Eastern Highland 1975 / 1988 Samaroli Fragments of Scotland 50% (Glen Garioch) vs Glen Garioch 17 yo 1975 James MacArthur’s 54.2%
Eastern Highland 1975 / 1988 Samaroli Fragments of Scotland 50% (Glen Garioch)
Just a note that Glen Garioch should not be compared to Islay. Peated with dry earth and chunks of coal but by no means massive, in fact it leans towards leanness. Dry newspaper, smoky vetiver roots, lamp soot, dry rocks and dusty red earth. Though while not huge, its very direct and brings the goods one after another. Charcoal and cold tar. Petrichor, juniper bark and other aromatic twigs thrown into fires. Road salt and dirty gravel towards the finish. Compact and austere in a peated highland sort of way. 91 pts
Glen Garioch 17 yo 1975 James MacArthur’s 54.2%
Still peaty though much less peated and less phenolic now. More wood and somewhat sweeter or rounder. Still we get cold ash, black tea and spilt ink vibes. Again not massive but leaning towards a thin austerity. Butane as it ignites, smoky caramel and dry firewood in a fire. Hot stones and embers on which burnt capsicums and a thai basil and black pepper sauce was made. Surprisingly hot on the palate. 86 pts
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