[Scotch Review] Glen Garioch 1999 Vintage

I've been looking to try some more Glen Garioch lately, especially after hearing that the entire brand is being dropped from the shelves in Ontario very soon which makes me sad because I really enjoy this distillery. Fortunately for me, I was happy to see that The Caledonian Bar in Downtown Toronto had this bottle around that’s supposed to be releasing in the LCBO soon despite the delisting as their internal checks show about 10-11 cases floating around in a dusty warehouse. But in case it doesn't come at least I have a review for it now!

This vintage of Glen Garioch was aged for 14 years in Oloroso sherry casks and is bottled at 56.3% ABV without colouring or chill filtration and at glorious cask strength, all the pluses I need for what appears to be a quality Glen Garioch. It was retailing in Alberta for $144 CAD, so let’s see if this one does well compared to the 1995 Vintage which the LCBO previously had for $120 CAD.

• Color: Dark Amber

• Nose: Strong sulphur, Rich prunes, coffee beans, woodspice, vanilla, toffee, cocoa, wood tannins, raisin, leather

• Taste: Bold juicy plums, sea salt, sulphur, chocolate, sultanas, vanilla, tea tannins, apple, some pear, lemon citrus, tangerine, worm leather

• Finish: Medium to long with strong orange citrus, candied cherry and spicy oak

Probably one of the craziest noses I’ve had on a Highland scotch in a while. This punches way above its proof to where my ears got a tad hot after the first sip. Leather shows up in the fold after some water gets added as well as some softer spice and chocolate covered fruit. This whisky shows surprising complexity for a short 14 years of maturation and is exactly what I look for in a sherried Highland malt. It’s maybe a tad too spicy at times so add a few drops of water for sure but definitely pick this one up if you see it around.

87 pts

 

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