Jura 10 yo Origin whisky

Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/26/2019

In Whisky Comparison

Singleton 12 yo vs Glenfiddich 12 yo single malt whisky side by side comparison
Today, I embark on a captivating journey, comparing Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch whiskies. There are many distinctive flavours to enjoy in the world of Speyside whisky, a region renowned for its fruity, nutty, and honeyed sweetness.

Nestled within this whisky-rich landscape are two notable distilleries, located just a stone’s throw from each other and offering their own unique takes on the revered 12 year old single malt category.

These two remarkable spirits are separated by flavour and striking bottle designs: the iconic triangular flask of Glenfiddich stands in stark contrast to the hip flask-inspired elegance of Singleton.

Singleton 12 year old Whisky

Singleton 12 yo vs Glenfiddich 12 yo Review and Tasting notes Singleton 12 yo whisky with glass
Our first stop is at the Dufftown Town Distillery, proudly situated in the heart of Speyside and under the ownership of Diageo.

Most of the malt whisky produced at this distillery finds its way into the blends, notably Bell’s whisky and Johnnie Walker releases. Only 5% of the spirit enjoys the limelight as single malt Scotch whisky.

Singleton 12 yo single malt whisky, a product of this Speyside establishment, undergoes maturation in a combination of American and European oak casks.

Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

Singleton 12 yo vs Glenfiddich 12 yo REview and Tasting notes The Glenfiddich 12 yo with glass
Now, let’s turn our attention to the triangular-shaped Glenfiddich bottle, which has earned its place as one of the world’s best-selling single malts. Glenfiddich pioneered packaging, introducing tubes and gift tins for its bottles, a tradition that continues to this day.

What sets Glenfiddich apart is not just its remarkable whisky but also its history of remaining family-owned. Founded in 1886 by William Grant in Dufftown, Scotland, nestled in the Glen of the River Fiddich, this distillery boasts a legacy that is both rich and enduring.

Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt whisky matures in Oloroso sherry and bourbon whisky casks, further enhancing its distinctive character.

Also Read: Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 yo whisky

Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky

Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 yo Single Malt Whisky Comparison

	Singleton 12 yo	Glenfiddich 12 yo
Region	Speyside Whisky	Speyside Whisky
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Deep polished copper	Bright amber
Nose	Sweet with caramel, toffee and vanilla mixed with malt. Notes of rich fruit and sweet spice.	Fresh fruit, oak and honey. Floral notes with faint spices in the background.
Palate	Spice, rich oak and toasted malt. It is rich and nutty with a great mouth feel. Heaps of sweet vanilla and hints of fruit dipped in dark chocolate. Well-balanced with the spicy and sweet in perfect harmony.	Creamy wood notes, toffee and dried fruit. Hint of pear and caramel. Cinnamon and nutmeg. Medium bodied whisky.
Finish	Medium length. Notes of fruit, sweet cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. There is an underlying layer of nutty toffee sweetness, which is delicious.	Medium length. Notes of oak and spice. Lovely oily mouth feel.
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	Easy drinking and affordable. It has an underlying nutty complexity that is delicious.	Great fruity whisky to start someone on his or her whisky journey. Not the most complex, but easy drinking, smooth and well balanced.
Price	$41	$54
Pairs well with	Crispy pork belly or a soft cheese.	A pear and ginger crumble.

Both of these 12 year old releases are accessible and affordable and essential additions to a whisky enthusiast’s collection.

The Glenfiddich brings notes of sweet pear, creamy oak and cinnamon. It has a lovely creamy mouthfeel and finishes in warming oak and spices.

The Singleton has toasted malt and toffee sweetness with nuts and vanilla. There is an abundance of ripe fruit and hints of dark chocolate.

The Singleton exhibits a bit more complexity than its Glenfiddich counterpart, while the Glenfiddich has a remarkable smoothness and an enticingly oily mouthfeel.

Choosing a favourite between these two magnificent offerings is a challenging task. So, I’ve chosen the path of least resistance and keep a bottle of each within easy reach in my home.

Yet, if I were to tip my hand, it’s worth noting that the Glenfiddich has graced my shelf more frequently than the Singleton, perhaps suggesting a subtle preference for the smooth and elegant charms of Glenfiddich.

But ultimately, the choice is yours to make, and exploring the flavours of Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old whiskies is an adventure well worth embarking upon.

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Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Label

Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/03/2019

In Whisky Comparison

In today’s exploration, we dive into the exciting realm of 18 year old whiskies, pitting two iconic releases against each other. It’s a showdown of Speyside elegance versus the bold Highland spice as we compare Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 year old single malt Scotch whiskies in the ultimate battle of flavours and craftsmanship.

Let’s make one thing clear from the start – this isn’t about crowning a winner, and choosing a favourite would be akin to picking a favourite child.

