Showing posts with label Blended Scotch Whisky Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blended Scotch Whisky Review. Show all posts

Teacher's Clan Review


“Clan Beats Highland Cream”

Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Brand: Teacher’s Clan (Wm. Teacher & Sons Ltd - Ardmore Scotland UK)
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%

Colour: Dark Gold (Artificially Coloured: Caramel INS E 150-A).

Nose: Light and Simple with Cereals, a bit of Malt, Refill Oak, Caramel, Toffee, light Vanilla, Treacle, Sweet Red Apple, Nut Shells, light Honey, light Spices, light Peat (Smoke) and hints of Citrus Peel, White Wine, Leather, Sugar and Cocoa Powder. It's Sweet but in an inoffensive way. The Alcohol is quite noticeable. After a while in the Glass I find some Cooked Vegetables and Potatoes as well. On the Nose, the Clan is not exciting but neither do I find really annoying off-notes.  

Taste: Sugared Breakfast Cereals, Toffee, Caramel, very light Peat (Smoke), Malt, light Vanilla, Cocoa Powder, Refill Oak, light Licorice and Pepper. Quite Edgy!  

Finish: Edgy and Hot but quite Short. Sugary Sweet at first but with a little Bitterness towards the end. I find Sugared Cereals, Caramel, Refill Oak, light Licorice, Pepper, Menthol and a very distant hint of Peat Smoke. The Alcohol stings a little.

I added some Water and to my surprise the Nose becomes more Floral. I believe to find some Heather-Honey notes as well. On the Palate and in the Finish, the Smoke and Licorice notes become more distinct. It gets a little Watery of course but you can carefully add a few drops at a time.

Rating: 74.5 

Nose: 20 - Taste: 18.5 - Finish: 17.5 - Overall: 18.5


General Remarks: The Brazilian version of Teacher's Highland Cream elaborated by Pernod Ricard Brasil is Market Leader in the North East of Brazil. You can find my Review elsewhere on the site. It's not a Blend I recommend! In 2013, a new Blend was launched reaching out for the higher end of this specific market. It was named Teacher's Clan and initially it was only available in the North East of Brazil. In the meantime however you can find it in other Brazilian regions as well. I bought my bottle in a supermarket here in Sao Paulo. The Clan differs from the regular local Highland Cream in that it is totally produced and bottled in Scotland. It consists of solid Grain Whisky as well as Malt Whisky from the Ardmore distillery. The lightly peated Ardmore Spirit used in this Blend matures in 200 L. Ex-Bourbon Casks after which some of the better barrels are selected for double maturation in 120 L. Quarter Casks. Teacher's Clan sells at around 35 US Dollars (December 2015).   

Drinking Experience Neat: Slightly below Average

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Okay. I would advise you to mix in some peated Malt Whisky (1/5).

Conclusion: Teacher's Clan is way better than the horrible Brazilian version of the Highland Cream. Still, the Clan is your average bottom shelf Blend. You can drink it but it doesn't provide any interesting Flavours and Aromas. A little Ice helps but doesn't solve this issue. I bought this bottle out of curiosity and I will finish it by mixing in some peated Malt Whisky. I won't buy another bottle of Teacher's Clan though despite the fact that it's reasonably priced for Brazilian standards!

Jan van den Ende                                                              December 3, 2015

The Stills at Ardmore

Ballantine's Finest 2015 Review


“My Funny Ballantine”

Country: Scotland
Brand: Ballantine’s Finest
Type: Blended Whisky
Age: NAS
Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Pale Gold

Nose: Young, Light and Thin. A little Sweet Fruit like Red Apples or Peach. I also find Sugared Breakfast Cereals, light Honey, Toffee, Caramel, Butterscotch, light Citrus Peel, some Dried Fruits and Nuts, Floral notes like Heather, Grass and Straw and a faint hint of Smoke. The Alcohol is not integrated and stings every once in a while. I nosed this in 2011 as well and I must confess I like it a little better this time.  

Taste: Thin and Watery Delivery with Toasted Cereals, Charred Refill Oak, light Vanilla, Sugar, Toffee, Butterscotch, Grass, Straw, Apple, Licorice and Pepper.

Finish: Short and Sugary Sweet with Toffee, Caramel, Butterscotch, Pop Corn, Nuts, light Vanilla, Grass, Charred Oak, Licorice and Pepper.

Rating: 74.5 

Nose: 19.5 – Taste: 18.5 – Finish: 18 – Overall: 18.5

Miltonduff

General Remarks: This Blended Whisky was created in 1910 by the Ballantine's Family. Miltonduff and Glenburgie are the main Single Malts in this blend but there are said to be around 50 Whiskies in all present here, including 4 Grain Whiskies. It's one of the best selling Blends in the world. It's quite cheap at around 30 US Dollars (July 2015).

