Glenglassaugh Torfa

I randomly selected another fine sample from our distillery tour samples last night. The Glenglassaugh Torfa was supplied by @Generously_Paul in this round. It’s their take on a peated whisky. It comes in at a strong 50% ABV and is a pale, straw color in the Glencairn. The nose is really smoky- BBQ’d bacon and brisket with a heavy sweet fudge and toffee hiding just behind it. There’s no sea air or salt notes here at all. Sweet barbecue smoke...and it is amazing. The first thing I noticed on the palate is that it’s velvety smooth. There’s smoke, chocolate and hints of vanilla. They dance around wonderfully and keep all of the heat well restrained, especially for a 100 proof whisky. The finish is sublime. There’s a very nice buttery warmth that just lingers on and on. Those same chocolate and toffee notes sort of dry coat the tongue and will stay there until you rinse them away. Overall, I really like this malt. The constant presence of underlying sweetness doesn’t sound like it should be there in a peated malt, but Glenglassaugh somehow makes it work. It’s a sweet dram, no doubt, but the smoky meats and peat really work here, too. This bottle runs about $70 and I think I could find room for this during some tasting sessions from time to time. It’s a solid whisky that I really recommend. It’s a good way to introduce a newbie to peated whisky. Thanks for the sample, Paul. 4.25 stars.

A nose filled with slight sweet peat, cotton candy, ginger, and apricots. The palate brings oak, black jelly beans, heather, honey, and brine. The finish is a gentle roll over of smoke and sweetness that lasts a medium length. Thanks so much Paul for the experience, and I will have to give this one a 4.5. The non chill filtering, and no coloring added, is a definite bonus. The theme of this dram should be something sweet, but powerful, like "Rocket" by the Smashing Pumpkins.

one of the best scotches I've ever had

Peaty