Single Grain - BourbonSphere

The Best In Affordable Irish Whiskeys

By Richard Thomas Listing the mass market, budget Irish whiskeys you might want to pick up for St. Patrick’s Day sipping is largely unnecessary. While I could draw up a list with Kilbeggan, Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Slane, Tullamore Dew and other brands on it, I believe it would be more valuable for the reader if …

By Richard Thomas

Dingle Single Malt
(Credit: Dingle Distillery)

Listing the mass market, budget Irish whiskeys you might want to pick up for St. Patrick’s Day sipping is largely unnecessary. While I could draw up a list with Kilbeggan, Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Slane, Tullamore Dew and other brands on it, I believe it would be more valuable for the reader if I suggested what bargain Irish whiskeys should be avoided. If you are reading this, you probably know all those names and are probably looking for advice on something in the next run up the ladder.

Dingle Single Malt ($100)
Located in scenic western Ireland, Dingle was part of the early stages of the renewal of the Irish Whiskey industry, which has seen a tenfold expansion of distilleries during the last decade. After years of releasing limited edition single malts, Dingle finally built themselves into a position to issue a regular release single malt, and that is now generally available in most parts of the world. It’s a six or seven year old malt aged in PX Sherry and Bourbon first-fill casks.

Jameson Black Barrel ($35)
One step up from regular Jameson is Jameson Black Barrel, originally released over a decade ago as Jameson Small Batch. It’s unclear if what is going into the bottles have changed in that time; it’s possible. However, it’s place as the affordable, premium, widely available spin on Jameson remains unchanged, and the difference between the basic and the bling remains clear. Like Jameson, this is a blend of grain and pot still whiskeys; malt whiskey is not used. The difference between this and regular Jameson is Black Barrel uses a higher proportion of pot still whiskey.

Green Spot Single Pot Still Whiskey
(Credit: Irish Distillers)

Green Spot ($60)
When Irish Distillers basically took over The Spots brand from negociants Mitchell & Son, they had furthering the revival of the single pot still whiskey in mind. Their earlier push on that front, Redbreast, had a Sherry cask-based identity, and introducing Green Spot allowed them to plot a separate, distinct identity for those whiskeys. I wonder if the folks who advanced this idea inside the company are surprised at just how well it worked out, because Green Spot has been joined by Yellow, Red and Blue Spots since. So, this is how it all started: with a marriage of seven to ten year old pot still whiskeys, matured in first- and second-fill bourbon barrels and ex-sherry casks.

Method & Madness Single Grain ($60)
Normally I recommend Teeling Single Grain as a delicious, affordable whiskey of its class, but I have been singing its praises since 2013! In the interest of expanding horizons, allow me to suggest the Method & Madness Single Grain, which has expanded distribution into the United States these last couple of years. Matured in some very well used ex-bourbon barrels, in the way most grain whiskeys are, Irish Distillers gave it a year-long finish in virgin Spanish Oak from Galicia, North West Spain to put that extra polish on it.

Powers Irish Rye ($35)
If you want an Irish Whiskey buy outside the box, how about a rye whiskey from a country best known for making things from barley? The stuff’s billing reads like an American craft whiskey from Pennsylvania or Colorado: 100% rye mash!

Teeling Small Batch
(Credit: Richard Thomas)

Teeling Small Batch ($35)
It’s hard to believe the inaugural expression of Teeling Whiskey Company is now over 10 years old. Since then, the company opened the first working distillery in Dublin of the modern era; that distillery has been around long enough to have an in-house single pot still whiskey out; and forged a reputation for releasing sourced, ultra-aged single malts. And all the while, their original label continues unchanged and excellent.

Writer’s Tears Red Head ($80)
I can’t draw up a list of seven Irish Whiskey recommendations and have just one single malt on it, and for this pricing zone, Writer’s Tears Red Head is a good choice. Whereas Writer’s Tears is best known (other from its delightful name) as a malt and pot still whiskey blend that leans more heavily on the pot still part, Red Head is a Sherry bomb of an Irish malt, hence the reddish hue.

Loch Lomond Peated Single Grain Scotch Review (2021 Festival Bottling)

By Alex Southgate Rating: B You have to love a good special edition and the one examined here is very close to home for me personally: the Peated Single Grain Scotch Whisky from Loch Lomond that was bottled especially for the 2021 Southport Whisky Festival. Southport, England, is my home town and I’m always going …

By Alex Southgate

Rating: B

The standard Loch Lomond Peated Single Grain Whisky
(Credit: Loch Lomond)

You have to love a good special edition and the one examined here is very close to home for me personally: the Peated Single Grain Scotch Whisky from Loch Lomond that was bottled especially for the 2021 Southport Whisky Festival. Southport, England, is my home town and I’m always going to be rooting for our local fair, so once given the opportunity I couldn’t wait to give this whisky a try.

