The Single Malt Whisky Israel Shul Kiddush Awards 5785 (2024/5)

 The Single Malt Whisky Israel Shul Kiddush Awards 5785 (2024/5)

Like everyone who lives in Israel, the two days of Rosh Hashanah and then Shabbos were filled with great emotion. We have just been through a night of sitting in our bomb shelters whilst hundreds of ballistic missiles rained down upon us from Iran. But Hashem protected us and not one Israeli died that night. A true ness (miracle) in our time. One of many. The one thing which our enemies have succeeded in doing is unifying the entire nation of Israel. Something which would have seemed impossible a year ago. 

For us, this Rosh Hashana was also full of tension as we knew that Sunday morning, our two sons and son-in-law would be called back to the army, either going down to the south or sent up north. Preparing extra food for the seudos, just in case they are given a few days leave all of a sudden and simply turn up on Erev Yom Tov or Shabbos afternoon, has become regular practice for my wife and I for the past year.

And the Yom Kippur that followed was on a completely different madreiga to previous years. The morning of Erev Yom Kippur, I had to go to the Levoiya (funeral) of a fallen soldier, the son-in-law of a colleague at work. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering this family are going through right now. We turned off our phones before candle lighting, after having read the latest news reports of more rockets and drones being fired from Lebanon.

Having our daughter and grand-children coming to stay with us for the whole of Sukkos is a bitter-sweet honour. It’s lovely to have them with us but we know the reason is that their Aba is fighting up north somewhere. They were supposed to have been at home celebrating Sukkos in their own sukka, with their friends in the yeshiva where they live.

As noted in a comment in the Yom Tov machzor, when Yom Kippur falls on a Shabbos, we skip the tefilla “Avinu Malkeinu” until Ne’ila at the very end, as Shabbos is not supposed to be a day to request things from Hakodesh Baruch Hu, simply to enjoy being in His presence. However, this Yom Kippur is different.

We are at war!

….and by all projections, it will be a long war at that, longer by far than any other in our history.

Our sons are fighting like lions, a gun in one hand, a Rambam’s Mishna Torah in the other.

This year the Rabbonim of Eretz Yisrael thereby instructed us to say Avinu Malkeinu after every tefillah throughout Yom Kippur, even though it was Shabbos, to pour out our hearts to Hashem.

“…and other than You, we have no king who pardons and forgives – only You!” [Yom Kippur Amidah]

The Avinu Malkeinu tefilla was written in Eretz Yisrael by Rabbi Akiva more than 2,000 years ago [See Taanis 25b], and is regrettably just as relevant today as it was then:

אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ חַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה

Our Father Our King, create for us a good new year.

אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ בַּטֵּל מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל גְזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת

Our Father Our King, nullify all the harsh decrees from upon us.

אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ בַּטֵּל מַחְשְׁבוֹת שׂוֹנְאֵינוּ

Our Father Our King, nullify the plans (thoughts) of those who hate us.

אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ הָפֵר עֲצַת אוֹיְבֵינוּ

Our Father Our King, frustrate, spoil and ruin the actions of our enemies.

אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ כַּלֵּה כָּל צַר וּמַשְׂטִין מֵעָלֵינוּ

Our Father Our King, wipe out every enemy and adversary from upon us.

אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ סְתֹם פִּיּוֹת מַשְׂטִינֵינוּ וּמְקַטְרִיגֵנוּ

Our Father Our King, shut the mouths of our adversaries and those who [falsely] accuse us.

אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ כַּלֵּה דֶבֶר וְחֶרֶב וְרָעָב וּשְׁבִי וּמַשְׁחִית וְעָוֹן וּשְׁמַד מִבְּנֵי בְרִיתֶךָ

Our Father Our King, wipe out all plagues and epidemics, war, famine, captivity, natural disasters, immorality and injustice, and the extermination, annihilation and eradication of the members of Your covenant [The Jewish people].

In these times, our shuls and kehillos (communities) take on an even greater importance and act as an emotional and physical support and safety net for all to give each other chizuk.

Now, I realise that what I am about to say may seem rather bizarre to my many welcome non-Jewish readers. Let me just explain that the Jewish people have this unique ability to be able to celebrate life, even in the darkest of times. Throughout our 3,500-year history, we remain the eternal optimists, putting all our faith in "Our Father Our King", The One True G-d.

