New Whiskies

Batch 177

by
Glenglassaugh Peated and Classic Octaves, Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 6, Glen Elgin 22-year-old from Master of Malt, BenRiach 12-year-old Sherry Wood and 22-year-old Glen Grant from Royal Mile Whiskies.

Dave Broom ventures into the woods and towards the glens this week, with BenRiach’s Sherry Wood expression preceding offerings from Glenglassaugh, Glen Grant, Glen Elgin and Glengoyne.

This autumn marked the return of BenRiach’s Sherried 12 Year Old, a fruity, spicy and ‘very BenRiach’ expression matured in ex-Sherry butts and finished in ex-Pedro Ximinez and oloroso casks.

A 22-year-old Glen Elgin bottling from Master of Malt is dubbed ‘expressive and classical’, with orchard fruits and floral notes. Broom finds it pleasant, although in need of some weight to anchor it further.

The first of two octave casks from Glenglassaugh reminds Broom of ‘beating an old cushion’ on the nose before a ‘dry and powdery’ palate. Not without its charm, but not this week’s best scorer.

Its peated sister is green with a ‘youthful bite’, giving off smoke and brick dust. Broom dubs this one ‘for academic interest only’ although he’s keen to see how it develops.

Glengoyne’s distillery-exclusive Teapot Dram, however, is ‘an eruption of rich flavours’ on the palate, with butter, chocolate and Armagnac on the finish. ‘The perfect Christmas dram,’ Broom says.

Finally, a 1995 Glen Grant bottled by Morrison & MacKay for Royal Mile Whiskies is all over the place, with hazelnut, flowers, apple skin and tea. It’s like a lost Uber driver, but Broom recommends taking the journey all the same.

This week, the playlist sets the scene of a winter fireside tale, with storytime tracks from Bagpuss and – you guessed it – Into the Woods.

Scoring Explained

Overview

  • BenRiach 12 Years Old, Sherry Wood

    Score

    83

    BenRiach 12 Years Old, Sherry Wood
    Price band
    £ £ £ £ £
    ABV
    46%
    Production type
    Single malt whisky
    Region
    Speyside
    Flavour camp
    Fruity & Spicy
    Nose

    Filled with the aroma of a barley field at harvest time, alongside peach skin and, initially, quite firm wood. As things begin to develop, there’s some malted milk, Mars bar and soft fruits (white peach) before a touch of sultana, brioche and hot Danish pastries. Things take a spicier turn when water is added, when more Sherried elements emerge. The peaches have fallen and lie bruised on the grass.

    Palate

    A very clear (and very BenRiach) progression from the sweetness of fresh fruit salad and pineapple cake on the start to cereal notes in the centre, and spiciness (barberry and cinnamon) on the back. Water reverses this, with the perky spices now in charge and the fruits hanging back.

    Finish

    Only now do you get some sultana and hints of tropical fruits.

    Conclusion

    Balanced, and a sense of the next phase being entered.

    Right place, right time

    As winter grips, it’s good to still say ‘Hello Sunshine’.

    Available to buy from The Whisky Shop. It may also be stocked by these other retailers.

    Glen Elgin 22 Years Old, 1995 (Master of Malt)

    Score

    82

    Glen Elgin 22 Years Old, 1995 (Master of Malt)
    Price band
    £ £ £ £ £
    ABV
    53.6%
    Production type
    Single malt whisky
    Region
    Speyside
    Availability
    Master of Malt exclusive
    Flavour camp
    Fragrant & Floral
    Nose

    This is all ripe banana, lemon meringue pie (with cream), green apricot and gooseberry, albeit with a slightly sharp edge. Things are light and fleeting, and as the initial perfume floats off you are left with the mildly medicinal blandness of aqueous cream. Water lightens things further bringing out touches of sawdust and a greener tinge to the fruit.

    Palate

    More expressive and classical. Jars of peaches along with some marzipan, with the alcohol now providing a certain bite. There’s a rather lovely burst of flowers in the middle of the tongue with rosewater, pear and custard apple. Water exposes the fragility and things start to flounder slightly.

    Finish

    Ripe melon.

    Conclusion

    Although in need of an anchor, it’s pleasant.

    Right place, right time

    A Charm yet also hides A Blade.

    Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2

    Score

    79

    Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2
    Price band
    £ £ £ £ £
    ABV
    44%
    Production type
    Single malt whisky
    Region
    Highland
    Flavour camp
    Fruity & Spicy
    Nose

    Initially, there’s a slightly odd foosty aroma like beating an old cushion, which oddly, is followed by hot wax. Give it a rest and there’s a dramatic improvement. Out comes coconut (Lamingtons) and Pears soap, as well as the tiniest hint of smoke and a general bready element. Water however makes things more blunt with unripe fruits and dry oak.

    Palate

    A mix of the slightly dry and powdery with some lively, estery fruit and a floral touch. All the action is in the middle. Water makes things slightly firmer, with the dusty element seen on the neat nose returning.

    Finish

    Short and dry.

    Conclusion

    Taken neat there’s some charm, but there’s a feeling that this is a child forced into a suit too large for it.

    Right place, right time

    They gathered around as Bagpuss told a story.

    Available to buy from The Whisky Exchange. It may also be stocked by these other retailers.

    Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2

    Score

    76

    Glenglassaugh Octaves Peated Batch 2
    Price band
    £ £ £ £ £
    ABV
    44%
    Production type
    Single malt whisky
    Region
    Highland
    Flavour camp
    Smoky & Peaty
    Nose

    Green, with some leafy sweetness. Grass clippings on a bonfire, spurge, prickly pear and then hot oil, all mingling with woodsmoke. There’s an edgy element here as things become more mezcal-like, a quality which is accentuated with water when a surprising note of tahini also emerges.

    Palate

    This youthful bite continues alongside the smoke and brick dust. A little rubberiness is in there as well and while water softens things down, you can see the joins.

    Finish

    Perfumed smoke.

    Conclusion

    Consider it a work in progress. In time this will be a lovely addition to the portfolio. At the moment it’s for academic interest only.

    Right place, right time

    Pausing in Oaxaca to look at the dancing chicken in the Sideshow.

    Available to buy from The Whisky Exchange. It may also be stocked by these other retailers.

    Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 6

    Score

    90

    Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 6
    Price band
    £ £ £ £ £
    ABV
    59.3%
    Production type
    Single malt whisky
    Region
    Highland
    Availability
    Distillery and website exclusive
    Flavour camp
    Rich & Round
    Nose

    Huge, rich and decadent, with melting dark chocolate oozing from every direction before you pick out roast almond and chestnut puree along with real creaminess. Then comes damp earth and moss as you move away from the kids’ party into something darker and autumnal, with a hint of danger. A little water moves things into Christmas pudding and a powerful hit of gingerbread, clove and raisin. Quite ridiculous.

    Palate

    The same slow eruption of rich flavours envelop the palate, though now there’s a pleasingly butter (and balancing) bitterness to the chocolate, along with a slight chilli kick, some Seville orange, walnut and vetiver. The tannins are supple and not affected by the addition of a little water.

    Finish

    Things pick up a distinctly pruney Armagnac-like note.

    Conclusion

    A Grimm’s tale in a glass. The perfect Christmas dram. Santa will be happy.

    Right place, right time

    Lost on the way to Granny’s Cottage, the Little Girl paused... and then...

    Glen Grant 22 Years Old, 1995, Carn Mor (Morrison & MacKay)

    Score

    85

    Glen Grant 22 Years Old, 1995, Carn Mor (Morrison & MacKay)
    Price band
    £ £ £ £ £
    ABV
    58%
    Production type
    Single malt whisky
    Region
    Speyside
    Availability
    Royal Mile Whiskies exclusive
    Flavour camp
    Fruity & Spicy
    Nose

    Mature and slightly oily (peanut oil) with some heat before it swings into summer-ripe fruits, then stewed apple, Moscato grapes, and some Bounty bar elements. It then changes tack again towards the herb garden, with sweet cicely and hyacinth. It’s hot though, and even some water doesn’t quite dampen it down.

    Palate

    A similar zig-zag of flavours: hazelnut, followed by night-scented flowers, then sandalwood. Water is needed and this helps with balance as well as revealing a whisky that’s beginning to put on some middle-age spread. With water, there’s apple skin and light tannins you get in roasted tea, along with a sappy element like chewing young beech leaves. Though the heat never quite leaves there’s now a more gentle oiliness, taking you right back to the start.

    Finish

    Slightly bitter and peppery.

    Conclusion

    Though it acts like a lost Uber driver – heading down one path, reversing and zooming off in a different direction – it’s a journey worth taking.

    Right place, right time

    Twisting and turning and altogether Misterioso.

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