One of the more affordable whiskies here in Mauritius is the Whyte and Mackay Triple matured blended whisky. It had been a while since I last tried anything from this brand, so I decided to give it a go.
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Whyte and Mackay is a company producing alcoholic beverages. It was founded in 1844 and is based in Glasgow, Scotland. Whyte & Mackay is now owned by Philippines-based Emperador Inc. (a subsidiary of the Alliance Global Group holding company). Their brands include the W&M blends; Dalmore, Jura, Tamnalvulin, Shackleton blended whisky, and Fettercairn single malts; Glayva liqueur; and Vladivar Vodka.
Today I look at the Tamnavulin Double Cask Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, produced at one of the younger Scottish whisky distilleries. The Tamnavulin distillery was built in 1966, mainly to supply the booming market for whisky to use in blends including Whyte & Mackay and Mackinlay’s.
Tamnavulin distillery was built on the remains of a wool mill, and Tamnavulin is a translation of the Gaelic for ‘mill on the hill’. The water used is from underground springs in the neighbouring hills.
The distillery changed hands a few times and spend some time closed. It ended up in the Emperador/ Whyte & Mackay stable together with Jura and Dalmore.
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In 2016, Tamnavulin was re-launched in the UK as a single malt brand. It marks the 50th anniversary of the distillery. The Tamnavulin range also includes a Sherry cask edition, a red wine cask edition as well as a Vintage Collection.
The Tamnavulin Double Cask single malt whisky is the first official release from the distillery in more than two decades! It is first matured in American oak barrels before a finishing period in sherry casks.
Tamnavulin Double Cask Single Malt Whisky Review
REGION: Speyside
ABV: 43%
COLOUR: Amber gold.
NOSE: An unusual nose. It took me a while to identify the notes. Fermented grapes, wet moss with bits of caramel sweetness. Some alcohol notes floating around—something like mouldy bread in the background.
PALATE: Oak, pepper with bits of caramel, lemon and tobacco. Not a very complex whisky. Adding water renders it flat and one dimensional. Water brings the honey sweetness to the front and softens the oak and pepper notes.
FINISH: Drying oak and pectin.
RATING: GOOD
I have seen very positive reviews on this release, and I was excited to try it. However, it left me disappointed. I saw people mentioning flavours including chocolate mousse, brownies and marzipan. I am wondering if there is something wrong with my bottle.
According to the reviews, I could look forward to Christmas pudding and some fruit, but could not find any of these in my glass; I did not even want to finish my drink. Sadly, I think this bottle of Tamnavulin will be in my collection for quite some time.
It retails for an affordable £30 on Amazon, and perhaps I should go give some of the other expressions a try before judging to harshly.
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During 2018 I attended the soft launch of the new Shackleton blended malt Scotch whisky in South Africa. The blended malt is a follow up to the Mackinlay’s The Enduring Spirit that came out a few years earlier. Where the Enduring Spirit was a limited edition firmly in the premium price class, the Shackleton blended malt is more readily available and way more affordable.
The launch evening was terrific. Master storyteller Rob Caskie narrated the history of Shackleton’s attempt to traverse Antarctica, via the South Pole. Without visual media, Rob sketched the history in fascinating detail.
He told us all about the problems experienced by the expedition, the conditions that the team had to endure, the different personalities of the team members and the interaction with each other.
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It is a story of courage, perseverance and endurance. It is the story that inspired Master Blender Richard Patterson to create a more accessible version of the first limited edition Mackinlay release. He wanted to capture the spirit of the original whisky commissioned by Shackleton.
Using the flavour profile of Shackleton’s favourite whisky, Patterson created a blended malt whisky comprising various Highland and Speyside single malts. It was launched as the Shackleton blended malt whisky.
The Shackleton blended malt Scotch whisky is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon American white oak barrels and Spanish Sherry butts. It is available at major retailers and sells for less than R500 in SA. It is part of the Whyte and Mackay stable.
Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Gold
NOSE: Sweetness balanced with notes of fruit, spices, smoke, and menthol. Faint peat in the background. The nose reminds me a bit of the Dalmore 15 yo.
PALATE: Rich and bold. Honey sweetness, malt, orchard fruit with warming cinnamon and vanilla balanced with dry oak and aniseed. Adding water makes the sweetness more rounded and complex. Easy drinking and smooth.
FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of sweetness and orange blossom.
RATING: EXCELLENT
What an enjoyable dram. And at the price point – this is a stand out malt! This bottle will not last long and will be replaced every time. This bottle is going with on my next hiking adventure.
After spending the day hiking in the beautiful Drakensberg, next to the fire, adding a few drops of fresh mountain water; it will just be perfect.
It is a whisky that works particularly well over ice. So it is also perfect for the sweltering SA summer we have been experiencing. On what adventure are you taking your Shackleton whisky?
Also Read: Whyte and Mackay Blended Whisky
One of the more dusty bottles in my collection is the Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve single malt Scotch whisky. This Dalmore whisky bottle has been part of my whisky collection at least nine years, and I have barely touched it.
Dalmore is located on the northern shores of the Firth of Cromarty, part of the Scottish Highlands. Alexander Matheson founded Dalmore distillery in 1839. After building Dalmore and running it for 28 years, he decided in 1867 it was time to pass on the distillery to new owners. Andrew and Charles Mackenzie stepped forward.
They brought with them the iconic 12-pointed Royal Stag emblem, which has adorned every bottle of The Dalmore since. Dalmore now stands as Whyte and Mackay’s largest distillery as well as being the flagship for the brand.
The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve whisky was discontinued in mid-2009, causing an uproar among its fans. It was brought back in this new format.
