Gordon & MacPhail Glenturret 18 Year Old 2007 (Batch 25/039) - 59.8%

This Highland whisky was distilled in 2007 followed by a full 18 year maturation in a first-fill sherry hogshead. Part of the Connoisseur’s Choice range, bottled at cask strength with natural colour, no chill filtration and limited to an outturn of 320 bottles.

Tasting notes

Appearance: New gold, forms a thick line which falls as slow, thick legs

Nose: Dried fruit, a touch of saltiness and mild mustiness

Palate: Malted milk biscuits, dried fruit, dunnage funk, orange zest and chilli heat. A few drops of water reduces the heat and brings more dried fruit

Finish: Dried fruit, tannic oak astringency and chilli heat

Summary: It’s an interesting whisky with a great nose and a definite feeling of age. Despite the full maturation in a first-fill sherry cask it doesn’t really fit in the ‘sherry bomb’ category, even though the cask influence certainly makes its presence felt. There’s a lot to commend but the heftiness of the spice makes it a challenging dram. For me, this is a whisky that needs a little reduction to bring out the best of it.

The price at the time of writing is £160, so pretty expensive even in the current market. It’s not a whisky I would contemplate buying, but if you’re a Glenturret fan or prefer your whisky with a significant bite then it may be for you.

Click the link if you would like to know more about Gordon & MacPhail and their range of whiskies