Quite a few samples of different malts landed at WI towers quite some while ago, nothing in common (other than bottling dates circa 2014/15), and belonging to the entry level series (Connoisseurs Choice / The MacPhail’s Collection) which means they are quite affordable. But do they offer a good VFM? let’s try and see:
Glenallachie 1999 (bottled 2015) – Connoisseurs Choice , 46% abv , £41
Nose: A mix of citrus and creamy notes with lemon pie, creamy vanilla and dine wood. Hint of coconut and peach and pear drops.
Palate :toasted oak, spice and pepper. Vanilla and creamy malt. Then more cracked peppercorns and ripe fruit.
Finish : fruit, oak and vanilla, bitter chocolate.
Not a bad dram, but not exceptional either. A nice daily dram for summer.
Score: 82/100
Craigellachie 1997 (bottled 2014) – Connoisseurs Choice , 46% abv , £53
Nose : quite light and tropical with pear, Kiwi and lime, icing sugar and vanilla sugar.
Palate : spicy entry that subsides and turns to Sweeter., fruity and Sweeter notes. Some wood, and a hint of smoke, chocolate and wood char.
Finish : spicy fruit salad.
That’s a notch better, with the fruity, sweet and chocolate-y note. I’ve had better Craigellachie though.
Score: 83/100
Glenturret 2002 (bottled 2015) – The MacPhail’s Collection , 43% abv , £33
Nose : sherry. That’s given. Dried fruit mainly sultana and candied apple on a stick.
Palate : sherry with orange marmalade and a bit liquor infused chocolate, caramel candy and spice with a hint of wood char.
Finish : milk chocolate, mint.
A rather generic sort of sherried dram. Not bad, but also nothing new. at 33 quid, one can’t ask for much more nowadays, or can we?
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