Glengoyne 1999 Master of Malt 20 yo

 

 

 

50,5°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands

Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Master of Malt 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

It's often forgotten, but Master of Malt isn't just an excellent spirits website. It's also a respected independent bottler. This 20-year-old Glengoyne can testify to that, having aged honourably in a Sherry Hogshead before being sold in 130 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Blueberries, redcurrants and blackberries, black grapes, all wrapped in a cosy bark, lichen, vegetal moss, soft caramel, roasted hazelnuts, melted chocolate on warm pear, light mineral and spicy notes. Morello cherries, liquorice, a pinch of blackcurrant. On the palate, orange marmalade and dark chocolate, treacle, candied ginger, various spices, thyme and nutmeg, fir honey, where red fruit swims. Honeysuckle. The finish is long, rich and languorous, with dried fruits, apricots, figs and dates. Chocolate custard with a dash of vanilla.

 

In Short, 

A classic Glengoyne, deep and complex, fruity and pastry-like, with delicate hints of wood. It's a great success. It is still on sale on the Master of Malt website, but can also be found at auction. Fans of the profile will not be disappointed.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Deke McGee - That's Love

Port Charlotte 13 yo Darkness

 

 

 

51,3°

Distillery : Bruichladich - Islay

Oloroso Sherry Octave Cask Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Master of Malt  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 40 ppm

As well as being an excellent online retailer, Master of Malt is a reputable independent bottler, and has been since 1985. They were bought out by Atom Brands, but their Darkness range is still representative of their work. Here, this Port Charlotte is finished in an Octave cask of Oloroso Sherry. These are casks of around 60 litres, to intensify the interaction with the wood. Only 111 bottles are advertised by La Maison du Whisky, which has exclusivity for this bottle, but there are obviously a few more, as the one I picked from was numbered 115.

Let's Taste It : 

This is a fine Oloroso cask, a variety of dried fruits, apple compote with chunks, a cinnamon leaf, damp leather, varnished wood, drained oil, chocolaty liquorice, with a hint of astringency and thick peat full of soot, black earth and gas oil. On the palate, it's round, sweet, nougat, soft toffee, genoise, marzipan, chewy smoke, deep spices, black pepper and nutmeg. The finish is long, fruity, oily, with a few bits of smoked ham. Biscuits filled with sesame cream, red fruit concentrate, chocolate fondant, a coffee bean.

 

In Short, 

It has just about everything you'd expect. The Port Charlotte distillate is a decidedly good match for the Sherry. The downside is that it's not particularly surprising, but sometimes it's better to get exactly what you want. The price, on the other hand, is excessive, especially for 50cl bottles.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Jesus and Mary Chain - Cracking Up

Highland Park 18 yo Darkness

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Pedro Ximénez Octave Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Master Of Malt

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Everyone has heard about the Master of Malt online shop, but few people know that they were first and foremost independent bottlers, and have been since 1985. The Darkness range is the group's most emblematic, and this Highland Park 18yo finished in an Octave cask of Pedro Ximénez Sherry is undoubtedly one of their jewels. Only 117 bottles were made from this single 60-litre cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Lots of wood, with several layers of varnish, melting dark chocolate, apple compote sprinkled with cinnamon, Agen prunes, dried figs, you can smell the bushes and heather typical of the distillery, but you have to say it quickly. Fine, chiselled smoke. Velvety and warm on the palate. Honey blends with chocolate mousse, fresh pear, apricots, a wide range of spices, paprika, cardamom, nutmeg. Fairly long finish, but lacks explosiveness, foresty, sandy, candied fruits, salt and pepper, slightly marshy earth.

 

In Short, 

The Sherry adds a nice complexity, without overpowering the distillate, which retains its personality. It's really nice and rich, but there's something missing to make it great. The price is outrageous, especially for 50cl bottles.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Puma Blue - Moon Undah Water