Glen Marnoch Highland Single Malt Rum Cask Finish (40%, Aldi, 2017)

• ABV: 40%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: Glen Marnoch, Aldi
• Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £20
• Origin: undisclosed
• Vintage: undeclared

What they say

Glen Marnoch double cask release has richness & complexity as a result of careful ageing in American oak casks, followed by further maturation in imported Caribbean rum casks.

First cask – Maturation in American white oak casks for a minimum of 3 years by our master distiller gives the whisky a rich, mellow character with notes of malt, vanilla and honey.

Second cask – The whisky is then transferred to imported Caribbean rum asks for further ageing, this adds layers of complexity, giving spiciness with a long finish.

What I say

The final part of the Trio of cask finished Highland single malt whiskies from Aldi’s Glen Marnoch label is this rum cask finish. I’ve tried two batches on separate occasions and seem to have come away with quite differing views on this one, making me wonder if there has been wide batch-to-batch variation? This review is of the more favourable response.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Copper bronze (11/20), quick, medium-large tears, loose, medium legs.
• Nose: Toffee, golden syrup, hint of fruit, candied apples and pears, warm sticky toffee pudding, cinnamon spice, polished oak wood, furniture polish, sweet vanilla, wisp of smoke, malted barley.
• Taste: Sweet and spiced, waxy, peppery, hot, honey, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, toffee, treacle, molasses, polish/varnish, beeswax, apple and pear fruit and hints of red berries, charred wood, hint of smoke.
• Finish: Medium-long, sweet and spiced, oaky wood.

Overall

Pleasant and well-structured, strikes a good balance between sweet and spiced, with toffee and a hint of smoke.

Score 83/100

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