Glann Ar Mor "Taol Esa - 1 an Gwech 09"

Contrary to the peated version, which uses malt from Scotland, this version uses French malt.

Taol Esa (which means “the try-out”) was first released in 2008, but I’ve tried the 2009 release. All of the Glann Ar Mor releases are limited and unfortunately hard to find.

Nose: malty and very fruity, albeit a candied and slightly artificial kind of fruitiness (due to the young age I guess). Full of tinned pineapple, citrus, fragrant peaches and orange blossom. Guimauves. A lot of vanilla as well and hints of cinnamon and mint. Marzipan to round off, and a faint waxiness.

Mouth: quite a sweet start again (banana, peach, apple) although it’s a little more spicy now (soft ginger, more cinnamon). Almonds. A little too grainy for my taste. Growing grassier towards the end.

Finish: quite long, less sweet. Waxy and slightly resinous finale.

A curious young whisky which combines profiles of Irish whiskey (Tyrconnell in particular) and some young Clynelish. Promising but very difficult to find.

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