As we roll closer to the distillery finish line, our sample group has saved most of the oddball, obscure distilleries for the end run. It’s time for Speysider, Glentauchers. Founded in 1898 by James Buchanan & Co, this distillery produces 4.5 million liters a year used in blends for Buchanan’s, Black & White and Ballantine’s. They only bottle one single malt in house, a 15 year old. Sadly, this is not that bottle. This is from the Battlehill line for Duncan Taylor. It’s a 7 year old that’s bottled at or near cask strength of 56% ABV. It’s pure gold in color, is most likely NCF’d and natural in color while making no legs and leaving tiny droplets behind when you spin it up (obviously not much water in this one). The nose is harsh grains up front, with pepper and oak swirling around as well. There’s a tiny bit of honey that comes in after a little time, but it doesn’t smell hot for such a high ABV. The palate is hot with some slight sweetness reminiscent of vanilla and honey, but it’s not enough to overcome the heat and harshness of the young spirit. The finish is long, warming and turning dry and biting. It’s tough to find any complexity or smoothness at all. Overall, this obviously belongs in a blend and there’s not much to enjoy as a single malt. Thanks to @Generously_Paul for supplying this one, but I think we need to just keep moving. 2 stars. Cheers.