Category Archives: SA Whisky News
Grant’s 12yo Added to Local SA Range
I’m slightly delayed in posting this little nugget of news, but whisky tidings tend to travel slower in South African and so I hereby inform you of another whisky expression new to our fine-weathered shores. The Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky range consists of six different whiskies, but unfortunately for South Africans only the entry-level, NAS expression, The Family Reserve, has been available in South Africa – for what I’ve been told is “decades”. Now new to the local scene, is it’s older and tastier sibling, Grant’s 12yo.
The Grant’s range is produced by independent, family-owned William Grant & Sons whose origins date back to 1886. If the name sounds familiar, it should. It’s the same William Grant who found the Glenfiddich distillery in 1887. (The company still own Glenfiddich along with The Balvenie.)
Grant’s blended whiskies are made using grain whisky from the Girvan distillery as a base, blended with other grain whiskies and a variety of single malts including, we can assume, Glenfiddich and Balvenie. Interestingly, Grant’s 12yo marries the final vatting for an additional six months in ex-bourbon casks. Such an additional costly step is not only for marketing merits, but should produce a more integrated experience, and depending on the freshness of the casks could impart additional flavour as well.
Grant’s 12yo is already in stores with a retail price of ±R240, which I think is spot on for what it offers and is inline with UK prices for a pleasant change. You can read my review here, but I leave you with the official tasting notes: Vibrant nose with aromas of fruit, with hints of blackcurrants and peaches, balanced with a sweet vanilla maltiness. Sweet and rich palate with a beautiful mix of vanilla honey and spice. A long smooth and warm finish.
Springbank Whiskies Return to SA
Although Campbeltown used to proclaim itself the whisky capital of the world, with nearly 30+ distilleries at one time, those days are sadly long gone. What remains today of this region, one of five officially recognised whisky producing regions in Scotland, is only three lone distilleries. Of the three, Springbank distillery is by far the most prolific and widely known. Founded in 1828 on the site of an illicit distilling operation (as is so common with Scotch distilleries) it is still owned by the very same family, making it the oldest independent distillery in Scotland.
Highly uncommon nowadays, Springbank carries out the entire whisky making process under their own roof, from malting of the barley all the way through to bottling their mature whiskies. In the same uncommon vein, they also produce three distinct single malt brands of various styles: triple distilled Hazelburn, heavily peated Longrow, and the self-labelled Springbank known for it’s complexity.
Although, if you were determined, you may have found the occasional bottle of Springbank on the shelf of a South African retailer, it has not been generally available in the last few years. Any stock in the country was old stock from the last importer that no longer operates. Thankfully, this has now changed, and soon you’ll find the standard range of Springbank at premium liquor stores thanks to the fine folk at Liquidity. The range includes the 10yo at ±R570, newly released 12yo cask strength at ±R690, 15yo at ±R800, and my personal favourite; the 18yo at ±R1000.
For more info you can contact Liquidity on (021) 905-9066 or by email.
The Macallan and Roja Dove Tasting
Please join me for an exclusive evening with The Macallan presented by brand ambassador Candice Baker. The evening will include a tasting of The Macallan Fine Oak 10yo and 15yo, and world famous sherry oak 12yo and 18yo. The whiskies will be presented along with aromatic oils especially developed by master perfumer Roja Dove for The Macallan to facilitate the discovery of the whiskies flavour notes and nuances. To RSVP please contact me here.
This official video (and a well executed piece of marketing) provides insights to The Macallan and Roja Dove project, and gives you an idea of what you can expect to encounter at the tasting. Hope to see you there.
World Whisky Day 2012 Competition
In honour of World Whisky Day I’m giving away two whiskies to two lucky readers (sorry South Africans only), compliments of Bunnahabhain and Black Bottle. Today, all around the world whisky enthusiasts are proudly celebrating their beloved tipple, and what better way to celebrate than by giving away some free whisky!
I have one bottle of the newly relaunched, un-chillfiltered Bunnahabhain 12yo and one bottle of Black Bottle blended whisky, and all you need to do to stand a chance of winning is send me a message via the Contact Me page or email and answer the following three questions:
1) What year was the Bunnahabhain distillery built?
2) What does Bunnahabhain mean in Scots Gaelic?
3) What year was Black Bottle first created?
The two winners will be drawn at random from all correct entries and will be notified tomorrow, March 28th. To even the playing field I give you the official blurbs on these two delicious whiskies which may just contain the answers you need! 
Sincere thank you to Bunnahabhain and Black Bottle for sponsoring the prizes. Have a great World Whisky Day and good luck!
Bunnahabhain 12
Bunnahabhain (pronounced Bū-na-ha-venn) means “mouth of the river” in Scots Gaelic and refers to the Margadale River that flows close by. Founded in 1881, the distillery lies on the north-eastern tip of Islay and the tiny village of Bunnahabhain that overlooks the Sound of Islay grew up around it. Bunnahabhain’s single malts are known for their gentle taste profile and by un-chillfiltering, the unique character of these extraordinary whiskies become more pronounced. Unlike most single malts from Islay, Bunnahabhain is crafted from unpeated malted barley. Whisky drinkers who prefer the slightly fruitier and more accessible offerings from Islay are likely to select Bunnahabhain as their whisky of choice.
Black Bottle
Black Bottle, the only blend of all the renowned single malts from the Isle of Islay balanced by the finest Highland, Lowland and Speyside malt and grain whiskies. The daringly bold taste of Black Bottle has been praised by critics and whisky-lovers across the world, and over the years it has secured a cult following for its unique taste. Black Bottle was first created in 1879 by Gordon Graham of Aberdeen and was initially sold in pottery bottles and jars. Later a solid black glass bottle, specially designed in the shape of a pot-still, was imported from Germany until the outbreak of the First World War forced the company to source new green glass bottle, retaining the distinctive pot-still shape.
Exclusive GlenDronach Competition!
I’m elated to announce the first WhiskyBrother exclusive competition that will see one very lucky winner receive a bottle of the limited release The GlenDronach 18yo single cask, valued at R1900, AND a bottle of Magnum Cream Liqueur!
The South African exclusive The GlenDronach 1990, single Oloroso cask 1124, is bottled at a whopping 58.2% ABV and is limited to only 561 bottles. Magnum Cream Liqueur is a blended malt whisky and cream based liqueur that promises a smooth and delicious drink whether over ice, neat or added to your coffee. Both these releases are brand new to South Africa.
How to Enter
1. Post a comment below with your Twitter handle and your favourite GlenDronach expression
2. Follow @GlenDronach and @WhiskyBrother on Twitter
3. Retweet the @WhiskyBrother competition tweet
The competition will close at midnight on Saturday, 31 March 2012. Unfortunately the competition is only open to South African residents who are of legal drinking age (18+). The winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entrants and will be notified via Twitter, where after they will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Should they fail to claim their prize another eligible entrant will be randomly drawn. The competition is closed to employees and immediate family members (parents, children, siblings) of Intra Trading and WhiskyBrother.
Huge thanks to the folks at Intra Trading, the local importers of The GlenDronach, who are sponsoring these terrific prices!
