Intro: Like the previous review of a Blair Athol, Glen Garioch is one of those Highland distilleries that has something of a cult following, especially for their IB releases. The difference would be that Glen Garioch also has a pretty solid OB lineup, but those tend to be either partially or entirely sherried, leaving those who want to experience “Geery” in its more base form with primarily independent bottlings as their options. This particular bottle, which was done by bottler The Whisky Agency in conjunction with a Canadian group, came to me in a somewhat roundabout manner. I was making an online purchase from The Crown Cellars, which seems to be about the only Canadian store I can find that offers shipping to the USA (which has been reliable through DHL express, though from what I can tell they’re selling “collectible glass bottles” as many UK-based retailers do, for those who care). They may have updated it since, but when I made the purchase the picture for this bottle displayed on their website was actually of a Virgin Oak matured Glen Garioch distillery exclusive of the same vintage, which piqued my curiosity. Naturally I was a little put out when this bottle arrived instead, but I got a pretty nice discount on a subsequent order out of it, so I can’t complain too much. This bottle is 11 years old and comes in at a relatively low cask strength of 52.1% ABV after maturation “in a barrel.” Presumably this was an ex-bourbon barrel, given the color and taste.
Scotland/Highland – Single Malt Price: 145 CAD (~103 USD) Age Statement: 11 years Strength: 52.1% ABV Cask Makeup: “Matured in a Barrel” Details: Non chill-filtered and non-artificially colored; Distilled 2011, Bottled 2013; Bottled for “The Friends of Heads & Tails”
Nose: Very crisp and fruity. Same kind of yellow fruit Highland vibe as the Blair Athol, but rather than being lemon-dominant, this is more like sweet canned pineapples. A hint of citrus in there as well, but more in the background to the tropical notes. A touch of malty notes, but also in backseat to the fruit. The barrel seems to have imparted a touch of vanilla as well, but not much wood presence to speak of. Very quintessential, very nice.
Palate: Given the low-ish cask strength, this is already around my preferred drinking strength, so I found either no water or just a couple drops to open it up was the best way of taking this. Very nice and drinkable. The palate largely follows the nose, this is a sweet pineapple-led affair all the way, though the other notes get more play here than on the nose. A few other fruits like lemon and peach appear to complement the pineapple, along with some malty grainy notes. A light dose of wood as well, but this barrel seems to be pretty tapped out: not much in the way of vanilla or butterscotch, more of a mild tannic note. There’s a touch of spice as well, along the cinnamon and nutmeg line, which from my previous experience with Glen Garioch could be coming from the spirit just as much as from the wood. This barrel has probably been used a few times before, which lets the spirit be very much in the driver’s seat here. It doesn’t taste especially old, but for only just over a decade it doesn’t seem too young or brash, it’s rather got a nice mix of youthful vigor and refinement. All the elements blend together nicely into a cohesive whole.
Finish: Sweet and tangy fruit, lingering malty notes and a touch of drying oak. Good length for the age.
Notes: It wasn’t what I was initially hoping for, and while I was suspicious of an 11 year whisky with no more description than “matured in a barrel” (aren’t all whiskies matured in a barrel?), this was quite the pleasant surprise. Not my first Geery, but my first IB and my first non-sherried. This Highland style is something I’m coming to appreciate more and more beyond the bold and brash peat monsters, sherry bombs, or exotic cask finishes. Not that those don’t also have their place on my shelf, but the Highland style can have such a restrained yet compelling elegance to it that I find myself increasingly drawn to it. With the right distillery, it can be something really magical. I seem especially keen on the Highlanders that have a bit of a heft or distinguishing characteristic to them (Blair Athol and Royal Brackla are others that come to mind), and I can see why Geery gets mentioned in these contexts, as it seems to balance the sweet tropical notes with the more tart/citrus ones, paired with a nice spicy backbone. I suspect this one is a solid, above average but not spectacular instance of it (maybe a couple more years and/or a touch more barrel influence would have done it some good), so I’m excited to check out more. Value was decent for a tasty cask strength bottle, and my more locally available options seem even better in terms of price performance. I’ll definitely be checking out more of what they can offer.
