Buying Affordable Whisky That Tastes Expensive

In today’s world, where living costs are constantly increasing, we all like to find ideas to cut back a little and ease the stress. So, should that include giving up on enjoying a dram or two of whisky? Certainly not!

We, at The Grand Store, have researched whiskies that don’t cost a fortune but offer a remarkable range of flavours. We have kept in mind some key elements such as the alcohol percentage, also known as alcohol by volume (abv) present, the unique characteristics and the flavor profile for our list. These are our affordable top choices to shop whisky online:

 

Ardbeg 10 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% abv

Produced on the Kildaton Coast of Islay in northwest Scotland, this Ardbeg spirit has been named ‘World Whisky of the Year’ by top whisky critic, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Launched in 2000, it has an exceptional peaty deliciousness and is well-known amongst single malt connoisseurs. A unique peat-laden wild water source is used for its production and it is aged in first and second fills of ex-bourbon American Oak casks and bottled without chill-filtration to create a smoky balance of bold spice and sweet vanilla.

It is light golden coloured, with an enticing aroma mix of cinnamon spice and toffee sweetness. Fresh floral and citrus notes are evident on the palate and also, hints of pear drops and melon with a gentle creaminess. This is followed by a wave of brine and smoked fish. The finish is long, warming and smoky with tarry espresso, aniseed and hickory.

 

Johnnie Walker Black Label, 40% abv

Johnnie Walker Black Label is an iconic and reputed whisky from Scotland that is seen as a benchmark to other superior whisky blends. Created by a small team of experts, this alluring whisky contains over 40 grain and malt whiskies from all over Scotland to be blended and matured for 12 years giving out its deep, rich flavour and smooth character. 

Johnnie Walker Black Label gives a luxurious feel over the tongue, to release an intense sweet vanilla flavour that gives way to toasted oak, creamy toffee and orange zest. The gentle aroma reminds you of raisins as well as spice and it has an unbelievably smooth finish layered with peat, malt and that distinctive rich smoke.

Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% abv

This interesting name is derived from the strain distillery workers would get in the past while manually flipping malted barley. Monkey Shoulder, which was launched in 2005 was created by master blender Brian Kinsman and is owned by UK-based William Grant & Sons. Developed as a blend of single malts, Monkey Shoulder is matured in first-fill casks used initially for ageing Bourbon, and vatted batch-wise before chill-filtering and finally bottling at 40% strength.

It has a sweet, fruity aroma at the first whiff. It has bold, yet balanced flavours of spiced oak, honey, vanilla and zesty orange with a smooth, malty character. It blends the best qualities of a traditional scotch whisky with the modern palate at a great price.

 

Woodford Reserve Distiller's Bourbon Whisky, 45.2% abv

This Kentucky straight bourbon whisky is distilled in small batches at Woodford County, Kentucky, U.S.A since 1996 by the Brown-Forman Corporation. It is created from a combination of copper pot still spirits formed at the company's Woodford Reserve Distillery, and column still spirits produced by the Brown Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. This fine bourbon whisky comprises more than 200 flavour notes ranging from fruit and floral to woody, bold grain and sweet aromatics to give out a distinct taste and clean, crisp finish. It has a rich, rounded and smooth as well as a chewy character, with complex cinnamon, caramel, citrus, chocolate and spice notes to name a few.

 

Jameson Irish Whisky, 40% abv

Jameson is one of the best-selling Irish whisky worldwide. It is amongst the popular brands of the prestigious Pernod Richard portfolio. Jameson is a fine blend of pot still and grain whisky, produced, distilled and matured in the distillery at Middleton, County Cork of Ireland and has developed a unique art of whisky making that involves triple distillation and triple cask maturing. An initial mixture of malted and unmalted barley is distilled thrice and aged in oak barrels from Portugal, Spain and the USA, in which bourbon, port or sherry have matured. It is then blended from whiskies of diverse ages and casks to give that distinctive Jameson taste.

It has a lovely citrine colour with that typical Irish smoothness, and light and easy to drink. It has a light floral fragrance interspersed with sweet and spicy wood notes. The palate includes nutty, spicy and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry and a mellow, smooth finish.

 

Visit www.grandstore.co.za right now to try out your pick of budget-friendly Whisky online in South Africa.