Whisky: Glen Garioch 18 Year SMWS “Out of this World”

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 55.6%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon Barrel

Age: 18 Years (Distilled 17 Feb. 2003, Bottled 2022)

Nose: Fruit punch, lime candies, waxy candies, fruit gushers, Flintstone vitamins, brûléed sugars, tangerines, molasses.

Palate: Medium-bodied and very oily, mineral-rich undercurrent, acidic fruit, sidewalk chalk, bruised papaya, salted nectarines, passion-orange-guava juice, mossy stones.

Finish: Medium-length with mild sweetness and oily tropical juice.

Score: 5

Mental Image: Bruised Fruits on Parade

Narrative & Notes:  The aroma was fruity and musty as an initial wave of fruit punch faded to reveal lime candies and fruit gushers. The waxy quality of the nose dissipated as fruity-chalky impressions of Flintstone vitamins appeared. Brûléed sugars offered some caramel depth to the aroma with hints of tangerine and molasses. The mouthfeel was incredibly oily as the medium-bodied whisky carried forward with swells of mineral-rich and slightly acidic fruits— bruised Sunrise papayas, salted nectarine candies, POG juice, and melted melon-orange popsicles. Sidewalk chalk appeared as the dram maintained the same chalkiness as the nose; a mellow stone and moss (though others suggested mildew) funk lingered at the end with a bit of spirited prickle. The finish was long with coconut cream and fruit.

Known as "Hazelnut bubble gum" outside of the United States, this Glen Garioch was part of SMWS's 2022 Festival Release Series which featured a half dozen small batch whiskies. Unlike the typical single cask SMWS releases, SMWS created these by vatting single casks from the same distillery— typically sister casks. This was a new approach to the festival releases; rather than each chapter featuring a unique outturn, every member could access the same bottles… even if a few were renamed for the US release.

Overall, I enjoyed the fruity-funky profile of this Glen Garioch. It had some intriguing elements and a unique acidic edge which puzzled some of the local tasters who thought of rotting fruit and urine— qualities that I did not pick up. I wish the flavors had felt a bit more coherent, as the affair felt a bit hazy, like looking through fogged goggles.