
September 15, 2016

Little duets, today Glentauchers 1996

Glentauchers is another name that, until just a few years ago, was going relatively unnoticed. Until thanks to a few excellent independent bottlers, the world (well) started to understand how good it could be.

Glentauchers 18 yo 1996/2015 (48%, Claxton’s, bourbon barrel, cask #1502-7884, 247 bottles)

Colour: white wine. Nose: pure, grassy, lemony, chalky, and ridden with cider apples. Very average, but I’m using that word in its better sense. An awesome ‘averageness’. Mouth: indeed, a bright fruitiness, between grapefruits and green apples, with a perfect mineral and grassy foundation. I find this very refreshing, and the strength is perfect. It’s only in the background that a few notes of vanilla and white pepper are noticeable. And the strength is perfect. Finish: medium, on the same pretty zesty, pure, and fresh notes. Comments: another great Sancerre of the whisky world. Wonderful freshness – all we need now is a dozen oysters. SGP:551 - 87 points.

Glentauchers 17 yo 1996/2013 (48.7%, Liquid Library, barrel, 178 bottles)

Yes I’m late again. Colour: white wine – a little darker than the Claxton’s. Nose: this one’s a notch earthier and more floral, a side that you wouldn’t quite notice, were you to try this baby on its own, without comparison. Rose petals and perhaps litchis, plus a little damp black earth. Other than that, same apples + grapefruits combination. Mouth: perhaps is it more typically Glentauchers, with bonbons and jellybeans, marshmallows… All that before, you guessed it, grass, grapefruits and apples are taking over. Very good. Finish: indeed, very good, sweeter, more bonbony (not bourbony). Comments: I liked the other one’s sharper and zestier style a little better, but this one’s excellent too, there’s no denying. SGP:651 - 85 points.

Check the index of all Glentauchers I've tasted so far