Sometimes I tend get bored of modern malts and I turn to my sample archive to dig up a sample I collected long ago. Bottles that nobody opens these days… too expensive. Today: Glen Garioch 1968 hogshead #625 which is the best cask from this era, according to some.
Glen Garioch 29 yo 1968
(57,2%, OB 1997, hogshead #625)
Nose: ah yes, one of these glorious sherry casks. Full of blackberries, juicy strawberries and dates. Rum & raisins. Black Forest gateau and chocolate. Dark baked pastry. Hints of cigar boxes. Underneath is a layer of toasted oak and warm tarmac, at the top end there are hints of Pedro Ximénez vinegar and the acidity of raspberry juice. It’s very wide and intense at the same time, not unlike Karuizawa or Kavalan, but so juicy and with lots of tiny nuances!
Mouth: excellent again. Cherries, blackberries, raspberries, plus vanilla and lots of herbs (mint, eucalyptus, hyssop). Very thick and compact, with a nice smokiness. Liquorice, some leafy notes. Leather and hints of tobacco. It keeps going on and on.
Finish: long, with the herbs and dark chocolate having the last word.
A perfect example of classic heavy sherry. Sure the sherry is a little overwhelming but boy is this good! Around € 1000 in auctions.
Score: 93/100