Whisky: Glentauchers 15 Year (1998), Cadenhead

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 55.4%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead

Age: 15 Years (Distilled 1998, Bottled Feb. 2014)

Nose: Citrus, talcum, wood oils, touch of spirited heat, austere, hints of grass and salt.

Palate: Medium-bodied, oily, citrus, chalk, florals, spirited prickle, hints of vanilla and salt at the end.

Finish: Short and drying with citrus pith and wood oils.

Score: 4

Mental Image: Cleaning Lures in the Garden

Narrative & Notes: The aroma presented citrus rind and pith with grapefruit, bergamot, and bitter orange leading to chalky notes of talcum. Teak wood and rose hip oil provided an underlying mustiness with the occasional touch of spirited heat. Hints of grass and salt rounded out the otherwise very austere nose. Medium-bodied and oily, the flavor profile had more depth, with citrus, chalk, and florals advancing before a tingling spirited prickle on the sides of the tongue. Lemon and bitter orange arrived with a touch of slightly floral bergamot, which gradually bloomed with talcum, chalk, and musty flower garden. Hints of vanilla, rubbery fishing lures, and salt emerged with a spirited prickle at the end. The finish was short and drying with citrus pith and wood oils.

Austere, if I had to describe this whisky in one word, that would be it. There were few frills on this Glentauchers, which reminded me more of Glencadam at times with its chalky minerality. Clearly, the hogshead here was knackered with very little left to give the whisky, which felt unrefined and unfinished with the amount of spirited prickle that stood out, especially on the palate. Otherwise, this was a fine example of the sort of base spirit you are getting with Glentauchers. Sometimes it is nice to approach a whisky with very little cask influence to get a feel for the bones of the malt.

Overall, I noticed a user on whisky base called this a “fantastic summer dram,” and I like that description. I could see this being quite nice over ice at the end of a hot day, or perhaps even just slightly chilled so more of that prickle drops out.

Image Credit: Whisky Base