Whisky Reviews

Whisky Review #69 – Machrie Moor 2016 Cask Strength

Machrie Moor is Arran’s special child. It is the only peated whisky in its entire collection and is bottled at both 46% and at cask strength. The Machrie Moor series started as a yearly release in 2010 and Arran has plans to expand their peated selection moving forward.

The history of Machrie Moor started in 2004 when Arran’s master distiller decided to try a peated Arran. The peat was obtained from Machrie Moor which is near to the distillery, hence the name of the expression. The yearly releases are different from one another, and the most prominent difference is their ABV.

The object of our review here is Machrie Moor 2016 Cask Strength (CS). The expression is a single malt whisky that is made up of 5 to 7 years old whiskies aged in bourbon casks with a moderate peat level of 20ppm.

Let’s dive into the review.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Pale Gold
ABV: 58.5%

Nose: Citrus fruits like orange and lemon is at the forefront with gentle peat floating in the background. Hints of creamy vanilla notes hide in the background too. (16/20)

Palate: Sweet citrus fruits (lemons) come through strongly and coats the palate. As the liquid stays in the mouth, peppercorn coats the palate and lingers. The peat smoke gentle swirls around the palate, combining beautifully with the citrus and pepper spice. (18/20)

Finish: Long finish with creamy vanilla notes. Peat smoke lingers gently in the mouth for a long time before exiting like a puff of smoke. (17/20)

Body: A beautiful and balanced expression that is surprising for a young whisky such as the Machrie Moor 2016. The characteristic of this gentle peated whisky is excellent for simple exploration. While it is not a peat monster, the slight smoke is a perfect way to introduce a new person to smoky whisky. (30/40)

Total Score: 81/100

Comments:

Geek Flora: “I love this! It is a gentle peated whisky that all ladies can enjoy without choking on thick smoke. It is perfect for whisky lovers who want more complexity in their whiskies.”

Geek Choc: “Well, I think it is a well-balanced whisky I enjoyed. However, I think it can be better if the ppm is higher. I am looking forward to new Machrie Moor with a higher ppm.”

 

Like what you have just read?

    Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

    [mc4wp_checkbox]

    Whisky Review #68 – Arran 18-Year-Old

    18 is a magic number in the whisky world. It is common for whisky lovers to look out for aged liquid 18 years and above. Somehow, the liquid almost always tastes better. Nevertheless, there are still exceptions, and we believe that we can’t judge until we tasted the liquid.

    The Arran 18-year-old is currently the oldest expression in the core range. While it may soon lose its position as the oldest expression, this champion is still worth exploring because of its complexity. It is made up of almost 90% of ex-sherry cask whisky and the rest from ex-bourbon cask. Do expect this whisky to be sweeter than the 10 and 14-year-old.

    Let’s look into this beautiful 18-year-old whisky.

    Tasting Notes:

    Colour: Deep Gold
    ABV: 46%

    Nose: Sweet sherry oakiness wafts up the nose with baked peaches in syrup in the forefront. Some toasted nuts (likely almonds) are present too. Hints of vanilla and light cinnamon spice hides in the background. (17/20)

    Palate: Caramel sweetness (sherry influence) coupled with soft cinnamon spice coat the palate. There are also notes of sweet white peaches and citrus fruits at the back of the mouth. (17/20)

    Finish: Long finish with sweet white peaches all the way. It is also slightly astringent (oak influence) towards the end. (16/20)

    Body: This expression is well-balanced and has more character. The flavours and aromas mix well together to create an expression with depth worth exploring. (30/40)

    Total Score: 80/100

    Comments:

    Geek Flora: “Yums! The 18-year-old is indeed more magical than the 10 and 14-year-old. I might just change my mind about buying the 14-year-old and upgrading straight to the 18-year-old!”

    Geek Choc:“This is my favourite so far. I have a special love for ex-sherry cask whisky, and the 18-year-old is just right. The balance between the sherry, bourbon and oak influence is right, making this whisky balanced.”

     

    Like what you have just read?

      Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

      [mc4wp_checkbox]

      Whisky Review #67: Arran 14-Year-Old

      Arran distillery needs no more introduction after our post of its history and another one on the event at Quaich Bar. The object of our review today is the Arran 14-year-old. Dubbed as the perfect “go-to” dram for a whisky lover who wants to upgrade from the 10-year-old and not yet wanting to advance to the 18-year-old, this whisky here is a beautiful expression.

      Arran 14-year-old is made up of whiskies matured in 60% ex-sherry casks and 40% ex-bourbon casks. Therefore, when compared to the 10-year-old, it is not as fruity but sweeter due to the sherry influence.

      Let’s check out the review now.

      Tasting Notes:

      Colour: Copper Gold
      ABV: 46%

      Nose: Sweet oak mixed with dried fruits, vanilla and toffee, come up front when we first nose it. The spice hides in the background. When we add a little water, some sea salt tang appears alongside caramelised fruits notes. (16/20)

      Palate: Sweet vanilla and honey coat the palate with notes of green apples and pears. Charred oak is also prominent with spice at the back of the tongue. Interestingly, the spice disappears, and the honey notes become more noticeable after airing the whisky. With water, the spice comes a little stronger to the forefront, but the vanilla and honey sweetness quickly overcome it. (16/20)

      Finish: The finish is reasonably long with dried fruits and vanilla notes. Some honey is also detected at the end. (15/20)

      Body: The balance for the 14-year-old is slightly better than the 10-year-old. It is still somewhat singular in its profile but an upgrade from the 10-year-old. (30/40)

      Total Score: 77/100

      Comments:

      Geek Flora: “The 14-year-old is slightly more complex as compared to the 10-year-old. While I still tend to lean towards the simple 10-year-old for my daily dram, this 14-year-old is a potential upgrade for me after I finished the 10-year-old bottle.” 

      Geek Choc: “It is singular, but I kinda like it. The higher sherry influence in the 14-year-old appeals to me as the sweetness of the dried fruits makes it more interesting.” 

       

      Like what you have just read?

        Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

        [mc4wp_checkbox]

        Whisky Review #66 – Arran 10-Year-Old

        The Arran 10-Year-Old is the entry level to its incredible range of whiskies. Made with the occasional whisky drinker in mind, this whisky is approachable and easy to drink. If it is the first time you are trying Arran, the 10-Year-Old is an excellent bottle to start. The liquid that made up the 10-Year-Old is 20% from ex-sherry casks and 80% from ex-bourbon casks. The result of this mixture is a sweet, fruity and slightly spicy concoction.

        Let’s check out the review without further ado.

        Tasting Notes:

        Colour: Pale Gold
        ABV: 46%

        Nose: Sweet vanilla cupcakes greets the nose with a touch of spicy cinnamon. Notes of citrus fruits (oranges, lemons) follow after to create a sweet and gentle nose. With some time, fresh oak appears to deepen the complexity of the whisky. (15/20)

        Palate: Sweet vanilla notes couple with red apples coat the palate beautifully before citrus fruitiness rush in to fill the palate. The mouthfeel is soft and mellow, creating an almost silky feel. (16/20)

        Finish: A relatively long finish with sweet apples and a slight citrus zest. Hints of spice linger in the throat. (16/20)

        Body: Reasonably balanced for a 10-year-old whisky with a straightforward character. It is indeed an entry level whisky that can be enjoyed by everyone. (29/40)

        Total Score: 76/100

        Comments:

        Geek Flora: “I like the Arran 10-Year-Old for its simple character. It is an approachable dram and one that beginners can easily adapt to. The sweet, fruity spice adds complexity to the mellow notes of the whisky.”

        Geek Choc: “It is a simple drink that can be enjoyed anytime. If you have friends who are not whisky drinkers, this is a good dram to introduce if you want to convert them into whisky lovers!”

         

        Like what you have just read?

          Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

          [mc4wp_checkbox]

          Whisky Review #65 – Bruichladdich 20 Years Old Duncan Taylor

          Bruichladdich fans will agree that it usually taste of sweet vanilla notes and is spicy on the palate. However, have you thought about a Bruichladdich that has almost no spice, and instead, takes on a light, grassy note? No? Well, neither have we! Until now…that is.

          The subject of this review is a Bruichladdich 20-year-old by the independent bottler, Duncan Taylor. Distilled in 1992, the liquid matured in oak casks for 20 years before getting bottled in 2013. The total yield is 300 bottles.

          Let’s look into this excellent dram now.

          Tasting Notes:

          Colour: Pale Gold
          ABV: 52.4%

          Nose: Grassy to the max! It smells like an early morning stroll in a meadow, where flowers are just starting to bloom. The sweetness is minimum, but instead, floral notes are prominent. Peppery spice floats in the background, but it is not strong. Un-typical Bruichladdich! After airing for near 30 minutes, the sweetness of white peaches can be detected in the background, making it more typical Bruichladdich. (17/20)

          Palate: The taste is light grass and floral all at the same time. Slightly acidic with light peppery spice. Unlike the Classic Laddie, this whisky has almost no spice. After a while, honeyed notes surface and push the spice further into the background. After airing for near 30 minutes, the palate changes completely. The grassy notes are gone and are replaced by sweet white peaches, making the taste more like a typical Bruichladdich. (18/20)

          Finish: The finish is short with some sweetness. It does not change with time. (15/20)

          Body: It is a simple whisky, but well-balanced. Mind-blown at first but slowly, it develops typical characteristics of Bruichladdich. This is a shot of whisky that can be savoured over an extended period just to see it blossom into its full Bruichladdich character. (32/40)

          Total Score: 82/100

          Comments:

          Geek Choc: “I did not expect a surprise when I ordered this dram, but boy, did it surprise me with its difference from the typical Bruichladdich. I like the grassy notes and the fact that the spice is minimum. It is nice to taste something different now and then! It is probably a good idea to drink this again in a month’s time to see if the oxidation in the bottle makes this “more Bruichladdich” than what I had.” 

          Geek Flora: “When Choc told me that this is grassy, I thought he was drunk! Nonetheless, I was impressed when I nosed and tasted this dram. That is fantastic! Well, it is a pity that Spice did not get to try this one because he was overseas. We will drag him along if we try this again!”

           

          Like what you have just read?

            Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

            [mc4wp_checkbox]

            Whisky Review #64 – Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky

            Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is a single grain whisky that shares its home with Three Ships at James Sedgwick Distillery. As a single grain whisky, it is highly regarded in South Africa and also in the world. The distillate is made from yellow maize (corn) and matured in first fill bourbon American casks. Bain’s Cape Mountain may not be well-known in Southeast Asia, but it is popular in its home country.

            Let’s see how this measures up to some of the American straight rye that we have tried previously.

            Tasting Notes:

            Colour: Dark Gold
            ABV: 43%

            Nose: Straight-up toffee sweetness engulfs the nose immediately with hints of white pepper in the background. The sweetness is not overwhelming like most grain/rye whiskies. (16/20)

            Palate: Fantastic delivery of toffee sweetness in the palate without numbing the senses to the hints of gentle spices in the background. Similar to the Sazerac Rye but Bain’s is less sweet. (18/20)

            Finish: The finish is reasonably long with sweet toffee trailing all the way to the end. It is slightly astringent towards the end but nothing major. Good dram. (17/20)

            Body: This is a well-balanced single grain whisky that is not overwhelmingly sweet. It is sweeter than Chita, the Japanese grain whisky from Suntory, but the sweetness is pleasant. Lovely toffee notes that warms the body also add to the appeal. (34/40)

            Total Score: 85/100

            Comments:

            Geek Flora: Well, this is a pleasant dram to enjoy on a lovely night. The gentle spice and toffee sweetness are spectacular on the palate. I love how it balances the sweetness with a little spice to create more character than what Chita offers.”

