Continuing the current regular (and welcome) appearances from Glen Scotia comes this 12 year old, drawn from a 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel.
Nose: Immediate grease, engine and machine oils. Dirty. Shale and beach single make for an alluvial quality that sits with wild honey, fireplace ashiness and toasted marshmallows. Water reveals sugar syrup and agave with notes of spent coffee and reduced savoury meat sauces.
Taste: Sweeter than the nose – icing sugar, candied lemon peels, grapes and gooseberry tartness alongside shaved chocolate and café latte. In the background, baked yeasty breast, axle grease and a mineralistic quartz-like smokiness. Water expresses reduced red berries and gentle liver salt tanginess.
Finish: Medium to long with souring berries, industrial lubricants and drying oakiness.
An intriguing Glen Scotia that pushes a particularly dirty spirit profile without also bringing with it an abundance of peatiness. A memorably excellent nose, slightly let down by an over-sweet palate, but nevertheless the overall composition is both thought provoking and rather tasty for those that like the industrial side of things. Recommended.