A small trio of young indie Glen Ord


February 23, 2024

A small trio of young indie Glen Ord

Very nice distillate, Glen Ord.

Glen Ord 8 yo 2014/2022 (57.9%, Chorlton Whisky, 1st fill oloroso hogshead, 252 bottles)

Have I ever told you that I think Chorlton's labels are the most beautiful in the world? And that the whiskies aren't bad either? Let's taste this possibly slightly boosted young Ord... Colour: amber. Nose: it's all there, roasted hazelnuts, stout, very dark potting soil, tobacco, walnut wine, dried fruits, gingerbread, pine bark, a little bit of varnish... With water: a few very ripe pears make an appearance. Also some notes of tomato leaf and fig tree, which are quite specific. Mouth (neat): very powerful, starting rather peppery and honeyed, then moving on to pipe tobacco and, again, wood varnish, before arriving at a huge orange studded with cloves. I mean, sort of. With water: the return of gingerbread, honey, sweet beer, a young rancio from Catalonia, a bit of chocolate and lots of raisins suggesting PX. But this is not PX. Finish: rather very long, very nicely syrupy, reminiscent of an old Malaga. Comments: it's rather perfect, it reminds me a bit of those old very sherried eight-year-olds from the old days.
SGP:651 - 87 points.

Glen Ord 10 yo 2012/2023 (52.3%, Acla Selection, Classic, barrel)

We're in eastern Switzerland this time. Colour: white wine. Nose: more proof that Ord is a very nice distillate. A very pretty combination of paraffin and linseed oil with kumquats and tangerines, while a little elderberry and wild service tree eaux-de-vie, both somewhat earthy, add more uniqueness to the mix. Really a very nice distillate, I insist. With water: oh, some roots, celery, gentian, carrot... Mouth (neat): very, very good. A lemony and herbaceous waxiness that is reminiscent of a famous cousin distillery from Sutherland. With water: ah yes, really, there is just this more root-like side, which is also a bit more medicinal in this Glen Ord. And, conversely, there's less church candle. Amen. Finish: long, fresh, invigorating, lemony. There's a bit of celery in the aftertaste, which is amusing. Comments: some undeniable Glen Ord in its natural form, where the distillate expresses itself at 120%.
SGP:561 - 88 points.

Glen Ord 12 yo 2011/2023 (59.1%, James Eadie, refill hogshead, cask #305633, 313 bottles)

Colour: white wine. Nose: here we are amidst the ethers, barley spirit, barley sugar, and caramel, butterscotch, cappuccino, ale... With water: much the same, plus a bit of varnish and williams pear. Mouth (neat): very powerful and totally on barley spirit. It's like kirsch, but with barley replacing the cherries (I think they've got it, S.) With water: very good, a bit more herbaceous and more robust and rustic than the 2012. Finish: very long, on sweet herbs, if such a thing existed. Comments: we're a bit to the bone, so to speak, with a very natural and concentrated style. It remains superb, after all, it's Ord. And it's James Eadie.
SGP:661 - 85 points.

Check the index of all Glen Ord we've tasted so far