Glenlossie 19

Description

A 1997 Glenlossie 19 bottled in 2016 by Signatory Vintage under their Un-Chillfiltered label.  Glenlossie is one of those malts that is virtually only available by independent bottlers such as Signatory. Besides, it’s one of the powerhouse malts that underpins the vast majority of the Diageo blends.

This particular bottling was drawn from a pair of ex-bourbon hogsheads (casks number 6756 and 6757) after being distilled on 20th November 1997.  The whisky was finally bottled on 17th October 2017, giving an age of 19 years and 11 months – legally defined as 19 years.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich, fat, it gives off the flavours of stewed apples.  Brown sugar syrup.  It will be necessary to give it some time in order to fully open up.  There’s honey, sweet butter, vanilla. Letting it breathe for 10 to 15 minutes makes a vast difference to this whisky.  It allows the cream and the caramel, and the lime zest to come forward.

Palate: The mouthfeel is enveloping and quite sweet.  Vanilla is a perfect accompaniment to this cooked apple that we already found on the nose.  There are some ripe exotic fruits, such as pineapple and mango.  With the opening, there is a more lemony note.  No trace of alcohol, only aromas. A touch of salt that gives a nice dynamic.

Finish: Slight forested drought. The apple here is fresh and rather green. This intake of freshness contrasts with the rest of the tasting, but it does balance well and avoids excess sweetness.