This is why I think, that this year, more than any other, I have been inundated with requests from so many shul gaboyim (synagogue wardens), here in Israel for strictly Kosher recommendations for whisky to serve at their community Kiddushim. It seems as if we Jews instinctively have the urge to pull out all the stops to wish each other a Shana Tova - "a good new year", and give a very special Lechayim - "To Life!", to everyone, this year. Moreover, many of these shuls used to rely on certain halachic leniences when buying their whisky. This year, it's different. 

To that end, I have selected a short list of Single Malt Whiskies which I feel are suitable for the occasion.

The Single Malt Whisky Israel Shul Kiddush Awards 5785 (2024/5)

Criteria

As mentioned in similar articles in previous years, most shuls around the country will be serving whisky in little disposable plastic cups and many will be drinking it whilst standing up at a buffet style kiddush meal. Moreover, there will be many at these events who lack a full appreciation of whisky and will treat it like they treat Arak, vodka or any other cheap alcoholic spirit, and knock the entire contents of the glass back in one go.

So, in my opinion, it is not conducive to the occasion and would be ill-advised to serve an exceptional and expensive single malt whisky at one of these events. Therefore, we are looking at the lower end of the Single Malt market, say around NIS 160 (£30) or less, the types of "Entry Level" expressions usually ignored by the regular whisky reviewer. But not me.

In the past, I would have simply given the reward to the Deanston Virgin Oak every year and left it at that, with honourable mentions to a few runner ups. It was sold at a budget price with complex delicious flavour, being non-chill-filtered and bottled at 46.3% abv (but still very drinkable straight from the bottle), and with no artificial colouring added. It would have been a no-brainer - the clear winner.

Unfortunately, this year we have seen significant price hikes on certain expressions, including the entire Deanston range. Two years ago, you could have picked up the Virgin Oak for around NIS 120-130. Today, you probably won’t find it for less than NIS 180 and it has, to my great sorrow, now disqualified itself from our budget single malts shortlist.

The same goes for the lovely Glen Moray 12 Elgin Heritage, which is now being sold for a similar price to the Deanston Virgin Oak.

So, let’s see what we can still purchase within our NIS 160 budget.

10. Glen Moray Elgin Classic Signature First-Fill American Oak

Barcode: 5060116322248

Price: NIS 150

If this was a shortlist of recommended genuine integrity bottlings (similar to the Deanston Virgin Oak), for the serious connoisseur who’s looking for an interesting, challenging and complex dram but at a rock-bottom bargain-basement price, then the Glen Moray Elgin Signature First-Fill American Oak (exclusively available at Panaco.co.il), would not only be the clear winner, but the only one on the list.

Bottled at a whopping 48% abv, non-chill-filtered with very little E150a caramel colouring added, it ticks all the boxes for me. However, you need to spend time with this, experimenting with different amounts of water and letting it stand for a while to settle down. This is definitely not a pour straight from the bottle whisky. If attempted then it will be harsh, hot and disappointing. A great single malt at an unbelievably cheap price but absolutely unsuitable for a Shul kiddush.

 

9. Tomatin Legacy

Barcode: 5018481022003

Price: NIS 100-120

Bottled at a slightly higher 43% abv and at about the cheapest price for a single malt whisky you can find, you might think that this is a great choice. However, being matured in Refill Ex-Bourbon and heavily charred Virgin Oak casks but barely qualifying for the legal requirement for Scotch Whisky (a minimum of three years), many find the Tomatin Legacy lacking any of the subtlety you associate with malt whisky. It’s full on heavy charcoal oak wood and black burnt toffee. Tending more towards a liquor rather than a single malt whisky, it ranks last on my shortlist.

However, unlike the Glen Grant Major’s Reserve, Glen Grant 10, Tomintoul 10 and others, it does make my list, as there is nothing particularly offensive about it, besides the fact that some might be put off by the heavy sweet charred wood flavour notes. I’ve heard casual drinkers describing this whisky as smoky and peaty. There isn’t actually any peated barley in this, it’s all coming from the wood.

8. Glenmorangie 10 “The Original” Single Highland Malt

Barcode: 5010494924602

Price: NIS 150-160

This old classic used to be one of the only kosher options available here in Israel around 20 years ago. Baruch Hashem, things have changed but this expression remains a good choice, albeit at the higher end of our budget.

