Glentauchers 14 ex-Bourbon Barrel - 53.8%
The Whisky Cellar is an Edinburgh-based independent Scotch Whisky bottler, selecting casks from its private stock at the peak of their character.
Bottled a parcel of several single casks at a time, each individual series under our ‘Private Cellars Selection’ label is studiously chosen to deliver a wide spectrum of natural colour, aroma and flavour.
“Unconstrained by age or statement of vintage, regionality or cask type… if our tasting panel love the whisky enough, we will bottle it.” – Keith Bonnington, Founder.
This is a straight up first-fill American oak ex-Bourbon barrel distilled at Glentauchers. Another of the Speysiders to open in the 1890s, it’s no surprise that many whisky aficionados call out ‘Tauchers’ as being their favoured lesser-known whisky brands. Characteristically delicate and floral, aged in ex-Bourbon giving a lighter maturation over its long 14 years’ resting in wood and a gentle dramming experience. Light honey, toasted cereals, custard cream biscuits, spice and crisp green apples.
Cask #289, only 222 bottles.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Old gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, oily legs.
Nose: Light and floral, lemon citrus, iced buns, foam bananas and vanilla custard.
Palate: Mouthcoatingly oily, baked Bramley apples drizzled with honey and toasted almonds, crème brûlée, lemon zest, foam bananas and a touch of crystallised ginger.
Finish: Custard creams, a little lemony citrus and ginger spice.
Summary: Delicate, light, elegant, fruity and floral. If that sounds like your idea of a summer whisky you will love this. Add apple crumble and crème brûlée notes into the mix and you get a real treat. For me, this is one that doesn’t need or improve with water, even at this abv it works far better neat.
Priced around £70 which feels reasonable, the only snag is there are only 222 bottles available to enjoy on a warm late summer evening.
Transparency: this sample pack was received free of charge for independent review. The author has no affiliation with the bottler, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
If you would like to know more about The Whisky Cellar and their range of whiskies, please follow the link to the company website.
The Whisky Cellar whiskies are available at Master of Malt among other retailers, click the image below to be taken to their website.
