Glen Garioch Virgin Oak
Pine wood
0 185
Review by @markjedi1
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall85
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- Brand: Glen Garioch
- Type: Scotch
- Region: Highland
- ABV: 48%
Virgin Oak is in. We already tried (and very much liked) the Auchentoshan Virgin Oak from the same stables. This is the first Glen Garioch that matured on completely new American oak.
The nose is very sweet and spicy and immediately very pleasant. Oat flakes with brown sugar, crystallized ginger, green aniseed and mostly a pine wood plank. Pine cones. A walk in a forest of pine trees. Lots of wood notes, in fact. Spice-wise I get some cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. It takes at least five minutes before the wood allows the sweetness in the shape of toffee and milk cream (Nutroma) to shine through.
It is quite oily on the palate. Again loads of spices with aniseed and cloves in the lead, giving it a slightly bitter edge. But there is more than plenty of sweetness to counter that. Think toffee, chocolate, brown sugar and a touch of coconut.
In the long finish, the ginger and green tannins dry the mouth completely.
Very pleasant Glen Garioch (say glen geerie). Textbook example of wood notes in a glass. Great drinking strength as well. Love it.
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This Virgin Oak reminds me of some Balvenie 15 yr old Single Barrel malts I loved so much. The texture is quite oily with honey and vanilla notes. I really enjoyed this as much as any malt in a long while. I did find that drinking it after dinner really influenced its flavor. I actually liked it before dinner the best as the oak, honey and vanilla were really dominate then. I didn't find it harsh at all. This is really great stuff and picked up a few more bottles. The 48% alcohol didn't overpower me. So far the best Glen Garioch I have tasted. I would rate it about 88 or maybe higher.