Yellow Tropical fruits, pineapple travel sweet drops, vanilla custard, vanilla cream yeast cakes, yellow apples, golden sultanas, honey cream and soft wood spices.

Bottled at 40% abv it can be poured straight from the bottle and goes well with everything. My only criticism is that for the price, it lacks character and if someone was to be cruel, they’d say that it’s just a wee bit bland. Some would say that for our purposes, that’s a good thing. It’s not over spicy, not over oaky, not smoky, it is light and fruity and most importantly, it doesn’t have a harsh spirit alcohol bite to it. I know that many would describe it as “smooth”. Yes, I’ve used that dreaded word, but in this context, that’s what it is. Smooth!

7. Loch Lomond 10

Barcode: 5016840035206

Price: NIS 150

Everything from the Loch Lomond distillery is well made whisky and this one seems to meet all the criteria for the perfect shul kiddush single malt. It’s bottled at 40% abv so can be poured and drunk straight from the bottle. It even boasts an age statement, 10-Years in the cask. It’s a good whisky with malty honey notes and golden yellow fruits like sultanas and honey-dew melon. However, bland it is not! Many will find this far too spicy for them. The cinnamon, cardamom ginger flavours can be a bit overwhelming to some. I’d give this a cautionary recommendation.

6. Glen Scotia 10

Barcode: 5016840772262

Price: NIS 150

From the same company as the last whisky, the Loch Lomond Group, the Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old single malt is a real gem. It gives you the classic salty coastal and funky tastes of Campbeltown family of distilleries. Slightly peated and salty dry, it may not be to everyone’s taste but you can drink it poured straight from the bottle and many would really appreciate this unusual and special whisky. It goes particularly well with schmaltz herring and smoked salmon. Yum yum.

5. Glen Moray Classic Peated

Barcode: 5060116321104

Price: NIS 120.

OK, OK, I know, this is a peated whisky and lots of people say that they don’t like peated whisky. I get it! However, hear me out. This is one peated whisky that, if they didn’t bother to read the label (or it somehow got covered up), then I believe that they would actually enjoy it. It’s typical Glen Moray malty biscuit, honey cake whisky Speyside style but with some silky soft peat notes in the background which I believe almost everyone would not find objectional in the slightest. Absolutely delicious with herring and other fish. It’s so friendly and approachable, I reckon it’s a risk worth taking. Most people who say they don’t like peated whisky would I believe, like this. It’s also dirt cheap.

4. Glenfiddich 12 American Oak

Barcode: 5010327399614

Price: NIS 170

Coming in as the most expensive Single Malt on my list, actually missing the upper limit by NIS 10, I have to include this as this Glenfiddich release (originally exclusive to the Israeli market but now available in the UK and US), was actually specially designed for the shul kiddush by the Manchester Beth Din, in cooperation with William Grant and Sons, owners of Glenfiddich distillery.

Coming (not surprisingly), with a hechsher from the Manchester Beth Din and standing out on the shelf in its bright yellow canister in order to differentiate it from its problematic (kashrus wise) brother, the classic Glenfiddich 12 which comes in a green canister.

This is delicious whisky. Luscious yellow fruits like melon, pineapple with vanilla custard cakes and a drizzle of honey, it can be poured straight from the bottle and enjoyed by everyone. There is no alcohol burn whatsoever but that doesn’t make it bland. The Glenfiddich 12 American Oak is bursting with flavours. Perfectly balanced between fruity, malty and soft oaky flavours, this will go with any food and is guaranteed to be a hit. It is however, slightly over budget but in my opinion, worth it if you have a demanding minyan, as it should please everyone from the most machmir in kashrus to the more discerning whisky drinker.

3. Glencadam American Oak Reserve

Barcode: 5021349705642

Price: NIS 150-160

The Glencadam core-range consists of the 10, 13, 15, 18 and 21-Year-Old, all exclusively matured in Ex-Bourbon, all bottled at 46% abv, all non-chill-filtered, Natural Colour and come with kashrus certification by OU. This American Oak Reserve is their Entry-Level Glencadam which has no age statement, is chill-filtered and coloured and is bottled at 40% abv.

Why do I put the Glencadam American Oak Reserve higher than the Glenfiddich 12? Because, apart from the lack of an age statement, the Glencadam has everything the Glenfiddich has, including a reliable hechsher from the OU, but it’s slightly cheaper.

