I don't normally throw around scores like that. These are, in fact, B+/A- whiskies, and the world is a bit short on B+/A- whiskies. Can these sibling casks keep up this quality? Today's GG03 has a great ABV, but an unpromising cask name...
Distillery: Glen Garioch
Owner: Beam Suntory
Region: Eastern Highlands
Owner: Beam Suntory
Region: Eastern Highlands
Independent Bottler: Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Age: 19 years (17 February 2003 - 2022)
Maturation: first-fill bourbon barrel
Cask #: 19.76, "A utopia of bananas and muffins"
Outturn: 191 bottles
Age: 19 years (17 February 2003 - 2022)
Maturation: first-fill bourbon barrel
Cask #: 19.76, "A utopia of bananas and muffins"
Outturn: 191 bottles
Alcohol by Volume: 52.7%
(from a paid event)
(from a paid event)
NEAT
Apple peels, roses, pecans, and star anise meet the nose first, followed by oyster crackers in vegetable broth. This group's first real sign of oak appears, but it's more of a toasty style than charred. The palate comes in peppery, sweet, tangy, and very acidic. Mostly limes and hot sauce with a hint of vanilla. Thankfully the acidity mellows in the finish, and the limes and lemons are tart and sweet.
DILUTED to ~46%abv, or < 1 tsp of water per 30mL whisky
While the nose simplifies to vanilla marshmallows and orange creamsicles, the palate takes on more complexity. Though there's sweetness and vanilla aplenty, guavas, limes, roasted almonds, and jute provide needed facets. It finishes sweetly as a sort of guava-lime-vanilla candy.
WORDS WORDS WORDS
Well hello, American oak. Welcome to the Glen Garioch party. Now if you could just make yourself scarce after this, I'd be much obliged.
Thankfully the fruit, flowers, and the occasional unconventional note hold off the encroaching Quercus alba. But this one did start to tilt toward a more contemporary style than the previous four. Dilution made it more pleasant, but also a bit sugary. No bananas to be found, 💛.
Next week, two more 19-year-old barrels...