today I will have a closer look into this Whisky:
Glen Garioch 15yo The Renaissance 1st Chapter
This is the first part of a four-chapter series. They come in the ages 15-year-old, 16-year-old, 17-year-old and 18-year-old. With each age group the ABV gets lower. The only, let’s say “sad thing” is, that those are colored. Would had been interesting to see how the natural color would have changed with each year. My guess is that it didn’t turn out like they hoped and for that added the color to show the color changes in each chapter.
What are my expectations? Well, considering, casks, age and ABV I expect this Whisky to show both the flavors of the bourbon casks as well as the once from the Sherry casks. I hope to find the typical Glen Garioch mineral character as well. I will let it rest in the glass for about 20 minutes to let it breath.
During that time, I will have it this time not covered. I did that during the times I tried it before, and it turned out that is opens up better if it is not covered.
Appearance:
Color: golden and clear. Not very oily as the streaks on the glass flow down more quick.
Nose: 87/100 points
at first it shows itself quite mild and mellow even with nearly 52% ABV. Then after a few sniffs I get many apples but more the sour sort once. Also wax shows up and the expected mineral notes appear as well. From the sherry casks I also get the flavors. They show up like plums, a few raisins and figs. But the bourbon casks also show their effect. I get citrus fruits, a bit vanilla, some yellow fruits and floral notes.
Taste: 88/100 points
here the start is stronger than the nose would suggest. The ABV does its work here pretty good. At the beginning it starts off with a mix of sourness and sweetness at the same time. Here comes now nice oak flavors, but not tart once. the fruits are also back again. Both, from the sherry as well the bourbon casks. It has some edges one could say. Feels a bit rough and gets milder when it gets diluted from the salvia. Very complex feeling overall.
Finish: 87/100 points
very long-lasting finish. Here also like in the nose I get the Glen Garioch typical flavors and a huge basket full of apples. The oak flavor appears but this time they seem to be sweeter.
Conclusion:
the force is strong with this one. Many of the aspects and flavors of this Whisky fulfilled my expectations. This Whisky shows a really well-balanced flavor profile from both cask types. And with nearly 52% ABV it has definitely enough potential to play with a bit water.
Overall I give this Whisky: 87/100 WhiskyYoda points
here are some more detailed bottle information:
| Brand | Glen Garioch | Cask/Batch# | 1st Chapter |
| Series | The Renaissance | Vintage | n/a |
| Region | Scotland / Highlands | Bottled | 2014 |
| Bottler | Distillery Bottling | Age | 15yo |
| Type | Single Malt | Non-Cillfiltered | yes |
| Casks | Bourbon & Sherry Casks | Natural color | no |
| ABV | 51.9% | Whiskybase ID: | 55988 |
