GLEN ELGIN 18 year old, Cask Strength at 58.2%, 85 points

Region: Speyside
Distillation Year: 1995
Bottling Year: 2013
ABV: 58.2%

From an independent review: 85 points

This Blackadder bottling contains a Glen Elgin from 1995. It is only the 10th Glen Elgin I am trying, but then there are not that many official bottlings. So I had to look for an indie. This was bottled after 18 years at a whopping cask strength of 58,2%.

The nose is creamy and burst with citrus fruit, lime in the lead. A bit of beeswax makes it smooth. There is a light floral touch. Dandelion. Softly spicy on cumin and ginger. Some lemongrass. Fresh and crispy. Reminds me of spring in a way. With water it becomes a tad sweeter and more accessible.

It arrives quite powerfully. Punchy and spicy. White pepper precedes citrus fruit. Besides some lime and oranges, I also get some slightly sour mandarin and grapefruit. The oak rears its head as well, but it never turns oaky. Diluted, I get a fresh, sweet spring dram in my glass. The citrus is softened up by hints of green banana. The spices start to whisper. The oak silently retreats.

The finish is fairly long with sweetness and some drying oak at the death.

A surprisingly nice, sweet Glen Elgin that makes me long for spring. I find it a lot better with some water.