Review by: The Muskox

I really hope Glenturret stays under the radar. They make a characterful and old-school Highland whisky that isn’t too expensive… yet. 1988 seems to be the choicest vintage, from my experience. This one should be excellent.

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Distillery: Glenturret.

Bottler: Signatory Vintage.

Region: Highlands.

ABV: 51.5%. Cask strength.

Age: 29 years. Distilled June 23rd 1988. Bottled September 5th 2017.

Cask type: Cask #538, a hogshead.

Price: N/A, sample.

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

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Nose: Soft and fragrant. Lime and honeydew. Elderflower, lilac, mint, and fennel. Buttery shortbread and olive-oiled pizza crust. Mineral and briny bite, soapstone, pink salt, and green olives. Macadamia nuts. Black pepper.

Palate: Thick and oily texture. Arrives with waxed citrus peels, peach, pear jam, and curry leaves. Develops to fragrant wood oils, strong peach tea, paraffin, peppery olive oil, grapefruit peels, and thyme. Phyllosilicates – slate, talc, and mafic schists. Graphite too – commonly schistose but not a phyllosilicate! Super fragrant on the back end: sandalwood, rosemary, coriander seeds, and honey.

Finish: Medium-length and sweet. Huge elderflower, with muscat grape, grapefruit, banana, cherries. Turns to sweet old oak, white chocolate, herbal tea, and icing-sugar-dusted pastries. A little mint. Turns to chalky compressed-powder candies and lemonade.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Sunbeams and wildflowers on a Highland roadcut”**

Conclusion: Wow, this is outstanding. Soft on the nose, but amazing mineral and spice richness on the palate without being too sweet. I got a little geological with the notes there – I make no apologies for my self-indulgence.

Final Score: 91.

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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.