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
Whiskyrific RSS
- Port Charlotte 12 yo 2004 Highland Laird 57.3% vs Octomore 6.1 / 167 5 yo 57% vs Octomore 7.1 / 208 5 yo 59.5%
- Bowmore 11 yo 2001 / 2013 Berry Bros 20197 46% vs Bowmore 12 yo liquid Library 2001 / 2013 52.9%
- Ben Nevis 17 yo 1996 / 2014 The Nectar of the Daily Drams 49.3% vs Ben Nevis 1997 / 2015 Pearls of Scotland #614 50.9% vs Ben Nevis 16 yo 1998 / 2014 Lady of the Glen #1407 52.1%
- Dailuaine 34 yo 1980 Special Release 2015 50.9% vs Dalmore 27 yo 1990 / 2017 MacKillop’s Choice #252 54.6%
- Bruichladdich 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Douglas Laing DL10706 51.5% vs Bruichladdich 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead 175th Anniv 53.8%
- Springbank 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Lockett Brothers #470 49.4% vs Cooley 22 yo 1991 / 2014 SMWS 117.5 55.5%
- Wardhead 19 yo 1997 Pisces Stellar Selections Japan #186 50.7% vs The Huntly Burnside 18 yo 1997 Dimensions Duncan Taylor #6481 52.5% vs Westport 18 yo 1997 The Oceans Duncan Taylor for Whisk-e Japan #1500071 58.4%
- Port Ellen 1979 / 2014 Gordon & Macphail R0/14/01 46% vs Port Ellen 35 yo 1978 / 2004 Douglas Laing for Alambic Classique DL655 61.1% vs Port Ellen 35 yo 1982 / 2018 Signatory 30th Anniversary #2040 55.1%
- Benromach 28 yo 1965 / 1993 Cadenhead 47.6% vs Laphroaig 10 yo ‘Original Cask Strength’ 57.3% 33.33cl duty free bottle
- Jura 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Hunter Laing for FassZination (Vom Fass) #VF10272 46% vs Jura 27 yo 1967 Stillman’s Dram 45%