            Where to buy: If you are looking to purchase this bottle, you can find it at Quaich Bar, Singapore’s first whisky bar. Alternatively, visit their online store at www.whiskystore.com.sg to get it delivered to your doorstep.

            Like what you have just read?

              Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

              [mc4wp_checkbox]

               

              Whisky Review #63 – Three Ships 15-Year-Old Pinotage Cask Finish

              The Three Ships 15-year-old Pinotage Cask Finish is the first whisky in the world to finish in a pinotage cask. The Pinotage is a uniquely South African wine made in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold. The whisky is the oldest whisky released in South Africa to date. Andy Watts specially crafted this whisky to reflect the unique heritage of South Africa. The whisky is rich and complex.

              The Pinotage Cask Finish is not a single malt. It is a blend of malt and grain whiskies which were matured separately in American casks for 15 years before being finished in eight Pinotage casks. Due to the higher climate in South Africa, the whisky extracts flavours from the casks faster than usual. It resulted in a whisky that feels much older than 15 years old.

              Let’s check out the review.

              Tasting Notes:

              Colour: Dark Amber
              ABV: 46.2%

              Nose: Tropical fruits and plums hit the nose with “Juicy Banana” chewing gum notes following right after. Sweet Pinotage earthy notes linger in the background. (18/20)

              Palate: Robust, earthy notes combine with banana and pineapples coats the palate beautifully. The whisky is dense and full-bodied. The spice is gentle on the palate even at 46.2% abv. (19/20)

              Finish: It has a medium to long finish with warm spice and tropical fruits lingering in the mouth. (17/20)

              Body: The whisky is well-balanced and consistent throughout. The earthy notes from the Pinotage cask are special and create an interesting experience. (33/40)

              Total Score: 87/100

              Comments:

              Geek Flora: “This is the first time I tried the Three Ships 15 YO, and I am impressed with the Pinotage Cask Finish. The earthy notes from the cask add an element of surprise to the otherwise sweet whisky. The complexity is fair but not as good as the 10 Years old single malt, even at a higher age statement. The selling point is the unique Pinotage finish, and you should try it if you have not.”

              Where to buy: If you are looking to purchase this bottle, you can find it at Quaich Bar, Singapore’s first whisky bar. Alternatively, visit their online store at www.whiskystore.com.sg to get it delivered to your doorstep.

              Like what you have just read?

                Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

                [mc4wp_checkbox]

                Whisky Review #62 – Three Ships 10-Year-Old Single Malt

                The Three Ships 10-year-old is the only single malt in the Three Ships range of whiskies. James Sedgwick Distillery made the distillate in 2005 after a successful run of their single malts in 2003. As the first ever single malt whisky to carry an age statement in their core range, this expression is carefully crafted by Master Distiller, Andy Watts.

                Andy made the distillate from peated barley and used the winter months for fermentation so that the yeast can follow its natural fermentation curve without too much influence from the hot weather in South Africa. After distillation, he housed the spirits in older American oak to compliment the gentle flavours of the spirit.

                Let’s look at how this whisky performs.

                Tasting Notes:

                Colour: Amber
                ABV: 43%

                Nose: Sweet oak mixed with honeyed roasted meat wafts up the nose with slight peat. White pepper surfaces after a while with dark toffee and digestive biscuits in the background. (18/20)

                Palate: Rich, honeyed sweetness coats the palate before some creamy butterscotch notes appear. Gentle peat smoke lingers at the back to complement the sweetness of the whisky. (18/20)

                Finish: It has a relatively long finish with sweet oak, honey and peat smoke lingering in the mouth. (18/20)

                Body: It is a well-balanced and complex single malt whisky. The lovely peat smoke combines with the honey sweetness to bring on a beautiful expression from Three Ships. Good stuff. (35/40)

                Total Score: 89/100

                Comments:

                Geek Choc: “This whisky is my favourite from Three Ships. It has depth, and yet it is approachable even for beginners. The spice is minimum, and the peat smoke is gentle. It is not a peat monster for sure, but one that lures you to keep trying. Good efforts!”

