One of the latest releases by Abbey Whisky, a 21 years old Glen Garioch in their Rare Casks series.
Glen Garioch 21 yo 1994
(55%, Abbey Whisky ‘The Rare Casks’ 2016, refill hogshead, 126 btl.)
Nose: fresh garden fruits (cut apples) and sharper citrus (lime / grapefruit) as well as some vegetal notes up front (fern, musty leaves, roots). After a while also hints of pineapple cubes and vanilla custard. Wet rocks. Clay. Hints of bay leaves too.
Mouth: intense, still this combination of fresh fruits (grapefruits, gooseberries, peaches) with more austere notes of peppercorns, zesty and grassy notes. A subtle feeling of peat. Chalk and medicin. Citrus green tea. Back towards rounder almonds and vanilla in the end.
Finish: medium long, mineral and citrusy, with traces of honey and pepper.
A fairly dry and natural Glen Garioch which combines the austere minerality of the Highlands with rounder, fruitier notes and a little vanilla. Around € 120 from Abbey Whisky.
Score: 87/100