Glen Garioch The Renaissance Third Chapter 17 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Closed in 1968, re-opened by the Morrisons (Bowmore et al) then purchased by Beam Suntory in 1994, nowadays Glen Garioch makes largely unpeated malt from short ferments, giving a deep cereal and spice note to the distillate. The new owners have great confidence in the quality of output, with all of its production dedicated to single malt rather than blends. Beginning in 2015, the distillery released a series of 'Chapters'. Like the previous editions, Chapter 3 is a vatting of sherry and bourbon casks with around 12,000 bottles on offer world wide. It starts with a nutty, muesli-like nose that teases with dried citrus peels, dried fruits (apples pears), a little sulphur, pepper and a freshness that's almost coastal. It feels about right at this strength - intense enough to grab you, but with the right balance. Sherry wins out over bourbon with a lovely dry, nutty, Manzanilla / Oloroso feel to the delivery, the spices ramping up at the finish where bittersweet orange zest, minor sulphur and pepper kick in. The length is fabulous, the spices buzzing through the long, tangy finish. Overall, it's at the aperitif end of the whisky spectrum - a style that's rarely encountered which makes this all the more appealing. Adding water accents the sweeter notes. Really lovely stuff. 50.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... The 3rd Chapter exhibits a sweet and sophisticated nose of honey, milk chocolate, Brazil nuts, toffee, and ripe peaches. Supple on the palate, with luscious orange and peach notes, vanilla, oak, and subtle spice. Plain chocolate-coated orange confectionery in the finish, with caramel and ginger. Balanced and delicious! 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com, Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2018)

...An expression ex-bourbon and sherry that came out three years ago, and which we hadn't noticed. I thought the first Renaissance, a 15 yo, had been rather excellent back in 2014 (WF 85). Colour: gold. Nose: a feeling of oak-aged pear eau-de-vie at first, which I would enjoy, then rather yellow melons and peaches, then a stroll in the woods, with mosses, damp earth, fern, mushrooms and lilies of the valley. Some freshly squeezed blood oranges, that's so good for our immunity! With water: gets a little coastal, on beach sand, then strawberries and mint, a summery combo that's most enticing. Mouth (neat): a little bit of peppery oak at first, reminiscent of the Virgin version, but on a most solid body with caraway, walnutty oloroso, those williams pears, and a little bit of resin and even smoke. Pinecone smoke. With water: lovely resinous oranges, shall we say? Some kind of Spanish cordial. Finish: rather long, on earthy bitter oranges. Very good. Comments: most likeable. Why didn't we notice this one back in 2017? 86 points - whiskyfun.com

Notes from Glen Garioch... Rich Highland toffee, creamy butterscotch, chocolate ginger biscuits and tangy citrus peel lead to honey-glazed baked apricots and cinnamon-spiced orange interlaced with smooth malted caramel and barley sugar, with a ginger marmalade on warm buttered granary toast finish.