Tag: William Grant and Sons Page 3 of 8

William Grant and Sons Ltd is an independent, family-owned Scottish company that distills Scotch whisky and other spirits. It was established in 1887 by William Grant, and is run by Grant’s descendants as of 2018. It is the largest of the handful of Scotch whisky distillers remaining in family ownership. The William Grant brands include: Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Kininvie, Grant’s, Monkey Shoulder, Aerstone, Clan MacGregor, Tullamore D.E.W.
Hendrick’s Gin
Reyka Vodka
Sailor Jerry Rum

Tullamore DEW vs Jameson irish whiskey comprison
My second side-by-side comparison for 2021 and I am looking at two well-known Irish whiskey brands: Tullamore DEW vs the Jameson Irish whiskey. Jameson whiskey is the top-selling Irish whiskey in the world, by quite a significant number.

Second is Tullamore DEW with Bushmills following not far behind. I am not the biggest Jameson fan, so we had some fun over the weekend pitting with these two drams against each other. I did it in a blind tasting to take out the bias element.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Red vs Black Label whisky

Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey

"<yoastmark

Tullamore DEW is a brand of Irish whiskey produced by William Grant & Sons. The distillery was founded in 1829 by Michael Molloy in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. The Daly Family acquired the distillery after his death.

The brand changed hands various times, and William Grant and Sons purchased it in 2010. The whiskey is triple distilled, triple blended and triple cask matured. Tullamore DEW whiskey is matured in traditional refill casks, ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks.

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Review and tasting notes Jameson's Irish whiskey with glass
John Jameson, a lawyer from Scotland, founded the distillery in Dublin in 1780 and it was called Bow Street Distillery. All four sons followed in his distilling footsteps, and his son John Jameson II took over the family business. At the turn of the 19th century, it was a world-renowned whiskey.

It is part of the Pernod Ricard whiskey portfolio. Jameson whiskey is a blend of pot still and grain whiskey. Like all Irish whiskey, it is triple distilled. The Jameson Irish whiskey is aged for 4 years in oak.

Tullamore DEW vs Jameson Irish Whiskey

Tullamore DEW vs Jameson Irish Whiskey Comparison

	Tullamore DEW Whiskey	Jameson Whiskey
Type	Irish Whiskey	Irish Whiskey
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Light amber	Gold
Nose	Vanilla and caramel with hints of fresh flowers, butterscotch and citrus with subtropical fruit. In the background, there are faint hints of spice, moss and wood. After the addition of water, the spice and wood dominate the nose.	Freshly baked banana bread, tropical fruit with bits of spicy wood and caramel. Grain mixed with plums, pineapple. Complex and delicious.
Palate	Heaps of spice and oak with hints of grapefruit and lemon rind. Bits of toffee sweetness and malt. However, the peppery spice dominates everything. Adding water mellows out some of the spicy notes.	Very smooth. Medium body but the tropical fruit deliciousness promised by the nose is not there. Bits of malt, aniseed mixed with vanilla and pepper notes. Adding water softens the pepper notes.
Finish	Rather short and end in spicy notes	Short with pepper and orange rind.
My Rating	Very Good	Good
Comments	Quite a spicy whiskey.	The nose promised the world. However, it all fell flat on the palate. Not as complex as I was expecting after the delicious nose.
Price	$29	$32
Pairs well with	Irish Dubliner Cheese.	Hawaiian pizza, Smoked salmon, dried fruit.

My tasting notes for the Tullamore DEW dates from 2016. Since then, my palate has evolved and matured from all the different whisky we taste. Putting these two Irish whiskeys next to each other show how much my tastes has changed.

The Tullamore DEW has notes of caramel, fresh flowers, oak, malt and nearly overwhelming pepper heat. It needs a few drops of water to tone down the spiciness. The Jameson brings notes of banana bread, tropical fruit, malt and vanilla. It has a unique and complex nose, but the nose does not continue on the palate.

