Review
214
6/2/14
Glen
Garioch 12 Year: 48% abv
Background: Welcome
to KCM Review 214. This review is evidently different, because it is an offsite
review of something I found in Montreal, Canada. Subsequently, I have no
intentions of bringing the bottle back, so I figured I’d squeeze out a quick
review before heading back. You might notice from the picture I’m drinking this
out of a tumbler, so the aromas might not be as comprehensive as I’d like, but
I’ll make due. Now onto the spirit. This is a Highland Single Malt Scotch, Glen
Garioch 12 Year, bottled at an impressive 48%, non chill-filtered, and aged in
a mixture of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. Glen Garioch only has a few
standard offerings, with this being one of them. So is it worth your time, and
at such a beefy proof?
Straight
Nose: So of
course, I’m nosing this out of an improper glass, so bear with me. Despite the
tumbler, there is a huge aroma of sherry, barley grain, sweet malt, tons of
vanilla, and some caramel as well. The sherry is complimented by a sweet honey
flavor, but is contrasted by some slight vegetal and floral flavors as well.
There is a prominent oakiness to the whisky which becomes distinguishable as
the flavors open up. There is also a bit of apple fruitiness, giving a nice
caramel apple smell.
Arrival: The
arrival starts off with a blend of nice maltiness, a beautiful caramel apple
sweetness, coupled by nice sherry and vanilla sweetness. There is some citrus
and pear in the arrival as well, giving a healthy blast of fruit flavors that
really drag out the arrival quite intensely. The sherry is light, and is closer
to a heather honey flavor than a raison flavor. There is actually a bit of
cocoa as well in the arrival, which comes and goes quickly.
Body: The
body shows off some powdered malt flavor, with a delicate graininess and the
same fruitiness that is found in the arrival. The sherry really comes forward
in the body, and there is some nice oak flavor as well.
Finish: The
finish leaves you with a nice, crisp apple flavor, followed by long lasting
malt and slight citrus overtones. The caramel sticks around quite a bit, but is
overshadowed by some very strong vegetal notes. These are similar notes to what
we saw in the Founder’s Reserve, but they seem less aggressive in the 12 Year
version. Again, like the FR, the 12 Year ends dry and grainy, but has as very
prominent aftertaste. There is even a bit of fresh pine in the finish as well.
With Water
Nose: With
this whisky, don’t be afraid to add a little bit of water. It really can take
it, and it doesn’t back down the flavor much at all. The nose is still really
beefy (not literally, of course) with a large collage of spices and vegetal
flavors up front, backing off from the sweeter notes. There is still a
pleasant, almost confectionary type of smell to the whisky, with cookie dough
and flour as aroma.
Arrival:
The arrival now shows off some brilliant spice notes, with cinnamon,
nutmeg, and ginger all playing into the whisky. The sweetness is still
prevalent, complemented by succulent berries and a beautiful array of sweet
fruits.
Body: The
body retains the graininess from before, but balances it out with a more
refreshing, less dry palate. There is also berry sweetness in the body now,
with slightly less complexity than before. This is still really pleasant,
however.
Finish: The finish is now nicely blended with oak
flavors, sweet fruits, vanilla, caramel, and a lasting spiciness that was not
present before. The finish has a gentle, subtle linger to it, which coats the
mouth and only begs for a second round. Truly, this is a tantalizing Scotch
from beginning to end.
Final Comments: Okay, so I like it. Is it because I’m in
Montreal? Not likely. Glen Garioch proved to us that they could produce a
Scotch which was complex at a young age, and that they didn’t need to follow
the regular rules of presentation (40%, 43%, 46%). I like Glen Garioch for
their ambition, and their quality of spirit. Does this take a step up from the
Founder’s Reserve? Yes, it does. This is a complex, enjoyable, and affordable
whisky which should be sold everywhere, so far as I’m concerned. It could be
more complex, and it could be more original, but it does so much where it is,
and for the price this is a new personal favorite.
Why you’d buy it: You can
find it, and you want to support a brilliant distillery by enjoying their
brilliant product
Why you wouldn’t: You
live in Michigan and can’t find it.
Score: 9.25/10
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