Glen Elgin 15 Year Old 1999 SMWS 85.31

The boys and girls of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society always give their bottlings funny names during their tasting panels. This Glen Elgin from 1999 was dubbed 'A toy shop in an orange grove'. Well, I am thus expecting oranges and… something else, not sure what toys smell like. Let’s give it a go.

Well, the oranges on the nose arrive immediately, but it is nicely flanked by chamomile, apple sauce, honey and something close to, but not quite, Turkish Delight. Hint of litchi and freshly baked bread as well as some banana and pineapple. Then some cigar box. Cedar wood. Suddenly dried apricots arrive in full force. Well, this has suddenly turned into a small complex fruit bomb. Lovely!

Despite the high ABV, the arrival is mildly picquant, nicely waxy and immediately it offers an oaky spiciness next to the omnipresent fruit. Again pineapple, peach, apricots, but also lime and oranges. There is a lot going on here. The wood is more outspoken than on the nose. Honey softens the whole up.

The finish is wonderfully long, spicy and fruity sweet.

Absolutely delicious Glen Elgin and probably the best I have tried so far (admittedly, this is only my thirteenth). Used to be less than 70 EUR. If anyone knows where to buy this today, please get in touch. Thanks, Gert!

Find where to buy Glen Elgin whisky