Review 186: Glen Garioch 8

This Glen Garioch is an 8 year old original bottling that predates the current line of whiskies from this distillery. The new line features new packaging, a NAS release, a 12 year old, and a few vintage releases. I haven't tried anything from the new line yet (though I mean to change that), but I've had a few independently bottled Glen Garioch's (including this Archives release) that impressed me. On to it!

Glen Garioch 8 

Color: Amber +0 (looks like there's some caramel in this one...)

ABV: 40%

Aroma Neat:
Gingerbread, Fresh Malt (lightly honeyed), Apple Juice, Lemon Wedge, Damp Leaves/Cardboard, Heavy Cream (slightly butyric), Vanilla Icing, Chewy Caramel.

Seems a little more mature than I expected, given the young age statement. There is a big apple note now, which wasn't there the last time I drank this (a few months ago). Ginger and some butter are interesting notes. Not a bad nose, overall.

Aroma Water: 
Vanilla Creme Brulee, Caramel, Cardboard, Butter, Apples, Grainy New Make, Hot Cereal/Oatmeal Cookies.

A cardboard note detracts a little from the nose. Sweet vanilla dominates now, making for a reasonably appealing nose. With water, the youth is more apparent.

Taste Neat:
Fresh Ginger, Salty Lemon Juice, Smoke Whiff (very slightly), Wheat Bread, Yeast (slightly), Porridgy New Make Spirit.

A splash of spicy ginger and lemon on a malty/grainy base makes for a simple, but interesting palate. The spirit itself is evident and of decent quality. It tastes younger than it smelled. Slightly prickly.

Taste Water:
Lightly Roasted Coffee, Chocolate Malt, Raisins, Wheat Bread, Stale Barrel Char, Cardboard.

A dash of water improves the palate. Unexpected coffee and chocolate notes appear. A little bit discordant, still, and I miss the ginger.


Finish:
Salty Brine, Rusty Iron, Porridge (new make again), Raisins (slightly), Roasted Oak.

Wow! I didn't expect this to be a salty whisky, but it is almost like seawater on the finish.

Conclusion:
A bit young. Don't try it if you can't handle new make.

Interesting overall. You can do a lot worse for the same price.

Not well integrated yet, but it's an education in maturation.

Rating: 71/100

A bit of a peculiar whisky, this. It's not likely to appeal to everyone, or become an unlikely favorite, but it does represent whisky right on the cusp of coming of age. It's very educational for that reason. It's drinkable and you'll learn something!

If you can find it though, it's likely to be pretty cheap. I only paid 25 or 30 USD for my bottle. It's good in a highball too!

Josh