Glen Albyn 26 Year Old 1974 Signatory

Did you know that Albyn is taken from Alba or Albion, the old name for Scotland? During WWI, the distillery was used by the British navy and they even made some sea mines here. The distillery was closed in 1983 and demolished in 1988. So this is liquid history. This is an old dumpy bottle from Signatory.

Grassy and metallic on the nose. Something that reminds me of skimmed milk. Some white fruit and a twig of mint. Apples? Hint of burnt butter. A frying pan cooling down. A bit strange. Mild pepper. Adding water makes it creamy, but also reveals a hint of plasticine. WTF? Leave it even longer and the smell of a swimming pool surfaces. Surely that cannot be good?

Rather fiery attack, but fruity at the least. Lots of citrus, white fruit and honey. White pepper, ginger and camphor. I am not impressed, but it does have something that I like, although I could not for the life of me tell you what it is. Adding water makes it sweet and sour. Grapefruit?

The finish is long and feisty and the best part of this whisky.

Quite an improvement compared to the 1977 release that I tried before, but not really grand. I have not yet had much luck with Glen Albyn, it would seem. Pity.

Find where to buy Glen Albyn whisky