Glen Garioch 12 Year

Review by: The Muskox

It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a bottle of whisky that I actually own! I was compelled to buy this whisky after being impressed at a tasting of theirs I went to. Also, I needed a shareable dessert whisky, and this was only $51!

Distillery: Glen Garioch.

Bottler: Official bottling.

Region: Highlands.

ABV: 48%.

Age: 12 years.

Cask type: Bourbon and sherry casks.

Price: $51 CAD.

Color: Copper-gold. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

Nose: A rich, honeyed-fruit nose. Deep spicy manuka honey, barley sugar, and toffee. I’m thinking it’s mostly PX casks for the sherried component. Very sweet fruit: banana, pears, melon, plum and slightly solventy lemon. Lots of woody spice: cinnamon, ginger and cloves in particular. Sweet flowers. With water and time, sweet apple and cinnamon comes forward, along with a touch of raisin.

Palate: Syrupy texture. Arrives with sweet caramel and maple. Big barley sugar right in the middle, then candied nuts. It’s a little closed, so I’m gonna add some water.

What a difference the water makes. The arrival and development are both greatly extended. The caramel at the start is joined by apricot, banana, and plum. The barley sugar is joined by oak and spices on the development, along with a touch of leather. A nice earthiness, almost farmyard-y, takes hold as well. Pipe tobacco as well. Lots of toffee toward the finish.

Finish: Orange oil, green apple, bananas, raisin, and yellow plums. More nuts and malt. Toffee fades into heavy honey. Sweet mint. French vanilla ice cream. A little bit of an aged balsamic thing, which I always appreciate.

Conclusion: Easy-drinking and tasty. Definitely on the sweet side, and not too complex. It does have a really nice rich body, and good earthy character. Of course, I can never get enough barley-sugar-forward whisky as well. No buyer’s remorse on this one.

Final Score: 81.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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