Glenturret 1988 / 29 Year Old / Signatory

Neither Signatory nor The Nectar need an introduction, I think. So we’ll skip those pleasantries and move on to the bottle at hand: a Glenturret from 1988 that matured for no less than 29 years and was bottled at cask strength. It was presented at the grand Spirits in the Sky festival, where I scored a sample. Let us get to it!

The first thing I notice on the nose is baby breath. You know: baby just got a puréed fruit mix and then burps right in your face. Charming, often funny, but also a tiny bit awkward. But also weirdly pleasant. Once that has evaporated – which is in the blink of an eye - it becomes a fruit bomb. Pineapple, pink grapefruit, gooseberries, but also almonds and buttercups. Soft vanilla. Very aromatic and inviting and to be honest impressively pleasant.

It is – for its ABV – surprisingly soft. Quite creamy and mouth coating. Sweet, bright fruity notes (Fanta lemon!) upholstered with soft spices such as white pepper and liquorice. Ginger too. Becomes very sweet on peach in syrup, pineapple cubes and more gooseberries, but the whole is sprinkled with some candied sugar. Summery!

The finish, which can easily be termed long, end with a sweet uppercut.

Well, darn, who’d have thought Glenturret can be so beautiful. Thank the Maker this cask did not disappear into the Famous Grouse!

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