Glen Orrin 30 yr

I was out shopping for Christmas ham this year when I spotted a bottle at the local Aldi for a steal of a price. Long story short, I popped open the bottle of Glen Orrin 30 Year Old for Christmas 2014 just for kicks to share with friends during a Christmas lunch and the general consensus is that it is a smooth but uninspiring dram that is quite good value for the price considering the age. Think a watered AnCnoc 12 Year Old with all the lemon meringue less the zesty freshness with a vein of bitter oak and less integration. Some interesting floral nuances on the finish that is short-medium in length.

I wouldn't mind this as an everyday tipple but if you are expecting the complexity and richness normally attributed to aged scotch even at 40% alc, you may be mildly disappointed. Still, I would buy one and drink it, maybe even make it an annual affair around Christmas since this is probably better than the Johnnie Wlakers and Chivas Regals at around the same price point. For a scotch newbie, this could be an interesting introduction.

The Hazelburn CV in the same Christmas lunch lineup was better received.