Scotch Malt Whisky Society Glen Craig Tasting Notes

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 104.13 1974 (36 year old) ‘An Angel fallen to earth’ 50.6%

Refill Bourbon Barrel/ Dist: June 1974 Btl: 2010/ Tasted: July 2011

The nose is crisp and quite alcoholic to start with. It has a distinctly rum like rancio with dried, nutty fruit along with a touch of old treacle/ molasses and shot through with a vein of lively citrus. Wonderfully deep and evolving. A drop of water ramps up the lusciousness and emphasises the orange fruit.

Soft, gentle and mouth-filling. The citrus and alcohol give it a wonderful vibrancy and edginess although the tannins do dry the palate somewhat. Dilution however lets the sublime depth of juice fruit shine. Mouth-watering and long, again water makes it exceedingly juicy and brings out a spicy flourish at the end. In conclusion: Simply stunning!

Duncan Taylor Glen Craig Tasting Notes

Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare Glen Craig 1974 (31 year old) 40.3%

Bourbon Cask 2927/ Dist: Mar 1974 Btl: Oct 2005/ Tasted: Dec 2006

Rather thin, which would indicate that it has spent far too long in the cask, and that is about it!

Duncan Taylor Rarest of the Rare Glen Craig 1974 (35 year old) 42.4%

Bourbon Cask 2922/ Dist: Mar 1974 Btl: July 2009/ Tasted: Oct 2009

Initial aromas of linseed oil and woody orange fruit give way to wonderfully buttery vanilla oak. Give it some time and the lush, melted honey aromas appear out of nowhere. Showing a delightful maturity, with the linseed oil notes lingering.

Lighter on the palate, again the linseed oil note is noticeable, yet ther eare plenty of vanilla oils, earthy spices, citrus and a fleeting grassy note to balance. The finish is a touch alcoholic, botanical and tannic, but the after taste is a mouth coating buttery vanilla pureness. I think if this were to retail around £80 then I would quiet happily recommend it but as it retails for £120, I honestly don’t think it is worth, even if the stills have long since gone.