Both of these drams are exceptional in their own right, and today, we’re delving deep into their distinctions and uncovering their unique taste profiles. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the captivating world of Glenfiddich versus Glenmorangie whisky.

Glenmorangie 18 year old Whisky

Review and tasting notes for the Glenmorangie 18 yo single malt whisky with glass
Our journey begins in the Highlands, in Tain, Ross-shire, Scotland, where Glenmorangie proudly stands as a towering icon. Literally, with the tallest stills in Scotland. The Glenmorangie 18 year old single malt whisky is a testament to their dedication to craft and tradition.

This Highland gem matures in bourbon casks, with some Sherry casks added. The process unfolds over 15 years in standard oak casks, after which approximately 30% of the liquid embarks on a three-year adventure in Spanish Oloroso casks.

Once both components reach the ripe age of 18, they are masterfully blended. This exquisite whisky is in the Glenmorangie Prestige Expressions collection, alongside the Signet and the 25 year old release.

Glenfiddich 18 year old Whisky

Tasting notes for the Glenfiddich 18 yo Single Malt Whisky with glass
Heading south to Dufftown in the Speyside region of Scotland, we find Glenfiddich. This distillery has been delighting whisky enthusiasts since its establishment in 1886. What sets Glenfiddich apart is its continued dedication to family ownership, a rarity in the industry.

Glenfiddich’s 18 year old single malt whisky, a part of their Core range, blends Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon casks. The result is a harmonious marriage of flavours that tantalize the palate.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs Talisker 10 yo Whisky

Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 year old Whisky

Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 Whisky Comparison

	Glenfiddich 18 yo	Glenmorangie 18 yo
Region	Speyside Whisky	Highland Whisky
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Rich gold	Light golden amber
Nose	Oak and fresh apple notes are intertwined with barley and cereals. There is a definite sweetness of dried fruits and hints of toffee in the background.	Toffee sweet, rich and creamy. Creme Brule, honey with hints of spice and oak. An abundance of fresh fruit, dried pear and fruits of the forest.
Palate	Notes of oak, barley and cereal. An extraordinary smooth whisky. Fruit cake and Christmas pudding with warming cinnamon and roast nuts. Multi-layered.	Big and bold. Thick and syrupy with lots of spice and oak. Fresh fruit, pears and rich heather honey. It is rich and complex with a big fruit and spice kick.
Finish	A lingering spicy finish with mild nuts and toffee.	Long and lingering with hints of butter, chocolate and citrus peel.
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	Wonderfully complex but still easy drinking.	Well-balanced and smooth.
You will like it if you are looking for…	Something sweeter with winter fruits and nut notes.	Summer fruits with a spicy kick that is bold and warming.
Price	$132	$140
Pairs well with	Brebirousse d’Argental cheese, Cassoulet, freshly baked apple pie with ice cream	Coffee and dark chocolate macaroons, aged gouda cheese

The Glenmorangie 18 year old is big and bold with notes of fruity sweetness, hints of warming spices and a creamy texture. Notes of toffee, dried pear and creamy oak mix with cinnamon and chocolate.

The Glenfiddich 18 year old also has fruity notes, but there are more cereals, baked pudding and nuts on the palate. Oak and fresh apples balanced with Christmas spices and fruit cake.

The Glenmorangie is more spicy and fruit-forward than the Glenfiddich. The Glenmorangie has a creamier texture, but the Glenfiddich is more complex. The Glenfiddich showcases more of the creamy nuts and oak mixed with cereals that you don’t get in the Glenmorangie.

When it comes to ratings on platforms like Whizzky, it appears that the Glenmorangie might have a slight edge over Glenfiddich. However, remember that whisky appreciation is highly subjective, and personal taste plays a significant role.

I suspect many connoisseurs would agree to a place for both of these remarkable whiskies in my whisky room.

So, whether you lean toward the fruity nature of Speyside or the robust spices of the Highlands, one thing is for sure. In the Glenfiddich 18 vs Glenmorangie 18 year old whisky showdown, everyone’s a winner. Cheers to exploring these stellar 18 year old masterpieces.

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Also Read: Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label whisky

Glen Moray Port Cask Finish Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/25/2019

In Single Malt whisky

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Now and again there are twitter tastings hosted by Steve from Whisky Wire. Most of them are for releases that are not available in South Africa. However, it is a wonderful opportunity to see what interesting whisky is available and what I need to look out for when we travel.

One of the twitter tastings was for Glen Moray. Graham Coull, the Master Distiller, has been releasing different casks editions, and some of them sounded so innovative and remarkable.

I had to get my hands on releases from this distillery. When we were in France last year, I managed to get hold of the Glen Moray Port cask finish single malt Scotch whisky.