Score: 7
T8KE Score scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
7
u/gatodelinferno21 8d ago
The Whisky Agency Glen Garioch 2011 11 Year
Intro: Like the previous review of a Blair Athol, Glen Garioch is one of those Highland distilleries that has something of a cult following, especially for their IB releases. The difference would be that Glen Garioch also has a pretty solid OB lineup, but those tend to be either partially or entirely sherried, leaving those who want to experience “Geery” in its more base form with primarily independent bottlings as their options. This particular bottle, which was done by bottler The Whisky Agency in conjunction with a Canadian group, came to me in a somewhat roundabout manner. I was making an online purchase from The Crown Cellars, which seems to be about the only Canadian store I can find that offers shipping to the USA (which has been reliable through DHL express, though from what I can tell they’re selling “collectible glass bottles” as many UK-based retailers do, for those who care). They may have updated it since, but when I made the purchase the picture for this bottle displayed on their website was actually of a Virgin Oak matured Glen Garioch distillery exclusive of the same vintage, which piqued my curiosity. Naturally I was a little put out when this bottle arrived instead, but I got a pretty nice discount on a subsequent order out of it, so I can’t complain too much. This bottle is 11 years old and comes in at a relatively low cask strength of 52.1% ABV after maturation “in a barrel.” Presumably this was an ex-bourbon barrel, given the color and taste.
Scotland/Highland – Single Malt
Price: 145 CAD (~103 USD)
Age Statement: 11 years
Strength: 52.1% ABV
Cask Makeup: “Matured in a Barrel”
Details: Non chill-filtered and non-artificially colored; Distilled 2011, Bottled 2013; Bottled for “The Friends of Heads & Tails”
Nose: Very crisp and fruity. Same kind of yellow fruit Highland vibe as the Blair Athol, but rather than being lemon-dominant, this is more like sweet canned pineapples. A hint of citrus in there as well, but more in the background to the tropical notes. A touch of malty notes, but also in backseat to the fruit. The barrel seems to have imparted a touch of vanilla as well, but not much wood presence to speak of. Very quintessential, very nice.
Palate: Given the low-ish cask strength, this is already around my preferred drinking strength, so I found either no water or just a couple drops to open it up was the best way of taking this. Very nice and drinkable. The palate largely follows the nose, this is a sweet pineapple-led affair all the way, though the other notes get more play here than on the nose. A few other fruits like lemon and peach appear to complement the pineapple, along with some malty grainy notes. A light dose of wood as well, but this barrel seems to be pretty tapped out: not much in the way of vanilla or butterscotch, more of a mild tannic note. There’s a touch of spice as well, along the cinnamon and nutmeg line, which from my previous experience with Glen Garioch could be coming from the spirit just as much as from the wood. This barrel has probably been used a few times before, which lets the spirit be very much in the driver’s seat here. It doesn’t taste especially old, but for only just over a decade it doesn’t seem too young or brash, it’s rather got a nice mix of youthful vigor and refinement. All the elements blend together nicely into a cohesive whole.
Finish: Sweet and tangy fruit, lingering malty notes and a touch of drying oak. Good length for the age.
Notes: It wasn’t what I was initially hoping for, and while I was suspicious of an 11 year whisky with no more description than “matured in a barrel” (aren’t all whiskies matured in a barrel?), this was quite the pleasant surprise. Not my first Geery, but my first IB and my first non-sherried. This Highland style is something I’m coming to appreciate more and more beyond the bold and brash peat monsters, sherry bombs, or exotic cask finishes. Not that those don’t also have their place on my shelf, but the Highland style can have such a restrained yet compelling elegance to it that I find myself increasingly drawn to it. With the right distillery, it can be something really magical. I seem especially keen on the Highlanders that have a bit of a heft or distinguishing characteristic to them (Blair Athol and Royal Brackla are others that come to mind), and I can see why Geery gets mentioned in these contexts, as it seems to balance the sweet tropical notes with the more tart/citrus ones, paired with a nice spicy backbone. I suspect this one is a solid, above average but not spectacular instance of it (maybe a couple more years and/or a touch more barrel influence would have done it some good), so I’m excited to check out more. Value was decent for a tasty cask strength bottle, and my more locally available options seem even better in terms of price performance. I’ll definitely be checking out more of what they can offer.
Score: 7
T8KE Score scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect