There are two versions of the Glenury Royal 36 Year Old, one from 1968 (which I will try today) and one from 1970 (of which I cannot seem to find a sample). We can honestly say this is liquid history, as the distillery has been silent since 1985 and was closed definitively in 1992. I got this sample quite a while ago from my good friend Whisky Buddha (you know who you are).
Fresh and floral nose. Dandelions, tulips and lavender. This is upholstered with apricots on syrup, pineapple in its own juices, Granny Smith apples and litchi. Halfway through some juicy tangerines join in. But hardly any oak after four decades. Quite fresh. Slowly becomes somewhat waxy, which I can only encourage. Some honey and vanilla kick in. Very nice nose.
Beautiful, sturdy arrival, immediately honeysweet with a sour lining. The oranges talk first. Slightly alcoholic, as if there is some Cointreau in there, but with (loads of) ginger and (a pinch of) nutmeg. The apricots and pineapple are in hot persuit. The apples are stewed. Again quite a bit of honey. I am having a hard time believing this is 36 years old. Amazing.
Fairly long finish on oranges liqueur.
Well, for a first encounter with this distillery, it is quite a pleasant one. This bottle is actually still available, but you will have to pay a king’s ransom for it. Online you can get it for between 500 and 600 EUR (while last seen on auction for around 400 EUR).
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