Glenglassaugh 37 Years Old 1974 21.28 Relaxing in a tropical garden (48.1%, SMWS, Refill HH, 188 Bottles, 2013)

• Highland single malt scotch whisky
• 48.1% ABV, £349
• Score: 92/100

What they say:

Cask No. 21.28

Independent Bottlers’ Challenge GOLD

We were greeted with the deep rich aroma of an India tea chest, very old leather armchairs and an ancient pouch for pipe tobacco. Behind those heavy aromas light and floral notes make an appearance; honeysuckle, orchids and jasmine blossoms all giving the impression of being in a flower garden during summer. Exciting to taste neat, despite its age, big with some heat and spice, but at the same time soft and smooth like a coconut lip balm or a tropical sun cream. With water fresher, aromatic moist air after a tropical downpour or like a walk-in humidor. The taste now soft, mellow, creamy – a shammy leather with a very long coconut finish. A fascinating make from the distillery close to Sandend.

Drinking tip: Sitting in a tropical garden with a good book

Date Distilled: 27 December 1974 Colour: Tangerine Delight Age: 37 years Flavour : Old & dignified Cask Type: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead Whisky Region: Speyside Deveron 

Outturn: 188 bottles

What I say:

Continuing with our SMWS distillery code bagging here is an old and dignified expression from Glenglassaugh (SMWS Distillery #21), quoted in the bar bible as a closed distillery – which it was from 1986 until 2008/2009 when distilling started again.

Colour:

Rich amber gold (10/20) light tears

Nose:

Tropical fruits; mango, pineapple, banana, guava, sweet heather honey, floral, toffee oak wood, vanilla, dunnage warehouse, earthy and dusty, old tea chest

Taste:

Sweet tropical fruit cocktail, toffee oak wood, cigar boxes and tea chests, some liquorice and tobacco, a drying tannin and dried coconut and mango fruit linger

Finish:

Medium, sweet fruit and drying ‘bourbon’ toffee oak

Overall:

A delicious and deceptively drinkable dram that surprised us with its age. The undertones are their with the enhanced tropical fruit and deep woody flavours and the spices are subtle and complimentary. A real joy to sample some really old Glenglassaugh stock comparable to some of the legacy casks that are being officially released by the new owners such as Glenglassaugh 35 Year Old 1978 Cask #1810 ~ 42.9% (Benriach & GlenDronach Distilleries)