WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK
For the past decade Glenmorangie’s Private Edition series has offered whisky aficionados a series of intriguing single malts, and Glenmorangie Allta, the latest from the Scottish Highlands, is no different.
In the “Allta” – Scots Gaelic for “‘wild” – Glenmorangie’s director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks Dr Bill Lumsden, turned to wild yeasts growing on the distillery’s own Cadboll barley for inspiration. After cultivating these wild yeasts, Bill used them in fermenting the same barley and distilling it all into a memorably fragrant spirit enhanced by maturation in ex-bourbon casks.
“Yeast’s influence on taste has been overlooked for years, but it’s an area ripe for exploration,” explains Bill. “With a nose of biscuit, baking bread and floral notes, and rich tastes of vanilla, orange syrup and sweet chilli, Glenmorangie Allta opens up compelling possibilities for the future of Scotch whisky.”
Three Ships 10 Year Old Single Malt
Master distiller Andy Watts has put South African whisky on the world stage, and his vintage single malt is a fine introduction to the world-class whiskies emerging from his Wellington distillery.
Unlike the fruity and floral Allta, this Three Ships single malt is made from heavily peated barley, ensuring a bold palate of peat and smokiness tempered by sweeter fruit notes and a smooth finish courtesy of a decade spent maturing in older American oak casks.
Johnnie Walker White Label Game of Thrones
Winter is here, and even though the onscreen battle for the Seven Kingdoms is finished, that doesn’t mean Dad can’t still come face to face with a White Walker. This limited-edition blend from Johnnie Walker sees the famous “Striding Man” donning a uniform of armour to join the ranks of the Night King’s army. It’s also a whisky that’s blended to be sipped ice cold and storing the bottle in the freezer reveals a hidden message inscribed in temperature-sensitive ink. In the glass it’s an enjoyable dram that’s uncomplicated and approachable – completely unlike those pesky White Walkers.
Glenmorangie Allta | glenmorangie.com
Three Ships 10 Year Old Single Malt | vinoteque.co.za
Johnnie Walker White Label Game of Thrones | bottleshop.co.za
