Glen Ord 1996 15 YO Clydesdale

Glen Ord 1996 15 YO Clydesdale, 57,2 %

Today we have a premiere, well for us at least. This is our first whisky from Scottish independent bottler The Clydesdale Original Scotch Whisky Co. Ltd, or just Clydesdale Original. This company should not be confused with the Swedish (whisky) importer Clydesdale AB, although there are strong ties (more here).

Distilled 1996-03-07, and bottled in November 2012. It was matured in cask CO389, and the total outturn was 275 bottles.

This whisky will be made available in Norway in January 2014. The sales price will be NOK 1029 (item number TBA).

Nose (22/25): Fruity  - waxy fruit, apples, pears, citrus and some pineapple. A bit malty, with some vanilla and the faintest hint of dishwasher powder. After a time I find grass, strawberries, banana and mango. This is really a very fruity whisky!

Taste (20/25): Quite oily and rich mouthfeel. Pepper (white and black), a pinch of chili, a hint of salt. Mixed with all this there's caramel, vanilla and some fresh mint and other herbs.

Finish (21/25): Long and warming. Caramel, toffee, fudge and chocolate-covered caramel on the finish - not massive and heavy by any means, it just brings on a lot of associations in that direction. The mint morphs into even fresher menthol and eucalyptus here - with a 'green' edge, grass or herbs.

Balance (21/25):

Score (84/100)

2014-12-22: Corrected the nationality of the independent bottler Clydesdale from Swedish to Scottish.

Sláinte! - Thomas