Colour: buttery white wine. Nose: wonderfully fresh distillate that's totally dominated by raw and natural ingredients. Freshly malted barley, lemon barley water, freshly baked baguette, white flowers, nectars, pollens, sweet oatcakes and barley sugars. A lovely natural sweetness pervades the nose. With water: leaner, more on pure cereals, sunflower oil, hand lotion, mineral oils and things like cactus and sheep wool. Mouth: lovely arrival, same as the nose but with added waxes, grassiness, cooking oils and touches of carbon paper and hessian. Fat and chunky, high calibre distillate! With water: still nicely tense, natural and pure. Some lemon peel emerges now, also wee touches of ink, soot, dried herbs, putty - rather a lot going on really. Finish: medium, on bison grass, lemon rind, white pepper, lighter waxes and mineral oils again. Comments: I'm slightly taken aback by how much I enjoy this extremely classy, humble and totally charming wee Glen Garioch. Great distillate that recalls some older, fully naked, 100 proof Glen Grant bottlings by G&M and an easiness that makes it wonderfully drinkable. Top work by the good folk at Dram Mor!
Words of Whisky (86)
Nose
Fruity, green and vanilla-led with a touch of brown sugar and olive brine, but also some furniture polish. Some soft chalky notes, red apple skin and a whisper of conifer and oak shavings too. Attractive and balanced.
Taste
Big spicy arrival (black pepper, nutmeg) with a grassy touch and orchard fruits, but also some light green veggies. A gentle sweetness led by honey and vanilla. Soft touches of charred oak.
Finish
Lingering orchard fruits.
