Glen Garioch The Renaissance Fourth Chapter 18 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The final chapter in a now discontinued series.

The Renaissance range was introduced by Beam Suntory when they took ownership in 2014. It began with a 15 year old expression and charts the same spirit as it continues to mature. In this end-of-series limited edition, we have a whisky drawn from bourbon and sherry casks, bottled in 2019 at natural strength. As this is the last instalment in the series, it makes sense that they'd end on a high note: Eighteen years is clearly when things get serious for Glen Garioch, extra age making this much less assertive than its younger siblings, and it gets better with every sip. Give it plenty of air time to release sweeter notes on the nose including tea-biscuits, rich cereals, dried coconut and honeyed malt; further inspection finds dried fruits, festive spices and dark chocolate. It's repeated on the palate, which is well-balanced at cask strength, but hits its creamy-soft spot with just a few drops of water. The finish adds gentle astringency, pepper and oak. Collectable. 50.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 

Notes from the producers... Nose: banoffee pie, wood, coconut, hazelnut and vanilla. Palate: sweet biscuits, clementines, oak, chili, maple syrup and tee. Finish: long with mellow honey.