Malts of Scotland Great new serie (by Aad van Zuylen)
A unique set of great single malts. A new set with Macallan 1998 and the Highland Park.
Glengoyne, 1972
Glenkinchie, 1975
Bunnahabhain, 1976
Glenglassaugh, 1984
New: Macallan, 1998
New: Highland Park 1989
Glengoyne, 1972 - Serge Valentin:Independent Glengoynes are very rare, not sure I've ever seen more than two or three before.
Colour: pale gold.
Nose: an avalanche of honey and tinned pineapples! Many (great) old Glengoynes that I could try were much more influenced by the casks whilst this is as fruity and pleasantly, say 'ethereal' as malt whisky can get. Yet, there is some vanilla and there are some soft spices but the extreme light honeyness' is spectacular. Develops more on sultanas and plum jam. With water: gets rather more tropical, with notes of pina colada, that is to say more coconut and pineapples. Superb, with an extreme freshness. Having said that, it has a tendency to fade away a bit.
Mouth: very oily, almost thick, starting on sultanas and crystallised pineapple, with quite some honey again and just touches of pine resin sweets. The spiciness is bigger than on the nose, with some pepper, ginger and hints of cloves. Extremely more-ish when neat. Nougatine. With water: a tad closer to the OB now, with more notes of orange blossom water, tangerine liqueur, coconut liqueur and a little green pepper.
Finish: rather long, the citrus notes managing to balance the oakiness that starts to emerge.
Comments: absolutely gorgeous but too drinkable, whilst there are only 305 bottles! The sherry influence is extremely discreet, to be honest, I did not quite notice it. SGP:641 - 92 points.
|