The Tullamore DEW was rated ‘Very Good’, and I rated the Jameson whiskey as ‘Good’. However, in the blind tasting, the Jameson came out better than the Tullamore DEW. The Jameson whiskey’s nose is more elegant and inviting, and on the palate, the Jamesons is smoother.

In the Tullamore DEW, the tropical fruit, floral notes, and oaks are more pronounced on the palate than the Jamesons. However, the pepper spiciness of the Tullamore DEW overwhelms all the other tastes. Especially on the finish, the pepper spice of the Tullamore DEW drowns out the fruity sweetness. It is not as smooth as the Jameson, and the finish is shorter as well.

If I had to choose between the two Irish drams, my preference would be the Jameson Irish whiskey. It will never make my list of favourite brands. However, it is excellent for an Irish coffee in winter and this bottle will not go to waste.

Also Read: Teeling Single Malt vs Single Grain Irish Whiskey

Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean Cask Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/18/2021

In Whisky Comparison

Originally this post was part of my Balvenie Golden Cask tasting notes, but it is such a fun and delicious side by side comparison, I decided it warranted a post of its own; Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean Cask whisky. Both these Balvenie releases were finished in rum casks.

The Caribbean Cask release is part of the Balvenie core range, and the Golden Cask was travel retail special. Let’s look at the Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean Cask single malt Scotch whisky comparison.

The Golden Cask has been finished in Caribbean Rum barrels and the Caribbean Cask in barrels that previously held Malt Master David Stewart’s personal blend of select West Indian rum.

I have both these expressions in my collection, so after capturing my tasting notes for the Golden Cask, I got out the Caribbean Cask whisky to do a bit of a comparison. For me, a side-by-side comparison is a valuable learning experience that shows the different sides of each dram.

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Whisky

Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean casks comparison
Balvenie launched the Caribbean Cask 14 yo 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 Speyside single malt whisky has been matured in traditional oak casks for 14 years. Afterwards, they finished it in casks that previously held Malt Master David Stewart’s blend of select West Indian rum.

The Balvenie Golden Cask Whisky

The Balvenie Golden Cask 14 yo single malt whisky with glass Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean casks comparison
The Balvenie Golden Cask whisky was initially bottled for the travel retail market. The Golden Cask single malt Scotch whisky was first matured in traditional oak casks and then finished in casks that formerly held golden Caribbean rum.

It was crafted by Balvenie’s David Stewart, and it has been discontinued.

Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean Cask Whisky

Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean Cask comparison

	Balvenie Golden Cask	Balvenie Caribbean Cask
Age	14 yo	14 yo
ABV	47.5%	43%
Cask Finish	Caribbean rum	David Stewart’s blend of select West Indian rum
Colour	Light wheat gold	Golden wheat
Nose	Heaps of fruits, florals with butterscotch and fudge and vanilla. Fields of summer flowers with hints of cinnamon spice and hints of chocolate coated fruits and oak.	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	The fruity sweetness promised on the nose is not so pronounced, and there are more spicy notes on the palate. The Golden Cask is refined and luxurious. It is fresh and light with pineapple, tropical fruit.	Mango and spicy notes, creamy caramel toffee, vanilla, oak, tipsy tart and ginger. Chewy and spicy.
Finish	Big and bold with sweetness and cinnamon that lingers	Softer with notes of pectin and pepper
Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	More refined and floral with an amazing finish.	Chewy and delicious, but with a few sharp pepper notes.
Pairs well with	Dark chocolate and tropical fruit	Softer cheese such as camembert

Side by side, it is amazing how different these two releases are.

The Balvenie Golden Cask has a higher ABV and is slightly lighter than the Caribbean Cask release. Both releases have tropical rum notes, but they are more pronounced on the Golden Cask.

The Balvenie Golden Cask single malt has a floral note mixed with pineapples and oak. It also has notes of cinnamon and tropical fruit. The Balvenie Caribbean Cask has more mango, raisins, vanilla, and fudge. It has a spicier finish with more pepper and ginger notes.

Both are excellent and delicious, a testament to Balvenie’s Master Distillers’ skill and quality. If I have to choose a favourite, it will be the Balvenie Golden Cask whisky. The Golden Cask is more refined and less spicy than the Caribbean Cask. It is my favourite of these two bottles.