Quick Tasting Notes: Golden Sultanas, yellow apples, honeydew melon, lemon buttercream biscuits, and pineapple, cooked banana, honey, oat biscuits, toasted oak, caramel malty biscuits with a hint of sweet musky distillery warehouse on the finish. A hint of an aroma of young spirit is the only thing which lets it down slightly, but honestly, at a kiddush served in little plastic cups, no one will notice or care. A delicious single malt at a very reasonable price.

2. Loch Lomond Original

Barcode: 5016840033219 (70cl), 5016840033615 (1 Litre)

Price: NIS 120 (70cl), NIS 150 (1 Litre bottle)

Another Loch Lomond, this time without an age statement and considerably cheaper. It’s bottled at 40% abv, is coloured but quite remarkably (and I’m not sure I actually believe it), it states on the label that it’s Non-Chill-Filtered! I tried adding cold water to this and it remained crystal clear, which very much indicates some kind of chill filtration to remove the heavy fatty acids, which cause cloudiness when coming into contact with water or ice. I wrote to Micheal Henry, manager of Loch Lomond distillery and asked him how this Original expression could be non-chill-filtered at only 40% abv, but unfortunately as of the time of writing, have yet to receive a reply.

A good friend of mine, let’s call him Moshe, called me for recommendations for his shul’s Sukkos kiddush. He’s originally from Southern Ireland and still has a broad Irish accent typical of people from “Doob-a-linn”, as he says. Besides having to be strictly kosher, he said that his one requirement was that it must be “Smood”, “very smood”, he said.

Well, I told him. I had just the whisky for him. It even says “SMOOTHED TO PERFECTION” on the front of the label, (just above the “Non-Chill-Filtered” statement).

I opened my bottle of the Loch Lomond “Original” and shared a dram with my youngest son, the night before he went down to Gaza (may they all return safely and healthy to us very soon, Be’ezras Hashem). Despite it obviously being young whisky, we both enjoyed it, even after having just opened the bottle (known as the neck pour).

Tasting notes: Stewed apples, cinnamon, raisins and honey. Apple Strudel with baking sugar powder. Very balanced between apples and yellow fruits, mild honey, mild spices and mild oakiness. Perhaps a hint of smoke at the end. I have to say that I actually prefer this to the 10-Year-Old which as mentioned above, is quite spicy. Everything about the “Original” is done in moderation. A lovely warm, friendly, unassuming single malt whisky which does exactly what it claims on the tin. It’s an excellent and really well made entry-level Single Malt. It definitely deserves runner up position and I bet that some of my friends would argue that it really should be No.1. Personally, it lost points for that irritating “smoothed to perfection” statement on the front label.

1. Glen Moray Classic Elgin Heritage

Barcode: 5010494508307

Price: NIS 100. Currently on Special offer at "Alef Alef Piup" wine stores: Two for NIS 180

This Scotch Single Malt Whisky which costs less than some popular Blended Scotch Whisky, seems too good to be true. Honestly, I don’t know how they manage to produce such absolutely delicious single malt for this ridiculously cheap price.

This is a tried and tested dram which I’ve served at quite a few kiddushim in my shul. I always give the community a choice of two or three whiskies and find it fascinating which of the bottles goes down quicker.  In every single case, the Glen Moray Classic disappears at a rapid rate. To say that it’s “Moorish” is an understatement. People come back for seconds and thirds.

The Glen Moray Classic is "ready for use", straight out the bottle without even a hint of young alcohol heat, often associated with young whiskies. It has a delightfully sweet vanilla digestive biscuit taste to it. It’s deceptively light but could never be described as bland. It has soft oaky notes, hints of soft spices and green herbs, juicy white apples, chewy caramel fruit toffees and honey and some malty oat butter biscuits on the excellent finish. It leaves your mouth drooling for more.

It is the most unpretentious, modest Single Malt out there and is my No.1 choice for 5785 (2024/5), tried and tested Shul Kiddush Whisky. Kol HaKavod Glen Moray!

Truth be told, I bought 2 bottles of Loch Lomond Original and 4 bottles of Glen Moray Classic for the shul. I’d be fascinated to see which of the drams goes down faster. I’ll let you know after the chag, bli neder.

If any of you think that I've missed out any Single Malt which you think ought to be on the list, then please let me know in the comments below. I am aware that there is an Entry Level Speyburn called "Bradan Orach" I've yet to try. Have any of you tried this?

If you disagree with any of my selections then again, please let me know in the comments.