Toor Whisky

I saw a colourful bottle of whisky on social media. The label was a vibrant turquoise blue with a captivating name; Toor whisky. In Afrikaans, my home language, the word means bewitch. I was fortunate to be sent a bottle by Redford Beverages, so today, let’s look at the story behind this bewitching brand.

Toor is a new entrant to the SA whisky market from the Doña distillery in Cape Town. Danielle Schoeman established Doña distillery in 2019 to bring new spirits to the local and international market. Doña means woman of rank.

The dynamic young female master distiller has won multiple awards for her Low/No-alcohol Drink, Best Ready to Drink, and numerous medals for her spirits at local and international competitions.

Her Mahala Botanical was awarded the prestigious Trophy for Best No/Low Alcohol Spirits at the Michelangelo International Awards.

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Another venture under her care is the Toor Collective of whisky, with the first release of a 100% local grain whisky, matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks for 5 years before being finished in French oak casks.

Over time, the Toor Collective is about whisky exploring and experimenting, looking at the various barrel and non-traditional South African wood options, including pinotage, rum and other barrels. More releases will follow as more liquid matures over the coming years.

The distillery has started distilling and ageing its own grain whisky. However, for this first release, the team is sourcing, blending and ageing to deliver the taste profile they are aiming for.

Toor Whisky Review

COUNTRY: South Africa

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Vanilla sweetness with hints of tropical fruit. Subtle woody notes. Very oily whisky with long fingers on the glass.

PALATE: Sweet honey drizzled baked stone fruit with hints of nuts and dry oak. The dry woody notes reminds me a bit of the woody notes in the Uncle Nearest bourbon. Hints of vanilla and light white pepper. A slight alcohol heat. Water smoothes the alcohol heat and makes this dram very drinkable. The Toor whisky is well balanced and exciting.

FINISH: Medium length with sweet honey and drying oak.

RATING: VERY GOOD

A lovely grain whisky. My bottle of Toor whisky nearly done, and that says a lot! The sweet fruity notes make it perfect for spring and summer sipping. Grain whisky in South Africa is stepping up with delicious sweet drams.

Available at WhiskyBrother & Co as well as Takealot. Toor whisky retails for around R330. It is a great whisky to use in cocktails and my favourite cocktail to make is a Tropical Toor.

Sample disclosure: I received this whisky from the Redford Beverages team. The review and tasting notes are my own honest, fair and independent thoughts about the whisky.

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