                Where to buy: If you are looking to purchase this bottle, you can find it at Quaich Bar, Singapore’s first whisky bar. Alternatively, visit their online store at www.whiskystore.com.sg to get it delivered to your doorstep.

                Like what you have just read?

                  Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

                  [mc4wp_checkbox]

                  Whisky Review #61 – Three Ships 5-Year-Old

                  The Three Ships 5-year-old is another core range for the long-living brand in South Africa. It is a premium blend of malt and grain whiskies that starts its journey as an excellent whisky in 1991. James Sedgwick Distillery made the 5-year-old with a heavily peated malted barley before mixing it with a grain whisky. The result is soft smoke and caramel sweetness.

                  Here’s what we think.

                  Tasting Notes:

                  Colour: Deep Gold
                  ABV: 43%

                  Nose: Soft, peaty notes gently caressed the nose with sweet tropical fruits in the background. There are some hints of vanilla notes mixed with the tropical fruits. (16/20)

                  Palate: Caramelised red apples with soft smoke coats the palate gently without fighting with dominance. There are also small traces of vanilla cupcakes found in the background. (18/20)

                  Finish: It has a relatively long finish with sweet vanilla and caramel notes lingering the mouth. The sweetness is gentle and not overwhelming. (18/20)

                  Body: This is a soft whisky with almost no spice. The peat smoke beautifully complemented the sweetness of both caramel and vanilla. It is balanced and feels much older than a 5-year-old whisky. It is likely due to the climate of South Africa for a 5-year-old to display such characters. (32/40)

                  Total Score: 84/100

                  Comments:

                  Geek Choc: “I think the 5-year-old has a high complexity as compared to the Bourbon Cask Finish. Of course, it should get a higher complexity due to age, but I think that the peat smoke also plays a part in making it more special.” 

                  Where to buy: If you are looking to purchase this bottle, you can find it at Quaich Bar, Singapore’s first whisky bar. Alternatively, visit their online store at www.whiskystore.com.sg to get it delivered to your doorstep.

                  Like what you have just read?

                    Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

                    [mc4wp_checkbox]

                    Whisky Review #60 – Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish

                    The Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish (BCF) is a special release by James Sedgwick Distillery (JSD) in 2005. It is the first blended whisky that is 100% South African because JSD distilled and matured both the malt and grain whiskies used in this expression. The Three Ships BCF matures in American oak casks for three years before being placed into first fill American Bourbon casks for another 6-month marrying period. It results in a blended whisky with an interesting character.

                    Let’s check out the whisky next.

                    Tasting Notes:

                    Colour: Rich Gold
                    ABV: 43%

                    Nose: Soft caramel sweetness wafts into the nose gently followed by hints of vanilla cupcakes. White pepper spice lingers in the background. (17/20)

                    Palate: Soft caramel and vanilla notes complement each other beautifully in the palate. As the liquid stays in the mouth, the vanilla notes became stronger but did not overpower the caramel notes. Gentle spice swirls in the background pleasantly, creating a sweet and spicy flavour. (18/20)

                    Finish: The finish is medium with sweet vanilla lingering in the mouth. (16/20)

                    Body: Well-balanced whisky with pronounced vanilla notes and caramel sweetness. The bourbon cask finish gives a higher complexity to the whisky. While it may not be the most complicated whisky, it has an interesting character that makes it better than the Three Ships Select Whisky. (33/40)

                    Total Score: 84/100

                    Comments:

                    Geek Flora: “I love my bourbon cask, and this whisky did not disappoint me. The influence of the bourbon cask finish may be a little stronger than needed but it has a good character. Overall, this is a fantastic bottle.” 

                    Where to buy: If you are looking to purchase this bottle, you can find it at Quaich Bar, Singapore’s first whisky bar. Alternatively, visit their online store at www.whiskystore.com.sg to get it delivered to your doorstep.

                     

                    Like what you have just read?

                      Join WhiskyGeeks.sg as a member for FREE and receive our curated articles and videos in your mailbox every month!

                      [mc4wp_checkbox]