Glen Garioch 12 Year

Nice sherry flavor without being too sweet

Nose: Vanilla, oak, faint smoke, raisins, apples Palate: Raisins, apples, oak Finish: Oak, Raisins, Caramel For its price an excellent 12-year old.

Spicy flavor 50ml

At first nosing, I’m reminded of Redbreast 12 Irish Whiskey. A jammy, fruity bouquet ensues starting with strawberry, raspberry, red currant, red pear, pink lady apple, and a touch of pink grapefruit. I also get some vanilla taffy, and just a whiff of sea air. Sweet and tart on the tongue, with plenty of salted caramel and citrus, both orange and lemon. Stewed fruits and vanilla pastry follow. I also get some spicy heat in the form of white pepper and allspice. It reminds me of a Fruits of the Forest pie. Good legs start out slowly, falling as a tight sheet until forming fat droplets about mid-glass that suddenly pick up speed and become streaking bolts amidst scattered clouds. Syrupy in the mouth, but not too heavy. A medium, bittersweet finish finally shows the sherry oak influence with plenty of nutty tannins, Ceylon tea, and red grape skins. There’s a chalkiness to it as well that makes the finish interesting at first but then becomes a bit too dusty. Add a dash of water to tone down the sweet and heat, and give a little creaminess to the body. A delicious “old school” malt. Nose: 9 Taste: 9 Body: 9 Finish: 7