My Loch Lomond Single Grain Scotch Whisky is the peated expression, made entirely from malted barley. Really the only thing separating this from a Loch Lomond peated malt is the equipment, because if it had been distilled in pots it would have been a single malt. The cask was for my bottling selected by Michael Henry and bottled exclusively for the 2021 Southport Whisky Festival. Coming from the Loch Lomond Distillery, this is a single cask bottling, my bottle coming from Cask#730. Distilled in 2017 and bottled in 2021, a 2^nd fill ex-bourbon barrel was used to mature this single grain whisky. This is a small run of 247 bottles and comes in at a respectable cask strength of 61.3%, but it is an example of the larger Loch Lomond Peated Single Grain expression. This bottling is naturally colored and non-chill filtered.

The Scotch
The Loch Lomond Peated Single Grain Scotch Whisky is a very clean looking Scotch. Very pale in hue in the bottle, it’s even lighter when it hits the glass and quite appetizing to the eye. This is a very easy-pouring whisky leaving only faint legs on the sides of the glass.

This is a fairly heavily peated whisky and this comes across instantly to the nose after the pour. The smokiness of peat lifts to reveal a good waft of ginger mixed with sweeter tones of brown sugar. These scents pair nicely with the citrus punch of lemon. The finish is dry and spicy with the scent of cloves and notes of oak.

Likely on account of the peat used in this expression the first notes you get to the taste are slightly medicinal. This isn’t at all unpleasant but definitely noticeably immediately on the palate. The carrying flavor is one of autumnal berries which blend nicely with the zesty lemon hit that is also present to the nose. The finish is short but herbal with an aftertaste of mint and lavender.

The Loch Lomond Single grain is definitely a tasty scotch but also a powerful one. This isn’t by any means what I would call a smooth whisky and at 61.3% I’m certainly not surprised at this.

As enjoyable a drink this is, it probably isn’t something you’d drink a lot of in one sitting. This is the sort of thing you drink a few slow glasses of and enjoy with friends. I don’t think it would be the first thing in your collection you’d reach for on a whim. This being said, it’s still a really nice winter warmer if you like your whisky to be on the stronger side.

The Price
My select version of this Loch Lomond Single Grain came in at about £46, which is very reasonable considering that this is such a small, specialized run. The standard version is often listed at around £30.

Bruichladdich Delves Into Single Grain Rye

Islay-based Bruichladdich Distillery has released Islay Single Grain Scotch Whisky – the third entry in their series called The Regeneration Project. Bruichladdich The Regeneration Project Islay Single Grain Scotch Whisky is made primarily from locally grown Islay rye [in an attempt to combat the growing cost of agro-chemicals and avoid monoculture and which has never […]

Islay-based Bruichladdich Distillery has released Islay Single Grain Scotch Whisky – the third entry in their series called The Regeneration Project.

Bruichladdich The Regeneration Project Islay Single Grain Scotch Whisky is made primarily from locally grown Islay rye [in an attempt to combat the growing cost of agro-chemicals and avoid monoculture and which has never been grown commercially in Islay].

Bruichladdich The Regeneration Project Islay Single Grain Scotch Whisky is made up of 55% Islay grown rye and 45% locally grown Islay malted barley, was matured in both first-fill bourbon casks and first-fill American virgin oak casks, bottled at 50% alcohol by volume [100 proof] and is said to offer notes of black pepper, cinnamon, citrus, honey, licorice and nutmeg.

Only 1,800 bottles of Bruichladdich The Regeneration Project Single Grain Scotch Whisky is being made available for $155 per bottle at the official Bruichladdich site [www.bruichladdich.com].

Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky

By Kenrick Thurston-Wilcox Rating: B Situated at the base of Mt. Fuji, 7.5 miles from it’s peak, the Fuji Distillery has been making whisky in the shadow of Japan’s most famous mountain since 1973. Despite that, their first US release came only in 2021. The location was most likely chosen for a few different reasons. …

By Kenrick Thurston-Wilcox

Rating: B

Fuji Single Grain Whisky
(Credit: Fuji Distillery)

Situated at the base of Mt. Fuji, 7.5 miles from it’s peak, the Fuji Distillery has been making whisky in the shadow of Japan’s most famous mountain since 1973. Despite that, their first US release came only in 2021. The location was most likely chosen for a few different reasons. The first is the glacial and snowmelt-based groundwater, softening it along its way to the underground springs that the distillery pulls its water from. The second is climate, with average yearly temps siting around 55F, minimal temperature fluctuations and year round fog (high humidity), the location lends itself to steady and consistent whiskey maturation.