Both my bottles are nearly finished. I will be sad to see the Golden Cask empty; it was a delicious and unique dram. The Caribbean Cask is readily available, and when the bottle is empty, I will replace it.

I have also done a side by side comparison between the Caribbean Cask and the Balvenie Doublewood.

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/17/2020

In Single Malt whisky

Today, I look at the Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. With its iconic triangular bottle, the Glenfiddich distillery has carved its name into the annals of whisky history as a stalwart producer of exceptional single malts.

This distinctive form, which graced Glenfiddich bottles from 1957 to today, has become synonymous with quality and character. As I delve into the realm of whisky wonders, I am particularly captivated by the Glenfiddich 12 year old expression. It has a matching green cover tin that befits its reputation.

Trailblazers in packaging innovation, Glenfiddich was among the first to encase their bottles in stylish tubes and gift tins. They were also among the first to embrace the significance of the duty-free market, cementing their status as pioneers in the industry.

These visionary strides have enabled Glenfiddich to remain a cherished gem of family ownership amid a landscape dominated by conglomerates.

The Glenfiddich distillery was founded in Dufftown, Scotland, in 1886, close to the Glen of the River Fiddich. This storied birthplace imparts the distinct Speyside character to its whisky, weaving tradition and terroir into every sip.

The Glenfiddich 12 year old Scotch whisky is crafted through maturation in a harmonious marriage of Oloroso sherry and bourbon whisky casks.

In my ever-growing whisky collection, I’ve reserved a special place for the Glenfiddich range, a testament to my admiration for their artistry.

A medley of Glenfiddich tasting notes line my archive, with a few standouts etching themselves into my memory:

As the gateway to the distillery’s offerings, the Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky beckons with an alluring promise of discovery.

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Bright amber. It’s quite a light colour. The whisky itself is quite oily and leave distinctive fingers on the inside of the glass.

NOSE: First brings fresh fruit, pear, oak & honey. Hints of yellow apple, honey sweetness and vanilla. The addition of water releases more florals and faint spice in the nose.

PALATE: On the palate, the first impression is smoothness. It is wonderfully rounded with creamy wood notes, toffee and dried fruit. A subtle hint of pear mixed with spicy cinnamon and nutmeg. It is a very smooth, medium-bodied whisky that is not very complex. In my opinion, this is one of those examples of a whisky that most people will enjoy.

FINISH: Medium length. It ends with notes of oak and spice. There is a lovely oily mouth feel at the end.

RATING: EXCELLENT.

It is the perfect starter whisky for a novice in single malt whiskies. The Glenfiddich 12 year old is unpretentious, harmonious, and smooth.

Within the cultural tapestry of Afrikaans, there is a word: “staatmaker.” It evokes the essence of dependability, a quality that resonates beautifully with the Glenfiddich 12 yo whisky.

Another great feature is the affordable price. The retail price is around R 500 in South Africa and in India the price is ₹ 5,860.

As my journey of whisky comparison evolves, I’ve compared the Glenfiddich 12 year old with its counterparts – the Glenlivet 12 year old single malt whisky and the Singleton 12 year old single malt whisky – to gauge their distinct personalities when savoured side by side.

I have also experimented with the Chivas 12 year old and the Glenfiddich 12 year old to see how the blend match up to the single malt. Follow the link to see my views on this comparison.

Pairing Glenfiddich and Food

Looking around at food pairings that elevate the Glenfiddich’s charm:

A pear and ginger crumble marries splendidly with the whisky’s pear undertones, crafting a dessert of heartwarming proportions.
The savoury allure of a charcuterie platter, laden with salty meats and creamy cheeses, works in harmony with the Glenfiddich’s notes.

In single malt terms, the Glenfiddich 12 year old Scotch is a must have in your cupboard – a testament to a legacy that encapsulates innovation, tradition, and accessibility.

Related Article: Tomatin 12 yo Whisky

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/13/2020

In Single Malt whisky

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.