Amrut Naarangi Batch 03 Review



“Orange Blossom Special”

Whisky Review # 817

Country: India
Region: Karnataka (Southern India)
Brand: Amrut Naarangi - Batch # 03 - Bottled: June 2017
Type: Single Malt Indian Whisky
Age: NAS (Around 6 Years)
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 50%
Maturation: Bourbon Casks w. Orange Flavoured Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 110-130 (May 2019)
Buying Advice: 😔Nice but weird experiment. Expensive given its Youth.

Colour:

Copper with shades of Orange (Natural Colour)

Nose:

The first impression is Virgin Oak and a little Varnish. This fades away somewhat with time and both the Sherry casks and the Orange Peel come to play. Please give this Amrut sufficient time in the glass. It smells Young and Mature at the same time funny enough. The Nose is Soft and Sweet with Spices & Dried Fruits.

Main Aromas:

Butterkekse (German Butter Biscuits), Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Orange, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Sultanas and Plums, Pizza Dough, Dusty Track, Charred Wood, Nutmeg and Ginger.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Sweet Barley, Golden Syrup, Butterscotch, Fruit Cake, Mandarin, Lemon, Wet Paper, Pepper and hints of Tobacco, Chocolate, Leather and Rubber.


Palate:

It's certainly different! A mix of Whisky, Bourbon and Orange Liqueur. It's not quite as soft as the Nose. The Alcohol is certainly noticeable at this point. On the Palate, the Amrut is Bitter-Sweet with a few Sour notes. Quite Dry. When you get used to the taste it's not too bad actually. Just a little bit Artificial and, well, ...different.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Caramel, Orange, Dusty Wood, Dried Fruit like Raisins & Plums, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves, Menthol and Espresso.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Butterscotch, Vanilla, Golden Syrup, Boiled Candies, Dark Chocolate, Leather, Tobacco, Cherry-Flavoured Cough Syrup, Dried Herbs and a little Rubber.

Finish:

Middle Long, Bitter-Sweet, a bit Hot and quite Dry. The Alcohol is noticeable by now. I find Sweet Barley, Caramel, Golden Syrup, Orange, Dusty Oak, Forrest Floor, Cherry-Flavoured Cough Syrup, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves, Menthol, Cardamom and hints of Varnish, Leather, Tobacco and Hazelnut Chocolate.

Drinking Advice:

I added a bit of Water and that helps to balance the Nose. A very nice laid-back Orange Aroma. You would easily forget this is a Single Malt Whisky. A mix of Orange and Spices actually. On the Palate it looses a bit of the boldness and the Finish becomes a little Shorter. Still, in this case I prefer it with a little Water.

Rating: 81

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 20

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion:

The first Amrut Distillery was founded in 1948 in Bangalore, South India by the Jagdale family. They only started to distill Whisky for Blends in the 1980's. Their main products are Rum, Gin and Vodka. The first Single Malt was launched in 2004. As the climate in Southern India is very hot and humid, the spirit matures much faster than in Scotland. Most Amrut Malts are bottled after 4-6 Years. The oldest one is the recently released Greedy Angels 12 Years. The name of course refers to the high Angels Share that is lost each year to evaporation on account of the climatic conditions.

Naarangi is Hindi for Orange. Amrut bought Oloroso Sherry in Spain and infused the Sherry with fresh Orange Peels for over two years. Subsequently, the Sherry and Orange were removed and the casks were then filled with 3 Year Old Amrut Whisky that matured in Ex-Bourbon casks. This Whisky then matured in the Sherry/Orange casks for another 3 Years.

As you know I'm usually in favour of interesting experiments with Whisky. Sometimes it works and at times it doesn't but its always good to test the limits of maturing Whisky. The Naarangi is a bit of a puzzle to me. It's not bad as an Alcoholic beverage but it probably steers away a little too much from what is generally accepted to be a Single Malt Whisky. It smells very nice but Palate and Finish don't have the same quality. Nice to try as a sample but I would not go for a full bottle. It's quite expensive as well. Still, if you got an "Orange Crush" go for it!

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                       May 13, 2019

Jura The Sound Review


“The Sound of Silence”

Whisky Review # 816

Country: Scotland
Region: Islands - Jura
Brand: Jura The Sound (Sherry Cask Collection)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: NAS
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 42.5%
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Casks with PX 15 Sherry Cask Finish
Chill Filtration: Yes
Price Range: US$ 50-60 (May 2019)
Buying Advice: 😡Negative. Young, lackluster Malt.

Colour:

Old Gold (Artificially Coloured)

Nose:

The first thing I notice is this Baby Vomit note I so often find in Jura Malts.  It's not as strong as in some other expressions and it does diminish with time so be sure you give the Sound enough time in the glass before Nosing. On the Nose the Sound is Young, Simple, Thin and mostly Sweet. A few Sour notes as well. Not much going on in this department. The Alcohol is noticeable. The Sherry cask influence is very limited. I can't get very excited so far.