Fuji is able to distill 1 type of malt whiskey and 3 different types of grain whiskies in-house, and following the Japanese model, they do not engage in stock trading with other distilleries. The mash bill they use for the grain whiskies typically consists of corn, with maybe some rye added depending on the style they are wanting. With different types of stills present on the property (multi-column, kettle, beer column and doubler), and using them in different configurations they are able to achieve their 3 grain whiskies (which are labeled as Light-type: Scotch style grain whiskey, Medium-type: Canadian style grain whiskey, and Heavy-type: Bourbon style whiskey).

This release of Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whiskey is a blend of those three in house style grain whiskies and bottled at 46% ABV. It was created to highlight both the similarities and differences of different grain whiskies from around the world, with a Japanese flair.

The Whisky
Once poured, the liquid is a light amber color. The corn is making itself known early on, with the whiskey smelling much like a bourbon would. Fruit comes out first, apple and pear, with the grainy corn note not far behind, and a slight vanilla taste. It reminded me of a budget bourbon, specifically Old Grand-Dad, and I just so happened to have a bottle of lying around. I did a side by side comparison of the nose, and would say that the Fuji was was not so up in your face, with more nuance and more fruity notes with less heat and spice.

My first sip I didn’t analyze, but rather just sat for a minute while I coated my tongue. There is a good amount of complexity going on, with flavors coming out then making way for new ones. The feel of the liquid itself strikes a good balance between being too thin or thick, and has a nice silky feel. The fruity notes are present with apple and pear coming out again, vanilla and some grain notes in the back. It tastes less ‘bourbon-y’ then the nose suggests, yet can still be described as a lighter feeling and tasting style of bourbon. The finish is nice and long, morphing to orange and chocolate. I found with water that the aroma was more pleasing, with the grain notes being pushed back and the fruity notes being dominant.

If you’re a bourbon drinker looking to try something new this may be what you’re looking for. It just might win you over with it’s complex yet lighter bourbon-like qualities.

The Price
The bottles retails at $94.99 for a 700ml bottle, yet is not available in most states. It initially rolled out to Washington, California, illinois, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida last year. Best bet of trying this whiskey is finding an online retailer in a state that carries it.

Fuji 30 Year OldSingle Grain Japanese Whisky Review

By Kenrick Thurston-Wilcox Rating: C In Fuji Distillery’s 50 year history, the whisky-maker has only employed two master blenders, with Jota Tanaka currently filling the position. Jota has the distinction of recently been admitted into the World Whisky Awards Hall of Fame for his contributions to helping the image and transparency of Japanese Whisky as …

By Kenrick Thurston-Wilcox

Rating: C

Fuji 30 Year Old Single Grain
(Credit: Fuji Whisky)

In Fuji Distillery’s 50 year history, the whisky-maker has only employed two master blenders, with Jota Tanaka currently filling the position. Jota has the distinction of recently been admitted into the World Whisky Awards Hall of Fame for his contributions to helping the image and transparency of Japanese Whisky as well as his vast knowledge of blending, having been in the wine and spirits industry since 1988.

Until last year, Japan had not had any set legal standards for the distillation and blending of whisky, instead relying on standards based on reputation, tradition and import requirements. The result was that a Japanese company could, if they chose, import and bottle whiskey from across the globe and calling it Japanese, even though there may be nothing in the bottle that was distilled in Japan. When the boom times came to Japanese whiskey in the 2010s, many took advantage of this giant loophole, pushing out inferior products to make a quick buck and not being transparent, resulting in confusion on what exactly people were buying, and hurting the reputation of Japanese Whiskey in the process.

Not wanting to jeopardize the reputation that the Japanese whisky industry had worked so hard to earn garnered, Jota Tanaka pushed for the industry to adopt regulations that inform the consumer of what, exactly, they were buying. Fuji Whisky exemplifies this push with its 30 Year Old Single Grain Whiskey, which is wholly produced, blended and bottled in Japan. Being able to produce 3 different types of grain whisky on property, this release is a result of their ‘Kettle and Column’ distillation method (which they call a “medium styled Canadian whisky” in-house). This release was bottled at 92 proof, with some of the whiskies in this blend being up to 40 years old, so there is some truly rare and ultra-aged whisky in this release.

The Whisky
Once poured, the liquid is a medium amber color. Unfortunately, the first thing to hit my nose was tannic wood and straight ethanol, overpowering everything else in the glass. After pushing through I found notes of cherry and pine, some red apple and vanilla. I let the liquid sit for 20 minutes after my initial nosing, hoping that the overpowering woody and ethanol notes would dissipate. The extra 20 minutes of air helped reduce the strong ethanol smell, but not by much.

