Whisk(e)y Lovers thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
Snyper564 said:
name the shyte :) I must say VAT69 isn't that bad with a few blocks of ice probably the cheapest whiskey I don't mind drinking.
Click to expand...

It’s cheap in South Africa, but not anywhere else really. I’m in Myanmar just now. R190 a bottle here. Bells is R130. I told the Indian guy I went to the shop with it’s the other way around in SA and he was also surprised as it’s his brand and it’s the same pricing where he comes from.
 
Snyper564 said:
I believe so, seen some guys order from them on here before.
Click to expand...
Spot on. You get access to some stuff that's not available locally. Sometimes it works out cheaper than the SA price, the Glenfarclas 25 as an example(careful though as most of the stuff is 40% abv). You have to factor in the shipping and customs/clearance costs.
 
Luben said:
Spot on. You get access to some stuff that's not available locally. Sometimes it works out cheaper than the SA price, the Glenfarclas 25 as an example(careful though as most of the stuff is 40% abv). You have to factor in the shipping and customs/clearance costs.
Click to expand...
And also take note of the 700ml bottles instead of 750ml...

But MoM is a candy store of delights...99% of their stuff you will never be able to buy locally.
 
Thought I'd take the time to post about the Bell's Special Reserve I got for my Birthday about 7~ months ago. I've really found it to be a stunning whisky, especially when you consider the price point. The nose alone is worth it for me, YMMV. Anyway, this is what I got out of it over a couple of sittings. I actually prefer less descriptive reviews and my future postings will be geared more towards that, I find a lot of whisky review tasting notes to be a bit overwhelming and it can come across as fluff).

Nose: Smokey pears, very pleasant, followed by dried apple, with some oak tannins which give a slight bitterness to the apple.

Palate: Some astringency at first, apple juice, stewed orchard fruits, warming into bitter oak with a touch of pepper spice and subtle peat. The mouthfeel is thin, but it has enough flavour to make up for it. Adding water really smoothes out the whole experience without really detracting too much from the prominent flavours. The nose is better than the palate but not by much.

Finish: Medium to short with a slight bitterness that I associate with regular Bells and a whiff of light cigar smoke. It's very much a lightly peated whisky but it's present enough. Adding water really makes the finish a lot more refreshing.

To me this would be a Scotch I point to as being definition Scotch, it has a whole range of elements that all come together nicely. There's some nice oak at play too. Yes it's chill-filtered and coloured but it's also priced (usually around R280) at or below Monkey Shoulder and Johnnie Walker Black, making it very affordable and acceptable sipping Scotch.

I've also found this to be a good one for when I'm not sure what type of whisky I want. Although I kind of feel Three Ships 5 fills that niche too and I often forget how good that is...

This one was free but I'd probably still want to replace it when it's finished. I realize I do tend to like more bitter flavours, I guess because I like coffee. Although sadly one of my recent purchases (Smokehead High Voltage) is a bit too bitter for my liking.

  • Something similar: Loch Lomond: The Open Single Malt (more herbal, thanks @morkhans this was fun to try) and Highland Park 10(more citrus and honey)

  • Something better: Dewar's 15 (No peat) and maybe Johnnie Walker Double Black

  • Something worse: Johnnie Walker Black, and for me, Johnnie Walker Green (controversially, I've had this when eating out 3x now and it's never impressed me, not as bad as Gold which was completely forgettable tbh)
IMG_20200127_183625.jpg
 
Nice review.

I really enjoy Bells Special Reserve. It's an exceptionally good whisky at its price point. It is also a good beginner's scotch. It's something I recommend to non-whisky people who want to start getting into whisky.
 
axsis said:
Thought I'd take the time to post about the Bell's Special Reserve I got for my Birthday about 7~ months ago. I've really found it to be a stunning whisky, especially when you consider the price point. The nose alone is worth it for me, YMMV. Anyway, this is what I got out of it over a couple of sittings. I actually prefer less descriptive reviews and my future postings will be geared more towards that, I find a lot of whisky review tasting notes to be a bit overwhelming and it can come across as fluff).

Nose: Smokey pears, very pleasant, followed by dried apple, with some oak tannins which give a slight bitterness to the apple.

Palate: Some astringency at first, apple juice, stewed orchard fruits, warming into bitter oak with a touch of pepper spice and subtle peat. The mouthfeel is thin, but it has enough flavour to make up for it. Adding water really smoothes out the whole experience without really detracting too much from the prominent flavours. The nose is better than the palate but not by much.

Finish: Medium to short with a slight bitterness that I associate with regular Bells and a whiff of light cigar smoke. It's very much a lightly peated whisky but it's present enough. Adding water really makes the finish a lot more refreshing.

