Knowing that Glen Garioch used peated malt until 1993, I expect a bit of classic smokiness in this whisky. It is from one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, founded in 1797.
The nose is very aromatic with loads of white and yellow fruit. Juicy pear, peach and even mango. But quite a bit of grass as well. Make that hay. Heathery flowers. Sweet on toffee and vanilla, hints of oats, touch of oak and, as I hoped and expected, a great trace of peat smoke.
Nice arrival on the palate. It does not scorch the throat, despite the high ABV. The juicy fruit returns and becomes sweeter still thanks to honey and vanilla. Ginger and nutmeg with a pinch of cinnamon. Reminds me somewhat of grain cookies as well. Lemon grass? No, it is grapefruit. It becomes a tad bitter and smoky. Very pleasant.
The long finish is a bit zesty. The oak becomes somewhat louder making the spices whisper still, even after the glass has been empty for quite a while.
A juicy surprise and very pleasant Highlander. Around 75 EUR.
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