Whisky: Glen Garioch 24 Year (1993), Hunter Laing

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 50%

Cask: Hogshead

Age: 24 Years (Distilled Sept. 1993, Bottled Aug. 2018)

Nose: Stone fruits, minerals, musty apricots, a hint of tangerine and melon, ripe plums, dried persimmons, herbal undercurrent of tobacco, thistle, and maple syrup.

Palate: Medium to light body, mild sweetness, tangerine, orange, herbal rooibos tea, melon and ham, achiote, black pepper.

Finish: Medium length with a mild astringency, subtle salt, and floral achiote.

Score: 6+ (almost a 7)

Mental Image: Fruit Smugglers at Lunch

Narrative & Notes: Classic Glen Garioch notes of musty fruits packed in hay-stuffed crates. Within the crates were apricots, plums, melons, and dried persimmons with hints of tangerine and a mild minerality, almost chalkiness. A subtle herbal tobacco and thistle ran through the background with occasional hits of rich maple syrup. Medium to light bodied with restrained sweetness, the initial impression was all citrus as tangerines and oranges appeared in bunches with subtle notions of prosciutto-wrapped melon. The herbal quality of the nose slowly developed on the palate with hibiscus, rooibos tea, and achiote (the musty floral seeds of the lipstick plant). Achiote and subtle black pepper lingered at the end and carried through on a medium-length and mildly drying finish.

Overall, a mild though enjoyable affair that fell somewhere between a six and a seven. I relished the subtle floral and peppery elements that appeared at the end and lingered on the finish. I wish there were a bit more body to support some of the initial citrus, but the lightness of the spirit also made this very easy to sip and quick to disappear. I prefer my drams with a bit more heft and depth, especially these musty-fruity Glen Garioch, but there was no denying that this would be a fantastic dram to relax with at the end of the day.

Image Credit: Whisky Auctioneer