Glen Elgin 1990 25 Year Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Nose: Sherry, raisins, floral, and nutty. It's robust and well-rounded with some honey sweetness and a fairly strong oak presence. There's also a slightly off-putting scent, similar to nail polish remover. I've encountered this before in some bourbons, but rarely in whisky. Palate: A fruity, cereal, and vegetal arrival. During the tasting, sweet malt, ginger, and vanilla flavors emerge, along with a light oakiness that builds. Some warm spicy notes and a distinct anise or fennel seed flavor are present. Finish: Long and malty, but more cereal than sweet. The oak character persists. This is a very nice whisky, but I felt it was only slightly superior to the standard 12-year-old Glen Elgin official bottling, which is significantly cheaper (less than half the price). If it cost a little more than the 12-year-old, it would be worth it, or if the quality were considerably higher, it would justify the premium price. As it stands, it doesn't offer good value or enough distinction to make the investment worthwhile, and in my opinion, it's a bit over-oaked. Tasted at a Sydney whisky tasting event on May 22, 2017. "Very good": 86/100 (4 stars).