Whisky: Glenturret 11 Year SMWS 16.53 “Confessions of a Barbecue”

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 61.1%

Cask: Re-charred Hogshead

Age: 11 Years (Distilled 16 Dec. 2009)

Nose: Grass, meat, and grill smoke. The country barbecue was in full swing— dry late summer grass, hints of pasture and fertilizer, cordite and firecracker smoke, smoked beef brisket ends, and caramelized pork spare ribs. Further in were almost creamy notes of pork broth, dried bonito flakes, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Palate: Medium-bodied and viscous with earth, smoke, and fruit notes. The dram opened with memories of smoldering ash pits, grass fires, and well-charred pork butt— a country Fourth of July celebration with fireworks and bonfires. Caramelized meats— a study on the Maillard reaction— appeared with hints of slightly burnt grilled peaches and pineapple rings. Chocolate and tobacco lingered on the back palate with subtle pasture and dried cow paddy funk.

Finish:  Lingering notes of grill char and earth.

Score: 7

Mental Image: Burnt Pineapple Rings

Notes : I have no idea why I passed on buying this bottle because there was no world in which I was not going to love it. Okay, maybe it was because I have three excellent sister casks. They are uniformly good with slight variations on a theme that I adore. These heavily peated Glenturret sister casks that SMWS has released in the last two years are like a band producing album after album with the same sound and songs. Sometimes you get tired of it— and sometimes, every single song brings you back to the first time you heard the band. You could not care any less if they all sound alike because they sound great.

I loved the earthy, slightly funky, charr notes on this dram. It reminded me strongly of Independence Day celebrations in the countryside. The aroma was rich with meat and maritime umami, while the palate was awash in char with lovely hints of grilled fruits and chocolate. Peated Glenturret, perhaps a bit like Ballechin— heavily peated Edredour— has slipped under the radar for many people, but I do not think that will last.