Speyside region – 43%ABV – $65
It’s been a while since I’ve done a kosher certified whisky and being that the one year anniversary of the Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society blog is getting ever nearer (it’s tomorrow, by the way), I thought it was about time I review another whisky that’s targeted toward the Jewish consumer.
The Loch Chaim line of single cask whiskies has so far proven itself to be a line that’s good for Jew and Gentile alike.
So, what make this kosher? Well, put simply, whisky is kosher by nature as long at it’s matured in anything other than an ex-sherry/wine/port/madeira cask. All whiskies in the Loch Chaim line are matured in barrels which previously held bourbon. Bourbon, by US law, needs to be matured in new charred oak barrels; therefore, there is no sherry/wine/port/madeira influence on the whisky whatsoever.
If you want to know more about the ins-and-outs of why a whisky can be considered kosher or not kosher – you can read this great article by Alan L.
Click here to see all of the Loch Chaim whiskies I’ve reviewed
On the nose – Scented candle shop filled with Christmas wreaths and holly berry scented candles.
Yeah right, like you see a lot of Jewish Latke scented candles at those shops…
A bag of assorted Halloween candies (or Purim candies I suppose).
Soy sauce and some potted house flowers (big begonias).
On the mouth – Very similar to the nose and a thick mouth feel to boot!
Beyond what’s listed in the Nose section is an interesting note of fresh vidallia onion.
White pepper and a bit of bay leaf (like a nice autumn stew).
Increasingly peppery.
Hints of black licorice.
Finish – Ends on a big red peppery note, perhaps a little bit of 9-volt bite.
In sum – Fresh and light like an early summer’s day however very much an Autumn malt. I liked this. I think Aberlour shines with their sherried product but take the name Aberlour out of the picture and this is a solid dram.