The palate is more fruity with cherry coming back in, followed by orange. The whisky is nice and oily, coating your mouth with a creamy mouthfeel. Unfortunately the ethanol and over-wooded notes are here as well, making the whisky harsh at first. It’s not as overwhelming as the nose, but is still very much prevalent. There also was something that I couldn’t quite place, but was extremely intriguing (butterscotch or toffee were the closest I could come up with but they don’t seem to capture exactly what I tasted). There is not much to say on the finish other then being fruity again, as it was short-lived.

I added a couple drops of water, hoping I could find some more notes that were hiding under the overpowering ones. The water pushed the ethanol and wood out of the way some, giving way to the fruity character of the whiskey. The taste was still woody, but had a slight chocolate character coming through with a still unimpressive finish. Overall, the water helped to tame the overbearing notes, but destroyed any complexity the whiskey had.

The saying that “an older whiskey is a better whisky,” but that is not always the case. Maturation is a dance between time, climate, liquid and wood. Unfortunately, I think this release spent too much time in the casks, resulting in a whisky that tastes overbearingly like wood and ethanol. There is a lot going on underneath, but is buried much too deeply.

The Price
Only 100 bottles of this release can be found in the US with a price tag of $2,999.99 for a 700ml bottle, with the only states it’s available in being California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida.

Fuji Whisky Introduces 30 Year Old Single Grain

Japanese whisky brand Fuji Whisky has announced the U.S. release of its 30-Year-Old Single Grain Whiskey. A rare and precious whiskey, this 30-Year-Old release represents the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship from the Mt. Fuji Distillery, located just 7.5 miles off the base the most iconic landmark in Japan, for which it is named: Mt. Fuji. …

A blend of multiple maturates of Canadian style grain whiskies, the Fuji 30-Year-Old Single Grain Whiskey includes distillates aged more than 30 years, including some aged up to 40 years. Distilled by the batch distillation method “kettle & column” and then rested in used American White Oak Barrels, each barrel was meticulously hand selected by Master Blender, Jota Tanaka, to create a rich, luscious, and beautifully balanced style whiskey with complexity. Recently, Tanaka was inducted into the World Whisky Awards Hall of Fame and is only the second Master Blender in Mt. Fuji Distillery’s 48-year history, a testament to the passion, expertise, and craftsmanship that went into this 30-Year-Old Release.

“As Master Blender, it was an incredible privilege to see this expression awarded the honor of being named ‘World’s Best Grain Whiskey’ in its initial year of release in 2020 at the World Whiskies Awards, and trophy at the International Spirits Challenge,” said Jota Tanaka. “I am excited to finally share this rare gem with the U.S. and for a new audience to experience this exceptional whiskey.”

A leader in grain whisky innovation, Fuji Whisky made its U.S. debut last year with the release of Fuji Single Grain Whiskey (no age statement, SRP $94.99), in partnership with Distinguished Vineyards & Wine Partners. The Fuji Single Grain Whiskey is a blend of three different grain whiskeys, each distilled in three different methods, each possessing its own unique flavor profile, resulting in a delicately fruity whiskey that is both mellow and multi-layered in profile.

Mt. Fuji Distillery was established in 1973 to bring the best of Japanese craftsmanship to life while employing Scottish, American, and Canadian whisk(e)y making methods under a single roof, an amalgamation that celebrates whisky’s worldwide heritage.

The Fuji 30-Year-Old Whiskey is bottled at 92 proof and is available in available in California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida at an SRP of $2999.99/700ml bottle.

Roe & Co Reveals Alligator Char Irish Whiskey

Dublin-based Roe & Co has released a 13-year-old single grain Irish whiskey finished in alligator char new oak barrels as the third addition to their Cask Strength Series. Roe & Co Cask Strength 2021 Edition was finished in new oak barrels that were alligator charred – an intense cask-heat-treating method which makes the wood resembles […]

Dublin-based Roe & Co has released a 13-year-old single grain Irish whiskey finished in alligator char new oak barrels as the third addition to their Cask Strength Series.

Roe & Co Cask Strength 2021 Edition was finished in new oak barrels that were alligator charred – an intense cask-heat-treating method which makes the wood resembles alligator skin – bottled at 58.6% alcohol by volume [117.2 proof] and is said to produce notes of panna cotta, toffee, vanilla and white pepper.

Roe & Co Cask Strength 2021 Edition is being made available for $85 per 700ml bottle.