Glentauchers 1996 (Tasting Fellows)

There’s a new series of releases from Tasting Fellows, and there’s good news. The German shop Whisky-Fässle will distribute their bottlings, so this will make them available outside of Germany as well.

They seem to have a preference for fruity Speysiders. This time there’s Glen Keith 1992, Glenburgie 1992, Braeval 1994, Mortlach 1996 and Glentauchers 1996. All bourbon casks if I’m not mistaken.

Glentauchers 17 yo 1996 (57,2%, Tasting Fellows 2014, barrel #1160, 146 btl.)

Nose: sweet barley and plenty of vanilla at first, with some marzipan and latte notes. Apples and peaches. There’s a bubblegummy side to it, something between  tropical bubblegum and fruity rum (soft coconut). Faint minty notes.

Mouth: bold attack, sweet and very creamy. Still fruity, mainly fresh plums, but with a rapidly growing spiciness. Say pepper and nutmeg, evolving towards herbal notes and a slightly bitterness. Some leathery notes and faint hints of bourbon whiskey. It takes water quite well, in fact I recommend you add a few drops.

Finish: long, still a tad bitter and oaky.

Well-made whisky, with a nice rummy fruitiness. Very powerful due to its alcohol volume. Be sure to play around with water. Around € 90.

Score: 87/100