Category Archives: Glen Ord

Whisky: Glen Ord 12yo, 43%
± R650 ≈ £58

Glen Ord is Diageo owned, and as such probably more prone to repackaging. This attractive, decanter-like bottle with it’s very masculine cork was released in the late-90s, replacing it’s tall, round predecessor. Subsequently, it has also been replaced by The Singleton of Glen Ord 12yo available only in Asian markets. So apart from old stock, if you don’t live in Asia, you’ve seen the last of a core release. Sherry casks have been used (but I don’t think exclusively?) and apparently a lot of caramel colouring.

Nose: A velvet nose of over-ripe, red fruits, especially plums, and an underlying spice of cloves and some ginger. The fruits have an acidity to them, as if on the point of fermenting.  There’s also polished, dark wood and dried flowers.

Taste: Crisp but not clean; a malty grittiness present. With time on the palette a rich bitter-sweet combination emerges, like dark chocolate (the cooking-kind not the Swiss kind). A very oily mouth-feel, with the fruit acidity being slightly bitter now.

Finish: Medium with typical sherry notes more pronounced. Slightly drying with the bitterness appearing again and a breath of smoke.

My Score: 77

I can’t shake the feeling that the spirit is “tired”, as if it was matured just a few months too long. It lacks vigour and the usual liveliness an under 20 year old whisky usually has. Apart from that though and the reoccurrence of slight  bitterness there is plenty of rich flavour to be had, and easily drunk.

Other Scores: SV 80, JM’11 81