Glenturret Sherry Edition

Another Glenturret is up for review today thanks to a friend and his constant shipments of samples. This time it's the NAS Sherry version (batch #3). This one was bottled slightly stronger than the peated version I had earlier at 43% ABV. Like the last one I believe it to be chill filtered and natural color, this one being an amber gold. The nose opens with sweet and savory sherry. Raisins, brown sugar, toffee and caramel. Buttery and nutty - cashews and almonds. Light cinnamon and clove with some ginger and vanilla. Fruity with grapes, apples and pears, a touch of mint. There is also something of a lemon/orange mix. A pleasant nose that I found quite nice, but obviously on the young side. The arrival on the palate was a bit spicier than I had expected, but not hot in any way that resembles anything cask strength. Sherry, harsh oak and tannic. Buttery, nutty with some vanilla. Oaky bitterness, grapes and sour apples. Clove, allspice, nutmeg. The palate went from average to worse pretty fast. Maybe it’s just an off day for me, but I really did not enjoy the taste. A light to medium bodied mouthfeel that is slightly astringent and very dry. The finish is medium length with bitter oak and sherry, nutty, tannic and dry. While the nose was nice and by far the best aspect of this dram, the palate was unforgivably harsh and bitter. Another few years in the cask may be what this guy needs to come around, but sadly it’s doomed to a life of juvenile delinquency. I’d avoid this one unless it’s going over ice or in a cocktail, because it just can’t stand on its own. 2.75 Cheers

Sitting here on a dreary Friday evening binge-watching and trying to catch up on GOT. What better way to enjoy this free time than to sip a scotch. A sample provided by a friend that is a sherry-finished NAS bottle #3 bottled at a fair 43% and bottled on 9/29/2018. Light amber in color with a golden hue. Sherry aromas are immediately apparent. Slightly nutty with almonds and/or walnuts with the sweetness of dates. Butterscotch, Demerara sugar, vanilla. An artificial grape note is present, but faintly, with orchard fruits. A decent nose, soft, sweet, and light. The palate is light and thin. Initially sugary sweet but not overly so. Butterscotch and vanilla cream. That sweetness quickly turns spicy and bitter. Oaken spice, cracked black pepper, cloves, and ginger provide the spice notes. The bitterness begins as it fades toward the finish. The bitterness is slightly citrusy, like lemon and orange rinds. It fades quickly to a woody and tannic dryness which seems to last fairly long. A solid beginning which starts sweet and devolves to a spicy dryness. It holds potential to be something better. This has been unleashed a few years too early. Decent, but it’s nothing I would actively seek out. [83/100][Tasted: 4/26/19]

I picked up this bottle for a decent price as part of a recent overseas shipment. It originates from the Highland distillery, Glenturret. This is a recent, no-age-statement release that saw a finish in re-used sherry barrels. It's from Batch #3, bottled at 43% ABV, and I paid $50 for it. Its color is a rich gold/amber. The texture is oily, with broad, thin legs and large beads forming in the Glencairn glass. There are no signs suggesting chill-filtering or added color, so I'm assuming both are present. The aroma presents sherry-like grapes and butterscotch, with subtle vanilla notes in the distance. There's no noticeable cask influence or alcohol sting. The taste is of sweet grapes, butter, and sherry. It's a little rough, with faint vanilla and a dry oak bitterness. The conclusion is rather brief, featuring vanilla and mild oak. However, it's quite faint. The ending significantly detracted from the overall impression. Regarding the overall experience, it's an adequate pour that would be suitable for mixing in drinks or even served over ice. It doesn't require dilution. I'm uncertain if the cost is justified, as there are more readily available options at a comparable or lesser price. I'd rate it 2.5 to 2.75 stars. Enjoy.

Sadly, this is an average dram all the way around. It has a subtle red apple aroma and a mediocre taste that just disappears. The palate is lightly veiled sherry and fruit, with a slight caramel finish. It just makes me think of superior sherry cask whiskies, though it's still an easy drink.

The nose has plenty of raisins and maraschino cherries, but I don't detect the sweetness on the palate. Like the peated version, the cask influence is primarily noticeable on the nose. Nevertheless, it's a likable dram.

Vanilla notes, Madeira cake, and a Jersey caramel. It took some time to get past the alcohol content - I added water. It feels warm in the mouth, with the alcohol causing a burn. It's pleasant and easy to drink.