Glen Elgin 18 Year (2017 Special Release)

Nose - (without water) Very pleasant & light grassy & floral notes, ripe green pears, lightly oaky undertones, thickly sweet with a hint of oak aged dessert white wine, light mint/herbal vibe (with water) Adds a new component of vanilla mint custard to the nose Taste - (without water) Fruity heat, intense sweet pear with a dessert white wine vibe, faint wisp of clean smoke, light grass, floral, crisp light fleshed fruits (with water) More of a white pepper heat, lightly ashy, drying pear cider, floral, less grassy, more dry ashy/dusty golden raisins Finish - (without water) Lingering green grass, light fleshed fruits, pear vibe lingers, lightly metallic (with water) Lingering heat, green Anjou pears, light ashy/metallic vibe still present Score - 83/100 Final Thoughts - The nose on this one is quite nice. Good balance of sweet and crisp pear, very floral, sweet dessert wine like influence. This transitions nicely to the palate with a surprise wisp of ash/clean smoke, like it was aged in barrels that often had campfires near them or something. There's this faint wisp of ash/smoke, but I don't think any of this malt has been peated at all. The only real downfall of this is the finish where after everything sort of settles, you get this light metallic taste on the very backend which is a bit distracting & I guess is good since it makes you want to take another sip to get rid of it. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - Not another one.

Nose: Pears dominate! Fresh pears alongside pears in syrup. Then strawberries and raspberries. A fantastic fruit salad!! The alcohol is barely perceptible. Very fresh! Palate: Initially, the alcohol, which was unnoticeable on the nose, gives a "swipe" across the tongue with a pleasant tingle. Then raspberries and strawberries, caramel, and acacia honey appear, while the pear that was so prominent on the nose vanishes. Unfortunately, a bitter aftertaste emerges and persists into the finish, spoiling the initially excellent impression. Finish: See palate considerations; medium-long, makes the mouth feel slightly coated, a shame about that bitterness.... Rating 4.00 ___________________________________________________________ Naso: le pere la fanno da padrona! Pere fresche ma anche pere sciroppate. Poi fragole e lamponi. Una meravigliosa macedonia!! L’alcool non di avverte quasi per nulla. Freschissimo! Palato: di primo impatto l’alcool che al naso non si sentiva tira una “sciabolata” sulla lingua, con un piacevole pizzicorio. Poi compaiono lamponi e fragole, caramello, miele di acacia, mentre non c’è traccia di quella pera che al naso era così evidente. Purtroppo avverto un retrogusto amarognolo, che permane anche nel finale, che rovina la prima eccellente impressione. Finale: vedi le considerazioni per il palato, medio lungo, impasta un po’ la bocca, peccato per quell’amarognolo….

Oh my god... and a great review by Jake Emen. Apples and pineapple on the aroma with a touch of toasted barley and honey. Very creamy on the taste with wood spices, vanilla and floral notes. The finish is quite long and, though fiery (this IS cask strength), with great finesse. This whisky is a masterpiece!

Bright citrus notes, exceptionally light body, and a subtle oak presence. It offers a pleasant warmth initially that mellows significantly when served over ice, revealing deeper complexities.

Sweet aroma, cotton candy, hot taste, spicy, and a slightly smoky finish.