Garnheath 1967 43 YO Clan Denny

Garnheath 1967 43 YO Clan Denny, 44,4 %

Today I present a first for Whisky Saga. I have never before reviewed a grain whisky from the now closed lowland distillery Garnheath. I could also say it was from Moffat, a rebuilt paper mill that was turned into a distillery in 1964/1965. At Moffat they produced single malt under the names Glen Flagler (until 1985), Killyloch (until 1975), Islebrae - a peated Glen Flagler (until 1970), and the grain whisky Garnheath (until 1986). There were never any official bottlings of Garnheath.

This particular release was bottled by independent bottler Douglas Laing. The Garnheath 1967 43 YO Clan Denny was distilled in 1967, matured in a refill hogshead (cask #HH 6642), and bottled in 2010.

If you can find the Garnheath 1967 43 YO Clan Denny online you are looking to spend around € 225.

Nose: Soft and delicate. This is a very nice cask, at least on the nose. AFter this long (and considering it is a grain) I am basically reviewing the cask here. Sublime notes of summer fruits, powdered sugar, vanilla, marshmallows, fresh strawberries and a light touch of wood. Candle wax comes through after a bit.

Taste: Very smooth and oily mouthfeel. Spicy (pepper mainly), as well as quite oaky - with a bitter-ish edge to it.

Finish: Medium to long finish. The oaky 'bite' does let go, and we are left with a more relaxed mix of sweet fruits and milder oakiness.

Comments: Not terribly complex, but more than adequate. Fun to have tried a grain whisky from Garnheath.

Score (84/100)

Image from Whisky Online Auctions.

Sláinte! - Thomas