Glen Keith 1988, 29 years, Càrn Mòr Bequest, Bourbon Barrel Number 26684, 225 bottles, 43.2% abv.

Like the majority of UK distilleries, Glen Keith has a strange past. Seagram's founded Glen Keith around 1957/58 behind their Strathisla distillery to produce whisky for their blends (i.e. Chivas, Passport, and 100 Pipers). Interestingly, the distillery used a variety of experimental methods and materials over the years, only to be mothballed in 1999. Pernod Ricard bought Glen Keith in 2001, made improvements, and re-opened it in 2013. There have been several IB releases over the years and imho, they have been very inconsistent.

Nose: unripe cantaloupe, herbal, herbal tea leaves (not green, not chrysanthemum, not red), not as sharp as sister cask 26685.

Palate: smooth, well bodied initial palate is sweet, mid and back palate is also sweet, tropical melons, black and white pepper. With some time more vanilla notes appear, but still tropical melon based.

Finish: medium to long, spicey, dry.

Dry glass: wax.

The bartender recommended this tasting with its sister cask 26685. This one is more flavorful than its sister cask 26684, and also 1 year older. Seems to be better constructed, but not at a super level. Both of these need a lot of time to let the flavors come out. I could tell there is a variety of stuff going on, but it's too subtle for me, this and the sister cask. Wish my tongue was sharper.

Grade: C+

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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