Brand: Glen Elgin 2004 - Distilled: 04-03-2004
Matured and Bottled by: Lady of the Glen (LotG) on 15-03-2021
Type: Single Malt Single Cask Scotch Whisky - Cask # 801298
Age: 17 Years - Limited Edition - 240 Bottles
Age: 17 Years - Limited Edition - 240 Bottles
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 55.76% (Cask Strength)
Maturation: Hogshead with Ex Ruby Port Barrique Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Price: Around US$ 120,00 (July 2025)
Maturation: Hogshead with Ex Ruby Port Barrique Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Price: Around US$ 120,00 (July 2025)
Price/Quality Ratio: 😏 Borderline acceptable
Buying Advice: 👍 Nice Fruity Speysider that benefits from the Port Finish
Colour:
Golden Amber (Natural Color)
Nose:
Mainly Sweet with additional Sourness from the Port cask. The Nose is Soft and slightly underwhelming. Lots of Citrus and Green/Grassy notes. It's okay but i had expected a bit more to be honest.
Main Aromas:
Sweet Barley, Honey, Yeast, Dough, Citrus Peel (Orange, Tangerine & Mandarin), Dried Fruit like Apricot, Figs, Banana and Raisins, Grass and Straw, Fortified Red Wine, Fresh Green Herbs, Dusty Oak, Aniseed, Mint and Cinnamon. There are notes of Chocolate as well but I can't make up my mind. Sometimes I get Dark Chocolate and sometimes Milk-Hazelnut Chocolate.
Buying Advice: 👍 Nice Fruity Speysider that benefits from the Port Finish
Colour:
Golden Amber (Natural Color)
Nose:
Mainly Sweet with additional Sourness from the Port cask. The Nose is Soft and slightly underwhelming. Lots of Citrus and Green/Grassy notes. It's okay but i had expected a bit more to be honest.
Main Aromas:
Sweet Barley, Honey, Yeast, Dough, Citrus Peel (Orange, Tangerine & Mandarin), Dried Fruit like Apricot, Figs, Banana and Raisins, Grass and Straw, Fortified Red Wine, Fresh Green Herbs, Dusty Oak, Aniseed, Mint and Cinnamon. There are notes of Chocolate as well but I can't make up my mind. Sometimes I get Dark Chocolate and sometimes Milk-Hazelnut Chocolate.
Supportive Aroma Accents:
Wax, Cake with Cream and Strawberries, Vanilla, Toffee, Lemon, Berries, Apples and Pears, Tobacco, Leather, Varnish, Peanut Butter, Nougat, Nutmeg & Pepper.
Wax, Cake with Cream and Strawberries, Vanilla, Toffee, Lemon, Berries, Apples and Pears, Tobacco, Leather, Varnish, Peanut Butter, Nougat, Nutmeg & Pepper.
Palate:
For me the best part of this Glen Elgin. The Alcohol is more present now and Oak and Spices come to the forefront. It remains pleasantly Fruity though with both Sweet and Sour notes. A very light Bitterness. Medium-Dry. I like it. 😃
For me the best part of this Glen Elgin. The Alcohol is more present now and Oak and Spices come to the forefront. It remains pleasantly Fruity though with both Sweet and Sour notes. A very light Bitterness. Medium-Dry. I like it. 😃
Main Flavours:
Sweet Barley, Honey, Buttery Cake with Cream and Strawberries, Grass & Straw, Citrus Peel (Orange, Tangerine, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lemon) Dried Fruit (Figs, Apricot, Raisin, Apple, Pineapple), Fresh Green Herbs, Dusty Oak, Cinnamon, Pepper and Nutmeg.
Supportive Flavour Accents:
Wax, Vanilla, Toffee, Sugar, Bounty Bars, Pear, Floral notes, Tea with Milk, Dark Chocolate, Tobacco, Leather, Cloves and Ginger.
Finish:
Middle-Long. Mostly Sweet & Sour notes with a very light Bitterness for balance. Dry in the end. The Alcohol is more noticeable now. I find Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Caramel, Toffee, Honey, Wax, Citrus Peel (Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Tangerine), Red Berries, Green Apple, Cream, Nougat, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Herbal Tea, Floral notes, Red Wine, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon, Mint, Aniseed, Ginger and Cloves.
Middle-Long. Mostly Sweet & Sour notes with a very light Bitterness for balance. Dry in the end. The Alcohol is more noticeable now. I find Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Caramel, Toffee, Honey, Wax, Citrus Peel (Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Tangerine), Red Berries, Green Apple, Cream, Nougat, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Herbal Tea, Floral notes, Red Wine, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon, Mint, Aniseed, Ginger and Cloves.
Drinking Advice:
I added a little Water that enhances the Barley and brings some juicy Peach to the Nose. On the Palate and in the Finish the Alcohol is controlled & the added Water guarantees a smooth drinking experience. I like it both ways.
Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)
Nose: 7 - Taste: 8 - Finish: 7.5
*** Important Note with respect to Rating.
If the Final score is around 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.
Conclusion:
The Glen Elgin distillery is located four miles south of Elgin in the small village of Fogwatt close to the A 941. It was founded in 1898 by James Carle and William Simpson. It had its ups and downs but was finally bought by DCL in 1930. Today it's part of the Diageo Group and became one of their Classic Malts range in 2005. Most of the Spirit is destined for Blends like White Horse. The only official bottlings are the 12 Years and the limited 18 Years Edition I reviewed earlier.
As you all know I'm usually not that keen on Red Wine cask finished Single Malt. But in this case it works and the result is a very Fruity Glen Elgin that combines both Sweet and Sour notes with a slight Bitterness for balance. The Nose is a bit shy but Palate and Finish are quite pleasant and invite you to have another sip. It's not cheap of course but other than that I can recommend this Elgin if you like the Aroma/Flavour profile.
Cheers!
Jan van den Ende June 9, 2021
Jan van den Ende June 9, 2021