Glenturret 20 Year SMWS 16.59 “Too good to be true”
Whisky: Glenturret 20 Year SMWS 16.59 “Too good to be true”
Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands
ABV: 53.7%
Cask: Port Pipe (18Y), First Fill PX Hogshead (2Y)
Age: 20 Years (Distilled 3 April 2001)
Nose: Spice and leather with subtle citrus fruit, cola, chocolate, strawberry preserves, salted plums, and Thai basil.
Palate: Full-bodied and rich, cola, fruit, a kiss of salt, brown sugar, licorice, and maple syrup. Water brought out more chocolate and cinnamon. Lingering cola and cherry at the end.
Finish: Long and lingering with plums and hints of florals.
Score: 7
Mental Image: RC Cola
Narrative & Notes: The aroma was thick and sticky with RC Cola, handsomely spiced brownies, leather, tobacco, and herbal-jammy notes of homemade basil and strawberry preserves. The palate was full-bodied, thick, rich, and brimming with RC Cola, rock salt plums, coffee, and bright spice. A kiss of salt appeared between brown sugar and licorice as the dram became musty and sweet with memories of Cherry Cola Icees. A few drops of water elevated the chocolate and cinnamon, though the dram felt more astringent. The finish was long, with lingering notes of plums and floral hints of violets.
Intense— one word to describe this dram (as well as its sister cask). I was hoping for more finesse, but this was a full-throttled wine cask assault on the senses. I enjoyed the prominent cola note that dominated the experience for me and the chocolatey turn the dram took with more time or a few drops of water. I hesitate to recommend water, as I thought the whisky was better at cask strength and that water elevated a latent tannic astringency a tad too much.
Overall, a mature and complex sherry bomb with an intense profile of spice, cola, and fruit. Sure to please fans of the style— especially fans of heavily sherried Glenturret.
