Quite a long time passed since I tasted the last Abbey whisky Rare casks release , that one was an Anonymous cask, aged 13 yo. The latest release (the 6th) from the Rare Casks range is a Glen Garioch 1994,21 years old.. The sixth release in the series. Distilled in 1994 and fully matured in a refill hogshead until 2016, only 126 bottles have been filled exclusively for Abbey Whisky. As with each previous release in The Rare Casks series, the whisky has been bottled in it’s natural form, at full cask strength, without chill filtration or colour additives. So a Glen Garioch you say? Why not, I’ve not had that many whiskies from that distillery , especially from the time when the distillery used to malt its own barley, and dry it by kiln , adding a peaty tang to it… Interesting. Let’s this one shall we?
Glen Garioch 1994, 21 Year Old – The Rare Casks Rel. 6 (Abbey Whisky)
Abbey Whisky, The Rare Casks Release 6, Glen Garioch 1994, 21 Year Old, 55% abv, £99
Nose: we’re off to a peaty start! Watch out if you’re not expecting that.. it’s only a wee bit , but a nice peaty touch. There’s some fruit under the peat: a hint of pineapple, malt and lemongrass, citrus peel and vanilla custard. Interesting!
Palate : starts bitter-sweet with red grapefruit, malty sweetness balances that out, quite some wood with wood shavings, sandalwood, tea leaf and slight notes of vanilla and star anise, pepper. Lovely oily feel to it.
Finish : bitter wood, pepper, malt and sawdust.
Botttom line:
A very good Geery (yes, this is how you pronounce Garioch) indeed. A nice balance of peat, fruit, wood and spice, all in a lovely 55% which feels lovely on the palate. Good choice of cask Abbey Whisky!
Recommended.