Glen Ord 1974 23 Year Old

Glen Ord was founded in 1838 on the Black Isle, some 15 kilometers northwest of Inverness. Only 20% is destined for single malt releases, the rest is for Diageo’s blending needs with Johnnie Walker and Dewar’s in the lead. In 1998 this 23 Year Old Glen Ord from 1974 was released in the Rare Malts Selection.

OMG, this is a very interesting nose! Loads of dried yellow fruit, toffee, coffee grinds, strawberry marmalade and mint. Reminds me a tad of After Eight. But mostly – and this does not sound good, but can be truly magnificent in a whisky – rotting oranges. And some soft woodsmoke. Lovely nose that can easily enterain you for more than fifteen minutes.

Ka-boom! Very powerful arrival – which is no surprise, of course – with a very waxy note. Lots of menthol, quinine, dried aprictos, mandarin, strawberry again, candy cherries and coconut. Earl Grey tea (which is kinda funny after the coffee on the nose). Very spicy on nutmeg and black pepper. Sweet, dry, balanced and old school. In one word: delicious!

The long, warm finish even hints at some peat in the mix. Could it be?

I tried the Glen Ord 1973 in the Rare Malts before, but this one is much, much better. A bottle will, however, set you back some 300 to 400 EUR. Thanks, Chris!