Glenlivet 15 Year Old 1978 Gordon & Macphail CASK

This Glenlivet is also a 15 Year Old, but of a whole other calibre, because distilled in 1978. It was presented during one of Bert Bruyneel’s Wee Dram Master tastings. It is bottled by Gordon & Macphail under their CASK-banner, meaning it is bottled at cask strength, in this case no less than 58,6%.

Oh, what is this? The nose is far from fruity or sweet. It is rather flat on dried grasses and even some mashed patatoes. Totally unexpected, but not bad. With water, it becomes a lot more aromatic, albeit still not sweet by any means. I am even reminded of linoleum. Oh, well.

It is razor sharp on the palate. Again quite some grassy notes with peppers, but little else. What a strange Glenlivet! Let me quickly add some water. Ah, much better! All kinds of citrus fruit now emerges, with mandain in the lead. Some pear drops too. It remains quite sharp, though.

The finish is medium long and zesty, in which some oak joins the fray.

Well, I heard a lot of good things about this one, but I am not wholly convinced. Much too sharp and not enough fruit. Out of balance, it seems. Water is a condition sine qua non, because I find it quite unpleasant without.

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