Main Aromas:

Malted Barley, Slightly Burnt Toast, Salted Caramel, Wood Chips, Dough, Caffe Latte, Mixed Dried Fruit and Nuts, Orange, Grapefruit, Mandarin & Raspberries.
  
Supportive Aroma Accents:

Heather-Honey, Vanilla, Pancakes with Syrup, Straw, Refill Oak, Dry Earth and some hints of Tobacco, Smoke and Leather.


Palate:

Thin, Bitter-Sweet and Sour. Not really pleasant.

Main Flavours:

Malted Barley, Salty Caramel, Toffee, Grass/Straw, Orange, Mandarin, Dry Earth, Pepper, Nutmeg, Wet Cardboard and Iron.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Heather-Honey, Vanilla, Buttered Toast, Nuts and Nutshells, Dried Herbs, Refill Oak, Maraschino Cherries, Raspberries and hints of Smoke, Dark Chocolate, Leather, Licorice, Tobacco and Menthol.


Finish:

Thin, Middle-Long and mainly Sweet. A little Bitterness towards the Medium-Dry end. I find Sweet Barley, Buttered Toast, Salty Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla, Honey, Refill and Virgin Oak, Nuts and Nutshells, Orange, Mandarin, Pepper, Nutmeg & hints of Cardboard Boxes, Hazelnut-Milk Chocolate, Maraschino Cherries and Caffe Latte.

Drinking Advice:

Jura is an Island but some added water simply drowns the Sound. Is that even possible?

Rating: 76.5

Nose: 20 - Taste: 19 - Finish: 18.5 - Overall: 19

Drinking Experience Neat: Borderline Okay

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Okay

Conclusion:

Jura means Deer Island. The Distillery is located in the small village of Craighouse the island's "capital". Craighouse lies on the A 846, some eight miles from the Ferry Terminal to Islay. It was founded in 1810 and since 1993 it belongs to Whyte & Mackay Ltd. Jura is mostly known as a Single Malt but it's also a very important part of the Whyte & Mackay Special Blend. The Distillery possesses 1 Stainless Steel Semi Lauter Mash Tun, 6 Stainless Steel Wash Backs and 2 Pairs of Stills. In 2018 their total production amounted to around 2,33 million litres.

The Sound is part of the new Jura Travel Retail Range called the Sherry Cask Collection. All of these matured in Bourbon casks before being finished in casks that previously held Pedro Ximenez Sherry of various ages. Fifteen Year old PX for The Sound, 20 Year old PX for The Road, 30 Year old for The Loch and 40 Year old for the 19 Years old The Paps. It all sounds very interesting but so do most stories related to Travel Retail expressions. As always I will concentrate on the quality and taste of the Whisky.

Jura is certainly not one of my favourite distilleries and The Sound does not do anything to change my mind. Young Malt, lackluster casks and a complete lack of personality. Mainstream Malt Juice! I bought a full bottle of The Sound at the Travel Retail Shop at the Sao Paulo Airport and I will finish this Bottle over Ice.

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                        May 9, 2019

Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength Review


“The Beauty and the Beast”

Whisky Review # 815

Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Brand: Caol Ila Natural Cask Strength - Bottled 2006
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: NAS
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 58%
Maturation: Most likely Ex-Bourbon Casks.
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 130-140 (May 2019)
Buying Advice: 😔It's nice but rather Young. I'd go for the 18 Years instead!

Colour:

Golden Straw (Artificially Coloured)

Nose:

Young, Floral, Grassy, Mineral, Coastal and slightly Medicinal. Alternate Sweet and Sour notes. You have to nose your way around the strong Alcohol. Make sure to give this Caol Ila enough time in the glass before Nosing.  I wouldn't be surprised if some Virgin Wood was used in the Maturation process. I like the Nose despite its obvious Youth. (7-10 Years perhaps).

Main Aromas:

Toasted Malt, Coastal Peat, Bonfire Smoke, Brine, Iodine, Tar, Grass, Straw, Pear, Apple, Smoked Fish/Ham, Pepper, Rubber, Tobacco Leaves and Leather.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Heather-Honey, Shell Fish, Wet Rocks, Band-Aid, Lemon, Orange, Dried Herbs, Menthol, Green Coffee Beans, Floral Soap, Nutmeg and Licorice.


Palate:

A nice combination of Bitter, Sweet and Sour notes. The Alcohol is noticeable of course. The only thing that prevents this Caol Ila from being a great Whisky is its obvious Youth. I would love to try this as a 15 Years old.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Malt, Buttered Toast, Coastal Peat, Bonfire Smoke, Brine, Tar, Rubber, Soot, Ashes, Grass/Straw, Apple, Pear, Lemon, Grapefruit, Pepper, Licorice and Cloves.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Heather-Honey, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Orange, Mandarin, Dirty Earth, Wet Rocks, Musty Oak, Dried Herbs, Floral Soap, Leather, Tobacco Cinnamon and Nutmeg.

