Glen Scotia 18

NewImage

Distillery/Brand: Glen Scotia
ABV: 46%
Region: Campbeltown
Colour: Sunlight

Nose: 20
Taste: 21
Finish: 21
Balance: 19

Review
I have always had a fascination with Campbeltown whiskies and it all started when I tasted a smashing 10 year old Springbank at a friend’s place. Which is why every time I uncork an expression from that part of Scotland I am always urging it to be good. However, it is not the case with this 18 year old.

An unremarkable nose greets me as we are introduced to each other. There is the damp and musty smell of curdled milk in the air along side a day old piece of kneaded dough. I summon all my powers of concentration and eke out a handful of dry raisins. But that’s it.

This journey of unremarkable-ness continues on the palate with a more than necessary burst of fiery black pepper corns. One has to fight through the pin pricks to single out a touch of honey lemon and something faintly nutty.

A mentholated short finish later I am left pondering over what I just experienced.

Rating: 81

Advertisement

Glendronach 18 Year old Allardice Sherry Cask

NewImage

Distiller:
GlenDronach

Region:
Speyside

ABV:
46%

Colour:
Old Gold

Review:
This expression had been on my radar for a while but I never got around to acquiring it for my self so I was quite excited when a friend of mine popped it out one night over at his place.

Being partial to anything with sherry I quite eagerly went in for my first nose. The smell is autumn. All around me are scattered dry leaves gently rustling in the wind. As I go foraging through ankle deep foliage I find sweet bananas and dark berries glistening with a sherry coat. I look up and nestled in the branches of a dry oak tree is a wooden box filled with dark chocolates and butterscotch. As I look down I see in my hands a bowl of fudge sprinkled with fruits while all around me is the smell of dry oak trees.

My only problem with this picture is that everything is just a little bit dull.

I tipped the glass back expecting a sugar rush of sherry and dark berries and I wasn’t wrong. But before I could get my head around the initial flavors the dry oak kicked in and arrested what was going to be a great first impression. As I pressed on I began to detect bits of dark chocolate, citrus and walnuts in the mix. Unfortunately, though, as I tried to savor the new flavors my journey was abruptly ended with the bold arrival of cinnamon spices.

I think this expression has all the necessary flavors to deliver something remarkable. However, they are not in the right proportion. Much too dry and a little too spicy for my liking.

Rating : 83

Glenfiddich 18

NewImage

Distiller:
Glenfiddich

Region:
Speyside

Colour:
Pale Gold

ABV:
43%

Review:
Such a nice oaky nose with a bold mix of tobacco and citrus. Creamy honey texture where all the spices interplay with the glorious sweetness of honey, vanilla and figs. But the champion is spectacular charred orange. Long satisfying finish. This one is a keeper!

Rating : 94

Elijah Craig 18

NewImage

Distiller:
Elijah Craig

Colour:
Old Gold

Review:
I can’t get over how good bourbon is for the soul. Smooth and satisfying nose full of chocolate and leather. A little subdued on the palate for my liking (I like my bourbons to kick me in the face). Unmistakable oaky fruits and tobacco on the palate. Medium to long dry finish. Extremely accomplished drink named after a Baptist preacher.

Rating : 90

The Glenlivet 18 Years

NewImage

Distiller:
Glenlivet

Region:
Speyside

ABV:
43%

Colour:
Young Sauternes

Review:
A brilliant nose smacking of honeycomb, burnt citrus, chocolate, treacle, traces of banana and fruity barley.

Dry and silky smooth palate full of glorious spices like star anise and cinnamon. But mostly honeycomb, citrus and strong, mature oak covered in thick burnt caramel.

Substantially long dry finish that stays on and on.

A must have late evening dram!

Rating : 90