Glen Garioch 1971 Samaroli Collection

I’m going to try to write up a note for every whisky I tried at the recent festival in Belgium (if I can decipher my scribbles…) but wanted to start with this bottle that completely blew me away. I tasted many a good malt, but this is, without a doubt, the absolute number one – numero uno! Never tasted anything like it before and probably never will again (unless the owner brings te bottle again next year).

This old Glen Garioch – excuse me ‘The’ Glen Garioch – was distilled in 1971 and is matured in sherrywood. It was bottled at a strength of 59,6% in a 75cl bottle (which was unopened when we purchased a dram). It is bottled by the famed Italian Samaroli and limited to 2.280 bottles (I tasted from bottle 1519, for whatever that’s worth).

On the nose is revealed an absolutely beautiful peated sherry monster! Quite exquisite indeed! A rich nose that bursts with coffee notes (Italian espresso, liqueur, burnt caramel, brown sugar), immediately overpowered by lovely sweet and delicate peat – the likes of which you only find in the better Port Ellen: bonfire on the beach, wellington boots, Tabasco, roasted pork. I have no idea about the ppm in this bottle, but it’s a nose beyond belief. Best of both worlds…

On the palate, the party continues unabated! The peat is solemny aloof, allowing the coffee notes to shine. It’s also cooked fruits ad infinitum that get free reign, instigating an explosion of taste that makes your knees buckle. I think I’ve discoverded the meaning of the expresson malt porn.

The finish is as long as it is good, with spicy fruitcake served with roasted seaweed as a side dish… or something along those lines. Anyway: never tasted anything like it! My very first true orgasmalt!

If you ever get the chance to taste this (even though you’ll have to pay about 25 EUR for a glass of this dram), do not hesitate. You’ll live to regret it.

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