A couple of years ago, Mark Pendlebury started Whiskybrother in Johannesburg, possibly the first serious whisky shop in South Africa.
A few months ago, he selected a cask of Glenlivet 1998 from the Signatory stocks. This Oloroso butt has been bottled exclusively for his shop.
Glenlivet 15 yo 1998 (54,8%, Signatory Vintage for Whiskybrother 2014, Oloroso sherry butt #128811, 413 btl.)
Nose: aromatic forest fruit jams (bramble, blackcurrant), alongside chocolate coated raisins, dates and candied orange. Cigar leaves. Some peppery oak and bread crust. Hints of ham, maybe a trace of rubber as well. Classic first-fill sherry, with the entire spectrum of sherry aromas.
Mouth: a little hot and fizzy at full strength, but nicely flavoured. Lots of thick fruit jams again (raspberry, figs), countered by dry hints of coffee and pepper. Caramelized brown sugar. An intense oaky kick as well. Returns nicely to cassis candy.
Finish: long, peppery and fruity, mainly oranges dipped in dark chocolate.
This is quite a high pressure sherry bomb, Glendronach style in a way. The oak had its say and delivered a nice, intense whisky. Around € 100, only available in South Africa.
Score: 87/100