Also in the recent batch of Maltbarn bottlings: this Braes of Glenlivet 1994. Not a high-end distillery but sometimes you stumble upon interesting casks.
Braes of Glenlivet 23 yo 1994 (48,7%, Maltbarn 2018, bourbon cask, 161 btl.)
Braes of Glenlivet 23 yo 1994 (48,7%, Maltbarn 2018, bourbon cask, 161 btl.)Nose: ah, nicely fruity, with golden apples, creamy vanilla custard and something of strawberry marshmallows and bubblegum. Baked pears and a hint of bananas. Hints of butter cake and light minty oak. Candy-like bourbon maturation.
Mouth: sweet and creamy at first, with a nice waxy texture. Vanilla, a little coconut and banana cake. Cinnamon pastry. Ginger and pepper, a touch of fennel, as well as some grapefruit zest.
Finish: long, spicy and bittersweet, with citrus peel and ginger.
The candied nose and creamy palate make it very good, even with the slight bitterness on the palate. In line with how I remember the previous Braeval 1994 from Maltbarn. Around € 140.
Score: 87/100