Not much experience with the Glen Ord Distillery. Not on my radar too often, but I remember my first ever tasting being a 5cl miniature of the traditional 12yo OB with a green label. I think it was back in 2008 when I was on a school trip to London and found this miniature plastic bottle in amongst some cheap liqueurs and rum miniatures in a pretty worn down shop right by the Angel underground station. Not the best area. Anyway, the whisky wasn't bad, I remember it threw some punches of nice smokiness. Time to try some more from this distillery.
Glen Ord 8yo 1998-2006 43% Jean Boyer Gifted Stills
I believe this one is the first one I've tried from the "gifted stills"-series. White wine color, Smells dry, coriander, hummus, turkish spices, turmeric, cumin, dry and spicy. Reminds me of some of the better russian Vodkas I've tasted, fairly substantial grain and spice character, I was suspecting it to be more on the raw side. The taste is light, onions, grainy, radish, some sweetness that reminds me of boiled parsnip. Some rutabaga as well. Needs some water. Now it gets more peppery and spicy, cinnamon, turmeric, iron and cress, something strange is going on here, yet it all feels so interestingly peculiar. I don't know what I'd think of this one if held a few more years in cask, or bottled at cask strength. Many hints of great potential.
Needs a couple years more, but potentially a class whisky: 5.5
Glen Ord 20yo 1990-2010 54.4% Bladnoch Distillery Forum cask#1160
A bit darker in color than the 8yo, but still what I'd call white wine. 20 years and cask strength should bring more to this one than what the cask may provided last dram. As Bladnoch has now moved on to new owners, what will happen to its Distillery Forum who's bottling so many good old whiskies at very fair prices? I hope they continue... This one smells oaky and burnt, enormous oak and spirity nose. I'll let it rest for some time. When given time it opens up a bit and shows these green herbal notes alongside some red wine vinegar and tropical fruit smells, you know, spanish fruit fairs and warm air. Reminds me more of a lowlander. The taste is light and citrussy, melon, grape fruit, lemons, green grapes, fruity and sour. Minty aftertaste. This one is a joy to drink, and doesn't need any water, only enough time and your patience.
Absolute beauty, though no highlander in style: 7
Ord 27yo 1962-1989 55.4% Cadenhead's
A bit of personal history here as I'm quite sure I will never ever try another Glen Ord distilled as long ago as this one, almost fifty years! That's something else! I notice they have skipped the "Glen" and just named it "Ord". I cannot find any information confirming that "Ord" ever was their official name, maybe a funky spell by Cadenhead's like the "Blair Atholl" that can be found on some old bottlings. This one is way darker, golden brown. Smells huge, resinous, oloroso style, honey, nutmeg, chili, fresh mountain air, thyme, mint drops, strawberry jam, coconut, it just keeps changing over a period of at least 15 minutes, just keep nosing, don't wanna miss a part of this show! The taste is sweet and definitively sherried, heavy and rich sherry, cinnamon, malt syrup, cough mixture, carrot juice, tomato sauce, ginger, and that fine Glen Ordy minty aftertaste that I now start recognizing as somewhat of a trademark for this malt. Excellent stuff!
Shows that Glen Ord can take sherry very well too: 9
Glen Ord 28yo 1975-2003 58.3% OB
Finally an OB, oldest of the bunch what oak maturation is concerned, but what about that somewhat disputed X-factor commonly referred to as "cask maturation"? We'll see. Smells big this one too. Not as advanced as the Cadenhead's but more assertive odors. It has strawberry bubblegum, distinctive rosé wine, vanilla and light licorice. The taste is sweet and rying with a clear spirity sting in the aftertaste, needs some water. With additional water it becomes more peppery, rye bread, dry corn, a bit of a letdown to be honest. Not nearly as complex as the it's three predecessors, but the nose was quite alright. Also lacking the amazing minty aftertaste.
All in all an OK whisky, but at this age, not nearly good enough: 3.5
Next tasting: Glengoyne Distillery
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