Glen Scotia 1992 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Campbeltown

Brand: Glen Scotia 1992 (Archives - 4th Release)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 20 Years

ABV: 50.4 %

Colour: Golden Hay

Nose: This Glen Scotia needs some time to fully present its Aromas but always remains rather subdued. At first I find light Peat/Smoke and Soot, Malt, Leather, Salted Butter and Toast, Rubber, Oak, Caramel, Grass, Heather, Vegetable tones and Pineapple. Later on some Apple and Nut (casks).I also get images of an old dusty library. Hints of Red Fruit and Milk Chocolate in the background. The Alcohol is nicely integrated.

Palate: This is not my favourite Flavour Profile I'm afraid. It's Herbal, slightly Bitter, Earthy, Rubbery and Dry. I find Charcoal, Tobacco, Leaves, Leather, Light Peat, Pepper, Nutmeg, Licorice, Tea, Salt, Oak, Caramel and a Maritime note I can't quite pin down.

Finish: Middle-Long, Earthy, Salty and Herbal with Grass, Leaves, Peat, slightly Bitter Herbs, Tobacco, Licorice, Salt and Nuts.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes Creamy and less Vegetal with extra Peach and Honey. However, Palate and Finish don't benefit at all from the contact with the Water. On the contrary!

Rating: 82

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Glen Scotia Distillery was founded in 1832 and is located in Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsular. It's one of the three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown along with Springbank and Glengyle. The current owner is a Glasgow based Blending House called Loch Lomond Distillery. Glen Scotia operates with only 5 employees and is one the most efficient in the business. Since 2013 the distillery produces 10, 12, 16, 18 and 21 OB's, all with an ABV of 46%.

The 1992 we are tasting today was distilled in February 1992 an was bottled at Cask Strength in May 2012. It matured in a Hogshead with Cask # 08/71 out of which 80 bottles were commercialised via the Independent Whisky Bottler Whiskybase in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Archives is their relatively young own label. This Single Malt is naturally coloured and not Chill-Filtered. It's still available at Whiskybase but only just. It costs around 110 US Dollars

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: It's not a bad Single Malt but still I was glad I only had a small sample. I wouldn't fancy a whole bottle of this Glen Scotia. It's Edgy and Salty and therefore true to its Campbeltown origin. But it's also too Earthy, Dusty, Rubbery, Vegetal and Bitter for my taste. It reminded me of a Medicine every once in a while. Nice to have tried it but not a whisky I will come back to! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                October 5, 2013

The Whiskybase Shop Rotterdam

Four Roses Review

Country: USA

Brand: Four Roses

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Age: NAS (Said to be around 5-6 Years)

ABV: 40 % 

Date: 03/10/2013

Colour: Amber with Orange Notes

Nose: Relatively Light and Clean and with a bit of Alcohol but pleasant enough. I find Orange, Sweet Grains, Bread Dough, Grandma's Furniture Polish, Honey, Toffee, Banana, Vanilla, light Oak and Spices like Cinnamon and Cloves. A Hint of Butterscotch Chocolate.

Palate: The delivery is a bit thin. This Four Roses would benefit from an ABV of 43-46%. I find Sweet Grains, Coconut, Oak, Vanilla, Honey, Citrus Peel, Toffee, Pear Drops and Spices like Cloves, Cinnamon and Aniseed.

Finish: On the Short side, Sweet and Dry with Oak, Pepper, Ginger, Orange and Nut Casks.

With a bit of Water the Nose gets lots of extra Honey. Try it out! But Palate and Finish do not accept H2O very well. Better sip it neat or over an ice cube or two.

Rating: 82.5

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Four Roses Brand was established in 1888. It is probably named after founder Rufus Mathewson Rose, his brother and their two sons although there are other stories around that could be true as well. Four Roses is distilled and aged by Four Roses Distillery LLC, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky that is nowadays owned by the Kirin Brewery Company from Japan. The distillery produces 10 different Bourbons using 2 Mash Bills (60-75% Corn) and 5 Yeast Strains. The Standard Yellow Label expression we are tasting today is a blend of these ten Bourbons. The price varies from 20 to 30 US Dollars, depending on where you live.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Drinking Experience On the Rocks: Good

Conclusion: A well-crafted Bourbon at a very attractive price level. The Nose is soft but pleasant. The Palate deserves a higher ABV but that would make it much more expensive of course. This standard Four Roses won't surprise you but will not disappoint you either. And it proves once again that, on average, low priced Bourbon is a better buy than low priced Scotch.

Jan van den Ende                                                         October 2013