Glen Elgin 18 YO 1998 (Special Releases 2017)

Glen Elgin 18 YO 1998 (Special Releases 2017), 54.8 %

The Glen Elgin 18 YO 1998 (Special Releases 2017) is a limited release of 5352 bottles. This is a special release in an unusual way - this is something of a yeast experiment. For this whisky the distillery used both the conventional cerevisiae yeast and the more unusual (in the whisky world) pombe yeast (schizosaccharomyces pombe). Pombe is Swahili for beer, and this is a yeast known from East Africa.

The Glen Elgin 18 YO 1998 (Special Releases 2017) is a vatting of two batches. One part made using the pombe yeast and matured in ex-bodega sherry casks. The other part made using standard yeast and matured in refill European oak butts.

You can buy the Glen Elgin 18 YO 1998 (Special Releases 2017) in Norway starting December 15 at NOK 3974 (7900801). It is already available to buy in Sweden at SEK 3799 (4007401), and online from the UK at around GBP 245.

Nose: A deep and rich fruitiness is the first that greets my nose. It seems almost Japanese in style. Complex and clean. Apples, green and fresh on one hand and ripe and baked on the other. Freshly baked gourmet bread with a butter and floral honey spread.

Taste: Creamy, rich and most certainly full-bodied. A bit off-kilter but in a charming way. It could very well be the yeast used that has me confused and amused. Still very fruity, but not just apples now, I also get ripe banana and hints of honey melon and bitter oranges. Dry-ish.

Finish: Medium to long finish. Still fruity - which is not surprising. Creamy and rich all the way.

Comments: An impressive and unusual dram. I really enjoyed it. Santa, did you hear that?

Score (88/100)

Image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte! - Thomas