For regular readers of this blog, you will know that we have featured a number of Gordon & MacPhail drams over the past couple of years. As an independent bottler, the drams that they produce represent excellent value for money. They also offer up drams that would either not normally be available or available at a much higher price.
Glen Elgin is a Speyside distillery that was built in the boom years of the 1890’s. As the name suggests, the distillery is located in Elgin. A large proportion of the spirit that they create goes into the White Horse blend.
Price: £60-70
ABV: 46%
Appearance: Light fresh apple juice.
Aroma: Poached Pear, Buttery Pastry, Musk and Cinnamon Spice
Taste: Initially this dram is butter toffee sweet, light and also fruity. In this part of the dram the fruit is orangey and juicy.
As the dram develops on the palate it becomes more like a pear flavour. This combines with a note, which to me, is reminiscent of antique hard spined second hand books. There is a richness and an age to this part of the flavour profile. It is almost musky, but also leathery and wooden.
The final notes are warming, like the heat of chilli or ginger spice, but they are balanced and calm. They drop towards the back of the mouth and throat, treating the mouth to their warmth.
Mouthfeel: Juicy, Spiced and Old.
Overall: I took this little bottle on holiday with me and when I needed something good on the first night, I reached for this dram. At first I wasn’t convinced, but like the last Radiohead album, it was a real grower. As it sat in the glass, the flavours developed and I became more and more impressed by the middle part of the dram. The older, almost antique flavours were different and carried with them a real gravitas. As ever, Gordon & MacPhail produce another quality dram.
Real Dram Factor: 7.9
Source: Sample from the Producer
More Information: Gordon & MacPhail Website
Buy Online: Master of Malt: Glen Elgin 70cl – £61.72