The whiskies that make up the reworked Cigar Malt release are slightly older. The percentage of sherry wood is higher. The Dalmore is initially matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks and 30 yo Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts; it is then finished in Premier Cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels.
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The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve Whisky Review
REGION: Highlands
ABV: 44%
COLOUR: A dark copper.
NOSE: The name implies smoky cigar notes, and that is the first impression when you get nosing this whisky. Elements of the tobacco mixed with sherry sweetness and juicy raisins. There are faint hints of malt and leather.
PALATE: This malt lives up to its name again. It’s very spicy, with bitter citrus. My first impression on tasting the Dalmore Cigar Malt, without water, reminds me of the smell of overflowing ashtrays in a closed room.
There are some bitter notes and something a bit like old cigarette smoke. Adding water softens the slight alcohol bite. Water also brings out more sherry sweetness and hints of orange and ripe cherries. It is not a complex whisky.
FINISH: The Cigar Malt Reserve whisky has a medium body and finishes in notes of cigarette smoke bitterness.
RATING: GOOD
The whisky lives up to its name. It tells you it is going to deliver cigar/cigarette smoke. And it does just that. If you like an old smoke lounge, you will probably love this dram. I’m not too fond of old cigar smoke. The spice and smoke overwhelmed all the other notes. A bit one sided.
It has put me off trying anything else from Dalmore; which might be a shame. Any suggestions for a Dalmore worth trying?
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Going past a well-stocked Woolworths is a treat, and last week I found a Fairview Blue Tower cheese. Pairing whisky and blue cheese is usually a match made in heaven, and I wanted to explore more of these pairing options.
This Blue Tower has won the South African National Dairy Championships first prize in the Blue or White Veined Cheese Category for 2015. This Blue Tower cheese is a full fat blue-veined Gorgonzola-style cheese with a mild flavour and a rich, creamy texture.
The Fairview Blue Tower is made with more cream than a Blue Rock, resulting in a creamier texture. It also has a slightly higher moisture content, making it a bit softer and more decadent. This high-fat blue mould cheese is made from jersey milk and matured for three months to give a sharp, almost spicy flavour.
After the success of the Laphroaig 10 yo Cask Strength and Stilton pairing, I decided to pair this cheese with some other interesting peaty whiskies from my collection.
Peaty whisky and blue cheese pairings
Laphroaig Quarter Cask Whisky
First up, I paired it with the Laphroaig Quarter Cask whisky. My tasting notes for this Islay single malt Scotch included iodine, peat, smoke toffee sweetness with fruity notes, some citrus and oak. I rated this Scottish whisky as Excellent. What an incredible pairing this made! The Blue Tower cheese made the Laphroaig Quarter Cask sweeter and smoothed out the medicinal notes.
The whisky and Blue Tower cheese pairing brought out the creamy butter taste in both the whisky and the cheese and softened the cheese’s spicy, mouldy taste. The Laphroaig release is readily available whisky in South Africa. I give this pairing a Rating: 4,5/5.
Dalmore Cigar Malt
My tasting notes for this Highland single malt Scotch whisky included notes of raisins, vanilla, toffee and caramel on the nose. But for me, water unravelled this whisky, and after adding water, it was all smoke, old wet leather and orange zest mixed with a few notes of cinnamon spices. I rated the Dalmore Cigar Malt as Good during my tasting in September 2013.
However, I wanted to see if the cheese could transform this dreary whisky (and allow me to finish this bottle). Pairing the Dalmore whisky and Blue Tower cheese softens the wet leather and tobacco notes in the whisky and made it more drinkable. However, the Dalmore does nothing to the Blue Tower, and I give this pairing a Rating: 2,5 /5.
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Bowmore Enigma 12 year old Whisky
The third whisky and Blue Tower cheese pairing were the Bowmore Enigma 12 year old whisky. I bought this single malt Scotch bottle at Wild About Whisky in Dullstroom on one of our weekends’ visits to the quaint little town.
The tasting notes for this Islay release include sherry, malty toffee, biscuit oats, a wisp of wood smoke and a white pepper sweetness. Again, what a great whisky cheese pairing.
The Blue Tower cheese and Bowmore 12 yo whisky creates a smooth, rich, creamy mouthfeel, and this pairing brings the best of each element to the front. A slightly more expensive pairing, but worthy of a try. I give this pairing a Rating: 4/5.
Three Ships 5 year old whisky
Next up, I tried a truly South African whisky from the beautiful Western Cape. I have previously seen that the Bain’s whisky paired wonderfully with the Fairview Camembert. I wanted to try this Woolworths Blue Tower with South Africa’s very own peaty classic. The tasting notes for the Three Ships 5 yo whisky included oak, barley, and hints of peat, cinnamon and honey.
There are hints of vanilla and fresh fruit. This whisky and Blue Tower cheese pairing blew me away. The whisky becomes peatier and smoky paired with the Blue Tower cheese. The spiciness of the cheese is enhanced, and together they have that yummy factor. A readily available and affordable pairing. I give this pairing a Rating: 4/5.
Amrut Two Continents Whisky
Last but not least, I tried an Amrut Two Continents Indian single malt whisky. It is one of my favourite whiskies, and my tasting notes for this Indian whisky included honey, spice and vanilla. There was a hint of peat but no smoke. I gave the Amrut Two Continents a Divine rating. Pairing this great whisky with the Woolworths Blue Tower cheese created magic.
The whisky and cheese combined to become a smooth, complex and rich experience. It is an incredibly special pairing. The subtle sweet notes of the Amrut Two Continents is enhanced and the whisky brings out a nuttiness in the cheese. I give this pairing a Rating: 5/5.
It seems like this Blue Tower cheese pairs well with many smoky or peaty type whiskies. What would you pair with this cheese?
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