No need to add Water to this Blend. It's already Thin enough as it comes.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Okay

Conclusion: This Blend gets some fine reviews from people like Jim Murray and I still fail to see why. I must admit that I liked it a bit better now than back in 2011. Maybe my Palate has developed or the Blend changed a bit over the years. Or both. I got a light Smoky note on the Nose that wasn't there in 2011. Or at least I did not notice it at that time. My final score is slightly higher than it was in 2011. The Nose is okay for a Blend in this class but Palate and Finish are quite Thin, Watery and Boring. Even on the rocks I wasn't too impressed with this Blend. I found the Sugar and Licorice rather annoying. So what can I say? At 30 US Dollars a bottle you can not expect to enter into the Whisky Heaven. As indeed you don't with Ballantine's Finest!

Jan van den Ende                                                                       July 15, 2015

Glenburgie

Black Grouse Alpha Edition Review


“ Not Much Of A Man”

Country: Scotland
Brand: Black Grouse Alpha Edition
Blended By: Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd, Perth
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%

Colour: Dark Gold

Nose: The light Smoke and dirty Earth are more similar to young Highland Park than to Islay Malts. The Smoke is less dense than I expected. I also find Grain Alcohol, Biscuits, Toasted Refill Oak, Nut Shells, Pencil Shavings, Toffee, Dried Fruits, Straw, Sugar, Honey, light Citrus, Barley, light Spices and hints of Cocoa Powder and Ashes. There is a rather Musty feeling to the Nose and the Alcohol is not fully integrated. It's not bad but I had expected more of the Alpha.

Taste: Thin and Sugary Sweet. I find Dirty Earth, light Smoke, Charred Oak, Grain Alcohol, Biscuits, Toffee, slightly Bitter Almonds, light Licorice, Pepper, Nutmeg, light Menthol, Lemon, light Vanilla, Raisins and Cocoa Powder. There's a slight hint of Macallan Sherry but you have to dig deep to get it.  

Finish: Short, slightly Bitter and Dry toward the end. I find slightly Harsh Grain Alcohol, Toasted Oak, Dirty Earth, Cigarette Ashes, light Pepper, Bitter Almonds, light Citrus, light Menthol and a hint of Bitter Chocolate. 

I added a few drops of Water and the Nose gets some extra Grass and Straw. Palate and Finish become too Thin however. Best enjoy this Blend over ice.

Rating: 79 

Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 19.5- Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 19.5


General Remarks: This expression in the Grouse Blended Whisky series was launched for Travel Retail only in 2011 but by the end of 2012 it had become widely available. It is meant to be a better and smokier version of the Black Grouse. This is done by adding higher proportions of longer aged Malts. Black Grouse is owned by the Edrington Group that also also owns Macallan, Glenturret and Highland Park. These whiskies form the heart of the standard Black Grouse and the Alpha edition. Next to these, the Alpha also contains Grain Whisky and Islay Malt. The packaging and presentation are very nice and the Alpha price is reasonable at an average 50 US Dollars (June 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay.

Conclusion: I had expected a lot more of this Black Grouse Alpha Edition. It's not a lot better than the standard Black Grouse nor a whole lot smokier. It's a normal Middle-Class Blended Whisky. The Grain Alcohol rules and I only notice a light Malt presence. I clearly get Highland Park. The Macallan is there but you have to dig for it. I don't think the Alpha edition is worth the extra buck despite the slick presentation. If you like the Grouse, stay with the Standard Black. Or better, try out the JW Black. You will find it more rewarding as a smoky Blend! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                   June 15, 2015

There's certainly Macallan in this Alpa Edition!

Langs Supreme Review


“Great Value for Money”
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Brand: Langs Supreme
Blended, Bottled and Matured by: Lang Brothers (Ian MacLeod)
Distilled at: Glengoyne
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%

Colour: Full Gold

Nose: Light but Pleasant with Sweet Barley, Apple Pie with Raisins, Peach Cake, light Sherry, Nuts, Citrus Peel, Grass and other light Floral tones, Cinnamon, Oak, Caramel, light Vanilla and hints of Sulphur an Salted Butter. The (Grain) Alcohol is nicely integrated and the Grass and Apple Pie notes are pretty similar to those I found in the Glengoyne 10 Years. 

Taste: Light but Creamy with Sweet Barley, Fruit Cake, Citrus Peel, Oak, Grass, light Chocolate, light Vanilla, Cinnamon, light Ginger and light Pepper.  

Finish: Middle-Long, Sweet and Creamy with Sweet Barley, Fruitcake, Citrus Peel, Dried Fruit, Cinnamon, Toffee, Mint, light Licorice, light Pepper and Ginger.

Langs Supreme accepts a little Water but it does become a bit too light for my taste. 

