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

November 5, 2017/in Reviews/by Zerlina Zhuang

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.

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Whisky Review #60 – Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish

November 5, 2017/in Reviews/by Zerlina Zhuang

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.

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Whisky Review #59 – Three Ships Select Whisky

November 5, 2017/in Reviews/by Zerlina Zhuang

The Three Ships Select Whisky is a blend of high-quality Scotch malt, and African grain whiskies aged for only three years. It launched in South Africa back in 1977. As one of the core range of Three Ships, it has upheld its reputation as an exceptional whisky with its consistently high quality. The gentle profile caters to a broad audience from whisky connoisseurs to new whisky drinkers. The Three Ships Select Whisky competed in many international awards over the years and won many awards that make the distillery proud.

Let’s dive into the review.

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Pale Gold
ABV: 43%

Nose: Soft, perfumed nose with hints of peaches. White pepper hides in the background, creating a warm and pleasant spice. (15/20)

Palate: Soft and mellow peaches push through with a little maltiness that stays on the tongue. White pepper drifts gently in the background without overwhelming the sweetness.. (16/20)

Finish: The finish is medium with sweetness lingering in the mouth for a while. It is slightly astringent at the end but pleasantly so. (15/20)

Body: It is a well-balanced whisky that is easy to drink. As a blended malt and grain whisky, the flavours are reasonably complex for a 3-year-old whisky. In fact, it tasted like a 7 to 8-year-old whisky regarding flavour. (31/40)

Total Score: 77/100

Comments:

Geek Flora: “I did not give the Three Ships Select Whisky a high score because the complexity of the whisky is not high. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful expression from Three Ships and is one of the most drinkable blended whiskies I have tried.”

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 #59 – Three Ships Select Whisky

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