North Star Glenturret 8 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Out of the mainstream, and just what you'd expect from North Star.

Tasting note: [20ml sample] Thanks to independent bottlers like North Star, you get access to novelties like this. Bottled from a refill hogshead. Pale gold. Prickly alcohol settles into a lovely fruity-grassy interchange; straw bail, old lawn clippings develop hints of semi-ripe plum and cocoa. Hints of oily peat too (lanolin). Wonderfully balanced, fresh-yet-oily delivery with a thick, chewy fudge feel. The finish comes laced with bittersweet chocolate, hints of earthy peat, lots of spice and a grippy astringency. Distinctive and delicious. 58.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 330 bottles.

Other reviews... This one could be rather, say restless, let's see... Colour: white wine. Nose: this one's from the countryside for sure. You'll find some grass smoke, a lot of earth and even mud, a box of old tools (the box is old too), litres of ale, porridge, crushed barley, one rotting strawberry, a lot of mead, elderflowers... Now it's most probably much peatier than earlier distillates, which is a little new to me. With water: whiffs of a working kiln. Mouth (neat): a very big distillate, that's for sure. Starts rather acrid and very smoky - let's call that lapsangy - and gets then very herbal. Barbecued thyme and rosemary, cardamom, smoked oysters and mussels, drops of green lemon juice (or very bitter oranges)... My this one talks! With water: very Glenturret and very smoky at the same time. Grisons meat, smoked fish, wakame seaweed, something metallic and leathery (reminiscent of grandpa's old penknife)... Finish: very long, dry, and a little more 'normal'. Green pepper stewed with honey. Comments: I've already tried quite a few Glenturrets over the years, but this was a new discovery, and I am grateful. 88 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com