Rating: 81.5

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5


General Remarks: This Blend was first produced in 1861 by Alexander and Gavin Lang. Today it contains 25 Malt - and Grain Whiskies with Glengoyne at its heart. The Malt content is high for a Blend at around 40%. Mainly Highland and Speyside Malts are included. The whiskies used are usually at least 5 years old and are married for around 9 months before being bottled. In 1984 Langs was granted a Royal Warrant by the Queen mother. Today Ian MacLeod brings two expressions to the market, the 5 Years Supreme and the 12 years. The miniature I'm tasting today however does not carry an age statement so I must assume it was bottled a couple of years ago. Langs Supreme 5 Y is available at around 30 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good and above expectations!

Conclusion: When compared to your average Blended Scotch, Langs Supreme shows the positive effects of the higher Malt content. As a result there's a better balance between the Sharp Grain Alcohol and the Softer Malt Spirit. The Grass and Apple Pie notes reveal the presence of young Glengoyne in the Blend. I'm not quite sure if the NAS expression I'm tasting today is similar - or equal to the Langs Supreme 5 Year old that is available in the market today. If that's so, the Langs Supreme has a great Value for Money ratio. To be sure, I will try to get samples of both the 5 and 12 Years. In any case, I was pleasantly surprised by Langs Supreme Blended Scotch!

Jan van den Ende                                                                    March 16, 2015

Poit Dhubh 21 Years Review



Country: Scotland 
Brand: Poit Dhubh
Bottler: Praban Na Linne Ltd. 
Type: Blended Malt Whisky
Age:  21 Years
ABV:  43 %
Date: 02/06/2014

Colour: Mahogany

Nose: Robust and Quite Mature. The Oak is reminiscent of Cognac or Rum casks. I find Oloroso Sherry, light vegetable Peat, Malt, Vanilla, Toast, Brown Sugar, Orange Marmalade, Sugared Almonds, Dried Apricot, Figs, light Honey and other Floral tones, Old Leather Chairs that have just been polished, light Spices and a pinch of Salt. Most probably a mix of Speyside Malts with some Talisker and/or Highland Malt adding strength. The Alcohol is nicely integrated. Powerful, Heavy, slightly Intoxicating Nose.

Palate: Bitter-Sweet with Caramel, Orange, Perfumed Honey, Oloroso, light Peat, Oak, Vanilla, Pepper, Cinnamon, Dried Fruits, Nuts, Licorice, Cognac and a sprinkle of Salt.

Finish: Middle Long with Oak, Chili Pepper, light Peat, Vanilla, light Cinnamon, Malt, Citrus and Licorice.

I added a bit of Water and on the Nose the Honey, Citrus and Floral tones are enhanced. Palate and Finish accept a few drops but be careful as it waters down easily. I advise you to try it both neat and with some drops of Water.

Rating: 85.5

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21- Overall: 21.5


General Remarks: Poit Dhubh (Gaelic for Black Pot or Illicit Still) is Blended Malt Whisky, partly matured in Ex-Sherry Casks. Poit Dhubh 21 years was released in 1991. The Brand Poit Dhubh as such was introduced in 1982 and is Non Chill-Filtered since 1992. The 21 year expression costs around 100 US Dollars. It is bottled by Praban Na Linne Ltd, located on the Isle of Skye (Hebrides) and founded in 1976 by Sir Iain Noble. It's still a family-owned company. There are also 8 - and 12 year old versions of the Poit Dhubh.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: A quality Blend as of course it should be given its peppery price. The Nose is Heavy and Perfumed, full of Oak, Vanilla and Citrus. Nice Oloroso touch. Nicely integrated Alcohol. A bit too much Oak, Perfume and Licorice on the Palate for my taste but if you like that flavour profile you should give this Blend a chance. A bit of Water helps to open it up but waters it down at the same time. An ABV of 46% would have been more adequate in this respect. Still, it's a powerful step forwards when compared to the 12 years!

Jan van den Ende                                                               June, 2014



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Hello everybody,

Something I almost forgot!! During my trip to Scotland, Best Shot Whisky Reviews reached 1 million page views. I followed the last views on my brother in law's I- Pad to be sure I could identify Page View nr. 1.000.000. It happened on the 19th of May around 5 o' clock in the afternoon UK time. Unfortunately I don't know the name of the person but I do know he or she visits the site from time to time and hails from Evanston, Illinois in the USA. On that particular 19th of May he or she was searching on Google for a Review on the Glenfarclas 25 Years and was referred to Best Shot Whisky Reviews. If you think you're the one, please make yourself known to me. You can either leave a comment or send me an e-mail on janende@uol.com.br. Look forward to hear from you. 
Best Shot Whisky Reviews enjoys some 1.500 page views per day on average and that's amazing. A big thanks to all of you for that!

Cheers!

Jan