Then I saw that Liquor City was bringing in some of the Glen Moray Cask releases and I rushed out and managed to get my hands on a few. I grabbed the Peated cask and the Chardonnay cask as well as the South African release Port cask. The Port cask from France was bottled at 40% and the SA Port cask at 43% ABV.

With winter starting soon, what better dram to open first than the Glen Moray Port cask. It is part of the Glen Moray Classic collection. A balance between innovation and heritage, challenging the boundaries of flavour by employing traditional techniques at the core of the brand.

Glen Moray has been making whisky in the heart of Speyside since 1897. Their water source is the River Lossie and the brand is owned by La Martiniquaise from France. Cutty Sark and Label 5 whisky is also part of their portfolio.

Also Read: New Zealand Whisky Company whisky

Glen Moray Port Cask Finish Whisky Review

The Glen Moray Port Cask Finish is a NAS release was finished for 8 months in port pipes from Porto Cruz. It retails for around R280 at Liquor City.

ABV: 43%

REGION: Speyside

COLOUR: Gold with mahogany tints

NOSE: Red fruits, cherries, condensed milk with light oak. Plums and sweetness.

PALATE: Oak, plum and ripe red cherry sweetness with hints of cinnamon sugar, dark chocolate shavings and raisins. It has a medium body and a bit of alcohol heat. A few drops of water soothes the heat and releases more sweetness.

FINISH: Warming with port, toasty oak and pepper notes.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I am guessing that this is a relatively young release. It has a few rough edges, but nothing that a few drops of water don’t sort out. Not the most complex of drams, but easy drinking and, at the price point, I can’t fault it. The finish is the best bit, it warms your body up from the inside. Delicious!

This is a BIG bang for your buck whisky. It retails for less than R300 at Liquor City. For a cask finish single malt, the Glen Moray Port Cask Finish is worth it. If you have been wondering about needing this in your life? Yes, you do.

A glass of this single malt whisky is going to make cold winter nights bare-able. It is affordable (for all the many electricity load shedding evenings), and you don’t need a fridge, just a few drops of water and it will warm you up nicely. Now to decide which bottle I need to open next.

Also Read: Benromach 10 yo whisky

Private Barrel Co Glenlossie 15 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/18/2019

In Single Malt whisky

I am still working through the mini bottles of whisky I had in the cupboard. Today I am looking at the Checkers Private Barrel Co Glenlossie 15 year old Scotch whisky.

Diageo owns this beautiful Speyside distillery and near to quite a few distilleries, including BenRiach, Glen Moray, Linkwood and Longmorn. It is known for its splendid roof and beautiful onion-shaped stills.

John Duff, the former manager at Glendronach, built the distillery in 1876. The distillery changed hands a few times during the years and ended up with Diageo through mergers. It takes its name from the valley of the River Lossie, which is less than a mile away.

The Glenlossie distillery is unique as it shares the building with another distillery, Mannochmore Distillery which was built in 1971. The water used in Glenlossie is drawn from the local Bardon Burn.

Also Read: Glenfarclas 12 yo Whisky

The primary volume of spirit from Glenlossie ends up in Diageo blends, including the Haig blended whisky. The Glenlossie warehouses also serve as the storage vault for more than 200,000 casks of whisky originating from many different Diageo distilleries.

You will rarely see a single malt bottling from Glenlossie. That is the reason why Checkers chose this distillery. It is an unknown distillery in SA and not something you find everywhere.

One of the few releases is the Diageo’s Flora and Fauna series where it was bottled as a 10 yo. Independent bottlings are sometimes released, and Glenlossie has featured in Signature Vintage, and Douglas Laing releases.

Checkers Private Barrel Co Glenlossie 15 year old Whisky Review

The Private Barrel Co Glenlossie 15 year old single malt whisky has been aged in bourbon casks.

REGION: Speyside

COLOUR: Rich gold

NOSE: Green notes with tropical fruit sweetness. Hints of grass and freshly baked bread. Soft spices in the background.

PALATE: Pineapple sweetness and honey balanced with vanilla and soft pink pepper. Hints of smoke and green grass mixed with bits of oak. Water releases more fruity notes and pear comes forward but softens the other notes. Soft and sophisticated.

FINISH: Medium length with hints of pepper, vanilla and fruit.

RATING: VERY GOOD

An interesting dram that brings a new dimension to the table. It is not overly complex or bold, but memorably different. Easy drinking for a late Sunday afternoon pre-dinner drink. Just add a few drops of water to release more fruitiness. This is one of those distilleries that you don’t get to try on a regular day.

I love that Checkers finds these out of the way releases. They allow us to explore new distilleries this way, which is exciting!

I have written a lot more on the Private Barrel Co releases both their “odd bin” releases where they only give the bottling a number such as the Private Barrel Co No 41 and their named releases such as the Glen Grant 17 year old or the James Sedgwick 6 year old whisky.

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