Finish:

Medium Long/Long. A combination of Sweet, Sour and Bitter notes. Quite Spicy and Medium-Dry. I find Toasted Malt, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Coastal Peat, Bonfire Smoke, Dirty Earth, Iodine, Brine, Ashes, Sea Water, Fish/Shell Fish, Licorice, Floral Soap, Menthol, Aniseed, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves, Leather, Old Cigar Box, Grapefruit and Lemon.

Drinking Advice:

I added a bit of Water and the Alcohol retreats making the Whisky a little bit more approachable. The Nose becomes almost Creamy and Peat, Smoke and Coastal Aromas become more mellow. With Water you tame the Beast but...I kinda liked the Beast! On the Palate, a little Water certainly creates Balance but it's kinda like taking the sting out of a Bee. The Finish becomes rather Short. As taste is such an individual matter I would suggest to try it both Neat and with a little Water. I prefer it neat as I like the strong and wild character but it's quite enjoyable with a little Water as well.

Rating: 86.5

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

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion:

The Caol Ila Distillery was founded in 1846 and is located close to Port Askaig on Islay. It was bought by DCL in 1927 and through some mergers is now part of Diageo. The distillery was rebuilt in 1974 and only one old Warehouse reminds us of former days. Traditionally, Caol Ila is an important component of Blends like Johnnie Walker, Bell's and White Horse. But during the last 15 years Diageo has made great efforts to position the Distillery as a Single Malt as well. Caol Ila is beautifully located alongside the strait between Islay and Jura. The Core range includes the 12, 18 and 25 Years, the Distiller's Edition as well as the NAS Moch. We enjoyed both our visits to the distillery in 2014 and 2017 respectively despite the fact that you're not allowed to take pictures.

The Cask Strength expression was launched for the first time in 2002 and has become a familiar feature since then. I'm reviewing the 2006 Edition. The Cask Strength is one of those If...expressions. It's a nice Single Malt but it could have been a great one if matured longer, let's say for around 15 Years. That's why I recommend the standard 18 Years over this Natural Cask Strength although the ABV of 43% is too low for the former. The 18 Years is the Beauty, the Natural Cask Strength is the Beast!

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                        May 6, 2019

Teeling Small Batch Review



“ To Be Young, Simple and Hot” 

Whisky Review # 814

Country: Ireland
Brand: Teeling Small Batch (Bottled December 2017)
Bottled by: Teeling Whiskey Company, Newmarket, Dublin
Type: Blended Irish Whiskey
Age: NAS
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46%
Maturation: Bourbon Casks (First Fill & Refill) with a Six Months Rum Cask Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: Around US$ 35-50 (May 2019)
Buying Advice: 😐Young, Simple and Hot. Good P/Q ratio at around US$ 35. 

Colour:

Chardonnay (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Light, Young and Sweet. A few Sour and Bitter notes as well. Green, Fruity and Grassy tones. The Grain Alcohol is quite noticeable. A bit on the Dry side.

Main Aromas:

Malted Cereals, Cake and Cream, Vanilla, Fresh Herbs, Warm Apple-Pie with a dollop of Cinnamon, Grass and Green Vegetables, Sour Berries, Orange, Raisins and a bit of Nutmeg.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Caramel, Honey, Pear, Lemon, Nuts, Fresh Oak, White Chocolate, Dusty Track and some Sour Cherries.

Image result for teeling whiskey distillery stills

Palate:

Light and Young. The Grain Alcohol remains quite noticeable. On the Palate I find a mix of Sweet, Bitter and Sour notes. Again, quite Green and Grassy.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Cereals, Vanilla, Apple, Pear, Grass, Green Vegetables, Straw, Orange, Lemon, Raisins, Cinnamon, Pepper and Nutmeg.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Honey-Melon, Unripe Bananas, Herbal Tea, Nectarine, White Chocolate, Young Rum and Licorice.

Finish:

Young, Short, Bitter-Sweet, Sour and a little Hot. Quite Dry towards the end. Green and Grassy notes remain in the lead. The Alcohol does spoil a bit of the fun. I find Toasted Cereals, Yeast, Caramel, Honey, Grass & Green Vegetables, Straw, Dried Herbs, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Charred Oak and Nectarines. Despite its Youth, it presents a mild Creaminess.

Drinking Advice:

I added a few drops of Water and the Alcohol retreats which is good. Fruity and Malty this way. A bit of Butter as well. The Nose becomes quite Thin though. Palate and Finish become respectively Thin and almost Non-Existent. Like young Rum or Tequila almost. Better sip it neat although you might consider adding a few drops before Nosing.

