Glen Garioch 26 Year (1990), Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange — Whiskery Turnip

Jun 5

Jun 5 Glen Garioch 26 Year (1990), Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange

Whiskery Turnip

Scotch

Whisky: Glen Garioch 26 Year (1990), Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 54.4%

Cask: Hogshead

Age: 26 Years (Distilled 6 April 1990, Bottled 19 Jan. 2017)

Nose: Fruit punch! Within minutes the room was filled with a creamy tropical fruit punch— was it a coconut flavored orange Tropicana or a Hawaiian Punch? A musty savory spice appeared behind the fruit— Szechuan peppercorns, cinnamon, nutmeg, and hints of star anise. Savory herbal notes brought roasted lamb, fat drippings, herbal rubs, and mint jelly to mind.

Palate: Medium-bodied with savory herbal spice and tropical fruits. Tropical fruit punch and coconut cream washed over the palate with a tingling peppercorn. Sandalwood and cedar appeared with a volley of wood spice, dried fruit, and tobacco. Chocolate, toasted coconut, and tropical fruits lingered at the end and came on more strongly with water.

Finish: Lingering notes of musty tobacco and dried fruits.

Score: 8

Mental Image: Coprah Plantation at Dusk

Notes: Musty, fragrant, and absolutely delightful, this Glen Garioch was full of character with a beautifully well-structured flavor profile. The initial aromatic burst of tropical fruit punch gave way to a delightfully sweet and savory spice that brought tangy Sichuan noodles or mala marinated duck meat to mind. The flavor profile reprised many of those same notes, though a few drops of water transformed proceedings with coconut and hints of milk chocolate syrups. Truly, a wonderful and well-integrated experience— this was exactly what I want from Glen Garioch— tangy spice, musty fruits, and a mellow funk to keep the experience interesting.

Overall, a fantastic dram— if maybe a tad too much coconut for my taste. I love syrupy-juicy tropical fruits, and while this was definitely tropical, it was more in the direction of coconut town. I may not be crazy for coconuts, but this was still satisfying and set a new high bar for my experience with Glen Garioch.

Image Credit: Whisky.Auction