Three Ships 12yo Master Distiller’s Private Collection

Three Ships 12yo Master Distiller’s Private Collection

Official bottling
Single malt - Western Cape
Sunshine yellow
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, peat, white grapes, lemon zest, leather, autumn leaves, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. White grapes, leather, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, photocopy paper, wet stones, raisins. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, leather, peat, tobacco leaf. 

Comments: 

Tart, fruity and feinty. It’s a lot more lively than some of the other whiskies from James Sedgwick that I’ve had. There’s minerally notes too, and some notes of tobacco, that integrate well. Rather good.

Verdict:

I like this.

Three Ships 6yo Batch 1

Three Ships 6yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Western Cape
Amber
53.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, red grapes, cloves, honey, Armagnac, hints of orange peel. With water, raisins, black tea, cocoa nibs, cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, loosens, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, hay, fresh baked bread, vanilla, red grapes, Armagnac, honey. With water, cocoa nibs, red grapes, cloves, raisins. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, red grapes, malted grains, raisins, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

A very brandy-like whisky, probably as a result of a good first fill cask and aging in a warmer environment. Very sweet and spicy, except for some maltiness on the finish I would have said this was brandy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Copper Republic Bourbon Cask Finish

Copper Republic Bourbon Cask Finish

Official bottling 
Single grain - KwaZulu Natal
Dark gold, hints of orange
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, vanilla, watermelons, brass polish, sea salt, white pepper, hints of lime juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, honey, fresh baked bread, lime juice, brass polish, gingerbread, white pepper. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, lime juice, white pepper, honey. 

Comments: 

Bright and flavourful grain whisky from South Africa. Some of the layers don’t quite complement each other, but the lime juice and cereal notes are pleasant enough. Interesting stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky

Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky

Official bottling
Single grain - Western Cape
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, cardamom, figs, sandalwood, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slightly astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White pepper, vanilla, cream, lemon zest, cloves, hints of figs. 
Finish: Medium. Cream, vanilla, figs, hints of cardamom. 

Comments: 

Highly spicy, highly fragrant grain whisky from South Africa. I believe this expression, bottled at 43%, has been discontinued in favour of a 40% version. That's a shame - this is complex grain whisky, and is redolent of the spice islands.

Verdict:

I like this.

Three Ships 10 yo

Three Ships 10 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Western Cape
Buttercups
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, peat, plums, black tea, leather, hints of apples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loose, thickens slightly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Raisins, leather, apples, plums, caramel, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Leather, black tea, vanilla, salt caramel. 

Comments: 

My first South African malt. Surprisingly salty, even somewhat peaty. Do they have peat bogs in South Africa? It's a good whisky, nice fruity notes wreathed in with all that sea salt and leather. Very enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.