Glen Garioch 1986 25 Years Old

This vintage 1986, a respectable quarter of a century old, was scored at the Spirits in the Sky festival. It matured on American Oak, whatever that means. Bourbon, sure, but 1st fill?

The nose is sweet on yellow fruit and coconut, but has a sour side, even more pronounced than the 1995. I am also reminded of peach. Light peppers. Soft smokiness. A truckload of vanilla custard. Bit of chocolate. Some smoke and a wonderfully dusty side that transports me straight to the attic. Nice.

It is mouth coating and very sweet. Herbal too, think violets (the flowers) and notes of earth. Very spicy. Ginger and pepper, mostly the latter. Again vanilla and yellow fruit. Pineapple cubes and dried peach. The peat is unmistakable.

The finish is long and very smoky.

A sturdy 25 year old Highlander. Around 140 EUR.

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