Here we go again!
What — Notes — Score
Thanks to my friend Jeff, some samples! Some are tiny so tiny reviews! Disclaimer that with tiny samples it’s sometimes hard to form a more focused opinion just due to low volume.
2008 Glenallachie 13, Cask 418, Moscatel Barrique, 56.7% — Proofy, sweet oranges on the nose. Surprisingly nutty and sweetly citrusy palate. Think orange peel without bitterness. Lingering chili spices in the aftertaste. Not a lot of subtlety, but who needs it if it tastes this awesome. Very, very good! More please! — Score: A-
Glenallachie 13, Madeira Cask Finish, Impex, 54.3% — Red wine cask is obvious, nose reminds me of the batch series 10 year old bottles. More red wine on the palate. Chili spices balance everything out. Lingering vanilla and spices aftertaste. Good balance of wine cask to spirit but doesn’t stand out. — Score: B
Glenglassaugh 11, Oloroso, Total Wine SP, Cask 5195, 58.5% — Very punchy nose. Nowhere to hide here. Woody, spicy, dusty oloroso funk. Balanced palate that tastes oddly like ‘nothing’. Hits like a strong espresso on the secondaries. Big punch of spice in the back that quickly fades into lingering afternotes. Interesting, flavorful but too much coffee in *my* glass — Score: B-
Glenglassaugh 11, K&L SP, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Cask 4778, 57.9% — Immediately sweet & up my alley. Sweet, classically nutty PX, balanced, yet spicy, palate. A warming aftertaste and a chili spike early on that mellows out into a pleasant lingering sensation. Possibly *too* sweet as it borders on syrup; this is very enjoyable. I have this bottle, yay future me! — Score: B+
Glenmorangie, A tale of Tokyo, 46% — Drank almost the entire sample before i recalled I need to write a review. Quite sweet, interestingly spicy, candied orange gummies through and through. Extremely approachable, yet I cannot bring myself to love it as it tastes like a ‘generic good-ish’ Glenmorangie, but not an excellent one. This particularly leans towards sweet too much — Score: B-
Brora 22, 1972 Rare Malts, 58.7% — A big thank you to a very nice individual for sharing this at an event. Really tiny sample though. Super malty, citrucy, medium-peated nose. Powerful, multilayered palate. Lots of peat actually, much more than I expected. Clingy and thick texture. Peppery aftertaste that sticks around my mouth forever. I can see why this is highly sought after. Smoky perfume experience. Not going to rate this. — Score: N/A
Glenmorangie, A Tale of Cake, 46%
Another Glenmorangie sample thanks to my friend Jeffrey. This one was aged in Tokaji wine casks, which are known to lean sweet and extra vanilla-forward. Vanilla sugar on the nose is mixed with a touch of lightly toasted oak. The palate is sweet and vanilla-rich, with notes of broiled oranges—or perhaps grapefruit. Surprisingly spicy secondary notes follow, with a lively peppery mix in the aftertaste that fades into sweet vanilla and a balanced malt character, coating my mouth and lingering pleasantly, making me want more. Overall: I expected this bottling to be overly sweet or unbalanced, but this particular one turned out to be an excellent “Tale” from the distillery. It’s certainly full of vanilla, but the balance with the peppers reins it in, creating the harmony needed for an enjoyable pour. Value: ~$100… neither amazing nor poor. I certainly wouldn’t buy a case, but no regrets on getting a bottle.
Score: B+
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown