Glendullan 1997 Connoisseurs Choice vs Glen Keith 1993 Connoisseurs Choice
The Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice series is an old one that’s been refreshed many times over. We’ve seen the original brown paper label iteration under which many old 60s and 70s malts had been bottled. This pair on hand were bottled in 2011 and I believe there’s already been one label redesign since. What has not changed, however, was the original purpose as intended by G&M – this range was intended as an entry level showcase of less available distilleries at their basic drinking strength. Consequentially, and I love this, the modern Connoisseurs Choice were were generally drawn from an refill ex bourbon palette making them usually very naked and honest whiskies.
Glendullan 1997 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice 43% ~bottled 2011
Nose: Buttery malty naked whisky, very natural but also very middle of the road, exactly what a great blending malt should be. Dusty hay, cereals, medium oiliness. Some warm minerals, and shades of yellow like pollen and honey and also some citrus zest. Fair weight, not heavy or light. Quite archetypical so … building blocks of a decent blended whisky.
Palate: Yes medium bodied, malty-sweet, some light butter, toasty honey, hay and sunshine , some light pepper, barest hints of oak lactones. Gets drying with some crispness to the finish
Finish: Medium, hot minerals, warm cereals. Dry crisp finish.
Glen Keith 1993 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice 46% ~bottled 2011
Nose: Surprise! These Glen Keiths have been surprising me of late. A swelling but indistinct fruitiness begging to be cultivated, some green freshness, like green kiwis or green grapes, tart and fruity at the same time. Clear vegetable oil, light and supple in the glass. Not a very malty or heavy sort of whisky. Just good whisky from a very underappreciated distillery.
Palate: Fruity sweet, like a multi fruit vitamin juice – with a fair citrus portion it seems. Medium light body, gentle oiliness, fizzy buzz. If you like these single cask Irish Single Malts, or 90s Littlemill, this is one distillery to watch.
Finish: Medium, fairly sweet, some oils and biscuits. Wholesome.
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