To me this would be a Scotch I point to as being definition Scotch, it has a whole range of elements that all come together nicely. There's some nice oak at play too. Yes it's chill-filtered and coloured but it's also priced (usually around R280) at or below Monkey Shoulder and Johnnie Walker Black, making it very affordable and acceptable sipping Scotch.

I've also found this to be a good one for when I'm not sure what type of whisky I want. Although I kind of feel Three Ships 5 fills that niche too and I often forget how good that is...

This one was free but I'd probably still want to replace it when it's finished. I realize I do tend to like more bitter flavours, I guess because I like coffee. Although sadly one of my recent purchases (Smokehead High Voltage) is a bit too bitter for my liking.

  • Something similar: Loch Lomond: The Open Single Malt (more herbal, thanks @morkhans this was fun to try) and Highland Park 10(more citrus and honey)

  • Something better: Dewar's 15 (No peat) and maybe Johnnie Walker Double Black

  • Something worse: Johnnie Walker Black, and for me, Johnnie Walker Green (controversially, I've had this when eating out 3x now and it's never impressed me, not as bad as Gold which was completely forgettable tbh)
View attachment 777900
Click to expand...

Nice review. This used to be my go to. Should get a bottle again to replaced my now empty JW Black. Never been a big JW fan but I like the Green and Black.

IIRC, the Bells is a vatted malt whisky i.e. only malt whiskeys are used.
 
Last edited:
Quad said:
Nice review.

I really enjoy Bells Special Reserve. It's an exceptionally good whisky at its price point. It is also a good beginner's scotch. It's something I recommend to non-whisky people who want to start getting into whisky.
Click to expand...

Thanks :). I'll probably use it for the same purposes since I personally don't like usually recommended things like Glenmorangie 10.

Gnarls said:
Nice review. This used to be my go to. Should get a bottle again to replaced my now empty JW Black. Never been a big JW fan but I like the Green and Black.

IIRC, the Bells is a vatted malt whisky i.e. only malt whiskeys are used.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yup or the now preferred term of 'blended malt'. I had written all that info but I ended up cutting it. I believe they're all aged 8 years at least too so it's not too bad really. ;D
 
MightyQuin said:
Recieved my shipment this morning. I day earlier than projected by MoM.

Not bad for an order placed last week Thursday.
Click to expand...
That's awesome. Maybe I've got a dodgy surname, fortunately I've got lot of whisky to keep me company while waiting for my order.
 
So had a quick look at Masters of Malt.
Out of interest I added a bottle (R400) to my basket and checked out. Shipping is R845 for a total of R1,245.68
How do you guys justify that? Or do you do bulk orders?
 
SykomantiS said:
So had a quick look at Masters of Malt.
Out of interest I added a bottle (R400) to my basket and checked out. Shipping is R845 for a total of R1,245.68
How do you guys justify that? Or do you do bulk orders?
Click to expand...
3 -4 bottles would cost about the same in shipping.

I order stuff from them that I really want and cannot be bought locally. But only after really searching and doing a lot of research.
 
MightyQuin said:
3 -4 bottles would cost about the same in shipping.

I order stuff from them that I really want and cannot be bought locally. But only after really searching and doing a lot of research.
Click to expand...
The bottle in question was Jim Beam Red Stag which to the best of my knowledge is no longer being imported by the distributors (I wouldn't mind being proven wrong on this one). I friend of mine is crazy about the stuff and I was thinking of sourcing a couple, but not with those shipping rates.
 
SykomantiS said:
The bottle in question was Jim Beam Red Stag which to the best of my knowledge is no longer being imported by the distributors (I wouldn't mind being proven wrong on this one). I friend of mine is crazy about the stuff and I was thinking of sourcing a couple, but not with those shipping rates.
Click to expand...


melhor.co.za

Jim Beam Red Stag Black Cherry Whiskey, 700 ml

Rich amber with yellowish highlights colour Deep and robust maltiness with hints of pear and sherry maturity Challenging, exciting, round and warming with a silky texture Balanced and clean finish with alcohol by volume 40% Jim Beam Red Stag Black Cherry Whiskey, 700 ml Expand General...
melhor.co.za melhor.co.za

www.manicaa.com

Jim Beam Red Stag Black Cherry Whiskey, 700 ml

Rich amber with yellowish highlights colour Deep and robust maltiness with hints of pear and sherry maturity Challenging, exciting, round and warming with a silky texture Balanced and clean finish with alcohol by volume 40%
www.manicaa.com www.manicaa.com
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X