Over to Speyside for a 24 year old Glenlosssie drawn from a single refill ex-bourbon hogshead. Spicy & Dry profile.
Nose: Spice and sweetness. Warming spices – cardamom and star anise are joined by vanilla custard, butter and bakery aromas. There’s some background herbalness here – cut grass. A few drops of hydration brings out jammy berries and lemon drizzle cake.
Taste: Lively and spiced. Sharp and tart grapefruit and lemon peels bring along some pronounced spicing in the form of black pepper and a pinch of salt. A few drops of water results in a highly pleasant transformation – barley water, juicy (but still zingy) fruits and perceivable cask influence – vanilla, sappy oak and a touch of polish.
Finish: Medium and quite drying (lessened if water has been added) with lots of oak, vanilla and pepper.
A solid Glenlossie that is on the cusp of greatness – just lacking a bit of depth and demonstration of its age. As it is, this is still highly tasty, offering a lot of spice with a good balance between fruit and wood. A rather different experience with a few drops of water which brings out more of the cask notes that you’d expect in a 24 year old.