Scotch Malt Whisky Society Glen Albyn Tasting Notes

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 69.10 1979 (25 year old) ‘Flamenco dancer with slow legs’ 58.7%

Refill Bourbon Hogshead/ Dist: Jul 1979 Btl: Mar 2005/ Tasted: Apr 2006

A sulphurous and rubbery opening (Were the stills pushed a little bit too hard?). Yet behind that there is a complexity of apricot, mint and American oak. Hints of light olive oil and earthy notes are also present.

The palate is thankfully a bit cleaner, or maybe the sulphour note has blown off and it has plenty of oak, apricot, mint and almost tart citrus. Good length with hints of smoke and a herbaceous finish.

With water it becomes more Lowland-esque with the citrus and straw like fruits leading the way, but again the sulphur note still lingers. The palate has become a bit homogenised however. Pleasant but flawed.

Hart Brothers Glen Albyn Tasting Notes

Hart Brothers ‘Finest Collection’ Glen Albyn 1978 (19 year old) 43%

Sherry/ Dist: 1978 Btl: 1997/ Tasted: Feb 2003

A light and slightly estery, spicy nose. The palate is well rounded and fresh with a dominant sweetness that builds into the middle until the oak tannins emerge to leave a dry sherry spice finish and a faint smokiness.

Duncan Taylor Glen Albyn Tasting Notes

Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare Glen Albyn 1979 (26 year old) 56%

Bourbon Cask 3960/ Dist: 1979 Btl: 2005/ Tasted: Nov 2005

A pronounced intensity of light, lowland-esque citrus fruit, light oil and nuts. A touch of vanilla oak in the background and floor polish notes. With time it develops a lovely creamy bourbon oak character. Dry on the palate, light bodied with an intensity of of citrus fruit, nuts, vanilla oil and light spices. Very long with some gin like botanicals and grass coming through.

A drop of water brings out a fabulous orange blossom note and emphasises the creamy oak, whilst on the palate it brings out the sweet orange note that was detected on the nose and really emphasises the spice, nuts and wood tannins.