Review by: The Muskox
This whisky was part of a tasting of the SMWS’s 2024 Festival Releases at the famous Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, DC, alongside fellow Malt Runner rye_am_legend!
Distillery: Glen Elgin.
Bottler: Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
Region: Speyside.
ABV: 57.5%. Cask strength.
Age: 15 years. Distilled December 2007. Bottled in 2024.
Cask type: Matured in a combination of first-fill and refill bourbon barrels and Spanish oak Oloroso sherry hogsheads.
Price: $180 USD from the SMWS.
Color: Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: Classic dry sherry. Browned butter, dry oak, strawberry jam on rye toast.
Palate: Medium-light texture. Arrives dry, stonefruit and grass with a hint of caramel. Develops to moderate oak, sweet vermouth, and balsamic vinegar.
Finish: Dry again, and nutty. Dates, oak, extra-dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and cinnamon. More balsamic.
Possible SMWS bottling name: “Negroni Modenatto (with vinegar in it!)”
Conclusion: They say the best SMWS names are stale references. Anyways. This one started off as not my favourite, but grew on me a little over the course of the glass. It’s so dry throughout, and does have that grassiness that I associate with Glen Elgin. The balsamic note is kind of nice too.
Final Score: 80.
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.
Malt Runners 