Claxton’s Spirits started as an independent bottler in September 2015 when they announced a first batch of three single cask bottlings: Glentauchers 1996, Tobermory 1995 and Tomatin 1994.
Glentauchers 18 yo 1996 (48%, Claxton’s 2015, bourbon barrel #7884, 320 btl.)
Glentauchers 18 yo 1996 (48%, Claxton’s 2015, bourbon barrel #7884, 320 btl.)Nose: tropical fruits (tinned pineapple, kiwi, unripe nectarine and green banana) with green apple peelings. Watermelon bubblegum. Hints of vanilla latte. Gets quite floral / fragrant after a while, which mingles with a rather up-front varnishy side, which resembles some old grain whisky. Minty notes too.
Mouth: sweet and fruity, lots of apples, peaches, pineapples… Grapefruit zest. On the one hand it’s really playful and bright, on the other hand it shows this strong bourbonny wood influence again (pepper, nutmeg, varnish).
Finish: long, with a similar fruit and spices combo, as well as some vanilla cream.
We’ve had similar Glentauchers before and this is perfectly in line. Good choice for a start-up bottler. Around € 90. Hitting the shelves towards the end of February.
Score: 87/100