Glen Garioch 21 Year (1993), Adelphi
Whisky: Glen Garioch 21 Year (1993), Adelphi
Country/Region: Scotland/Highland
ABV: 59.6%
Cask: First Fill Sherry Cask
Age: 21 Years (Distilled 1993, Bottled 2014)
Nose: Stewed stone fruits, tobacco, fudge, butterscotch, strawberry fruit snacks, blood orange, fig crumble, hints of a leathery-herbal funk.
Palate: Medium-bodied with stewed stone fruits, berries, cinnamon, hints of plumeria, crushed ginger, grilled pineapple, molasses, and lime. Chocolate fudge, vanilla, and tobacco at the end.
Finish: Long and lingering with juicy stewed stone fruit, cinnamon, and anise.
Score: 7+
Mental Image: Jam Making 101
Narrative & Notes: Rich and thick, the aroma was loaded with juicy fresh fruits and stewed concentrated stone fruits. Fruity sugars appeared as leathery strawberry fruit snacks, blood orange soda, and fig crumbles with a tobacco spice lingering in the background. Elements of leather, cinnamon, and toasted herbs appeared around the edges— occasionally funky but combining well with the rich fruits. Medium-bodied and juicy with loads of rich stewed fruits— stone fruits in syrup or berries cooked down to make jam. Hints of tropical flowers, ginger, and pineapple arrived with molasses, caramelized fruit sugars, and lime zest. Chocolatey fudge and vanilla lingered at the end with hints of tobacco. The finish was long with stewed stone fruits, cinnamon, and anise.
Wow! The sherry was a tad heavy for my taste, but it paired wonderfully with the musty-fruity Glen Garioch malt. The aroma was nicely balanced between fruit and herbal elements, while the palate carried rich, juicy fruits— a winning combination. Overall, a coherent, well-structured affair with good depth and a nice long finish— one of the better sherried Glen Garioch I have tried as of late.
Image Credit: Whisky Auctioneer