Rating: 80

Nose: 20 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Light but Good

Conclusion:

In 1989, John Teeling started the Cooley Distillery together with his sons Jack and Stephen. John sold the distillery in 2011 to Beam-Suntory. Part of the agreement was that Teeling retained 16.000 casks of ageing Cooley Whiskey. In 2012, Jack and Stephen founded Teeling Whiskey Company, bottling the Cooley casks under the Teeling label. Subsequently they founded a new distillery in the year 2015 in Dublin but also continue to bottle the sourced Cooley casks that have aged sufficiently.

The Teeling Small Batch is a Blend of around 35% Malt Whiskey and 65% Grain Whiskey. It's a NAS expression but it's said to be at least 5 Years old. I must admit I like the Teeling policy. Good ABV, Natural Colour and Non Chill-Filtered. I would almost say that in this case the ABV is a tad too high for the Young and Underdeveloped Spirit. If you can buy it at around 35 US Dollars, the P/Q ratio is quite okay. Don't expect heaven though as the Grain Alcohol rules big time. But if you like a Young, Grassy, Green and slightly Rough Irish Whiskey you should be okay at this Price-Level. Personally I think it's too Young, Edgy and Simple to consider as a sipping Whiskey but it's okay on the Rocks and that's how I'm going to finish the 1 liter bottle I bought at the Travel Retail Shop at Sao Paulo Airport.

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                     May 1, 2019

Glen Moray 1991 (Sansibar) Review



“Old But Not Very Wise”

Whisky Review # 813
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Brand: Glen Moray 1991/2016
Bottled by: Sansibar Whisky GmbH, Bad Nenndorf, Germany- 296 Bottles
Type: Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky
Age: 25 Years
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 50.9% (Cask Strength)
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Hogshead
Chill Filtration: No
Price: Around US$ 200 (April 2019)
Buying Advice: 😐Good but rather plain for a 25 Years. P/Q ratio: 👎 

Colour:

Golden Straw (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Sweet, Light and not very complex considering its age. Elements of Bourbon and Rum. Waxy, Fruity and Grassy notes. The Alcohol and Oak are noticeable. All in all slightly disappointing.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Buttered Toast, Grass/Straw, Apple, Pear, Banana, Lemon, Mint, Sugar, Nutella and Cinnamon.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Heather, Vanilla, Butterscotch, Pineapple, Nectarine, Melon, Mandarin, Pepper, Nutmeg, Wax, Milk and a distant hint of Varnish.


Palate:

Light and Mostly Sweet. Pretty average actually. Malty, Fruity, Floral and Spicy notes.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Barley, Toffee, Vanilla, Fruitcake dusted with Powdered Sugar, Apple, Pear, Banana, Nutella, Oak, Cinnamon, Menthol and Pepper.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Butterscotch, Heather-Honey, Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate, Mandarin, Lemon, Cardamom and traces of Nutmeg and Licorice.

Finish:

Sweet, Middle-Long and slightly Hot with noticeable Oak and Wood spices. A very light Bitter note towards the Dry end. I find Toasted Barley, Apple-Filled Pastry, Toffee, Butterscotch, Caramel, Vanilla, Fruitcake, Pear, Heather-Honey, Lemon, Mandarin, Nutella, Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom and Menthol.

Drinking Advice:

I added a few drops of Water and the Nose becomes very gentle, almost timid. The Alcohol is better integrated this way and I get some extra Dark Chocolate. Palate and Finish start to taste like Barley Juice though. Better sip it neat though it pays off to give a little Water before Nosing.

Rating: 84.5

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 21

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion:

The name Glen Moray means "The Glen of the Sea Settlement".  It's located at Bruceland Road in Elgin (Morayshire). The Distillery that was founded in 1897 is currently equipped with 1 Mash Tun, 14 stainless Steel Wash Backs and 9 Stills. With all this equipment Glen Moray produced 4,8 million litres in 2018. Since 2008 the distillery belongs to the French Group La Martiniquaise. No wonder that France is currently one of Glen Moray's main markets. In the past, Glen Moray spirit was basically used in Blends like Label 5 and Sir Edward's but under the new owners efforts are made to present Glen Moray as a Single Malt as well. The current core range includes the Classic, the Classic Port Finish, the Classic Chardonnay Finish, the Classic Sherry Finish, the Classic Peated and the 12, 15 and 18 Years old. The new visitor centre, gift shop, coffee shop & tasting area were opened in 2004.

The Glen Moray 1991/2016 is not a bad Single Malt but it's a bit plain for a 25 Year old Single Cask Whisky. It could probably have done with a few years less in the cask as well as Oak and Wood spices are quite prominent. I would not say no if someone offered me a dram of this Glen Moray but I wouldn't dream of spending US$ 200 for an unexciting Single Malt like this.

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                     April 29, 2019