As Scotch whisky lovers and great friends of Whyte and Mackay and their superstar master blender Richard Paterson, we were over the moon to hear that they had been chosen as Distiller of the Year 2021 in the Icons of Whisky Awards this month.
Who are Whyte and Mackay?
Whyte and Mackay are distillers who saw their launch in Glasgow in 1844 when James Whyte and Charles Mackay decided to provide the hard working residents of Glasgow with an alternative to Cognac. Priding themselves in being a strong community of people that work hard together, it is this entrepreneurial spirit that sits at the heart of all the excellent whiskies they produce today.
Which whiskies are in the Whyte and Mackay Portfolio?
Whyte and Mackay own four internationally recognised single malt Scotch whiskies; Jura, Fettercairn, The Dalmore and Tamnavulin. We were lucky enough to visit three out of the four of these in our TV series Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky and so we have popped together a list of twelve of our favourite drams, although we have to tell you, it was mighty hard to choose!
Must-Try Jura Whiskies
Jura 10 Year Old
The Jura 10 year old is now part of Jura’s core range and it’s a very popular whisky thanks to its subtle, fragrant smokiness combined with smooth, sweet fruit notes and hints of cocoa and vanilla. It’s matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels for 10 years and finished in rich, oloroso sherry casks from Spain.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £28.95 // US $39.99
Jura 18 Year Old
Wine meets whisky with the Jura 18. This rich and fruity whisky was aged for 18 years in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in red wine casks; Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barrels, no less! With a gentle smokiness on the nose, red cherry and berry fruit come through on the palate with a touch of orange peel citrus, dried fruit and warm cooking spice on the finish. Indulgent and delicious.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 44%
Find here: UK £62.94 // US $119.99
Jura 21 Year old Tide
Released as part of the special ‘Aged Vintage’ series, Tide is a 21 year old single malt that has been double matured; first, in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and then in hand-selected, virgin American white oak casks. Spicy and complex, Tide is all about gingerbread, pepper and warm spice, all brought into balance with notes of banana, biscuits and white chocolate. A higher ABV gives a greater whack of flavour on the palate and the finish.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 46.7%
Find here: £126.95
Jura Red Wine Cask Finish
This expression has been matured in ex-bourbon casks before being finished for 18 to 24 months in red wine barriques. It is incredibly well-balanced and rich with berry flavours and dried raisins. There are also creamy caramel and vanilla flavours and a touch of cinnamon spice. These sound like bold flavours, yet the whisky remains delicate. A great expression to try for those wanting to experiment a little with new whiskies. For the moment, this can be found in the UK in Sainsbury’s in a one litre bottle and is brilliant value.
ABV: 40%
Size: 1000ml
Find here: Currently on offer at £34 (normally £40)
Must-Try The Dalmore Whiskies
The Dalmore 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Select
The Dalmore is well known for having a close relationship with Spain as the whisky is often matured in ex-sherry casks. This expression celebrates this relationship and as Richard Paterson says “between the union of the Scottish highlands with the warmth of the Andalusian sun”. Firstly the whisky is matured for ten years in ex-bourbon casks and then two years in ex-sherry casks from bodegas. These casks are made from both American and European oak and are then seasoned with a unique blend of aged Oloroso and sweet Pedro Ximénez casks. The result is fabulous; unctuous and complex with distinct flavours of sundried fruits and fresh Scottish orchard fruits. Plenty of fudge and caramel back up the fruit and with a spicy finish, this is a brilliantly concocted 12 year old dram.
ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: UK £69
The Dalmore 18 Year Old
This whisky is a perfect example of The Dalmore’s trademark, bold house style, with bombastic notes of chocolate orange, vanilla and fruitcake thanks to its maturation time in both bourbon and aged, Matusalem oloroso sherry casks.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £119.99 // US $199.99
The Dalmore King Alexander III
This ultra premium whisky is named in homage to the king who was saved from a stag by former owners of The Dalmore. It’s a very special whisky blend created by Master Distiller Richard Paterson using a selection of differently aged malts, which between them have been matured in six types of wood including French wine casks, madeira drums, sherry butts, marsala barrels, port pipes and bourbon barrels from Kentucky. As you would expect, this is an incredibly complex, textured whisky packed full of dried fruit and nut flavours, cocoa powder, vanilla pod and spicy oak, all with undertones of red fruit from the wine casks. Let it sit in your glass and experience different flavours in every sip. Delicious!
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £159.80 // US $279.99
The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve
Deemed the ideal accompaniment to the finest cigars but equally delicious without, this is a single malt matured in American, white oak ex-bourbon casks, Matusalem oloroso sherry casks and wine barriques that previously held Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a rich, figgy and creamy malt that’s round and sweet with a hint of mint for freshness from the Cabernet and subtle notes of exotic spice from the sherry cask. The finish is exceptionally long. The current available release is the second iteration of the famed Cigar Malt that was brought back by popular demand!
Size: 70cl
ABV: 44%
Find here: UK £76.85 // US $169.99
Must-Try Fettercairn Whiskies
Fettercairn 12 Year Old
The youngest in the newly revitalised core range from Fettercairn, the 12 Year Old whisky aims to show off the tropical fruit notes and floral character that the distillery is famous for. It was matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks for 12 years which gives it a gentle, ginger spice note and some savoury weight and toffee flavours on the finish. It’s a great place to start your exploration of Fettercairn whisky.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.94
Fettercairn 16 year old
This is a very interesting expression from Fettercairn released at the beginning of summer 2020. Not many whiskies are distilled using chocolate malt (heavily kilned barley, more commonly seen in craft brewing)! The Fettercarin is initially matured in first-fill American oak bourbon casks, before being put in sherry and Port casks, and is bottled at 16 years of age. There's plenty going on here, and it's all impressive stuff. One wonders why more brands aren’t using chocolate malt. This is a very different whisky from Signet although the chocolate malt lends some familiarity. If you like Signet, then you will love this.
ABV: 46.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £73.26
Fettercairn 22 Year Old
This a is fantastic, mid-age statement whisky for Fettercairn, showcasing the distillery’s tropical fruit characteristics. Matured for 22 years in ex-bourbon casks, you can expect heaps of spiced orange peel, mango and dark cherry jam up front, with dried fruit flavours and savoury kick of liquorice and coffee bean on the finish. Smooth and lingering.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 47%
Find here: £169.95
Fettercairn 28 Year Old
A stunning, splash-out whisky with serious age on it from Fettercairn’s ‘waterfall’ cooling ring still and matured in ex-bourbon casks. This whisky is a complex blend of the distillery’s characteristic bright tropical fruit character with more savoury notes of toffee, espresso, fruit and nut chocolate. On the finish, a slick of liquorice and ginger spices things up a bit. Exceptional whisky!
Size: 70cl
ABV: 47%
Find here: £500