Glenglassaugh 1986 30 Year Cask #1393

Glenglassaugh tasting evening, Sydney, Feb 19th. Whisky #5 Nose: Deep raisin and sultana grape notes, blackcurrant, manuka honey, malted milk, dark chocolate and a deep and intense musky oak. A very rounded, compelling and "meaty" aroma. The nose is enhanced by the addition of a couple of drops of water. Palate: Velvety, spicy and warm arrival with plum and chocolate to the fore. Somewhat drying but with a background pillow of sweetness that blooms in the development to bring out ginger in syrup, sherry, coffee and dark chocolate, mixed red berries, blackberries, apricot jam and a slight lift of orange peel. A serene, mature oak note forms the foundation - it's not immediately apparent, but once you notice it you sense how it pervades everything. An excellent palate with a perfect texture that is somewhere between creamy and oily. Finish: Medium/long. Full, rich and satisfying. A malty sweet aftertaste with a salty/savory tang. Distilled in 1986 shortly before the distillery went silent, this whisky received 25 years of ex-bourbon cask maturation followed by 5 years in refill PX sherry casks (that's a darn full-on "finish"!). It was bottled in October 2016 and 425 bottles were produced. This tasting was from bottle 178. One of the most fascinating things about this expression was how much the old pre-closure Glenglassaugh is like the new expressions. They share an earthy, fragrant malty character that is quite individual. This is not a cheap malt, but in my opinion it's well worth it. It has a character somewhere midway between Springbank, Mortlach and Glenfarclas. "Excellent" : 88/100 (4.5 stars)