Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky

I typically don't care for grain whiskies, but I've encountered a few that were decent. One such was the Bain's 15yo, which I was fortunate enough to try unexpectedly. Following that, I acquired a sample of this award-winning bottling. (I believe it received the 'best grain whisky of the world' award in 2018 or 2017). I purchased it, and... it didn't live up to expectations. This dram is a smooth, standard whisky. It could be described as the most typical grain whisky you'll ever encounter. Bottled at 43% ABV, it has a golden color. The aroma presents the usual grain whisky profile: Vanilla, Butter, Fresh maize fields; Citrus notes of lemon and lime. The scent evolves slightly after the initial taste, revealing dulce de leche and fondant. The palate offers Vanilla and pepper. Creamy. Nothing more. The aftertaste is corn. It resembles eating corn, as you can actually perceive the flavors of chewing buttered fried corn. Overall, this is a simple, smooth, standard, uninspiring grain whisky. Utterly forgettable. My score is 68 out of 100.

Aroma: Lemon zest, grass, caramel, and vanilla. Palate: Extremely sweet. Butterscotch, vanilla, crème brûlée, and cinnamon. Finish: Medium duration, primarily citrus fruits with some woody and baking spice notes. Overall: BELOW AVERAGE. While the price is reasonable, its primary appeal is being a South African product, making it different. It's a single grain whiskey primarily using corn in the mashbill. Consequently, its flavor profile closely resembles a bourbon, but superior bourbons are available at this price point. There are also much better single grain whiskies. Furthermore, there are superior whiskey examples from countries other than Scotland or America. If you're intrigued, try it, but I strongly doubt you'll repurchase it.

First tasted November 2019. Appears clear gold. Served in a small tulip glass. Potent sweet scents of vanilla, banana, maple, butterscotch, kernel fruit, vanilla caramel brûlée, and vanilla pudding on the nose. Medium to full body with woody spice, dried sweet spice, butterscotch, maple, overripe pear, and overripe melon on the palate. Amazing sweet harmony with woody spice, like an intense, heavy straight punch to the face. Sweet, smooth finish. Significant oak presence in both aroma and flavor, but unlike bourbon whiskey which can have plastic, paraffin, or even petroleum notes. It's definitely more potent than the Suntory Chita single grain due to the double first-fill bourbon cask aging.

A robust, Single Grain South African Spirit from James Sedgwick Distillery crafted from 100% regional yellow maize; it undergoes a double maturation, spending 3 years in initial ex-Bourbon casks, followed by 18 to 30 months in a different set of first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels. It begins with a full character of vanilla, caramel, custard, and floral notes; its balanced maturity introduces vanilla cream, powdered sugar, orchard fruits, cardamom, oak, corn, and banana flavors; concluding with a moderately long finish hinting at sweet grapefruit. August / December 2018 / November 2019

Nov 2019. Clear golden hue, medium depth. Potent oaky vanilla, sweet toasted new wood, tree bark, fresh American oak, caramel, fruitcake, and cinnamon, star anise, with abundant sweet spice on the palate. Dry, medium-full body with vanilla, honey, tree bark, sweet banana syrup, plastic, dried spices, and a cola note. A good, young, woody single grain with a medium, newly toasted oak finish.

Day 3 of my 2017 advent calendar. A conventional, pleasant aroma. Thin, spicy flavor. Quite distinctive and deeply warming. It has an exotic taste. If I have it again, I'll definitely use plenty of ice (to soften the burn and hopefully enhance its unique character). I'd try it again, but at this point, I wouldn't buy a full bottle.