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Glen Elgin 12yo
Whisky: Glen Elgin 12yo, 43%
± R580 ≈ £52
Glen Elgin is known for its continued use of traditional worm-tubs, being a prime component in the White Horse blend, and one of Diageo’s Classic Malts representing the Speyside region. It’s first official distillery bottling was released in 1977, and since then it has seen many guises, latest of which is this official 12yo available since 2005.
Nose: Very floral and fruity with red gapes and both prunes and plums. A glossy wood oil, an unmistakeable nuttiness, and hints of sweet malt appearing throughout.
Taste: You have to hold this in your mouth for a few seconds to appreciate it; as the weight of the spirit slowing sinks in your mouth and saturates your taste buds with a slick, oily presence and whisper of spice poised with the rich, honeyed malt.
Finish: As you swallow there is a spark of something great to come but it peters out as quickly as a bolt of lighting and you’re left with a drying and slightly scorched (bitter) sweetness that replaces the great oily softness from before.
My Score: 81
The highlight of this dram is the way it sits on the palette with its plush body and cradling mouthfeel. Unfortunately the finish lacks conviction. Although it holds up well to a drop of water (testament to the robustness of the spirit) it’s really not required, being plenty smooth just as-is.
Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix
Whisky: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix NAS, 47.6%
R600 ≈ £55
This limited edition of 60,000 bottles is comprised of whiskies ranging in age from 13 to over 30 years old, and was released to commemorate “The Great Warehouse Collapse of 2010″. (For more details see earlier post.) Unchillfiltered and bottled at a higher alcohol content than normal Glenfiddichs, it includes whiskies matured in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Nose: Luscious barley lined with vanilla and dried apricots. With additional time, more fruits emerge typical of younger whiskies, including pears and apples, and the whole affair becomes much lighter and more fragrant, while still hinting at a rich spirit.
Taste: Ooh! Takes a wonderful turn to a complex and deep, well-aged dram. Smooth and creamy with heather, thick honey, malt and hints of coffee.
Finish: A lovely long finish with a sweet fruitiness and a light nutmeg spiciness.
My Score: 84
I don’t find Glenfiddich a particularly exciting brand but this release, however, is! A great bottling, that not only has smart marketing, but delivers a complex evolving whisky. Proceeding through the nose, taste and palette, is a journey through the various years of the vatted whiskies. All well balanced and complimentary.
Other Scores: SV 84
Disclaimer: This was a free sample provided by the South African Glenfiddich brand ambassador. This in no way affected my review.
Glenmorangie Sherry Wood Finish NAS
Whisky: Glenmorangie Sherry Wood Finish NAS, 43%
No price available
This older expression, and its associated range from the same time, where Glenmorangie’s releases as a result of their experimentation with various wood finishes. As such this Sherry Wood Finish can be considered the father to the current day Lasanta expression, available as of late 2007.
Nose: A sweet and rich Christmas cake saturated in sherry and juicy raisins, along with generous amounts of stewed fruits, including cherries, cranberries, plums and prunes, and notes of wet oak.
Taste: Full-bodied with an immediately intense, simmering spiciness. Viscous mouthfeel, and layers of sherry and wood. The sherry and spice dominate making it sadly rather one-dimensional.
Finish: A smooth warming end that balances the surprising spice on the palette, and leaves the lips lighted coated with less spicy and little more sweeter finish.
My Score: 78
A rich and powerful sherried dram with few smooth touches; there is a lack of integration here between the spirit and the sherry finish. Still enjoyable though, but the current Lasanta is definitely a few points higher.
Other Scores: JM’09 84
Glendullan 12yo
Whisky: Glendullan 12yo, 43%
Flora and Fauna
± £37 ≈ R410
Another official Diageo bottling in the Flora and Fauna range of a distillery that doesn’t typically bottle it’s own whisky. For American Scotch drinkers, however, as of 2007 you can find Glendullan as The Singleton of Glendullan bottled exclusive for the US market.
Nose: Fresh, green apples and unripe mango. A slight citrus acidity present with just a whiff of coconut hiding in the background.
Taste: Begins slow and shy but builds nicely with wood spices and a buttery cerealness. Surprisingly full bodied, with a crisp kick to it Very juicy and luscious. The green and unripe fruit persist, now more grasslike, adding a certain vibrancy.
Finish: The spice fades fast and leaves a light dryness that lingers mixed with wood and softly, sweet malt.
My Score: 79
I really like the palette on this little dram, but the nose and finish, although not bad, are uninspiring and misleading. I am interested to know how this bottling compares to The Singleton of Glendullan as I know many people that would enjoy the flavour profile of this whisky.
Other Scores: SV 80
New Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix Coming to SA
Apart from the standard expressions/core range the multitude of distilleries produce, there are the occasional limited and once-off releases. Such releases are often better than the normal shelf-fillers as they showcase the distillery’s skill and range of maturing stock, as well as allow them flexibility in creating a whisky that isn’t for mass consumption.
The reality of the matter though is that these releases very seldom (almost never) make it to South African, and thus the reason I’m sharing this latest news with you. The recently released Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix will be available in SA. Bravo!
The Snow Phoenix was first announce in October last year, and commemorates “The Great Warehouse Collapse of 2010″ when during the heavy winter four warehouse roofs collapsed under the weight of accumulated snow. Dramatic? Very! (Full story here.)
The Snow Phoenix is comprised of whiskies ranging in age from 13 to over 30 years old, but is labelled without an age statement. Non-chill filtered and bottled at 47.6%, it includes whisky matured in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. Approximately 60,000 bottles are available worldwide (limited?), with 1,200 bottles allocated to the South African market. Suggested retail price is R600, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Due in stores at leading retailers by mid-March. (I’m guessing Makro, Picardi Rebel & Norman Goodfellows.)
Glenfiddich is the best-selling single malt in the world, and although they make good whisky, its not a brand I find exciting. This release however, is exciting. I’ve read good reviews so far and definitely plan on picking up a bottle. Hell, if it’s only R600 I’ll pick up two.
Official Tasting Notes:
Nose: Creamy vanilla aromas mingle with vibrant notes of apple and pear – the whole complemented by the scent of fresh blossom.
Taste: This is Glenfiddich in the wild – apples roasted in the embers of a campfire, sweetened with heather honey and accompanied by a piece of chocolate, rich and complex with a whiff of burned sugar, coffee and woodsmoke.
Finish: An exceptionally long finish – austere sherry notes mellow into a satisfying sweetness.
See here for my tasting notes.
