Glen Garioch 46-year-old (D.1958, B.2004) Limited Edition / 43% / 0.7l

Glen Garioch, based in Old Meldrum in the eastern Highlands, is one of a handful of Scottish distilleries with a history that spans four centuries. The official date of distillation is 1797, although the local Aberdeen Journal mentioned Glen Garioch whisky as early as 1785. The distillery changed hands several times in the 19th century, but its financial success came from the creator of the VAT 69 blend, William Sanderson, who became part-owner in 1886 and took full control 20 years later. In 1937, all of Sanderson’s assets were purchased by DCL. The last changing of the guard came in 1970, when the decommissioned distillery was acquired by Morrison Bowmore Distillers (now owned by Beam Suntory). The Glen Garioch presented here, distilled over 60 years ago (1st May 1958), presents the old Highlands whisky profile, fruity and floral with distinct notes of peat smoke. The whisky was bottled after 46 years of maturation on 7th September 2004 in an edition of 336 bottles.

Nose: unusual, wax, forest floor, pine resin, oranges, grapefruits, black pepper, cardamom, notes of ginger and eucalyptus, cocoa powder, oak and peat smoke in the background.

Taste : slightly peaty, waxy, blood oranges, grapefruits, nectarines, smoked plums, honey, walnuts, ginger, pepper, pine needles and quite strong oak bitterness.

Finish : very long, bitter oranges, grapefruits, black pepper, cocoa and oak wrapped in peat smoke.