https://www.whiskynotes.be/2018/glen-elgin/glen-elgin-1997-connoisseurs-choice/

Nose: very jammy and perfectly clean. Juicy raspberries, cassis juice, cherry jam and fresh plums. Orange liqueur. Hints of oak polish. Gentle hints of espresso and toasted oak. Toffee apple and light vanilla. Rather perfect.
Mouth: starts fruity but there’s a huge impression of vermouth after that, never had it like this before but it’s lovely. Think light winey notes mixed with orange peel, clove and cinnamon. Refreshing whiffs of menthol. Leathery touches and cocoa. Subtle roasted nuts and oak again.
Finish: long, on light charred notes, Oloroso and chocolate.

I feel sorry for not having bought more of it myself, it is downright delicious.

Wow! What a whisky, just shared a dram with two close friends and we were very happy. Lost of initial rum/raisins in the nose and then deep, warm and satisfying sherry bomb. Would love to get my hands on an additional bottle! Thanks Grinface for picking this one up for us.

Well, it took some time for this Glen Elgin to delivers it’s potential. After an hour and some water it releases a very sparkling orange, berry marmelade and toffee sweet whisky. There’s an interesting play between them and the spices, leathery and woody aromas. I do think the initial alcohol sting is bit too much for this age and it could be a bit better integrated. Solid whisky though.

From:
https://scotchwhisky.com/whisky-reviews/new-whiskies/19015/batch-147/

NOSE
A resonant mix of rich, stewed red and black fruits (hawthorn and bramble jam), overlaid with some varnish, mandarin, nutmeg, red cherry and polish. There’s light heat and slightly nutty, oxidised elements (sultana and sweet date), before dried apricot begins to emerge, adding a Cognac-esque quality. Water is needed to reveal the distillery character fully, with the rosin-like elements seen on the neat nose moving into the background and a mix of almost smoky tropical fruits beginning to emerge. In time it gets waxy and more spiced, with some orange pekoe tea elements. Fascinating.

PALATE
Thick and layered, with an instant, full-blooded mix of balanced bitterness, roasting spices, light coffee and a fleeting touch of sage before the fruits begin to pull through, moving into sultana and orchard fruits. It pushes out in all directions: bitter, sweet, tannic, fruity and fragrant, yet somehow a balance is struck. When water is added, the red fruits re-emerge with added raspberries, a touch of marzipan (cherry stone), then clove and those tropical fruits, but always with a slight spike of heat.

FINISH
Huge. Allspice, clove, Seville orange and a little menthol; even a charred element.

CONCLUSION
Glen Elgin turned up to 11. A first-fill Sherry cask, but it’s not a Sherried whisky as you might understand the term. Not a bad way to kick off the new-look Connoisseur’s Choice range. Available globally (bar the US).

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
As necessary as Vitamin C.

Dave Broom

SCORE
92