Glentauchers 7 Year - Battlehill (Duncan Taylor)

This particular bottling is from Glentauchers, a Speyside distillery seldom seen as a single malt. They put out an official bottling just once, a 15 year old in 2000. Single malt bottlings from this distillery are typically found through independent producers. This expression comes from Duncan Taylor's Battlehill line. It's a blend of at least two casks, maybe more. My guess is this, given the high alcohol content and the 1200 bottles released, is likely true. It comes in at 56% ABV, and I'm assuming it's non-chill filtered and has a natural color, appearing yellow-gold. The aroma bursts with fresh red berries like raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Hints of vanilla, nougat, chocolate, and powdered sugar create a sweet, candy-like profile. There's honey, malt, oak, a bit of candle wax, and a refreshing menthol sensation. Green grapes, raisins, kiwi, cooked apples, and surprisingly, watermelon candy are also present. Adding water reveals strong notes of Grape-Nuts cereal, olive oil, and grainy bread. You'll also find lemony citrus and a whisper of sulfur. After letting it rest for a while with water, some tropical fruits emerge, like pineapple and mango. I explored this whisky over several evenings, and each time it offered a different experience on the palate. The first night was sweet and confectionary, with blueberries, banana chips, and subtle sherry notes. The second evening presented strange and unwelcome flavors I couldn't quite pinpoint, alongside some light, green oak, allspice, and almonds. The third night was similar. The fourth night brought back the sweetness I enjoyed. Today's tasting was a mix of both previous experiences. Diluting it brings out pepperiness, reminiscent of an unpeated Talisker. There's also barrel char and a touch of cantaloupe. It has a medium-bodied texture that feels oily and makes your mouth water. The finish is lengthy and semi-dry, with lingering berry and cereal/malty flavors. This one is truly a chameleon. Some days it's great, and others it's, well, not bad, but definitely less impressive. Perhaps it was just me, my mood, or what I had consumed that day, but regardless, it was a generally enjoyable experience. At $55, the price isn't bad considering the high ABV. On the good days, it could have scored a 3.75 or a 4, but the less favorable days were closer to a 3. Overall, the complete experience earns a 3.5. Cheers

As we approach the distillery finale, our sampling group has reserved the more unusual, less common distilleries for the end. It's time for Speysider, Glentauchers. Established in 1898 by James Buchanan & Co, this distillery produces 4.5 million liters annually, primarily for blends like Buchanan’s, Black & White, and Ballantine’s. Their sole single malt offering is a 15-year-old. Unfortunately, this is not that bottling. This expression is from the Battlehill range by Duncan Taylor. It's a 7-year-old bottled at approximately cask strength, 56% ABV. It presents as pure gold, likely non-chill filtered and naturally colored, leaving minimal legs and small droplets after swirling (clearly not diluted much). The aroma leads with sharp grains, accompanied by pepper and oak. A hint of honey emerges after some time, but it doesn't suggest a hot profile despite the high ABV. The palate is hot, with a slight sweetness reminiscent of vanilla and honey, but insufficient to counter the heat and harshness of the young spirit. The finish is lengthy, warming, and becomes dry and sharp. It's difficult to discern any complexity or smoothness. Ultimately, this clearly belongs in a blend, with little to recommend it as a single malt. My thanks to the individual who provided this sample, but I believe we should move on. A score of 2 stars. Best regards.

A rainy, damp and dreary Friday November evening. Working my way through the backlog of samples. This one provide by a friend. A bit of warming I can use and hopefully this will help. In the glencairn, the nose is faint, almost no detectable aromas. You need to dig and let it open. Lemon peel, orange bitters, honey and wax. Very sparse. The palate slightly thick and is initially sweet. It slowly fades and becomes hot, woody and spicy. Vanilla-honey that becomes black pepper with ginger root and pinewood. The finish is long and highly bitter and course. Lemon zest remains and turns into the sour remains of a bitter Hall lemon cough drop. A warming sensation works it way deep down remains for a fair length; the most redeeming quality of this dram. This is evidently young and still forming. From beginning to end, it’s rather underwhelming; nothing that would make you wanting more. [78/100][Tasted: 11/9/18]

Uh oh, sawdust was the first aroma I detected, followed by cardboard. There were faint lemon/orange and floral notes, but nothing else compels me to take another sip. The palate initially offers pleasant honey and vanilla but then devolves into a jarring combination of hot alcohol (even with time and water) and other unpleasant mineral notes. Someone who enjoys a perfume-like nose with a similar taste might appreciate this, but it's not for me. I have had a good Fettercairn from Battlehill, so I don't think this is an independent issue. The theme for this will be "The Lumberjack" by Jackyl. Yeah, I went there. Apologies to my friend, at least we can mark this one off our list. 1.5.

I’m 0-2 tonight in our SDT sampling tour. This one courtesy of a friend. Another one that I struggled for a sip or two, and then gave up. Hot, astringent, more like a grain under 15 yrs old rather than a single malt. Needed more time in the barrel. Or just better barrels. One unholy mess.

Sampled at Michael and Devon's place. Barely any aroma. A slight initial taste followed by salt. Reasonably smooth but unremarkable.