Whisky Review #64 – Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky

November 5, 2017/in Reviews/by Zerlina Zhuang

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.

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

November 5, 2017/in Reviews/by Zerlina Zhuang

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.

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

November 5, 2017/in Reviews/by Zerlina Zhuang

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.

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