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James Sedgwick Distillery
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A 12 year old South African single malt whisky here from the James Sedgwick Distillery, released as part of the much-loved Three Ships range. It was aged in a selection of American whiskey casks for a dozen years, and bottled up at 46.3% ABV. Master distiller Andy Watts and his team have done a cracking job here!
Put aside your preconceptions of what scotch is or should be. This is distilled scottish barley matured in American oak, but it's different, because it's not made in Scotland. I like the flavour notes above, the apricot in particular. I might also add herbaceous honey, the hint of smoke tying things together nicely. There's a good smack of smooth clean spirit, almost an echo of eastern European or Scandinavian heritage, just as Scotland might exemplify, the barley comes through clean as a Bruichladdich, you can taste the sunshine from years past. I actually love it, it's fun. Try with ice on a summer picnic even.. I might even call it sophisticatedly unsophisticated.
I just don't understand the negative comments. On first taste it seemed sweet, rich and very palatable. Coming back to it, I noticed more smoke but the richness continued. I guess that my palate isn't as sophisticated as others but I enjoyed it very much. Only had a sample dram and would have liked more. My only question is whether it holds up against other whiskies at the same price point.
Overpowering wood and smoke taste. Hints of earth come through. After 20 min still had oak taste in mouth, as though I had been chewing on a piece of burnt dried oak. Some sweet apricot and caramel taste comes through. Aftertaste has hints of vanilla. Put it side by side with 12YO "The Balvenie" double cask and found three ships rather brutal up front accents cannot be compared to the sophistication of Balvenie although in similar price range. It was the first 12 YO from them so could not expect miracles
Unfortunately, this one didn’t go down well with my significant other. He described it as being, simply awful! It’s not smooth and just doesn’t taste nice. He can’t put his finger on what it tastes of, but it literally made him feel sick after drinking some on two separate occasions.
Nose is smokey and woody fibrous smell with floral hints with a sweet almost warm biscuit, taste is peppery oak/wood has a hint of sweetness in the background, there is a foremost taste but I cant put my finger on what it is, but will get there towards the end of the bottle. The aftertaste is coffee but a more of the tanning/pulp flavor of coffee, similar really to the woody fibrous smells to start. Interesting flavor but worth try, defiantly one to puzzle the affluent "exclusive Scottish malt drinkers".
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